It's nice to actually look done-up, because people see a different side of me, the more girly side. Obviously, I can't do that with cycling. I can't go with nice girly hair and full make-up.

I don't feel like an idol to anybody. I don't feel anybody should look up to me.

I never really had a job, because I've been cycling from such a young age: there was never really a time to have a job. My mum went into Starbucks once and asked if they had a job for me, and they offered me one - but I never took it up because I couldn't fit the job in with school and cycling.

I think when I first started cycling, it wasn't that popular with kids. I felt almost embarrassed going down the road on my road bike; I didn't want my friends to see me because it was embarrassing.

The best way for women to get into cycling is to go out in a group, to feel like you're part of it.

Cycling was the sport of our family - we did it all the time, five days a week.