Cycling is such an enjoyable thing to do

Cycling is such an enjoyable thing to do! I love the feeling of freedom when you get on a bike; the feeling of fresh air on your face, the feeling that you are doing something to improve your health and wellbeing. I love getting out and about and seeing people, and exploring different parts of the country. It’s one of the best things for your mental health.

Even when I go on holiday, I always get on a bike because you can see places so much better from a bike than a car and it’s a lot easier than walking.

I used to cycle to work, but now it’s just for pleasure. I also go cycling with my wife, so it’s a lovely way to spend time together and sharing a hobby it makes it even more enjoyable.

I try to get out about three times a week. Sometimes it’s just a local cycle for 20mins, other times I can be away for a good few hours.  Frequently I get the train and go further afield. My favourite places are off road and by that, I mean using cycle paths. It’s so much more enjoyable as you don’t need to worry about traffic.

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My number one route starts in Alloway. It’s right on my doorstep, so it’s always my ‘go to’ route. I like to start at Maybole Road and then come down through the tunnel to the cycle path. The path is based on an old railway track which was the ‘Maidens and Dunure Light Railway’, which opened around 2010. You can do the cycle without going on the road. It goes through Doonfoot and down to Greenan Castle and shore, then you can go along the sea front into Ayr.

The good news is an underpass is just about to open at Burton. It will be the icing on the cake, meaning we don’t need to cross a road. This improvement will attract more people onto the path especially if they have kids or if you are a wheelchair user as it makes the walk safer and more enjoyable. It joins Route 7 of the National Cycle Network which is in sections between Sunderland and Inverness forming parts of the famous sea to sea cycle route.

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Quite often I go onto the coast road through Dunure, down to Culzean Castle, then  across to Maybole and take the high road to Alloway. It’s a about a 20mile round trip and you do need to be careful on the roads as they can be busy with traffic.

I’m proud to be a trustee of the Alloway Railway Tunnel. I’ve always felt that the Alloway Tunnel lets the route down with it’s dark and unwelcoming look. The project to develop a mural for the entire length of the tunnel will transform that and provide a fantastic attraction and backdrop for locals, visitors and tourists.

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It will provide an exciting tribute to the historical and cultural legacy in the centre of Burns country. In addition, I see it as a fitting gateway to the Ayrshire countryside on the proposed Culzean Way off road route, which will recycle the track bed of the old railway all the way to Girvan.

Have a look at our Alloway Railway Tunnel website for more information and if you want to make a donation, we have a Just Giving Page.

Community Work | The Alloway Tunnel Project | Scotland

#MentalHealthAwarenessWeek

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