When I first got into cycling around 2010, it felt overwhelming. Where would I ride? Who would I ride with? What if I got a flat tyre? Looking back, I realised those questions weren't really about cycling at all—they were about self-doubt.

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That's why Wheel Women Cycling was born in 2012. I knew I wasn't the only woman feeling that way. And while I still occasionally have moments of self-doubt, I know the feeling I get from riding a bike is far more powerful. It's freedom, independence, adventure and it's truly my happy place.

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I've found adventure, resilience and challenge through cycling. But most of all, I've discovered a world I never knew existed. A bicycle has taken me across islands, introduced me to incredible people and opened doors to opportunities I never imagined—from government projects and international conferences to helping shape cycling tourism in Japan.

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I've also had a love affair with Japan for as long as I can remember. As a child, I met one of my father's Japanese business colleagues, Motoko, and became fascinated by the country she came from. That fascination eventually led me to Japan on a university design study tour in 1985, and I've been returning ever since.

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When cycling entered my life, those two passions came magically together. Exploring Japan by bike opened up an entirely new world of hidden places, local friendships and unexpected adventures. Today, I spend months each year riding throughout Japan, finding hidden places, exploring roads less travelled and sharing the places, stories and experiences that have made it feel like a second home.

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Cycling is my passion. Sharing its joy—and my love of Japan—with others is what I love most!