Our next quiz is with 28 year old Charlotte Berry (Pro-Noctis – Redchilli Bikes – Heidi Kjeldsen), one of the leading riders in the team who lives in the picturesque Cotswolds area of England
![]() |
Q&A: Charlotte Berry (Pro-Noctis – Redchilli Bikes – Heidi Kjeldsen)
Q: How long have you been racing?
Charlotte: 5 or 6 years now
Q: How did you come to race bikes?
Charlotte: I used to run a bit while I was at university and kept picking up injuries. My partner at the time, Jay said I should try bikes as I rode horses so had strong legs. I could also still ride the bike while I was on crutches. I had a go on his road bike down the lane we lived on and never looked back.
Q: How difficult was 2020 with little racing or did it give you time to reset, refresh and focus on 2021?
Charlotte: I think a bit of both. Some periods I felt great and super motivated, others I just wanted normality back.
Q: Do you think you came out of 2020 stronger, the same or less strong as you were before that season of no races?
Charlotte: Physically, definitely stronger. I think mentally, in some ways weaker, having had a bad crash at the very end of the season in ’19 I never had the opportunity to get back on the horse quickly as such. But then equally, I spent a lot of time working on the mental side so maybe I was stronger there in some ways.
Q: What was the highlight of your racing in 2021?
Charlotte: The surprise was when the team won the national road series.
Q: What race in your career is the one that still gives you the biggest buzz?
Charlotte: I think most of them. Things like Tour Series and town centre crits create a good buzz.
Q: The team has been very successful in 2021, what event was the most fun to do with the team?
Charlotte: There have been so many. The Tour Series is always good. I loved the national championships week that had to be the best atmosphere of the year. Riding up Michaelgate with people screaming your name either side was a pretty amazing experience. I also loved some of the smaller races this year, a Crit in Southhampton that I raced with my team mate Sam had a really good feel to it.
Q: Is there a routine to traveling to an event with the team; ie, do you travel with them or get to an event yourself?
Charlotte: Living in the South, a lot of the races tend to be quite far away. I usually try and travel with people. Often myself and my team mate Jenny would travel together. It makes it so much better.
Q: Were there learning moments in 2021 races and if so, what were they?
Charlotte: Many! I worked a lot with our team Psychologist Steve and I had some real breakthrough rides which on paper to others looked like nothing but meant a huge deal to me. Coming 2nd at Curlew was pretty big for me. I came 3rd there in ’19 and for a long time felt it was just a fluke. I proved to myself it wasn’t.
Q: What’s the furthest you have travelled for a bike race in 2021?
Charlotte: Only Scotland. I didn’t travel abroad this year. Working in healthcare, it wasn’t something I wanted to risk.
Q: If a young rider asked you to describe how a national level women’s road race unfolds, is there a common way the races are raced or does that depend on the course?
Charlotte: I think it depends on a few factors, things like the course, who’s racing, the weather. It is what you make it, especially with a team.
Q: During a race, is there a lot of team talk between you and teammates on what to do in certain situations during an ever changing race?
Charlotte: Yes and no. We do communicate and that’s really important but a lot of the plan is done before the race and then if changes need to be made on the road, there’s a lot of non- verbal communication I think.
Q: Do you go into a race nervous or intimated by other riders or do you have the confidence to hold you own (perhaps with the team support helping to give you that)?
Charlotte: I find that I get a lot of confidence from having the team around me. I think its natural to feel nerves.
Q: Do you train on a training bike or the race bike …
Charlotte: In the winter on a training bike and then in the summer we have the race bikes back. It takes me a while each time to get used to that change.
Q: Do you cross train at all, running, swimming, gym or other disciplines like MTB?
Charlotte: I go to the gym. I ride off road. I ride horses. I do things with friends like Rock climbing for a laugh.
Q: Where is your favourite training ride?
Charlotte: I have so many that I enjoy. I do love a good a good club run or ride with friends.
Q: What type of race suits you best?
Charlotte: I try not to think like this anymore. I was always told I was a sprinter but I think that mindset that you are only good at one thing can be negative. I’m a bike racer, that’s it. Some of the races you wouldn’t think would suit you on paper you may end up doing well in.
Q: What are your tips for staying warm on a long winter ride?
Charlotte: Layers and lots of them. Buy good kit- its a good investment and a lot of it lasts a few years.
Q: What are goals for 2022
Charlotte: To finally win Curlew for sure after coming 2nd and 3rd before.
Cycle Division’s Shop
Send your results as well as club, team & event news here
Other Results on VeloUK (including reports containing results)
- Features, Reports, Results
- Crit Result: Sussex Cycle Racing League Circuits 1/14
- Result: Hillingdon Slipstreamers Spring Series Event 1
- Crit Result: Full Gas Winter Circuit Series #15
- RESULT: 2nd Portsdown Classic
- Track Result – Manchester Regional Track League
- News: John Barclay Academy Launch
- Crit Result: Full Gas Winter Circuit Series #14
- QUIZ TIME! Q&A with Zack Lowe (Prologue Race Team)
- NEWS: 2025 ELITE DEVELOPMENT TEAMS
- Crit Result: Odd Down Winter Series Rd 1
- Crit Result: Chilly City Crits Rd 2
- CX Result: London/South East CX League 10
- Track Result: 2025 Manchester Regional Track League
- Another World Title for Zoe Backstedt
- TRAGIC NEWS: Aidan Loses His Life in Training Accident
- Tom Pidcock wins the AlUla Tour
- Q&A with Elliot Fraser (360cycling)
- GB Team Win World Title at CX Worlds
- Second stage win for Tom Pidcock in AlUla Tour
- 2025 West Midlands road race league
- NEWS: Ribble Cycles Bike Sponsor for Smurfit Westrock Team
- QUIZ TIME! Q&A with young talent Mark Ketteringham
- Startlist: RCR Portsdown Classic Road Race (February 9)
- Crit Result: Full Gas Winter Circuit Series #13
- Crit Result: Chilly City Crits Rd 1
- CX Result: Linlithgow Cross 2025
- QUIZ TIME!! REBECCA WOODVINE
- CX Result: London and South East CX League 9
- CX Results: Eastern Region CX League Rd 10
- CX Result: Wessex Cyclocross League Round 12
- QUIZ TIME! Q&A with Oscar Nisbett
- CX Result: NWCCA League Round 11
- Track Result: Manchester Regional Track League
- QUIZ TIME: Britain’s Joe Turnbull
- CYCLOCROSS: 2025-26 LLOYDS NATIONAL TROPHY SERIES CALENDAR
- Crit Result: Full Gas Winter Circuit Series #12
- QUIZ TIME! Dan Kemp (Prologue Junior Race Team)
- CX Result: Jersey Cyclocross League Jan 19
- CX Result: Army Cyclocross Champs 2025
- CX Result: Leicestershire Cyclocross League Rd 6
Other News on VeloUK
- News: John Barclay Academy Launch
- NEWS: 2025 ELITE DEVELOPMENT TEAMS
- Another World Title for Zoe Backstedt
- TRAGIC NEWS: Aidan Loses His Life in Training Accident
- Tom Pidcock wins the AlUla Tour
- 2025 West Midlands road race league
- NEWS: Ribble Cycles Bike Sponsor for Smurfit Westrock Team
- Startlist: RCR Portsdown Classic Road Race (February 9)
- CYCLOCROSS: 2025-26 LLOYDS NATIONAL TROPHY SERIES CALENDAR
- 2025 British CycloCross Championships Day 2
- 2025 British CycloCross Championships Day 1
- TEAM NEWS: RAPTOR FACTORY RACING
- STARTLIST: 2025 British Cyclocross Championships
- Q&A: Louis Herring (Prologue Junior Race Team)
- BRITISH CYCLOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIPS RIDER LIST
- NEXT WEEK: BRITISH CYCLOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIPS – CYCLOPARK
- 2025 EVENTS: RTTC 10 mile TIME TRIAL CHAMPIONSHIP
- THIS WEEKEND: NATIONAL TROPHY SERIES 2024/25 ROUND 5
- BMCR Newsletter January 2025
- TEAM NEWS: BCC Race Team 2025 Squad Announcement
- TEAM NEWS: 2025 Handsling Alba Development Road Team
- Q&A with Paul Opie & Tom Mead
- Team News: New Junior team for West Lothian Clarion
- 2025 Events: Plymouth Corinthian
- News: Junior/Youth National Series 2025
- Startlist: Round 4 National Trophy Cyclocross (Dec 7/8)
- ELITE ROAD AND CIRCUIT RACES CALENDAR
- Sad News: No Saint Piran team for 2025
- News: The Pedal Club Lunch (November)
- Team Update: Brother UK / Onform 2025
- 2025 NATIONAL TRACK CALENDAR ANNOUNCED
- CHS CICLISMO – Complimentary daily massage and spa!
- Team News: Fensham Howes – MAS Design 2025
- National Trophy Cyclocross: Round 3 (Torbay)
- Tofauti Everyone Active announces new partners and new name for 2025
- Rider News: Matt Thompson signs for French Team BMC Bezier
- News: Youth Tour of Scotland 2025
- FEATURE: Billy Ladle’s Stellar Season Recognised at British Cycling Awards
- 2025 Prologue Junior Race Team
- STARTLIST: BUCS Hill Climb Championships