Meet the riders: Nichola Padget, Forsters

Nichola Padget from Forsters, a pedElle partner, is returning to pedElle for the second time. She passes on two of her top tips to first-time riders.

Tell us a little bit about yourself and what you’re working on right now:
I’m a property litigator at Forsters LLP. I’ve been a property litigator for longer than I care to think about, almost 19 years. The best thing about my job (apart from the exceptional and lovely team at Forsters) is that it is very varied. I am working on a complete mix of things right now including dilapidations, business lease renewals, rights of way, agricultural tenancy disputes, exit/relocation strategies and sale/development agreement related disputes. 

How long have you been cycling and how did you get into it?
I bought my first road bike in 2008 to do a charity cycle ride from London to Paris. I’ve been a very sporadic and fair-weather cyclist ever since. I’m forever telling myself I should get out on my bike more often, but you’re more likely to find me gardening or DIYing than out on two wheels. My bike comes out of the shed for the occasional charity event or sportive, or for a sunny commute to work. 

What have you most enjoyed about previous pedElles?
This will be my second pedElle. I was a little bit terrified in the run up my first one in 2022, particularly the 190km on day one and the nasty looking (to me at least) hills on day 2 but cycling in a peloton made it all that little bit easier, as did the cake stops and the camaraderie. PedEllers are a very supportive group and there’s a really nice mix of cycling abilities from relative newbies to super cyclists who are ready to share tips, guidance and their theraguns.  

What are you most looking forward to this time? Anything you are dreading?
Most looking forward to: cake.
Dreading: hills.

What is it about pedElle that makes it so different? 
You’re so well looked after. There are support cars, outriders, a physio team, mechanical assistance, a seemingly never-ending supply of snacks and water refills, excellent ride captains and the Club Peloton team cheering you on at every opportunity. 

Any top tips for new riders?
I will share the two tips tip that were given to me most recently: 1) your legs are capable much more than your brain would have you believe and 2) when it starts to hurt, smile and it will trick your brain into releasing endorphins and give you a helping hand up that hill. Oh, and don’t forget to apply sunscreen. 

What do you expect to be the main topic of business chat on this year’s ride?
I’m sure that the upcoming election will be a hot topic; it’ll be impossible to avoid it.

You can sponsor Nichola and the Forsters team here.