Cloud 9 Cycles launch £10,000 BAME Scholarship for Endurance Cycling

In a bid to tackle the lack of diversity in the cycling industry, custom bike builders Cloud 9 Cycles, have launched the C9 BAME Endurance Scholarship.

The brand said in a statement: “When we shared our version of the BLM black square back in June (we’ve learned a lot since then), we said: This is not enough. Our team is white. The cycling world is staggeringly white. We are part of the problem.”

“There’s a saying that goes ‘if you can’t see it, you can’t be it’ and unless I’m mistaken (please let me be), there aren’t any prominent BAME pro athletes in the UK MTB scene just yet. This lack of representation forms a feedback loop where potential future talent may be discouraged from getting into the sport, because they view the scene as a white space that’s not for them. We need to break that cycle.”

Cloud 9 Cycles is launching the Ultra Distance Scholarship in hopes of elevating representation in the discipline, and to initiate further conversation about diversity and inclusion in the cycling world.

In addition, the brand has also partnered with Alison Wood of Veloqi to provide a coaching aspect to this scholarship. Veloqi aims to provide professional performance coaching using a holistic body and mind approach to improving cycling performance for all disciplines and all abilities. Alison is also the first Diversity and Inclusion Officer on the British Cycling Eastern Region board. She will be providing coaching support to the successful scholarship recipient from the new year up until race day in July 2021.

Furthermore, the Pan Celtic Race 2021 is a 1600 mile, 100,000 ft, self-supported cycling adventure, journeying through the Celtic Nations of Cornwall, Wales, Ireland and finishing in Wales. The PCR was born from a grassroots beginning amongst friends with a common passion for the magic of cycling, timeless landscapes, and the art of Ultra Distance.

The deadline for applications is the 11 December 2020 with the winner being announced by 18 December 2020. The winner will be chosen by guest juror Alison Wood in conjunction with the Pan Celtic Race and Cloud 9 Cycles.

The winner of the scholarship will receive a fully custom built bike (Frame Fit / Design, and Fabrication all done in-house)  as well as seven months of professional coaching from Veloqi and a spot in the 2021 Pan Celtic Endurance Race . The total prize is valued at over £10,000