Abi is a white, neurodivergent and fat writer, artist, cyclist and student nurse.
She recently featured in Cycling UK’s 100 Women in Cycling 2021 for her working promoting fat lib in cycling.
Abigail was nominated for the 100 Women in Cycling by Chloe Bramwell who said:
"Abigail shows that cycling is open to everyone. Not just only women, but LGBT women, too. Her work embracing body positivity has made me change my relationship with my own body. I make healthier choices for myself because I love my body rather than to punish it. I admire her vulnerability and strength in showing how she sees herself. I admire that she holds the cycling community to account by expecting accessibility for everyone. I admire her for showing that cycling is for us all.”
Abi is the co-author of her first book all about cycle touring ‘Gears for Queers’.
She lives on the Fife Coast with her partner Lea and cat Boba. She can normally be found riding her bike, cooking vegan feasts or obsessively playing The Sims!
"I believe that if people see a diversity of bodies on bikes and trikes, more people will feel like cycling is for them. I feel so happy when we get messages on social media from people who have got on their bikes again after reading our book or blogs. In the future I’d love to organise a big fat cycle tour!” - Abi Melton
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Show notes
Who is Abi in her own words
Here passions and interests
Publishing her first book in June 2020
Being a 1st year student nurse
What is neurodivergency
Examples of neurodivergency and how it’s impacted Abi throughout her life
Challenges with communication
Using masking as a technique to appear normal
Her early childhood and growing up in Norfolk
Being the eldest child
Living by the coast
Going to holiday camps and wanting to try everything available.
Being an avid reader and wanting to be the hero of the story
Wanting to be going out and having adventures
Not having a lot of opportunities
Her late teenage years and her early 20s
Struggling with her mental health for 16 years onwards
Going to Edinburgh University to study English Literature
Why she stoped riding bikes
Becoming more self conscious
Not knowing how to travel or go on adventures
Meeting Lea
Woman on the Edge of Time: The classic feminist dystopian novel - By Marge Piercy
Going on an accidental mini-break to Brighton
Deciding to go on a cycle adventure in Europe
Fears and concerns before heading out on the cycle adventure
Feeling anxious about fitness levels
Going with a partner and handling tough situations while on the road
Magical moments while travelling and the places that stand out
Being vegan and gluten free and trying to find food to eat
Budgets and paying for the trip
Having a supportive family
Mental health while travelling
Writing the book - “Gears for Queers” and how it came about
Going on a 2nd cycling tour
Planning their 3rd cycle tour
Going back to university to study to become a nurse
Following your passions and dreams
Being featured in Cycling UK’s 100 Women in Cycling 2021
Wanting to promote adventure for everyone
Advice for women who want to go cycle touring
Enjoying having a purpose for cycling
Not cycling for fitness or weight loss
How to connect with Abi
Final words of advice
Social Media
Instagram: @gearsforqueers
Facebook: @gearsforqueers
Twitter: @gearsforqueers
Book: Gear for Queers
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