Cycling has been a constant in Owen’s life for as long as he can remember. From getting on a bike at four years old to decades of mountain biking, plus almost a decade riding with Deliveroo in Cardiff, his love of two wheels has only grown stronger.
Riding with Deliveroo introduced Owen to appreciate road and urban riding, inspiring him to take on one of his biggest cycling challenges yet: taking on the Dragon Ride to raise vital funds for Macmillan cancer support.
We spoke to Owen about what inspired him to fundraise for Macmillan, what he enjoys about riding with Deliveroo, and his advice for other riders.
Two passions, one flexible routine
When Owen first started riding with Deliveroo, it was an easy way to earn money alongside being a mobile hair stylist. Today, he spends his time equally across hairdressing and riding.
“I now spend around equal amounts of time doing both and riding amounts to fully half of my income now.”
That flexibility has allowed Owen to continue his career as a mobile hair stylist while spending plenty of time doing something else he loves - being out on two wheels.
A lifelong love of cycling
Cycling isn’t just a way to get around for Owen. Having been a cyclist since the age of four and a mountain biker for around 30 years, being on a bike feels like second nature.
“I love riding! Genuinely. I’ve been a cyclist since I was four and, honestly, I’m more comfortable on two wheels than two feet.”
And riding with Deliveroo has introduced Owen to a completely different side of cycling.
“I’ve been a mountain biker for 30ish years but riding for the Roo has given me a love for road riding too. There’s something addictive about urban riding as well.”
Taking on the Dragon Ride for Macmillan
Using his passion for cycling, Owen did something incredible for a cause that’s close to his heart. He took on one of the hardest endurance events in Europe - The Dragon Ride, which consists of 184 miles through and 4,500m of climbing in the Welsh mountains.
Having lost several of his hairdressing clients to cancer over recent years, choosing to fundraise for Macmillan Cancer Support was an easy decision. Owen raised £570, plus £12.30 in Gift Aid.
“Macmillan was the obvious choice. They do amazing work, so being able to help support them was a privilege.”
Owen wasn’t travelling light either. He completed the ride carrying his Deliveroo kit and delivery gear, which weighed more than the bike itself!
“The Dragon Ride was hard, especially with all the delivery gear, but it was amazing as well. I met some awesome people and they were all really encouraging, albeit thinking I was totally mad for doing what I was doing.”
Growing up in the middle of Wales also made the landscape particularly meaningful for Owen.
“The countryside we were riding through is spectacular. I grew up in the middle of Wales but it never ceases to take my breath away.”
Getting through the toughest climbs together
The mountains provided some of the biggest challenges of the ride, especially as the climbs kept coming.
“The mountains were a challenge unlike any other. And they get harder and harder as you go. But there’s always someone there to encourage you and keep you going when you’re flagging.”
One fellow cyclist in particular helped make the challenge memorable.
“Shout out to Jess, who rode most of it in one gear due to a mechanical failure! We kept encouraging each other every time one of us passed the other.”
It was a reminder that even during the hardest challenges, support from the people around you can make all the difference.
Finding joy on two wheels
After years of riding, Owen shared with us how cycling has had a big impact on his fitness.
“Riding with Deliveroo has done wonders for my fitness. I’m 52 and I’m in the best physical condition of my entire life.”
Owen also told us how riding can be a great reminder of how much enjoyment being on two wheels can bring, and where that passion can take you.
“It can be too easy to fall into thinking of delivering as a grind but, if you step back and look at the joy that it can give you, it can open up avenues for so many other enjoyable activities.”
Owen did something truly incredible to raise essential funds for a cause that mattered to him, riding through mountains to fundraise for Macmillan cancer support. We’re so proud of what he’s accomplished and the positive impact Deliveroo riders have in the community.
Find out more about Macmillan and the vital work they do to support people living with cancer: https://www.macmillan.org.uk/