I started with a volunteering “job” at the outdoor education response team – a lottery funded project under the umbrella of the Highland Council’s Outdoor Education Department. The remit was to work with young people who were maybe displaying challenging behaviours or were “At Risk” (of exclusion, harm, etc). With the support of friends and mentors, Ron Woodward & Andy Clarke, I learned the ropes. I found working with young people came naturally to me and engaging with them became even more fulfilling than the sports themselves. 

After college I worked part-time in Craigdon Mountain Sports to make ends meet, and continued building my experience with the Outdoor Education team. Although as an outdoor education volunteer I was unpaid,  I earned credit for every job I took on when they needed a female leader, so soon I had my own skis, hiking boots, waterproofs, bike, paddles and other equipment bought at a discount from Craigdon. It was a dream beginning.

Outdoor Education then employed me as a full-time member of staff where I worked alongside Ron Woodward for a year or so. The long hours were difficult to juggle with Lachlan at home though. 

It was when a cycling café called Velocity opened up in Inverness that I found my biking crew. I began working there part time on a project aimed at encouraging and supporting people to ride bikes – perfect! It was then that I discovered the world of ultra-endurance cycling, and the sport won my heart.