September ambassador
Q&A with Joanna Patterson
Joanna Patterson works as a GP and cyclist who has competed at the Commonwealth Games and European Championships. In 2021, she won the Best British All Rounder and in 2022 won the National 100-mile Championship in a new Competition record of 3:36:31.
Getting to know you:
1. How did you get involved in cycling?
I never really liked cycling when I was younger but then I entered a triathlon on a whim during a work Christmas night out and realised I needed a bike. I met my coach as I was setting it up at a local outdoor bike track and he persuaded me to join the local triathlon club. I went on a warm weather training camp a few months later where I cycled more and fell in love with it. I started going to my local Times Trials (TT) league (Georgetown League) and quickly improved my times. During the pandemic I cycled most days for something to do outside work and entered time trials which were still running when few other events were.
2. What has been your greatest cycling achievement?
Probably winning the BBAR 2021 (Best British All Rounder) or winning the 2022 National 100 mile Championship in a new Competition record of 3.36.31.
3. What motivates you to keep training and compete to the best of your ability?
I have a great support network of family and friends who provide daily support and fuel my belief. My coach also plays a significant role and helps me balance work and training with the end goals being performance based and ultimately striving to be the best I can be. I have always put everything in to things I target, be it in or away from sport. I find satisfaction from seeing improvements in training and then translating these into competition.
4. What are your aspirations in cycling for 2022/23 and beyond?
I’m doing my first Ironman in Italy on September 17th. I haven’t had a great deal of time to focus training for this given other cycling commitments this season (Commonwealth Games, European Championships etc) but I’d love to post a good bike leg during this race (and still be able to run the marathon). The 2023 World Cycling Championships are in Glasgow, Scotland which is where I live and I’d love to take part in the time trial. I feel being on my doorstep will allow me to prepare and deliver a good race. I love racing CTT events and am keen to continue to improve my times across all distances and I’d love to do the 12 hour Championships at one point. Place to place records are also something I’d like to look into and target some day. I’d also like to keep my foot in triathlon and would love one day to do Challenge Roth.
5. Growing up, who was your all-time inspirational sports person?
Athletics is my first sport and I still love watching it. The 400m runner Cathy Freeman was my favourite athlete growing up and I always aspired to be like her. She was the first Australian Indigenous person to become a Commonwealth Games gold medallist at the age of 16 and after lighting the flame at the Sydney Olympics went on to embrace the pressure and win gold running in her iconic all in one hooded sprint suit.
6. What advice would you give to a young, aspiring cyclist?
To follow your dreams whilst always making sure to focus on enjoying yourself and having fun. Make sure to learn the basics well and join a club or team so you make friends with the same interest as you.
7. What interests do you have outside of cycling?
I work as a GP and have special interests in sports medicine, paediatrics and wellbeing. When not at work or out on my bike I also love running and swimming (hence the triathlons!). I also enjoy gym and strength training, specifically Olympic weightlifting. I have a passion for travelling and aim to visit a few new places every year (but often find myself going back to the same places I know and love!)
8. Where did you hear about Beet It Sport?
Having done my first degree in Sports Science I like to keep up to date with the latest research and after reading about Beet It in a number of articles and the benefits I started taking it within phases of hard training and in the lead up to races.
9. How has Beet It Sport helped your performance?
I feel my power and endurance are enhanced when I take Beet It and it allows me to compete at a higher level for longer. This is great for TT where every second counts!