Help Jo go Pro

In 2018 Jo felt that her days in competitive sport were long gone. Having been a 400m sprinter at British University and international level including competing in the 2010 Commonwealth games in Dehli, Jo was forced to make the difficult decision to leave programmed training behind due to a number of injuries. She instead turned her focus to her studies and completed her medical degree at Glasgow University. Whilst enduring a relentless run of shifts and long working days, sport was still never far from her mind. She was persuaded to sign up for a fun triathlon in 2018. It was then that Jo bought her first bike, which to her surprise, she showed a natural talent and enthusiasm for cycling!

She continued to improve on the bike however disaster struck during a training camp in Spain in 2019. Following a bad accident, a severe head injury resulted in Jo permanently losing the majority of sight in her left eye. Many others would have stopped at this point, but it only made Jo more determined to get back on the bike. (That and the fact she had ordered her first TT bike during one delirious nightshift)

Under close supervision by her coach, Jo has managed to focus her strength and refine her skill on the bike, and has gone from success to success in local, national and latterly at International events including the 2022 Commonwealth Games and European Championships.

Her recent season finished spectacularly with Jo winning an Ironman on that first TT bike, ripped wetsuit and a well worn skinsuit with a broken zip.

Ultimately, Jo wants to test herself against the best in the world on the biggest stages. In 2023 the World TT Championships are in Scotland taking place on roads that Jo knows and trains on regularly. In addition Jo has a real shot at competing in Iron Man Triathlon on the world stage and is keen to pursue a professional licence to do this. She is also part of the bike team Wahoo Le Col in which she wishes to ride for where possible in 2023.

“I train and race to show that hard work and commitment can achieve huge outcomes and hopefully inspire others to both take part and follow their dreams.”

Sadly, nowadays in cycling, skill, determination and passion can only take someone so far – in order to compete against the best, Jo would need access to a higher standard of equipment, facilities and testing that she cannot afford at present. The aim of this Crowdfunder is to raise money to allow Jo to focus more of her attention to training and to help with the purchase of equipment upgrades. This will give her the best chance to achieve her ultimate goals of competing with the Elite cyclists at the World Championships in Glasgow 2023 and the professional fields on next years Ironman circuit.

Money raised will be used for: