International Women's Day 2021

Monday 8th March marks the 111th International Women's Day. The theme for 2021 is #ChooseToChallenge.

"Following the rapid success of my Breeze rides after training as a Champion in September 2020, I started Severn Belles to further encourage women lacking in confidence and support. Due to lockdown we've not yet ridden as a #PinkPeloton but the kit's on order and our wonderful members have been brave enough to ride out alone meantime. I'm so proud!"

British Cycling are encouraging every woman to get out on their bike on IWD and to pledge to create ongoing change for women. Be sure to tag British Cycling and include the hashtags #IWD2021 and #ChooseToChallenge in your Strava activity titles and social media posts.

Cycling Weekly (Thursday 4th issue - out now) and Rouleur (Issue 101) have created special Women's issues with female guest editors to celebrate the event. If you do one thing today, listen to the recording of the Rouleur "Top table" discussion with Orla Chennaoui, Lizzie Deignan, Fran Millar and Monica Santini - inspiring women and such great fun - they'd fit in well on a Belles RideOut! I'd not realised Santini was so women-centred as a business. Their kit is absolutely gorgeous - some of my favourite; the minute you put it on you feel somehow more powerful! One day it would be amazing if Severn Belles became big enough to have our kit supplied by Santini Custom!

Keep challenging, Belles.