Roll Models Mentorship
Welcome to Roll Models – a community with a vision to empower women and marginalised genders to explore by bike – independently, adventurously, and on their own terms.
Join our steering group!
We are convening a voluntary Steering Group to provide strategic support, expertise and accountability, while keeping Roll Models’ community-led spirit at its heart.
In just two years, Roll Models has grown from a pilot mentorship programme of 25 participants in 2025, to a mentorship cohort and community more than four-times the size in 2026, with demand exceeding our current capacity. We are now at an exciting point in our development: the model is working, the community is growing, and we want to build the organisational foundations to support that growth sustainably.
Our first cohort
Our first programme ran in 2025. Here’s what we learnt from our pilot year, and how it influenced the next.
“[Roll Models] made me realise how much knowledge and experience I have accumulated. Seeing myself through someone else's eyes helped grow my confidence” — 2025 mentor
“I gained the confidence and the motivation to undertake my first solo multi day bikepacking trip in Scotland... Moving back to Bristol had always been on the agenda, but joining this new community really confirmed to me how fantastic this city is, how the people here build connection and community in so many areas. I’m so privileged and grateful that I was able to take part in the first cohort with such fab ‘roll models’!” — 2025 mentee
“I have learned to appreciate the journey I have been on over the years, and how much I have grown in confidence. Having a mentee and putting myself back in their shoes made that much more visible to me” — 2025 mentor
“Being part of Roll Models was a really empowering experience. It created a really safe and supportive space for me to gain confidence cycling in a group with others, and has definitely inspired me to cycle more and try different kinds of cycle routes that I wouldn’t have otherwise done” — 2025 mentee
“Rolls models opened my eyes to the fun and adventures that could be had on a bike. This summer I had my first solo foray into bike packing – I took dinner and a bivvy bag and cycled out to my favourite sunset spot overlooking the Mendips and camped out for the night. I didn’t know it was so easy and fun, and I know I wouldn’t have done it without this group” – 2025 Mentee
“Roll Models allowed me to step outside my comfort zone in a really safe and fun way. Without Roll Models I would never have had the confidence to go on my first overnight bike packing trip, which I loved! Being able to hire kit made this so much more accessible for me and enabled me to try something new. I will always be grateful for the new skills and confidence that Roll Models has given me, thank you!!” — 2025 mentee
“It has been so special to be part of the Roll Models cohort. Playing a part in helping others meet their bikepacking goals has been a real joy!” — 2025 mentor