How the programme works

Mentorship often happens informally within the outdoor community, but we are keen to create a space for it to happen with intention. Through mentor-mentee relationships, we invite people who are curious but might not yet have the knowledge or confidence to go bikepacking; with those who already have a fair few adventures under their belt.

After running a 1-2-1 mentorship model in our first year, we have decided to shift to a group model to encourage more peer-to-peer mentorship in 2026.

Read about our pilot programme

Our peer-led mentorship approach

One of our biggest learnings from the 2025 pilot programme was that mentorship works best when held by community. Like any relationship, a successful bikepacking mentorship often comes down to the strength of the bond between people. Long hours planning, riding, and camping together can build something special — but only if the chemistry is right. When it isn’t, things can naturally fizzle out.

This year, rather than 1-2-1 mentorship, we’re going to match folks in groups – 2 mentors with 3-4 mentees – to foster stronger connections, more peer learning, and to create a better chance to find people you naturally gel with. As well as these groups, we will create opportunities for the full cohort (and sometimes the 2025 alumni!) to come together. Read more about what we’re looking for in a mentor/mentee in the FAQs below.

Our groups will be made up of 2 mentors and 3-4 mentees:

2 Mentors

A mentor is someone who’s excited to share their cycling experience and help others build confidence on the bike. They will be paired with another mentor with complementary skills to support the mentees.

3-4 Mentees

A mentee is someone who’s keen to learn, grow, and wants to use their bike to explore and go on adventures. You should be able to ride a bike safely and on the road, but do not need any prior bikepacking experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Roll Models programming is geared towards women and other marginalised genders (FLINTA) in Bristol. We know that outdoor communities can often feel intimidating, hostile and inaccessible, which is why through Roll Models, we seek to remove barriers and create a space where all are invited to grow confidence and knowledge.

    Please note: Roll Models facilitates in-person rides, meet ups and events in Bristol. You must be based locally in order to get the most out of the programme. We forgot to add this disclaimer in 2025, and had people apply from as far as the Highlands of Scotland!

  • Mentor
    A mentor is someone who’s excited to share their cycling experience and help others build confidence on the bike. You don’t need to be the fastest rider or a technical off-road expert – what matters is your willingness to share what you know to support someone.

    Whether you’ve gone on a few overnight trips with friends, taken part in solo bikepacking races, or simply know how to make adventures by bike comfortable and enjoyable, your experience could be invaluable to someone just getting started.

    In our model of mentorship, mentors work in pairs – matched for complementary skills – to support 3-4 mentees who have similar goals.

    Mentee 
    A mentee is someone who’s keen to learn, grow, and wants to use their bike to explore and go on adventures. You should be able to ride a bike safely and on the road.

    You do not need prior bikepacking or touring experience – just curiosity, enthusiasm, and an openness to learn together in a supporting group. 

    Overlap
    Everyone has something to learn and something to share. Mentors and mentees ride, learn, and grow together, and roles simply reflect where you feel most comfortable contributing right now.

    We know that imposter syndrome is real – so many people tell us they don’t have enough experience, but they do! If you’re unsure about applying as a mentor, please reach out to us via our website or Instagram for a chat!


  • You’ll need a bike, and that’s about it! We have a gear library full of bike bags, and we can help you borrow camping equipment when needed. You can read more about our Gear LIbrary here.

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  • We encourage groups to set their own rhythms and intentions, but at a minimum we suggest that groups organise:

    • An initial meet up to get to know one each once you’ve been matched;

    • A goal-setting session together as a group or in pairs (as part of the above!);

    • An in-person meet-up with at least 1 member of the group every month (i.e. bike ride, planning session, Roll Models social event, or overnighter);

    • Attendance to the Cohort Kickoff Event TBC (Sunday 12 April)

    • One overnighter per cohort (TBC, but likely bi-annually) – this could be just with your group, or as part of a Roll Models cohort event.

    Above all, we ask that you put your best efforts into nurturing your mentorship relationship. If you have any questions about the time commitment or participation in the programme, please reach out to hello.roll.models@gmail.com to discuss.

  • tbc

  • Roll Models is all about building community, so we encourage previous cohorts to stay involved year on year!

    This could include joining community rides, accessing the gear library, joining workshops and trips, and being active on the Whatsapp group. We will also have cohort-specific gatherings (ie the launch event), but fully intent to create regular opportunities for connection between the new and existing cohorts to build a welcoming, self-organising, and sustainable community.

  • Mentorship often happens informally within the outdoor community, but we are keen to create a space for it to happen with intention. Through a mentor-mentee relationship, we’d like to invite people who are curious, but might not have the knowledge, gear or confidence; with those who already have a fair few adventures under their belt.

    Roll Models is inspired by a brilliant mentorship scheme in Canada called Mountain Mentors that Roll Models Founder Athlyn was involved in, both as a mentee and mentor. Mountain Mentors has been operating in British Columbia, Canada for over 8 years, pairing over 1,000 people in activities like backcountry skiing and climbing. They’re doing incredible work to support women and other marginalised genders to safely experience and explore outdoors, and we’d like to give a big shout-out to them for what  they’ve created!