About Elsie Hughes
Elsie Hughes is a young racing cyclist from Ripponden, near Halifax in West Yorkshire. She competes across track, mountain bike, cyclo-cross and road/circuit racing, taking on both able-bodied and para competitors at national level.
Elsie was born without her left forearm, a result of a congenital amputation caused by an amniotic band during pregnancy. From the very beginning, her family took a simple and positive approach: Elsie would be encouraged to live fully, adapt creatively and work things out for herself, rather than being limited by what she couldn’t do.
That mindset has shaped everything that followed.
Growing up on two wheels
Cycling has always been part of family life. Elsie’s parents are keen cyclists, and she was introduced to bikes almost as soon as she could sit upright. She started on a balance bike, progressed quickly to pedals without stabilisers, and soon became confident riding alongside her older brother, George.
Early adaptations were simple — pipe insulation on the handlebar and a lot of trial and error — but they worked. What mattered most was that Elsie was treated as a cyclist, not as a child with a disability.
As she grew stronger and faster, it became clear that cycling wasn’t just a pastime. It was her passion.
Solving problems, not lowering expectations
As Elsie began racing, new challenges emerged. Riding one-handed affected her posture, comfort and control, particularly as speeds increased and courses became more technical. Rather than stepping back, the family sought solutions.
Working with local limb centres, designers and engineers, Elsie began using specialist cycling prosthetics. Each new development improved her position, confidence and performance. Over time, these adaptations evolved into highly innovative solutions, including ball-and-socket attachments, quick-release systems for cyclo-cross, and custom setups for track aero bars.
Problem-solving became part of the journey — and a strength rather than a barrier.
Racing across disciplines
Elsie now races year-round in multiple disciplines:
- Track cycling – including time trial, individual pursuit and team sprint
- Mountain biking – racing full adult courses from a young age
- Cyclo-Cross – technical, high-intensity racing requiring bike changes and rapid decision-making
- Road and circuit racing – developing speed, positioning and race awareness
Competing across disciplines has helped Elsie build exceptional bike handling skills, resilience and race intelligence.
Stepping into para cycling
Turning 14 marked a major milestone in Elsie’s career, allowing her to compete in National Para Cycling events for the first time. This step meant racing open-age competitions — often against athletes more than a decade older — under formal para classification and factoring systems.
In her debut para track season, Elsie:
- Competed at National Championships
- Finished on the podium in mixed-classification events
- Earned the attention of national para coaches
She has since been invited onto the British Cycling Para Programme, where she receives specialist coaching and long-term development support, with the aim of competing internationally in the future.
More than results
While results matter, Elsie’s journey is about more than medals. It’s about curiosity, confidence and showing what’s possible with the right support.
She has become a quiet role model for other young riders with limb differences and is proud to talk openly about adaptation, inclusion and problem-solving. Through cycling, she has developed independence, resilience and a strong sense of self-belief — qualities that extend far beyond sport.
Elsie and her family are also active supporters of REACH, a charity supporting children with upper limb differences and their families.
Looking ahead
Elsie is still at the very beginning of her cycling journey. With continued support, innovation and hard work, her ambition is to compete at international para cycling events, while continuing to race and develop across disciplines.
This website exists to share that journey — and to thank the many people and organisations who are helping make it possible.
Elsie Hughes 