FEATURE
One of the highlights of the 2025 programme was the camp-out and cook off. Above right: Roll models founder, Athlyn Cathcart
By implementing a gear library, Roll Models takes away one more barrier to bikepacking, and increasingly, cycling altogether: the cost. And although Cathcart says you don’t necessarily need the best equipment to get started, it does make things a little more enjoyable. But beyond letting people borrow kit, what else does Roll Models offer throughout the year for its cohort of mentors and mentees? “Last year, we did one-to-one mentorship, where we paired a mentor and a mentee together. We found it worked really well for some people, and less well for others, just because it’s intense with just two of you. “In our end of year survey, we found the thing people loved the most was coming together as a whole. So, all 38 people coming together to learn mechanic skills, pub nights, cook- offs, and a seasonal campout at the end. “But this year, it’s going to be two mentors to around three or four mentees, depending on application numbers. The idea being that you’re more likely to find someone that you gel with, and hopefully it will lead to more organic organising rather than Roll Models trying to programme stuff.”
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And while Roll Models acts as a sort of platform for people to get started in bikepacking, or conversely, offer knowledge and time to those at the beginning of their journey, it’s not meant to be a strict programme that forces meetups, itineraries or goals. “I like the idea of it just being like a community that functions,” continues Cathcart. “But it’s held in a container where we can offer support for what people need. Aside from that, we will run workshops with existing organisations in Bristol. We did an off-road skills course last year with Pedal Progression and route planning workshops with Komoot. “And I really want to think about the systemic issues that mean that women and gender minorities feel like they know nothing when they’ve gone bikepacking, like, what is it that actually makes people feel like that?” How people experience cycling differs immensely.
Everyone’s background is different, their knowledge of bikes or even interest levels in bikes vary. Adding to the complexity of experience is gender. Men and women and gender minorities all experience things differently, and it’s important to offer spaces that understand or welcome
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