Deep Roots & New Adventures- Liz McCormick

Every great community event is made possible by the people who step forward to support it. For Girls That Ride Bikes, Liz has kindly supported the crew t-shirts, helping to give our volunteer team a shared identity over the weekend. Her backing reflects her passion for promoting women in cycling, and we’re so grateful for her support.

Why I’m Supporting Girls That Ride Bikes: Finding My Tribe in North Dorset

When I first heard about Girls That Ride Bikes coming to Durweston on 29th-31st August, I knew immediately that I wanted to be involved. As someone who has been cycling for years, I understand just how transformative those two wheels can be – and how important community is to making it all worthwhile.

Working alone as I do, running my own practice, I’ve learned that support from others isn’t just nice to have, it’s essential. The local community has become key to my enjoyment of the Dorset countryside, and as someone relatively new to Shillingstone, I’m still building those precious connections that make a place feel like home.

Deep Roots, New Adventures

I’ve called Dorset home for many years now. I spent 18 wonderful years in Wimborne, about 10miles away, where I brought up my children and put down deep roots. Moving to Shillingstone has meant starting fresh in some ways, but it’s also opened up new opportunities to connect with people who share my passions.

More Than Just Transport

For me, cycling has always been about so much more than just getting from A to B. During a period when I wasn’t working, I had the privilege of being a volunteer cycle leader at Moors Valley Country Park. That experience taught me a great deal about the power of cycling to bring people together. The programme was designed to encourage people back to cycling, and I witnessed firsthand the joy and confidence that bloomed

when someone rediscovered their love of being on two wheels. There’s something magical about those moments when you’re out in the beautiful North Dorset countryside, feeling the rhythm of your pedals and watching the landscape unfold around you. The rolling hills, the quiet lanes, the changing seasons – it’s like having a front-row seat to a constant show. These rides take me away from spreadsheets and client meetings, giving me the headspace I need to think clearly and find my balance.

The Perfect Escape from HMRC Deadlines

In my day job, I spend a lot of time helping small businesses, sole traders, and individuals navigate their finances and taxes. It’s work I genuinely love – there’s real satisfaction in helping someone understand their accounts or sorting out a tax situation. But let’s be honest, after a day of wrestling with spreadsheets and HMRC deadlines, I need something completely different to switch off and recharge.

Mind and Body Benefits

The mental and physical benefits speak for themselves. After a good ride, I feel stronger – not just in my legs, but in my mind. The stresses of running a business and managing the complexities of modern life seem more manageable when I’ve had that time on my bike. It’s like hitting a reset button that makes everything else feel possible.

Why This Event Matters

That’s why I’m so excited to support Girls That Ride Bikes. This social gathering, with its mix of rides and talks aimed at building the local cycling community for all levels of rider, is exactly what our area needs. Every woman deserves to experience the joy, freedom, and strength that comes from cycling, whether they’re complete beginners or seasoned riders looking for new connections.

I’m proud to be sponsoring the t-shirts for this event because I believe in creating spaces where women can discover or rediscover their love of cycling. It’s about more than the physical activity – it’s about building confidence, finding community, and creating those connections that make a place feel like home.

Whether you’re new to the area like me, returning to cycling after years away, or looking to meet fellow riders, there’s a place for you at this event.

See you in Durweston!

👉 Find out more about McCormick Accounting

 

Celebrating Our Sponsors & Supporters

Pulling together Girls That Ride Bikes has been an incredible journey and it simply wouldn’t be possible without the amazing sponsors, supporters, friends, and the brilliant committee working behind the scenes. Each has played their part in shaping the event with energy, ideas, and dedication. Together with our sponsors and supporters, who have added something unique, whether that’s kit, expertise, donations, or encouragement, this community has made the weekend possible. Here’s a huge thank you to every one of them.

McCormick Accounting

Community lies at the heart of McCormick Accounting. As our organising team t-shirt sponsor, Liz McCormick has shown her commitment to creating spaces where women in cycling feel seen, supported, and celebrated. She’s also shared her own story in a dedicated blog about why she chose to support Girls That Ride Bikes.

Amelia Johnson Photography

Photos by Amelia Johnson add beauty and depth to our event, capturing the spirit, strength, and community of Girls That Ride Bikes. A highly experienced Dorset-based photographer, Amelia specialises in evocative commercial, food, interiors, and event imagery across the South of England. Her generous support and stunning shots bring warmth and clarity to our story. 👉 Amelia Johnson

Gather & Glow Yoga

Gather & Glow is here to support the ride. Aimee’s classes are designed to balance the intensity of cycling with the power of stretch, calm, and relaxation. By inviting stillness, we can unlock new strengths and resilience and find our flow, both on and off the bike. It’s not just recovery or preparation, it’s a way to reconnect with our body and mind, so you can ride with more energy, ease and glow. 👉 Gather & Glow Yoga

KB Your Fit

Led by Kellie, KB Your Fit is all about empowering mums through fitness. Her classes provide not just a workout, but a supportive community where women can feel strong and confident. 👉 KB My Fit on Instagram

Trail Bloom

Born from a love of mountain biking and the frustration of not finding women’s gear that truly fit, Trail Bloom was created by founder Emily to change the game. What started as a personal passion has grown into a brand dedicated to making stylish, functional, and sustainable kit designed specifically for women. More than clothing, Trail Bloom is about building confidence, comfort, and community—on and off the trails. 👉 Trail Bloom

Voom Nutrition

Fueling the rides with energy, Voom Nutrition provides performance products designed to keep you going strong. Their support means our riders will have access to high-quality sports nutrition that really works. 👉 Voom Nutrition

Chase The Sun

Known for their legendary coast-to-coast cycling challenge, Chase The Sun has been incredible in promoting Girls That Ride Bikes to a wider audience, featuring us on their website, and lending their support to grow our community.

👉 Chase The Sun

Hornit Bikes

Born from a passion for cycling safety and crafted with both fun and function in mind, Hornit Bikes delivers standout accessories—from the world’s loudest bike horn to award-winning balance and pedal bikes for kids and clever gear like the CLUG bike wall mount. They’ve generously donated exciting raffle prizes, helping us raise vital funds to support women in gaining ridership qualifications.

👉 Hornit Bikes

Stolen Goat

Style meets function with Stolen Goat, who has provided our custom Girls That Ride Bikes apparel. They’ve been instrumental in helping us create a look that unites and inspires our riders.

👉 Stolen Goat

Off Camber Cycles

A true hub for riders in Blandford, Off Camber Cycles is bringing its skills and knowledge to the event with a workshop and maintenance support. Sharing practical tips so riders can feel confident long after the weekend is over.

👉 Off Camber Cycles

Rimecuda

Inspired by the rugged beauty of the New Forest and rooted in the old name for Ringwood, Rimecuda creates outdoor‑focused apparel with a skate‑and‑trail heritage. Their pieces are made from organic cotton and designed with unisex fits and nature‑inspired prints. Their generous raffle donations will help fund ride leadership qualifications, supporting women to build confidence both on the bike and in the broader cycling community. 👉 Rimecuda

Pedalabikeaway

As one of the UK’s leading trail centres, Pedalabikeaway is helping us expand our audience and share the love of cycling beyond Dorset. Their involvement brings fresh energy and reach to our project. 👉 Pedalabikeaway

Stone Circle

By promoting Girls That Ride Bikes to their own audience, Stone Circle has amplified our message and helped us connect with even more women who might love to join the ride.

👉 Stone Circle Gravel

New Forest Off Road Club

Special thanks to Sue from the New Forest Off Road Club, who has been a fantastic ride leader, route planner, and all-around supporter. She’s brought her experience and passion to help shape the rides for the weekend.

👉 The New Forest Off Road Club

Hambledons

Based in Dorset, Hambledons provide outdoor services including fencing, hedging, decking, and gates. Known for their reliable work and commitment to quality, they bring a thoughtful, practical approach to every project. 👉 Visit Hambledons

Hambledons, KB My Fit, Trail Bloom, and Gather & Glow Yoga, kindly supported the cost of our event goodie bags. Thanks to their backing, every rider will take home a bag to remember the weekend by — a small but meaningful way to carry the spirit of Girls That Ride Bikes beyond the event itself.

Why These Partnerships Matter

Pulling together an event like Girls That Ride Bikes is no small feat, and it wouldn’t be possible without this incredible network of sponsors and supporters. Each one contributes in their own way, but together they help create a welcoming, inspiring, and empowering space for women on bikes.

To everyone who has contributed—thank you. You’re not just helping make an event happen, you’re helping build a community.

Chase the Sun 2025: 205 Miles, One Team.

On the longest day of the year, eight of us from Girls That Ride Bikes set off at sunrise to ride coast-to-coast — 205 miles from the east to the west of England — as part of Chase the Sun 2025.

It was a ride that tested everything: our legs, our patience, our gear, and even our ability to communicate. But it was also a day of teamwork, support, and shared achievement that we’ll never forget.

The day began at 4:30am in the still, cool morning air. Two support drivers travelled with us throughout the route, leapfrogging stops and providing everything from snacks and hydration to spare kit and mechanical help. With many hours ahead of us, the goal was simple: keep moving, keep each other going, and finish before sunset.

When Things Don’t Go to Plan

The ride wasn’t without its challenges. Electric gear issues cropped up early on, followed by a broken cleat that required not one, but two bike shop stops, and eventually a new pair of shoes and cleats. All of this took time, and as we approached London later than planned, the traffic had built up, as had the rising heat on what turned out to be one of the hottest days of the year.

Once we left the city, there was a huge sense of relief, but we knew we were behind on our timing. This is where the strength of the team really came through.

Riding As One

Despite the delays, no one was dropped. We rode as a team the entire way, adjusting pace when needed and supporting each other through every low point and breakthrough. We rotated support, kept spirits high, shared suncream, painkillers, energy chews, and encouragement. Everyone had their moment to dig deep, and everyone did.

All eight of us completed the full 205 miles. For most, it was the longest day spent on a bike (14.5 hours in the saddle). And we did it together.

Radio Comms

We hired six Motorola TLK100 radios from Chat-Com, with earpieces for hands-free use. Some of us were sceptical at first — would they really make that much of a difference?

The answer was a resounding yes.

The radios became vital from the outset. We used them for everything: requesting water and food at stops, flagging injuries and kit changes, adjusting meeting points on the fly, and calling out road hazards like gravel or narrow bridges. At one point, both support vehicles got stuck on the M25 and the riders were heading into central London. We could coordinate in real time and meet elsewhere without losing momentum. The 5G roaming SIMs kept us connected almost the entire day, even in more rural patches.

“I’m not sure I could do another event like this without the radios — absolute godsend.” Nada Omran

Proud Ambassadors

We’re incredibly proud to have participated in this iconic event and even prouder to be official Chase the Sun Ambassadors. This ride showed us what we’re capable of when we work together — and how much can be achieved with a mix of preparation, grit, friendship, and a few emergency ice lollies along the way.