A little over a year ago Chrissy Francis simply enjoyed a ride out on the trails above Hayfield with her mates. A few spins of the pedals and she’d be up riding some of the Peak District classics; Roych Clough, Peep O Day, Jacob’s Ladder are all over that way and for Chrissy they mean a lot.
Fast forward to today, and Chrissy has run a successful event, raised a shed load of cash for the trails AND been voted Peak District MTB’S Advocate of the Year.
It’s been a busy few months!
“The Peaks is my medicine,” says Chrissy. “They’re important to me for so many reasons. It keeps me sane. They put me at ease.
“The Peaks is a massive part of my life without which I couldn’t survive.”
Which should make it no surprise to see why Chrissy decided to get more involved with Peak District MTB, first in running the MTB Dolly Mixer ride for Cut Gate, and now joining as a full committee member.
“Peak District MTB believe in my passion,” she says. “It’s such a privilege for me to have been a part of maintaining and raising money to repair Cut Gate, my all time favourite path in the Peaks. It holds so many beautiful memories for me.
“It’s my life, it’s where I’m happiest most. I love everything about it, from prepping my MTB paraphernalia, mapping out my routes, escaping on an adventure, leaving me feeling, young, wild and free!
“The social network brings together beautiful, like-minded people. Seeing happy faces. The feeling of the elements in my face. The sense of achievement after climbing that bastard hill! The environment in which we cycle is the best feeling ever.”
It’s great to welcome Chrissy on to the team.
“Chrissy’s drive, experience and enthusiasm for the Peak are incredible,” says Peak District MTB Chairman Dan Noble. “Chrissy epitomises everything we all feel about the things we do. With her help, and push, I’ve no doubt we will carry on making things better for riders in the Peak.”
