Alice Wood, the former British national champion, has announced that she will retire at the end of the 2024 season. Reflecting on her career, Wood expressed gratitude for the opportunity to turn her passion into a profession.
“I feel grateful that I have been able to do my hobby as my job for so many years. I’ve raced my bike since I was 8 years old where I was never very good but kept turning up for the love of the sport and the people I met. Step by step I kept progressing to a point where cycling became my profession, which I could never have imagined would be possible all those years before,” Wood shared.
Wood, who has been a fixture in British cycling, acknowledged the support she received from her family, especially her parents. “To start with my parents, they put so much time and money into taking us to races and training camps from such a young age. We raced everything as kids which isn’t a cheap way to go about it with three kids but that helped me on my way to competing for Great Britain at the world championships in four different disciplines.”
Throughout her career, Alice Wood has competed in road racing, cyclocross, track, and mountain biking, showcasing her versatility. She has represented Great Britain in world championships across these disciplines, demonstrating consistent performance and dedication.
In addition to her family, Wood credited others for their unwavering support. “I want to thank all my clubs, teams, teammates, and sponsors for believing in me and giving me all the support I have needed through the years to compete at the highest level. I have met so many people through the years all of who have played a part in making my career what it was.”
Her career has also been marked by personal milestones, including meeting her husband Ollie through the sport. “Cycling has introduced me to lifelong friends and of course, my husband Ollie who I was so lucky to have lived this life with having been together for 14 years. He is my biggest support and like so many others he believes in me more than I do myself.”
As Wood looks forward to new challenges beyond cycling, she remains appreciative of her journey. “They say find a job you love, and you will never work a day in your life, and I have to say for the most part that is true. It is one of the hardest and easiest jobs at the same time. I feel very grateful that even with a couple of crashes I have had a pretty simple career and even though I still love what I do I am excited for new challenges and feel the time is right for me to stop pinning on race numbers.”
