Cycling was the sport of our family - we did it all the time, five days a week.

When I first started out in cycling, if there were two girls there, that was successful; but now, if there are 20 girls there, it's just unbelievable. The growth of the sport is just incredible.

My mum was my inspiration. As cliche as that sounds, she was the reason that we started. She chose cycling to lose weight. I was only eight at the time, so I just followed what my mum did.

I never really had a job, because I've been cycling from such a young age: there was never really a time to have a job. My mum went into Starbucks once and asked if they had a job for me, and they offered me one - but I never took it up because I couldn't fit the job in with school and cycling.

The best way for women to get into cycling is to go out in a group, to feel like you're part of it.

It's nice to actually look done-up, because people see a different side of me, the more girly side. Obviously, I can't do that with cycling. I can't go with nice girly hair and full make-up.