Two-time Olympic gold-medallist and Track Cycling World Champion Katie Archibald and author Marie Basting will host two free events to celebrate and encourage more women into cycling.

Fresh from her medal haul at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, Katie will be joined by Scottish novelist Chris Dolan for a free online event discussing “The Books That Made Me”. Katie will take us through the novels which she’s enjoyed and found helpful throughout her life and career, as well as taking questions from those tuning in. The event will take place on Tuesday 24 August at 6:30pm, and those wishing to watch can sign up for free here.

Katie Archibald MBE said: “I’m really looking forward to the event with Chris next week, and sharing with you all a few of my favourite books which have been important to me throughout my life and cycling career.

“I’ve always enjoyed reading and books have played a huge role in helping me stay relaxed and calm during training and major competitions and I’m excited to share some of these highlights with you all soon.”

Marie Basting, author of Princess BMX, will join the Wee Write team to host a free interactive online session for youngsters aged 7-9, where she’ll read sections of the hilarious and spellbinding tales of Princess Ava as she discovers the joy of BMX riding. The event will be pre-recorded and hosted online until the October school holidays, allowing plenty of time for schools and families to get involved.

Marie said: “I’m passionate about getting more girls and young women into sport, so I’m delighted to work with the Wee Write team at Glasgow Life to share Princess BMX.

“Following the success of Team GB’s riders during Tokyo 2020, and looking forward to the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships, there’s no time like the present to encourage more girls into cycling.”

To mark two years to go until the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships, 2,023 copies of Princess BMX will be given away for free and distributed throughout Glasgow Life’s libraries across the city. For more information on the event, and to find out how to tune in, click here.

Councillor David McDonald, Depute Leader of Glasgow City Council and Chair of Glasgow Life, said: “We’re delighted to host these events to mark the city’s celebration in the lead up to the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships.

“We know that Katie’s success in Tokyo will encourage more people to get on their bikes and either learn or rediscover the joy of cycling, and finding out more about the books she’s enjoyed throughout her life reminds us all of the importance of culture and sport in our overall health and wellbeing.

“With Princess BMX, we also hope more girls will be inspired to try out a new and exciting sport, breaking from the traditional and outdated expectations of young women, with Beth Shriever’s BMX Racing and Charlotte Worthington’s BMX Freestyle gold medals in Tokyo only making this even more possible.”