Say hello to Guðbjörg

Guðbjörg joined the Club in 2022 after moving to York from Iceland. She is one of our most experienced cyclists. Since joining the Rouleurs she has taken part in her first English sportive, the Paria Paperboy; she took part in our annual Fish & Chip ride that takes us out to Bridlington and back; and travelled with the Club to Rotterdam. Plus, Guðbjörg and her wife Anna have regularly been on our super inclusive We Ride, with their lovely dog Moli.

Guðbjörg’s story:

“Cycling’s been my passion since I got my first bike when I was five years old. Something ignited inside me that day and I’ve been cycling ever since. I always feel so much freedom and happiness on two wheels that I can’t imagine myself without it.

When I was a single mom in my twenties, I couldn’t afford a car so had to use my bike to commute everywhere. Back then, it wasn’t very common to see people cycling all year round in Iceland. Those who chose this lifestyle were considered rather strange - as she grew up my daughter felt more than a bit embarrassed! But looking back, I’m always both grateful and proud of my part of the cycling scene in Iceland.

I love travelling and have always been a huge nature lover. For many years, I travelled in Iceland as much as I could with friends in a mountain bike club. I’ve got so many unbelievable memories from bikepacking trips both in Iceland and abroad. I’ve been to Mohab, Utah, USA several times which is like nothing else. Plus countless training camps and holidays in Mallorca, one of my favourite cycling spots.

My first mountain bike race was in 1996, when the first ever Blue Lagoon challenge was held - a 60 km race from Hafnarfjordur to the Blue Lagoon. Only 12 people took part and I was the only women. We were doing it mostly to prove ourselves, everyone competing with each other with no categories. Over the years the cycling scene in Iceland has grown hugely - 2004-6 saw an explosion in both commuting and racing, and more women came into the sport. The Blue Lagoon Challenge has since become the largest MTB race in Iceland with over 1100 participants each year from all over the world.

I didn’t get my first road bike until 2005 - soon after I started to doing road races as well. In 2015, I was part of a 10 women team that won the WOW Cyclothon race around Iceland, completing 1346 km in 42h45min. Being part of such a great team in preparation for the race and taking turns riding, driving two team cars around the beautiful country of Iceland in the middle of summer is something that you never forget. I’ve also been to Motala in Sweden four times to participate in Vatternrundan, known as “the world’s largest recreational bike event”, 300 km around Lake Vattern, which I managed to finish under 10 hours.

I moved to York from Iceland 2018 and, although I had known about Rouleurs, I didn't join the club until September 2022 due to COVID and lack of confidence. I really regret not taking the step sooner! I desperately needed to be with like minded people and discover new routes surrounding York - so I got a grip of myself and went on my first Rouleurs ride. It was so memorable, I felt so welcome - everyone took such good care of me and showed such interest in me as a person. I instantly felt part of the Club and I remember feeling “at home”. I came home from this first Club Ride with a big smile on my face and told my wife that I had finally found my “tribe”. When I think back and put this into words I honestly get very emotional.

The Club ethos caught my attention when I visited the website and I really liked it. I have met lots of interesting people and discovered new routes; not to mention how much it means to me be able to practice my English by listening and talking to friendly people on the bike. I always look forward to Sunday rides with the Club and the diversity of routes and groups is fantastic - to be able to choose depending how you feel on the day is so nice. Being part of something as special as York Rouleurs means a lot to me and I was so proud and excited when I first put my Club kit on.

I would recommend the Club to everyone who enjoys cycling with great people, especially women who still seem to need a bit more encouragement. My confidence has grown since I joined the Club - so much so, that last summer, I went by myself from York to Bristol by train and cycled back over 500 km in 6 days. Life is better on a bicycle and I feel so lucky to get to enjoy myself in the beautiful Yorkshire countryside. There’s always something new to discover and special to experience. I’m a proud York Rouleur - I can see myself with the Club for the rest of my life.”