Say hello to Chris

Hello! I’m Chris and I handle the Communications for the Rouleurs. This means I’ve got best job in the world because all I do is tell everyone how fantastic this Club is. Every single day.

I’m so lucky to have found the Rouleurs. Thanks to our Club I get out on the bike more regularly, and go further and faster then I ever would on my own. Being part of a team makes you stronger than you are alone.

I’m a huge advocate of the mental health benefits of cycling in all its forms – road, mountain, gravel, track, recumbent, Brompton, eBike. You name it - I’ll ride it. I‘ve made lifelong friendships, had fascinating conversations and laughed a lot – all whilst spending time on two wheels and exploring the world with other people. 

That’s why I love this Club because it never forgets that fundamentally, at it’s heart, cycling is FUN. That’s all it should be. What it’s all about. Having fun, messing about on a bike, brings joy to your life and makes this world a better place.  If you’ve not got a smile on your face - you’re not doing it right.

The good news is that from hammering down a serious pace to pootling through villages, café stop to café stop, this Club does it all. We tear it up and we bimble. We do it together - every step of the way.

By joining the Rouleurs I have achieved so many “firsts”. Thanks to this Club I did my first ever 100 mile cycle, my first ever Hill Climb race, my first ever gravel bike ride, my first ever time trial. 

But these are not the “firsts” that make me love this Club. On my first Rouleurs ride, I punctured. Twice. In one ride. The first time I was embarrassed., The second time I wanted the universe to open up and swallow me whole. But the Rouleurs lent me a spare and got me round. They’ve looked after me every step since. Rouleurs Ride Together.

When I decided to close my business after 10 years trading it was the hardest decision I’ve ever made. The first text I got was “it’s OK mate, you’ve get through this” That was a Rouleur - it meant the world to me. 

After that first came others - messages of support and consolation. Words of wisdom, solace and friendship. “Fancy a ride to clear your head?” In the sunshine and in the storm, no matter what - Rouleurs Ride Together.

That’s why I put this Club first. Incredible people that I’m lucky to call my friends. They made me a proud part of our community.

We are weird. We are wonderful. You don’t get to choose your family, but joining Rouleurs was the best choice I ever made. This is my family - and we’ll happily welcome you if you want to join us.

Chris Waplington (he/him)

Communications Officer