Reade, so assured when on two wheels, spun out of control on four as she drove back from a shopping trip in icy conditions.

"I was coming home from the Trafford Centre," she told insidethegames.

"I ended up driving on the motorway and getting stuck behind the side of a car.

"I did a spin on the motorway and faced oncoming traffic – which was pretty crazy, but luckily no cars hit us and swerved past.

"It was quite a frightening experience."

Though shaken by the experience, Reade appeared in good spirits prior to taking part in a Google+ hangout with Cadbury's.


She spoke to insidethegames about why she is an ambassador for the chocolate manufacturer.

"It's not just about the chocolate bar, but about getting the public involved in activities like 'Spots v Stripes' [a campaign to encourage the public to become more competitive] and the 'Keep Team GB Pumped' campaign [a series of music videos to get the public singing to cheer on Olympic hopefuls].

"It's a great way to support the public and give them something in return for getting behind the athletes."

With London 2012 getting closer, Reade believes her peformance will benefit from her experience in Beijing at the 2008 Olympics.

She crashed out in the final of the BMX competition having been a favourite to bring home a medal, but insists she has learned from that.


"You know what you're letting yourself in for," she says of competing in this summer's Olympics.

"You feel like you know what you're expecting.

"With every failure or disappointment there are always positives.

"I remain the same person and learned you can always come through bad times.

"You always end up laughing or smiling in the end!"

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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October 2009: Shanaze Reade - The excitement of London 2012 outweighs the pressure