Disabled Outfit Moray fundraiser Karen Cox named one of Cycling UK's 100 Women in Cycling for 2021
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AN INSPIRATIONAL disabled Moray charity worker has been named one of Cycling UK's 100 Women in Cycling for 2021.
Self-proclaimed "Wobbly Cyclist" Karen Cox (54), from Lossiemouth, works part-time in administration and fundraising for outdoor learning and adventure charity Outfit Moray – and has only been cycling for a year and a half.
At the weekend she learned she had been chosen as one of six digital champions for Cycling UK's Women’s Festival of Cycling, which runs from July 17 to August 1.
The recognition comes as Karen prepares to scale 2759ft Ben Rinnes on her electric mountain bike, on August 15, to raise funds for Outfit Moray and Flying Scholarships for Disabled People.
Mobility scooter user Karen has Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, fibromyalgia and arthritis and struggles with chronic fatigue, joint pain and muscle weakness. She uses a wheelchair when symptoms are at their worst.
Ben Rinnes has always been on Karen's bucket list but was out of reach until she discovered the possibilities of electric bikes.
Having a go on an electric bike at a local Bike Fest event in March last year was life-changing. Afterwards, she bought a mountain bike from Bike Revolution which she had modified by one of the charity's Bikeability instructors, Paul Whibley, who runs Buckie-based bike repair service Coast N Cruise.
Lossie locals may well have seen Karen whizzing around local streets and tracks since.
As a digital champion and through her upcoming challenge Karen will be an ambassador for cycling and empowerment. She hopes, in particular, to encourage other women to give cycling a try and promote the use of electric bikes for those with chronic health conditions.
She is no stranger to pushing herself out of her comfort zone, and over the years has taken on a firewalk, learned to fly a plane, and abseiled from the Forth Rail Bridge.
Karen said: "Through my Ben Rinnes challenge I got picked up as one of Cycling UK's digital champions for 2021 to share my challenge and to inspire other people to take up cycling.
"It's cool as 16 months ago I wasn't cycling and here I am now an influencer. It's great to be able to hopefully encourage other people with my health conditions and other women. There is a gender imbalance when it comes to cycling.
"It's a great opportunity to raise the profile of these conditions."
She added: "This year I really feel like I may be pushing my limits.
"I'm absolutely petrified. It had better not rain as I'm only going to get up there once and I want to see the view."
Karen was nominated to be one of the 100 Women in Cycling by several local people, including Outfit Moray Bikeability co-ordinator Donna Brown, Alison Read of Moray Business Women and Lossiemouth Business Association, and one of the charity's volunteers, Linda Brooks.
Donna said: "Karen works for our charity and always has been a huge supporter of cycling for our Bike Revolution project, where bikes are recycled and led rides and bike maintenance organised.
"She has organised inspirational summer and January challenges during Covid which have encouraged a lot of people to cycle.
"Now she has set herself a bigger challenge, despite her disabilities. She is inspirational in her determination and personal cycling achievement and in her Facebook interaction with hundreds of people."
A team from Outfit Moray and Karen's husband, Rob, will accompany her up Ben Rinnes.
People can keep track of her progress by following "The Wobbly Cyclist" Facebook page, or Karen's blog at https://wingingitkarencox.wordpress.com/.
To back Karen's effort with a donation visit https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/thewobblycyclist.
