An inspirational comeback from serious hip surgery to winning racer and lab record holder.
FTP score of 236 watts - Highest female FTP score recorded in the Njinga Lab.
Qualified for UCI Gran Fondo World Champs, finishing 4th in age group at Tour of Cambridge.
London Women's Racing TT League Road Bike VET winner 2018 (1st in age Group in 4 out of 5 TTs)
Finished 2nd in the first Richmond Park Time Trial in the road bike category in 2018.
Before Njinga
I used to do sprint triathlons – 750m swim, 20km bike and 5km run – and, to be frank, cycling was the only bit I was ever any good at: I’d have an average swim, storm it on the bike, and then cling on as much as I could on the run.
Unfortunately in 2014, I was diagnosed with advanced bilateral hip arthritis (due to funny shaped hips) and was told I'd have to stop running. To try and preserve my left hip for as long as possible, I had an operation – a rather nasty thing called an open hip dislocation and debridement. Post-surgery, to keep me active and fit, I decided to take up road cycling due to it being recommended to me as a non-impact sport.
Enter Njinga: First Impressions
It was a few months after this operation that the Njinga lab opened and I popped in to try out the wattbike. From there, I started regularly attending indoor wattbike sessions, enrolled in a programme, and joined the Njinga Collective, Njinga’s not-for-profit outdoor cycling club.
I slowly and painfully began to regain my fitness with the coaching support and help of Njinga. To help keep me motivated to train, I set a new goal and signed up for the Tour of Cambridgeshire the following year as it was a qualifying race for the UCI Gran Fondo World Championships in Perth, Australia. I had entered the Individual Time Trial (ITT) and the Road Race. My main focus was the ITT and I was going to ride the road race the next day for fun.
I was so pleased to come 8th in my age group overall for the ITT but gutted to have lost out on qualification by seconds. I gave everything and to come so close was heart breaking. I got up the next day and rode the road race on tired legs with nothing to lose and gave everything. It was a tough race as we were mixed with the men and only later in the day I found once all the results were in that I had in fact qualified for the UCI Gran Fondo World Championships. What a day!
Fiona achieved the highest FTP score seen in the Njinga Lab of 236w.
Fiona had a long road to full fitness as she recovered from her hip operations.
Fiona after completing the Ride London 100 mile sportive.
Fiona completing Ride London 100 miles in wet conditions.
Fiona with fellow Njinga riders after completing a 8 week Group Indoor Programme in the Njinga Lab.
Fiona competing at ITT as part of the Women's Racing League.
Njinga help make it possible
I’ve had to learn to be patient, to listen to my body and, most importantly, to focus on the things I can do and not worry about the things I can’t. In the last few months, it’s suddenly all come together again.
My goal for 2018 was to simply try to get back to riding properly again.
But with all your support, and at the time of writing, I’ve completely surpassed that goal and I wouldn’t be back where I am today without all of your help and encouragement.
Every day I look at my scars and feel lucky to be doing what I’m doing. There are plenty of people who’ve things far worse, so I’m grateful to have been patched up (although I’m hoping the other gammy hip holds out for a bit longer as I’ll happily wait a few more years before the other op!).
Finally, I was overwhelmed by my FTP test result (a new lab record) and couldn’t have done it without the support from all of you over the past couple of years. I know there’s more to come, I can’t wait, and I can’t thank you all enough.
Fiona during the Ride London 100 mile sportive.
Fiona competing at the Tour of Cambridgeshire in the Road Race.
Fiona after completing an ITT as part of the Women's racing League.