From Beginner to Bikepacker: Laura’s Inspiring Progress

Intro

The Tor Divide Bursary is all about breaking barriers and making bikepacking accessible for newcomers, particularly those who might find the sport financially challenging to enter. This initiative offers support in the form of coaching, bike fitting, gear, and expert guidance to help someone new to bikepacking experience the thrill and joy of adventure cycling. We're thrilled to catch up with our 2025 Bursary recipient, Laura, who has been diving headfirst into her bikepacking journey!

We recently joined Laura and her friend Ryan on a fantastic bikepacking weekend in the Peak District, giving them both a taster of the Tor Divide routes. It's been impressive to witness Laura's incredible progress first-hand—her skills and confidence have grown in leaps and bounds. We couldn't be more proud of her and look forward to continuing our support throughout her journey!

Laura's Update

“It still feels a little surreal that I get to be part of this bursary and I'm making sure to soak up every minute! 🤩 The coaching support from Acier has already been invaluable, introducing me to structured training and teaching me so much about the importance of zones and heart rate—something that was all pretty new to me. (As some of you may have seen, at first, I thought a heart rate monitor went over your head or you had to step into it... turns out there's a much easier clasp system—who knew?! 😂)

The skills sessions have definitely pushed me out of my comfort zone, but they're already making a real difference—especially in building confidence on more technical terrain. Descending still needs work, but we're getting there. On my last ride in the Peaks, there were a few sections that, before this bursary, I would have quickly dismounted and walked (which is absolutely fine too!), but instead, I gave them a go—even if it did involve some enthusiastic squealing along the way. 😅

After my bike fit with Peak Bike Fitting, I've noticed a real improvement in my positioning and comfort. The adjustments are making pedaling more efficient on Bert, and I'm excited to see how they help as I continue building my training miles.

Big thanks to CIOVITA for the fantastic kit that's kept me warm through those colder training rides. 🧥 I love how the gear is not only high-quality and comfortable, but also made with environmentally-friendly materials. The Apex Pachetto Waterproof Jacket has been my go-to for unpredictable weather! 🌧️

Bert's new Schwalbe shoes (the G-One Overland) are now fitted too, and I'm looking forward to putting them through some miles and adventures! 🚴‍♀️

What's been truly special is the incredible support from the cycling community—whether it's advice, encouragement, or just knowing there's a whole crew cheering each other on. Feeling so lucky to be a part of it all!”

Thank you

A huge thank you goes to the amazing brands making Laura's journey possible: Schwalbe for ensuring Bert is adventure-ready with the best tyres, CIOVITA for supplying sustainable and comfortable clothing, Acier for expert coaching, and Peak Bikefitting for helping Laura achieve optimal comfort and performance on her bike. Your support is invaluable in making bikepacking dreams a reality!