My name is Immy, and I am not sure I qualify as a cyclist.
I live in the northwest of England with my partner and my hamster Pecan, who has his own bedroom. My partner told me not to write that bit, but I have kept it in because I think it shows where my priorities are in life. The hamster wears the trousers in our house.
Growing up, I was incredibly privileged to be given both the space, encouragement, freedom and money to engage in whatever outdoor pursuits I fancied. I started out life in gymnastics, ballet and dance until I was deemed too fat, too inflexible and too shy; I played rugby with my brothers until they grew too big; from 8 until 18 I trained as a showjumper; and during my late teens I dabbled in athletics, duke of Edinburgh award and running. My childhood summers were spent quad biking, kayaking, roller blading, ice-skating, scootering or cycling through the woods. Being active and outdoors weren’t active choices, they were part of the fabric of existing in my family, and I am lucky that no one ever put limitations on that as it has drastically shaped my life in adulthood.
Now in my late 20s, I am a self-confessed book nerd and have recently just completed my MSc in environmental sustainability at the Centre for Alternative Technology. Outside of all the cycling I don’t do, I enjoy running, swimming, climbing and going on walks – or in general just being very busy.
Hopefully this website gives me the space to explore the things that have helped me become me and carve out a small corner of the cycling industry.