Say hello to Sarah

Hi, I’m Sarah and I started occasional mountain biking with my parents in 2004 before getting into road cycling after moving away from home in 2012. Since then, I have increased the distance and frequency of my riding. Joining York Rouleurs has helped top up my riding with the range of ride options which are posted clearly and regularly on Spond. I also got to go away with the Club to Mallorca this Spring which was awesome!

As neurodiverse, autistic unannounced changes and ambiguity freak me out. I expect people to do what they say they will do and if I ask a question, I need an honest answer. Being autistic, I find it very hard to hide my emotions and so don’t have the same control over the tone of voice or facial expression that neurotypicals have. As a result, any last minute changes or attempts to brush of the changes with jokes will get me visibly upset – think of me as being disorganisation intolerant, in the same way some people or lactose or gluten intolerant!

On rides, if I’m hungry, thirsty or we’re experiencing bad weather I will often ‘vent’ my emotions. Think of me as being similar emotionally to someone with a bowel disorder digestively – I have less control than most people and have ‘little accidents or ‘fart’ unexpectedly, particularly under stress!

I need to keep my mind occupied otherwise I get assaulted with negative thoughts and become very anxious. This is why you might find me playing logic games on my phones in cafes!

Cycling helps me manage my autism. The endorphins make me feel good, it lets me escape almost any worries I have in my life and group riding with the Rouleurs is one of the few ways I have of socialising!

I have tested myself on a number of cycling adventures. Cycling Land End to John O’Groats in 2018 & 2019, a 2 week mountain biking expedition in the Indian Himalayas, a solo 200 mile ride in 2023 and, of course, a week in Mallorca with the Rouleurs this year!

I live to cycle. Almost nothing keeps me off my bike and once I get going, I’m reluctant to stop until I’ve reached my target. A lot of people are faster than me, but I can keep going for a long time! I researched lots of cycling clubs in York and the Rouleurs is the one that fits the niche for my sort of cycling needs.