Karen Darke

Karen began handcycling at the age of 21, after a fall from a cliff caused paralysis from her chest down. Ever since, Karen has never allowed what happened to define her or disrupt her adventurous nature. Before, Karen had been a runner and a climber, and instead she channelled her energy into handcycling.

Travelling all over the world, Karen has completed tours across Japan, Tibet and Cuba. Karen is a full-time athlete with the British Para-Cycling Team; she was a silver medallist in the London 2012 Paralympics and won gold in Rio in 2016. After competing in this year’s Commonwealth Games, Karen embarked on a 2500km cycle following Australia’s water lifeline, the Murray River from source to sea as part of her Quest 79 challenge. She is also a member of the Adventure Syndicate, a collective of female endurance cyclists who together aim to inspire women and girls.

Cycling UK’s 100 Women in Cycling is an annual list celebrating inspirational women who are encouraging others to take part in this wonderful and life-enhancing activity.