FEATURE: Q&A with Carolyn Speirs

Feature Q&A with 2024-25 National Trophy Series winner for Vet Women 60 Plus, Carolyn Speirs who was on the podium at the British Cyclocross Championships as well

FEATURE: Q&A with National Trophy Series winner for Vet Women 60 Plus: CAROLYN SPEIRS

Carolyn has been bike racing for 27 years and her favourite discipline is cross-country mountain biking. “I’m expecting my season to start at the beginning of spring, if I’m in one piece!” Carolyn says, adding, “I’m racing for Grity”.

Carolyn adds “I’m looking forward to all of the National Series XCO races and events such as the Long Mynd, the 3 Valleys Challenge and bike packing on the Pennine Trail. I’ve raced in Canada (World Champs ultra triathalon) and Spain (MTB). I found that the culture in both of these countries is a lot more enthusiastic about and supportive of our sport. British culture would be so much harder to change than the process, planning or organization.”

Looking back at 2024, Carolyn says “the race in 2024 which was the most fun to do was Woody’s. Other highlights were winning the National Series MTB XCO for the FV60 category and becoming MTB XCO National Champion FV60. The toughest race was the national series race at Tong.”

Riders continue to learn no matter how long they race their bike. Carolyn says of the learning process in her sport, “stand-out things I learned are not to get stressed about racing. It should be fun, or else why do it? We are fortunate (especially at my age) to have the choice to do it and the opportunity. And a thing I have to keep learning is to not look at the thing you don’t want to hit! MTB and Cyclocross racing is a never-ending learning curve.”

On the subject of results, Carolyn explains “there isn’t a result that I’m most proud of. I’m proud as long as I know I’ve done my best, regardless of the result.” Carolyn says that she gets her inspiration and progress from watching others and pushing herself with skills. “The people who keep me going are my husband Mick, and countless people we spend time with at events who motivate and inspire.”

When it comes to the winter, Carolyn is racing cyclocross up and down the country. “Winter training is structured because I also compete in cyclocross. This keeps me going because otherwise I’d hibernate through the winter and would have trouble getting going again! I generally do between 7 and 10 hours a week on the bike and some gym work”.

Thanks Carolyn for the insights into your racing world ;-)

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