She’s a World Champion and is hoping to be selected for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games this summer, alongside big sister Elinor.
But cyclist Megan Barker says that the sport’s not just given her a professional career, it has taught her the importance of hard work and has given her confidence.
She was just seven years old when she discovered cycling. She and Elinor would head to Maindy Pool in Cardiff for swimming lessons and they’d pass the velodrome:
“There were always so many kids flying around the track. I really wanted to give it a go but I made my big sister go with me. I was always quite shy!
Soon, Maindy was a home from home:
“Tuesday night, it was a road bike session,” explains Megan. “Thursday, we’d be on the track. On Saturday, depending on the weather, we’d be in the workshop, on the rollers or developing skills through games. It was really good fun.”
The coach who believed in her
It wasn’t long before they were excelling in the mini leagues and one coach, in particular, played a crucial part in their development:
“My parents weren’t cyclists so we all suddenly had a lot to learn. Alan Davies was really important during that time. He ran most of the sessions, but he’d also help us source equipment.
"We bought most of our bikes on ebay and he’d find us a good deal and send them to my Dad. It meant we didn’t have to fork out for brand new bikes. He helped fix our bikes too but, most of all, he always truly believed in me. And that’s really important to have someone, outside of your family, that has that confidence in you.
“He instilled in me a strong work ethic and good values.”
Sister act
As time went on, the sisters would enter bigger races in the national series. The family would pile in the campervan and drive to wherever the race was staged that weekend.
“It was like we had a mini holiday every weekend. While my friends were arguing with their siblings, we were bonding. We had this shared thing that we did together. And we helped each other.
“El was always a couple of steps ahead because she’s three years older. She always did the scary bits first,” laughs Meg.
