With International Women’s Day just around the corner on Tuesday March 8, a group of volunteers dedicated to making bikes and their mechanics more accessible to women are hosting a day of all things women and bicycles.  

‘Team Beryl’ host regular events for women but this bumper celebration on March 5 will be an all day affair, with exciting guest speakers and panel discussions at The Story Museum in Oxford.

The first speaker will be blogger, ex-cycle courier and author of the excellent ‘What Goes Around‘ memoirs, Emily Chappell. Guests will also hear from Dr Sheila Hanlon – an expert on the social and political history of women’s cycling.

In addition, there will be a panel discussion around what it’s like to be a woman in the cycle industry – featuring frame builders Caren Hartley and Liz Colebrook, London Bike Kitchen Founder Jenni Gwiazdowski, plus mechanic Eleanor Smith.

Later discussing what it’s like to be a woman in competitive cycling, guests will hear from local club representative, Cheryl Reid, who has been instrumental in increasing the female membership of Cowley Road Condors. Elite mountain biker Maxine Filby will also take the stage, as will Jan Phillips, the founder of Oxfordshire’s women-only road race the ‘Woodstock Classic’.

Of course – all that listening and thinking is bound to work up appetites, and there will be a home-cooked lunch, snacks, tea and coffee.