A Renton cyclist has been named among the UK's top 100 women in cycling.

Carol Thompson was included on the Cycling UK list in recognition of her efforts to encourage other women to get on their bikes.

She joins TV and film actress Maxine Peake, BBC Radio 4 presenter Melanie Abbott, and gold medal winners Katie Archibald and Elinor Barker in the 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 17 July and 1 August.

Carol is a community champion, encouraging and inspiring other women to cycle.

Developing a love of cycling from leading women’s rides for beginners at charity Free Wheel North in 2014, she decided to start a women’s cycling club and in 2017 Glasgow Gals Cycling Club was born.

Carol said: “I have made so many friends and my days off are spent on the bike or planning some kind of activity on my bike.

"Glasgow Gals has helped me get through the pandemic. The support from other members has just been amazing and I'm so proud of our family of Gals. I would be lost without them."

The club offers inclusive led rides, taster sessions, maintenance sessions and social events to members with all levels of experience and ability in cycling.  

The Women’s Festival of Cycling features a range of virtual events, local group rides and a social media challenge asking women to share pictures of their ‘bicycle face’.

To find out about events in your area and to see a full list of nominees, click here.