TWO women from Cumbria have been named in Cycling UK’s 100 Women in Cycling.

Isobel Stoddart and Kate Rawles were included for their work encouraging women to cycle.

They join TV and film actress Maxine Peake, BBC Radio 4 presenter, Melanie Abbott and gold medal winners Katie Archibald and Elinor Barker in the cycling charity’s list recognising significant achievements in promoting women’s cycling.

The women have all been recognised in celebration of the amazing work they have done to inspire other women to cycle, as part of Cycling UK’s Women’s Festival of Cycling which runs between July 17 and August 1.

The list also includes less well-known names of women who have been working tirelessly at grassroots level during particularly difficult times to encourage and support more women to ride like Isobel and Kate

Kate Rawles, 58, from Ulverston, is a keen 'adventure plus' rider, riding to help raise awareness and inspire action on the most urgent environmental issues, highlighted in her first book The Carbon Cycle.

In 2017/18 she rode, The Life Cycle, an 8288 mile route from Colombia to Cape Horn. The ride focused on biodiversity loss and inspired her next book, The Life Cycle due in 2022.

Isobel Stoddart, 52, from Staveley, has been recognised for her work with the Bikeability Trust.

Sarah Mitchell, Cycling UK chief executive, said: “Congratulations Isobel and Kate for making it into our 100 Women in Cycling in 2021. It’s an incredible achievement and testimony to the tireless work they’ve done."