Close the gap

The new edition of Rouleur, number 121, is about closing the gap. It’s a sequel to our groundbreaking Women’s edition, guest edited by TV presenter and Rouleur columnist Orla Chennaoui and published two and a half years ago, but on top of that, it’s also a significant step forward.

For Rouleur 121, we convened a guest editorial panel of inspiring, talented, powerful women to come up with ideas for features and to highlight not only the challenges we face, but to emphasise solutions and positive steps. We were lucky to work with former world champion Lizzie Deignan; our very own Orla Chennaoui again; Stephanie Hilborne, who is the CEO of Women in Sport; activist and journalist Jools Walker; Tiktok sensation Sydney Cassidy; and the founder of Islabikes and multiple national cyclo-cross champion Isla Rowntree.

Our mission statement for the magazine was: more women on bikes, more women in sport. And the discussion that the panel had to that end, one morning in June, was crackling with energy, ideas, insight and positivity. The result is Rouleur 121.

The magazine is full of inspiring and important stories which should galvanise us all to recognise not only that there is work to be done, but also that we are well capable as a community of achieving great things. Cycling has not yet closed the gap, but we all hope that Rouleur 121 inspires you all to help continue that work.