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For the first chapter of Behind the Visor - a series celebrating the people, stories and personalities that make our cycling community richer - we meet national champion Emily Martin. A childhood spent riding bikes and a local Wednesday night club 10 were all it took for her to discover the quiet thrill of racing herself.
Emily’s journey hasn’t been linear: a fractured pelvis in 2022 became the unlikely springboard to a breakthrough season and three national titles. She credits the people around her - from Weaver Valley clubmates to coaches, friends and family -for shaping the rider she’s become.
Her message to newcomers is simple: turn up, ask questions, finish tired, and see where it takes you. Emily sets the tone for this series perfectly - grounded, generous, and fiercely committed to the joy of the ride.
What first pulled you into cycling, and when did you realise time trials were “your thing”?
I’ve got my Dad to thank for always having us playing out on bikes as kids, so I’ve always cycled. Then when netball was wrecking my knees a bit too much, buying a road bike and trying that felt like the right thing to do. From there I joined the local club Weaver Valley and they run a club 10 TT on a Wednesday night, and the first time I tried it I was hooked because I knew straight away I could come back a week later and ride it again faster - so I did.
What part of your personality shows up most when you’re racing against the clock?
I’m a methodical person who likes logic - so pacing has always been a strength. I’ve had to learn to tap into the deepest parts of myself to really finish a TT completely spent, because it takes a while to understand just how much you can ask of your body when its screaming at you, but I’ve never ever overcooked a time trial or race and blown up.
Was there a turning point, good or bad-that shaped the rider you are today?
2022 was the first year where I took TTing seriously and had trained with my new coach Simon all winter. Unfortunately it was one of those years where it just isn’t your time and multiple things go wrong, including coming off my bike in Greece in June and fracturing my pelvis. We kept going, and come the September I managed a strong ride in the national 10 and got myself a 5th place, 30s off the podium, on an old bike in a cheap skinsuit. My immediate feedback to Simon was that if I could manage that after such a hard time, I could be up there with the best of them - and in 2023 I won 3 national titles.
How do you handle the mental side of time trials, where it’s just you, the bike, and the pain?
Its about confidence. Trust the process that got you to the race. Trust that you know your body. Trust that you know how to pace yourself. Trust your fuelling strategy. Enjoy the pain, you worked hard to be feeling this awful whilst going this quickly.
What does it feel like in the final minute of a perfect ride?
The most perfect ride I’ve executed was the 2023 National 100. The final minute of that was the best and worst of my life because I was squeezing every single watt out of it even though I knew I had it. Complete and utter pain but you’re getting such a kick out of it. I think about that ride a lot still.
Who has influenced you the most-inside or outside cycling-and how have they shaped your approach?
I’ve been very fortunate to get a lot of fantastic advice from knowledgeable people - Matt Bottrill, Alex Dowsett, Laura Kenny, Michael Hutchinson, Alan Murchison, Sarah Storey, which is the joy of cycling being such an open sport. I’ve also been lucky to have had a local club Weaver Valley who helped me so much when I was new to cycling and knew nothing. My coach Simon Beldon was instrumental in teaching me what it is to knuckle down and commit to the sport if I wanted to get somewhere with it. And my boyfriend Sam understood the importance of aerodynamics long before I did. And really my Dad, for being the sort of parent who had us out on bikes so much as kids! It takes a village!
What do you hope people remember about you as a rider and as a person?
I have always tried my best to be an example for the sport. If folk think of me as a fierce competitor who worked hard, supported others and was sporting in both victory and loss I can be happy with that.
What’s the next big goal you’re chasing-on the bike or off it-and why does it matter to you now?
I’m still trying to work this one out! It’s been needed to take a bit of a break, but I really enjoy being committed to goals and I’m not sure what the next ones are yet. I’d like to be a better mountain biker and I think this would help with gravel riding as well, as I’ve loved that and would like to pick it up in the future, especially as there’s a lot of age category racing - I’ve seen ladies 50, 60, 70+ racing gravel at Gralloch and Nationals and think its badass.
What’s the one piece of advice you’d give to someone who’s curious about time trials but isn’t sure they’re ready to try?
Trying is the best thing you can do for yourself. Find a local open or club 10TT, get there early, find a friendly face and ask them what’s what. The beauty of time trialling is you’re racing yourself, especially at first, so as long as you finish tired you’re good - and if you like it there will be another next week to go again.
And if you’re not sure… I’m on Instagram. Message me. I’d be genuinely happy to help.
Emily Martin
Would you like to try a Time Trial? Here is all you need to know