BWOW x Waltham Forest - Herbal Tea/Gardening session

We’re excited to announce that BWOW has received funding from the Waltham Forest Walking and Cycling Fund to run six beginner-friendly group bike rides with a wellness component activity within the ride and you’re invited! Improve your wellbeing through cycling.

These sessions are designed especially for beginners or those getting back into cycling. Expect easy-paced rides through green spaces, quiet roads, and cycle paths—all starting from accessible locations in the borough: Walthamstow Central Station Car Park (South Waltham Forest) and Chingford (North Waltham Forest).

Our goal is to help you:

• Increase cycling confidence by providing knowledge of local quiet roads, green spaces and local infrastructure.
• Encourage riders to see cycling as a way that they improve their holistic wellbeing.
• Encourage riders to see the bike as a primary means of transport to unlock the beauty of the borough and activities it has on offer to support their wellbeing.
• Build social connections between Black women interested in cycling and a sense of belonging as a cyclist.
• Expose riders to practical wellness tools that can complement cycling to support their wellbeing.
• Whether you're just getting started or want a gentle reintroduction to cycling, these sessions are for you!

Walthamstow Central Station to Mulberry Community Gardens

Join us for a ride along the canal from Walthamstow to the Mulberry Community garden in Chingford for a herbal tea/gardening tasting session.

Mulberry Community Gardens:

Difficulty: Brave ride (up to 10 miles). Braving your fears to embrace something new. A beginner friendly ride, casual off road with very few hills.

Meeting point:

Walthamstow Central Station Car Park

Rental bikes:

https://www.walthamforest.gov.uk/parking-roads-and-travel/walking-and-cycling/access-cycles

Lunch:

Please bring your own lunch, snacks, and plenty of drinking water, as there is no running water at the venue. We will provide hot water so we can all enjoy a herbal tea session together.

Can I come to Black Women On Wheels?

As the name suggests, this is a safe space for Black/Mixed Race cis and trans women of Black African and / or Caribbean. We are not a BAME, POC, BIPOC, WOC, Politically Black or Ally organisation.

Other details

Punctures can happen on any ride so please come prepared with the kit to repair a puncture on your bike, such as a spare inner tube. Even if you're not sure how to repair one, someone in the group should be able to help.

We will be taking pictures and videos on the day and using them for our social media campaign. Please let us know if you would like to opt-out of a picture or video being taken of you and or it being posted on social media.

Participation in rides is voluntary and up to the discretion of the individual. Please ride safely and obey traffic laws. Black Women On Wheels is not liable for any injuries that may occur as a result of joining a group ride.

About the group

Welcome to the sisterhood! We are Black Women On Wheels (BWOW), a cycling group for Black women with a difference. Our focus is fun, laughter and joy, while riding our bikes.

The group started in April 2021 and we ride out 2 times a month, rotating between North, East, South and West London.

As a community of Black women, we empower each other to ride our bikes, while assisting with issues specific to Black women such as haircare while cycling.

It does not matter if you are a complete beginner, a cycle commuter or an advanced rider. Whatever your level, this is the group for you! Join our sisterhood so we can thrive together!

Be Bold, Be You, BWOW!

Ride Levels:

Brave ride (up to 10 miles). Braving your fears to embrace something new. A beginner friendly ride, casual off-road with very few hills.

Warmer ride (10+ to 22 miles). Intermediate riders and aspiring beginners. Looking to warm up their skills and amplify their cycling experience. Pace and hills may appear.

Olympic ride (22+ to 35 miles). Intermediate and experienced riders who aspire to hit their personal best and cross that finish line 🏁. More miles, speed and hills.

Willpower ride (35+ miles). Experienced riders looking to push beyond their limits. Longer distances, more speed and multiple hills. A ride requiring true grit and willpower to complete.

Connect with us:

Instagram: @bwow.cycling

Facebook Group: BWOW (Black Women On Wheels)

Strava: BWOW

(Participation in rides is voluntary and up to the discretion of the individual. Please ride safely and obey traffic laws. Black Women On Wheels is not liable for any injuries that may occur as a result of joining a group ride.)