Welcome to TPR Community Spotlight — a weekly series celebrating the riders who make our events what they are. Every week we’ll be sharing the stories, journeys and motivations of people from our community, showing that cycling is for everyone.
Jocelyn’s journey started in difficult circumstances. She caught COVID very early on, before lockdowns and before we really understood what the illness could do. She was quite poorly for several weeks.
During her recovery, on a beautiful spring day in May 2020, she decided to take a small step.
Jocelyn dragged her old mountain bike out of the shed, pumped up the tyres — thankfully they held — and went for a short ride.
Just 1.5 miles.
And she loved it.
That ride was the start of something much bigger.
Gradually she increased the distance, building stamina and confidence along the way. The old mountain bike was eventually replaced with a hybrid, and later a road bike.
Today she rides a Liv Avail — affectionately named Oliver.
For Jocelyn, cycling isn’t about chasing speed or competing with others. What keeps her riding is much simpler: the fresh air, the benefits to her heart and health, the beautiful Norfolk countryside and wildlife, and the quiet sense of accomplishment that comes after a ride.
As she puts it:
“I’m not young. I’m not a fitness fanatic. I’m not a lifelong cyclist. I’m not trying to set speed records. I don’t have the latest bike or kit… but I have a lot of fun, I’ve made new friends and I feel healthier.”
That’s cycling.
Jocelyn’s favourite event is the Tour de Broads, thanks to its stunning scenery, manageable hills and routes that showcase the best of Norfolk.
As a solo rider — and an older female cyclist — she says she always feels safe and supported at TPR events, and they’ve helped her discover parts of Norfolk she might never have seen otherwise.
And that’s exactly why stories like Jocelyn’s matter.
You don’t need to be the fastest.
You don’t need the fanciest bike.
You just need to start.
What was the distance of your very first ride?👇
