I’m an avid trail runner, cyclist and hiker based in the New Forest National Park.
Many years ago I played Junior County hockey, cycled and ate cake from Land’s End to John O’Groats and bike-packed around Iceland. When I hit my 50’s I started the Couch to 5k running route and then found myself being drawn to 10k, half marathon, marathon, triathlon and ultra marathon events.
Currently I’m an Ordnance Survey #GetOutside Champion and my main focus is to encourage and enable more women to get outdoors and to step out of their comfort zones in a safe and supportive adventurous environment. I do this primarily through being a ride leader at New Forest Off Road Club which exists to build confidence and community on bikes. I also co-run the Hampshire and Wiltshire Adventure Queens group.
As the lucky recipient of the first ever Adventure Queen Grant in 2018 , I left my career of over 30 years in Education to spend several months travelling along the spine of the Alps from Trieste to Monaco by bike and foot. It was an outer journey of about 1300 miles and an inner journey of pivoting into the next phase of life. In 2019 I was an Ambassador for Trail Running Magazine’s #Run1000 miles initiative helping encourage others to challenge themselves on the trails as I challenged myself to do the same.
Now, a tour guide, I spend time on smaller human powered cycling and hiking journeys with others as we explore and enjoy different parts of the UK.
I have a personal interest in the importance of mid-life health to help age well in later life and being active outdoors is an essential aspect of that.
Sue Barrett
