Amy Cycling Adventures Q&A at Velo Bavarian

Q&A With Amy Cycling Adventures (Amy Hudson)

October 11, 2024

In her talk ‘Finding Happiness’, endurance cyclist and author of "Finding happiness Pedal by Pedal" Amy, describes her three-year journey into endurance cycling. After leaving her job as a mental health nurse, cycling started off as a way to cope during a difficult time and quickly became a much bigger part of Amy’s life. From cycling 2000km across Italy and France in 8 days, to winning a national silver national medal in the 24-hour time trial and sleeping in graveyards! Amy is a true inspiration, showing what determination can lead to.

Sharing with you her story from not wanting to be here, to finding happiness on the bike, you’ll come away from this talk with a recipe for happiness, increased understanding of how to prioritise mental wellbeing in your life and feeling inspired.

BOOK AMY'S NEXT TALK @ VELO BAVARIAN HERE (DECEMBER 5TH)

At the recent launch of her book, 'Finding Happiness Pedal by Pedal', we sat down with Amy Hudson, better known as 'Amy Cycling Adventures', for a quick Q&A! See our full conversation below.

Amy Cycling Adventures Book: Finding Happiness Pedal by Pedal

VB: Who was your first inspiration within cycling?

ACA: The first cycling book I read was by Emily Chappell who won the Transcontinental Race, which is a race across multiple countries, something I have my heart set on one day, (and drag Kyle in as well). Emily was a big inspiration to me and also, my dad. He got me into cycling and I am forever grateful.

VB: Do you recommend anyone else's book which made a last impression, on you?

ACA: There's loads but other than Emily Chappell's I would recommend Coffee First, Then The World by Jenny Graham who had the world record for cycling around the world.

VB: Is that a hint at your future plans? Can you tell us more about your goals for next year?

ACA: I'll not be cycling around the world anytime soon...well not next year anyway...I can't announce exactly what I'm doing because it hasn't been finalised but it will be happening in July, so make of that what you will. Something I am doing again next year is All Points North which I did this year, but really want to go for it properly and race it! And the Trans Pyrenees - 1000km endurance race in the Pyrenees mountains.

VB: You've been lucky enough to ride quite a few bikes now, which is your favourite you've ridden or owned?

ACA: That's easy, my baby 'Pinny' (Pinarello X7). Somehow I am sponsored by Pinarello but I honestly will say it is the best bike I have ever ridden.

VB: Not the Dawes Galaxy*?

ACA: Not the Dawes Galaxy (sorry Dad!)...that can stay in your garage. But I will say you don't need the lycra, you don't need the expensive bikes - you can ride any bike and still have fun.

*One of the first times Amy came to Velo Bavarian, she'd just done over 100 miles on her Dad's ancient Dawes Galaxy, which must have weighed as much as she did!

VB: What advice would you give to someone wanting to get into cycling for the first time?

ACA: Just start off on local roads and go with a friend if you can - I was luck to go with my dad. Don't worry about your speed or how far you're going just build your confidence and then maybe look at joining a local club. I never knew there was such a massive community in cycling and I've met some of my closest friends.

VB: If you could tell your younger self one thing, what would it be?

ACA: It would probably be to not be so hard on myself and that everything will be ok in the end. I used to be really hard on myself but ever since I got hit by a car and nearly died I thought 'you only have one life so may as well enjoy it!'.