I used to live in Paris in the ’90s and the Tour de France would be background television in my flat throughout the hot July, writes Claire. I remember nothing about the races. The viewing involved some charming French TV personality interviewing the mayor of each town that the Tour passed through. There would be dancing, local customs, wine making, cheese making, extraordinary cycling sculptures made by farmers out a bales of hay. It was all about tourism and human interest. Lance Armstrong? Who was he?

Back in Britain, I became a Tour de France fan before I became a cyclist. I was given It’s not about the bike, so beautifully ghostwritten by Sally Jenkins. I went on to read Every second counts, which she also ghostwrote for Lance Armstrong, although her name did not appear on the cover.

This was July 2006, and I read every book I could about Lance Armstrong. I was captivated by stories of triumph over illness and injury, religious ideas of suffering up mountains like Christ on the cross, and tales of heroism and valour.

My favourite rider was a cyclist called Floyd Landis who took determination and toughness to a new level. He was odd. He was different. He was an outsider. I liked him from reading a chapter in 23 days in July, I think it was. I decided to look online and find out how he was doing. He had just won the Tour! He had just been busted for testosterone use. Then the pathetic lies and excuses started. The scales fell off my eyes for both Floyd Landis and his mentor Lance Armstrong. The Tour was a sham.

I started to follow the Lance Armstrong and Floyd Landis scandal as if it were a thriller. I couldn’t get enough. I could see that all the information was out there on the net for anyone to see. Then I moved to the scandal of the UCI Chief Executive Pat McQuaid. More lies. Yet all the cycling press, TV commentators,and professional cycling teams carried on as if nothing was happening. See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil. I felt as if I were in the audience in a pantomime screaming ‘Look he’s behind you!’ as the villain hides on stage. There was doping, bullying, corruption and litigation.

In 2010, I made a pilgrimage to the Tour de France by cycling in an informal group of six family and friends from London to Paris. We cycled for four days and rode 352 miles. We enjoyed the final day of the Tour at the Flamme Rouge (the one kilometre marker) at the Rue Rivoli. We were thrilled to see Mark Cavendish power to another victory on the cobbles of the Champs Élysées. It was a fitting end to our own cycle to Paris.

Every year since then, I have been glued to the newsfeed online and the ITV4 coverage of the Tour for the whole of July. All the rest of my life has to be planned around the race. My son competes with me on the fantasy league, and we have huge discussions over the breakfast table about our choices. Our knowledge of the Tour is vast, and we are interested in the lowliest domestique in case he is in the breakaway that day.

Lance Armstrong. Who is he?

Last May five of us hopped on our bikes and cycled from London to Brighton. As five women we were there to have a good time, take on an adventure and test our limits.

We didn’t see many other women out cycling that day and started to talk about what barriers women face when getting involved with sport. Here’s what Chrissie Wellington is doing to break down some of these barriers.

Q. What holds people back from getting involved in sport?

Chrissie: “We all have our own personal barriers to participation, be they mental, physical, logistical, financial or institutional. We are all nervous about trying new things and giving ourselves bigger mountains to climb. We all worry about the ‘what ifs’ and, of course, many of us are scared about being seen in public wearing lycra or getting on a bike for the first time.

“Six years ago I was asked whether I would ever do an Ironman. My response? ‘No way – you must be completely mad to do something like that!’ Imagine if I’d never gone back on my word, if I hadn’t changed ‘I can’t’ to ‘I can’, if I hadn’t dared to push myself harder and, most importantly, if I hadn’t had people to support, encourage, mentor and most of all make me believe in me?

“I never thought I would be able to run a marathon, but once I finished my first in 2002 I realised it wasn’t such a big hurdle after all. And I never thought I would be crowned World Ironman Champion, but in doing so I achieved more than I ever thought possible.

“The many different barriers can be overcome with will and collaborative action on all sides – from activity providers, government, event organisers, governing bodies, the media, the private sector, professional athletes, sports clubs and more. There should be no reason why someone can’t take up a new sport, enter an event or race, or go walking, running, biking, hopping and skipping or jumping. Everyone has a role to play in ensuring that we ‘pay it forward’ and help everyone realise the benefits of getting active.”

Q. What would you say to inspire women to get into cycling?

Chrissie: “There are no limits to what you can achieve, in sport and outside – only the limits you place on yourself. I would encourage people to ask for support from more experienced cyclists, to think about joining a club and to find a safe place to cycle, such as in a park or on quiet country roads. If you’re nervous of road biking, you could also try off-road biking and take to some of the great, safe bridleways in the UK.

“There are some fantastic women-only rides, and women-only training events or workshops that can help increase confidence and teach novices more about bike handling, maintenance and road safety. Online forums and magazines are also a valuable source of advice and information. All of this can help increase your enjoyment and knowledge of cycling, and help to overcome some of the barriers that face people (whether they are women or men).”

Q. One of my favourite quotes from the Half the Road documentary about elite women cyclists is “What did you think happened out there in the course of a day with a peloton? Everyone stopped to put on make-up.” What do you suggest can be done to fight against the ‘pink & fluffy’ expectations of women in professional sport?

Chrissie: “A journalist once asked me what I did to feel ‘feminine in an unfeminine sport’. My answer was that I never feel more feminine than when I cross the finish line, smiling, strong and successful. Femininity is not always about high heels and nail varnish, despite what the media and contemporary culture may have us believe.

“Sport is sport, whether women or men undertake it. To get to the top takes hard work, dedication, commitment, strength, teamwork, passion and fortitude, regardless of the gender of the participants. Those characteristics are true beauty of sport, rather than the colour of your outfit or nail varnish.

“Dispelling myths is hard, as these are deeply entrenched cultural and social views and norms. We can help by increasing the (good quality!) media coverage, using female cyclists as positive brand ambassadors and role models, and promoting the positive aspects of women’s cycling amongst the masses.

“We can also think carefully about the language and imagery that’s used the describe athletes and sportspeople generally. But ultimately we need a cultural change that starts right from birth in the way in which we bring up girls and boys, and the skills and characteristics we promote in them.”

Q. As an international development specialist (Chrissie worked for the British government and then for Rural Reconstruction Nepal), do you believe the bicycle can be a force for good in the world?

Chrissie: “Of course and at so many levels. The bike can empower people, give them confidence and self-esteem, and help them develop organisational, decision-making and teamwork skills. Cycling builds friendships, as well as delivering a huge range of physical benefits.

“At the global level, the UN and other international institutions have acknowledged the power of sport as a superbly effective tool for development. Sport is a great equaliser. Cycle-based projects such as those undertaken by World Bicycle Relief (WBR), have demonstrated the link between cycling and empowerment, from the local to national and even international levels.

“Specifically, there’s evidence to suggest that bicycles can help fill the transport gap where conventional motorised services are poor. Plus, bicycles offer relatively high personal mobility at relatively low cost, thereby increasing education attendance and offering wider social gains. Like WBR I envision a world where distance is no longer a barrier to healthcare, education and economic opportunity, I believe with mobility, people have the power to better their lives and the ability of the bike to really help people prosper.

“That’s why I’m proud to be part of the first all-women’s team in the Trois Etapes Tour, and we’ll be riding in support of World Bicycle Relief.”

Q. What’s the Trois Etapes?

Chrissie: “It’s the world’s finest pro-am cycling event. It consists of 13 teams of eight riders, each with at least one professional cyclist, competing over some of the most challenging cycling terrain in the world. This year the teams will compete across three stunning stages in the Pyrénées from 7-10 August. Each team rides in support of a charity.

“For the first time ever, an all-women’s team will take on the Trois Etapes Tour. It will be led by US professional cyclist Evie Stevens. Our team will be riding for World Bicycle Relief with the aim of raising funds to mobilise women and girl students in rural Africa and promoting the advancement of women’s cycling around the world.

“To have the honour of being part of this team is a once- in-a-lifetime opportunity. It will help to shine a light on the power of sport and to show that change really can happen, one pedal stroke at a time. Gandhi urged us to be the change we wish to see in the world – the power is in our hands … and legs if we are pedalling the bike!”

It’s hard not to be inspired to get out on your bike when Chrissie puts it like that! If you want to join us on our next group cycle let me know via Twitter: @ledavies.

This year the Tour de France is opening up to the women’s peloton, writes Laura. On Sunday 27 July, the world’s elite women cyclists will complete a 90km circuit on the Champs-Élysées.

‘La Course’ came about through the work of four athletes: Chrissie Wellington, Emma Pooley, Marianne Vos and Kathryn Bertine. As Le Tour Entier (The Undivided Tour), they petitioned the Tour de France organiser ASO to raise the profile of women’s racing.

Here’s what Chrissie had to say about La Course.

Q. What’s your involvement in La Course?

Chrissie: “After our petition in July 2012, a few others came aboard and we created Le Tour Entier – a small group of passionate people who want to push for improvements in women’s cycling, so that these female athletes can fully realise their potential. The work opened the door to discussions with many different organisations, of which ASO is one.

“We realised that ASO were committed to helping promote and support the women’s side of the sport. I guess you could say that the time was right – all the stars aligned and there was a meeting of minds – and that led to action! It really is fantastic to have the chance to be a part of something so special, and pave a positive future path for women’s cycling.”

Q. How do you plan to keep the momentum up and get more high-profile events for professional women cyclists?

Chrissie: “We hope that La Course by Le Tour 2014 marks the beginning of a long-term and very exciting strategy for women’s cycling. Of course, I and others would be keen to see a race through France with many stages. However, we must accept that small steps climb big mountains.

“There’s been a shift in international governance through the UCI (Union Cycliste Internationale, the sport’s governing body), which will help. ‘Developing women’s cycling’ was one of five high-priority recommendations of the 2012-2013 UCI Stakeholder Review, which soon established the first UCI female vice-president and the UCI Women’s Commission.

“This was followed by investment in the television production of Women’s World Cup events, and the difference is tangible. The UCI is in a powerful position to enforce change and they’re pushing on an open door of public, media and political support to accelerate progress.

“Women’s races at grand tours present an opportunity to elevate women’s cycling. Just like the success of women’s tennis owes much to the grand slams, the grand tours can be the key moments when female competition is brought under the same event structure in front of large global audiences.

“Women’s pro cycling has the potential to be different and in many ways better than men’s. The WTA, or even my sport of triathlon, are a shining example of promoting female athletes as positive role models, delivering commercial value for sponsors and sporting entertainment value for audiences. The same can be achieved for women’s cycling.”

Q. Can events like La Course and a women’s Tour translate into getting more women on bikes?

Chrissie: “La Course is a huge step in the right direction, and we’re really hopeful that the race will increase interest in cycling, and specifically women’s cycling. It will help with attempts to bring the female pro cyclists to the world stage – especially with the widespread publicity and the live TV broadcasting of the event.

“The athletes and teams will be able to demonstrate to the world that women’s cycling is compelling, combative, entertaining and that there is a strength in depth like never before. Most importantly, it creates a platform for the women to truly realise their potential, and shows the world that women’s cycling is on the rise.

“We’re confident this high-profile event will help encourage everyone to get on their bikes and take to the roads and trails on two wheels. Women (and men!) will see the likes of Marianne Vos, Emma Pooley, Laura Trott, Lizzie Armistead and more fight it out live on their TV screens – and, as with the Olympics, they can’t fail to inspire through their competitiveness, excitement, strength and passion.”

Keep an eye out for part two of Laura’s interview with Chrissie Wellington, in which she talks about women in sport and her next big challenge, the Trois Etapes 

Name: Lee Dunne

Nickname: Chompy – and it has been since the age of 12.

Who are you??

I’m a 36-year-old cyclist from Aylesbury in Buckinghamshire. It’s great for cycling around the Chilterns – and even better when the weather’s not so wet!

I work for an engineering company that produces heat exchangers for the nuclear power station and oil industry, with the odd Navy marine contract, too.

What was your first bike?

My first proper bike that I can remember was a Chrome Mongoose BMX with Dymag wheels and good old trick nuts (if you remember those…). I also had a red Raleigh Chopper, which I now wish I’d kept!

And your earliest cycling memory?

That’s me on my BMX doing a front ‘end over’. This involved me pulling the front brake too hard and flying over the handlebars into a lamppost. OUCH! For my adult cycling, it’s the memory of finishing my first sportive, the Bucks 100.

What’s your perfect cycling day?

It would consist of nice warm, dry weather – about 20-25 degrees centigrade – perfect tarmac, lovely green countryside and some testing hills, with an amazing café stop right at the top. I’d spend most of the day cycling, without punctures or mechanical issues, followed by a nice cool shandy. I can dream!

Where will you be watching the Tour?

Usually I watch the tour at home but this year I saw the Fan Parks on Facebook so I’m planning to watch some of the Tour with my cycling buddies there in London.

What’s your advice for getting Britain cycling?

Get out cycling, no matter how far or short. It’s one of the best things to do for many reasons – health, fresh air, the chance to meet more people by joining a club or doing a sportive. Taking up cycling again is the best thing I’ve done in years.

Why are you a Tour de France Fan Park Ambassador?

Where do I start? I love cycling, I love the Tour, I love big screen TVs showing the Tour and I’ll bring the SUN with me, too.

Follow Lee on Twitter at: @Chompy77

Name: Laura Stewart

Nickname: I wish people called me Marianne Vos, but I’m more of a “Shut Up Legs” kinda cyclist.

Who are you??

I live and work as an administrator in London, but enjoy running, swimming and cycling all other hours of the day.

What was your first bike?

It was your classic bike for a five-year-old girl: pink, streamers and uneven training wheels that allowed me to wobble up and down my parent’s driveway.

And your first cycling memory?

 My parent’s house was on a street with a hill and an uneven sidewalk. Halfway down there was a perfect little jump you could take at speed and get the smallest bit of air. We’d start at the top and go as fast as our training wheels would let us over and over again.

What’s your perfect cycling day?

Any route that involves a lunchtime stop at the pub for sandwiches and ice cold Crabbies (That’s ginger beer to you and me! Ed).

And your favourite cycling location

The South Downs have been very kind to me on London to Brighton cycles and although I’m usually cursing the rolling hills at the time, I love the endless green space! I haven’t yet, but would love to get up to Yorkshire with my bike, too.

What one thing would you do to get Britain cycling?

Promote women’s cycling! The Women’s Tour earlier this year was so exciting to watch and organisations like Breeze, Velovixen, and Total Women’s Cycling are developing such an awesome community of women at every age and skill level.

What advice would you give someone new to cycling?

Don’t be put off by busy city roads. Get on a train, get out into the countryside and ride your heart out.

Follow Laura on Twitter: @ledavies