Meet the Squad
Get to know the lovely women who keep the BWOW wheels turning! From ride leaders to social media mavens, this is the squad that makes our community so special. Meet the faces behind the fun, and see why you'll fit right in with our crew.
Our team
Meet the ladies who make BWOW happen
Ange
Design, social media and
website support
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Hi, I'm Ange and I'm a graphic designer. I help the group with the website and social media and I also designed the kit. I've been riding with the BWOW crew for a few years now and I absolutely love it!
As much as I love the cycling, I love the spirit of the women who come on the rides. Everyone brings such great energy and it makes every ride feel special.
I also love that BWOW welcomes riders at all levels and that's something we really encourage. So if you've spotted our kit and felt a little intimidated, don't be! It's available to everyone and I won't lie, I do love wearing mine. Sometimes I'll get a shout out from other riders on the road: "GO BWOW!" - that never gets old and brings a smile to my face.
Gabby
Ride Lead East London and Social Events Lead
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I’m an East London gal who loves cities, trees, and the great outdoors. As well as cycling, I love running, movies and knitting!
I’m glad to be a new ride leader for BWOW!
I constantly commuted by bike but found my love for cycling when I joined the BWOW community!
I joined BWOW to get more practice at long bike rides!
I return to BWOW because of the lovely like-minded ladies I meet at every ride, the skills I continue to learn, and the challenge and discovery that comes with new long rides!
I find cycling a great way to get around and discover more of my city while exercising and getting some much-needed headspace!
Having a safe space amongst my community to cycle and help tackle access to the sport together is so important!If I met you for the first time on a BWOW ride, what can I say to you or ask you to break the ice?
What bike races I’ve done, and what ones I’m aiming for, thanks to BWOW
Leona
Social Events Lead
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Hey there! My name is Leona, and I am the Social Events Lead for BWOW.
I’ve had bikes for most of my life. My first bike was a blue Raleigh with a detachable bag on the back! Approximately 13 years ago, I received a bike as a gift from my job, and I could ride to university to keep my costs low. I thoroughly enjoyed it!
I upgraded my bike during the last lockdown to access outdoor activity as I don’t have a garden. It’s honestly the best thing I’ve done in recent times.
My cousin and I found BWOW by chance. Someone from another fitness group posted about the rides. We don’t see any Black faces featured in the Tour de France, so cycling may be viewed as a sport that is not very inclusive. As a Black woman, particularly someone rebuilding their confidence, I needed to do it in a safe and supportive environment. As soon as I clicked the link, I knew I had to join!
BWOW is just vibes. I come for the vibes.
When I cycle, I feel free - it’s something that you can do on your own or in groups. The beautiful thing is that we see people progressing, becoming more confident and passionate about the sport.
If I met you for the first time on a BWOW ride, what can I say to you or ask you to break the ice?If you come to the rides, I’ll usually take pictures! Ask me to take your picture.
Benita
North London
Ride Lead and Eventbrite Manager
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Hi, my name is Benita, and I’m the North London lead rider. I’ve been riding with BWOW for 2 years, and I love cycling with my sisters and engaging in conversations about all matters of life.
I started cycling as a form of exercise and a mode of transport to get my children to school. I was fed up with running behind them on their bikes. This was the first time I rode consistently since childhood; the feeling was enthralling, and I wanted it to continue.
So I looked for a riding group, which was not like one my fast-paced cousin would join, who I couldn’t keep up with! Thank goodness for social media, because from there, I found BWOW!
As a mother of 3 daughters, I feel it’s essential that they see me constantly trying new things, taking part in challenges and overcoming obstacles. It’s important to me that they see that age does not stop you from growing and glowing ✨️.
BWOW is a part of my journey in this process. Come along and join and be a part of something special.
If I met you for the first time on a BWOW ride, what can I say to you or ask you to break the ice?
Ask me what I’m reading or what my favourite book is to break the ice.
Karen
Co-founder and
Ride Lead West London
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Hi, I'm Karen, and I'm one of the co-founders. I started BWOW in 2021, it started with three of us, and now we have hundreds of riders with us
I cover the West London area, Richmond, and Windsor are my favourite rides. I started cycling when I was around 10 years old, my uncle taught me how to ride in Richmond Park.
The sisters are now life-long friends, and I am grateful for them. I love riding with like-minded black women. Cycling with them allows me to offload and bask in black girl joy.
Cycling is therapy, giving me the freedom to go wherever I want whenever I want. It makes me feel like a child again. I love it. When I cycle it allows me to reflect and be in nature.
We are the only beginner female black cycling group in London. BWOW is necessary for diversity.
If I met you for the first time on a BWOW ride, what can I say to you or ask you to break the ice?
Say hello with a smile :)
Rose
Ride Lead
South London
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Hi, my name is Rose and I am a South London ride leader. I am 60 years young and enjoying every minute. Still a bit of a novice, however, I enjoy cycling, walking and line dancing.
I joined BWOW because the name Black Women On Wheels attracted me straight away, knowing there was a group of like-minded people wanting to go cycling especially on the busy main roads. I joined and I felt this overwhelming sense of belonging. So now I ride whenever I can.
If I met you for the first time on a BWOW ride, what can I say to you or ask you to break the ice?
Hi, hello, how are you? Do you still line dance?
Shuntelle
Ride Lead
South-East London
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Hi, my name is Shuntelle and I am a South East London ride leader. I started riding with BWOW back in 2021. I had not cycled in years and was very nervous when I first started riding, but the group was so welcoming and supportive that I quickly gained confidence. I was looking for a group where I could truly be myself, and BWOW does make me feel like that.
I started cycling to meet new people and to be outside. I love the outdoors, and cycling perfectly balances socialising and exercising simultaneously.
Faith
Co-founder and Ride Lead North and East London
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Hi, I’m Faith, one of the BWOW co-founders. I cover the North and East London area.
I learnt how to ride a bike as a teenager but really did not ride much. I always liked the idea of cycling and attempted to get into it multiple times, but I wanted to avoid riding on London roads. The game changer for me was the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic. In July 2020, I needed to go back into the office. For once, the London roads felt safer than risking getting ill on the tube. So, I bought a bike (her name is Janice) and started commuting to work. I have not stopped cycling ever since :)
I joined BWOW because I wanted to join a cycle club, but Black women are rare in most. When I found BWOW, I was over the moon. I joined the first ride organised by Karen. Three of us turned up that day, and it just felt right. That was April 2021, and I have been riding with the group since.
I have found a family through this group. Every ride I join, I meet amazing women and have the best time. Sometimes, I come along, and I’m not in the mood to ride, and we jist together, and I’m always glad I came.
I love the freedom that cycling brings me. I don’t drive, so being on two wheels has opened London. I also love the challenge that cycling brings to my life. I went from riding 5 miles to work to doing longer rides, sometimes with a group but also solo. My next challenge will be riding 100 miles. I would love to go from London to Paris. Cycling reminds me to never underestimate myself.
BWOW is a cycling club where all Black women are welcome, regardless of ability. Yes, we focus on cycling, but we are a lifestyle club. We have rides with brunch in the middle, short rides around Hyde Park, longer rides in the countryside, and even twerking. If you look at cycling advertising, you would think Black women and our bodies do not belong on bikes, BWOW proves this is simply not true. We are an essential space for Black women to connect without explaining. Honestly, it feels like coming home.
If I met you for the first time on a BWOW ride, what can I say to you or ask you to break the ice?
I would probably say hi to you first :) But, if you had to break the ice, talk to me about cake and food in general! I’m an eater 😊
Mona
Ride Lead West London
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Hi, I’m Mona, and I’m one of the West London ride leaders for BWOW.
I learnt to cycle as an infant (don't remember like walking) and cycled as a means of transportation until I moved to the UK at 14. I got back into cycling during lockdown as a couple of my close friends set up Black Muslims Women Bike.
I'm a lover of being in the moment and taking the scenic route. I love cycling as it is freeing and creates an expansive mood.
BWOW was the first physical cycling collective I joined after their inaugural ride. I joined to share my passion for cycling in community and sisterhood.
If I met you for the first time on a BWOW ride, what can I say to you or ask you to break the ice?I'd like to think there would be no need to break the ice. A simple but genuine greeting, perhaps a smile and an introduction would suffice.