Out and about on a bicycle in Ayrshire
There’s so much to enjoy out and about on a bicycle in Ayrshire.. I’m so happy when I’m out on my bike!
I’ve lived in Ayr for over 30 years and am passionate about helping make our community here a better place. I trained as a dietitian and worked in health promotion. The people I met, the networks I linked into and the skills I acquired during these years have been invaluable in helping me, initially, to fit into life in Ayr and, latterly, to be able to contribute something back to the community within which I live.
Since retiring, I have the time and the opportunity to become involved in many community ventures. I am currently an active participant in Breeze Ayrshire, Cycling without Age Scotland and the Alloway Railway Tunnel Project.
I didn’t really cycle much as a kid. I had a bike, but it was never something we did as a family. I got back into cycling as my kids learned to cycle and with the encouragement of my husband. My confidence grew as we started trying different routes. Cycling became a day out, an adventure! Now I’m out cycling every day, and I love it. I thoroughly enjoy being out and about on my bike and I like to encourage others to experience the joys of cycling. I do this in my role as a Champion for Breeze Ayrshire.
Breeze is a nationwide British Cycling initiative to encourage women to cycle. A vital aspect of Breeze is that it is for women only. It emphasises gaining fitness, remaining healthy and making new friends. Here in Ayr we have regular bike rides on the network of cycle routes and quiet roads around Ayr, Alloway and Doonfoot. All bike rides are free and led by two experienced cyclists, one at the head of the group and one bringing up the rear. There is no joining or membership fee for Breeze, British Cycling covers all necessary costs including insurance, hence finance is not a barrier to participation.
The folk who join our Breeze Ayrshire rides come from all over the west of Scotland, including Glasgow, East Kilbride and, of course, Ayrshire. They range in age from 20 to over 70 years old and come from all walks of life. It has been a real privilege and pleasure to get to know some of the Ukrainian ladies who now live in Ayr and have joined us on our Breeze bike rides. Their bikes were supplied under the Scottish Government Scheme to help them integrate into their local communities in Scotland. We also have plans to engage teenage girls, for whom cycling isn’t seen to be cool!
There is also an important social dimension to Breeze Ayrshire. As well as enjoying exercise and building confidence on a bicycle, stopping for coffee and a chat along the way is an essential part of the day out.
I am proud to be associated with Cycling Without Age Scotland which ensures that people who are unable to ride a bike themselves can still experience the joy of being out in the open air – on a trishaw.
Cycling Without Age was founded in 2012 in Denmark and now has Branches in 41 different countries. As stated on their website, Cycling Without Age helps people, particularly elderly people, enjoy the experience of cycling and “enriches and enhances lives, unlocks doors and enables people to once again ‘feel the wind in their hair!’”
The Ayr Branch was established almost two years ago and is run entirely by volunteers. Funding from Ayr Rotary Club and the Remedy Cafe has been instrumental in introducing trishaws to our local community. The Committee continues to apply for funding to maintain the trishaws in terms of annual services and ongoing maintenance. To date we have two trishaws and around 20 volunteer pilots in Ayr.
We mainly take care home residents out in our trishaws and we have a rota to cover most of the care homes in Ayr. Hopefully will soon have an APP to allow others in the community who have mobility issues to book a slot to access the trishaws. We have linked in with some of the schools in Ayr to take their young people with mobility issues out too. The more pilots we have, the wider the service we can offer so if you are interested in being trained get in touch.
Ayr is an ideal location for trishaws to operate as the Prom offers a long, flat route with stunning views over to Arran. Our trishaws are power-assisted and can climb hills with relative ease, so this makes the cycle/walking path from Greenan Shore to Alloway through the Alloway Railway Tunnel accessible. The Tunnel is a popular destination particularly among our older passengers, many of whom have memories of the railway long before it became the cycle/walking path. They particularly enjoy seeing the Mural take shape and are excited about seeing it through to completion.
You can read more about our trishaws here https://allowaytunnel.wordpress.com/2024/10/11/get-back-on-your-bike-for-miles-of-smiles/
I knew about the Mural work going in the Tunnel as I had cycled the route often. I had also met Ron Ireland (Chair of Trustees) a few times and chatted with him about the progress being made. However, my personal involvement with the Alloway Railway Tunnel Project came about following a chance meeting. My husband and I were out walking with friends one morning and noticed a lot of activity in the Tunnel. Doonfoot School children and a film crew from STV were there and their artwork was being added to the Mural. To cut a long story short, both my husband and I have become Trustees for the ART Charity. We are both former office-bearers of the Alloway Burns Club and share a love of Robert Burns, so the ART Project is close to our hearts.
It is wonderful to see the previously dark, unattractive Tunnel, which was covered in graffiti, being transformed into a welcoming colourful, interesting space. I know that the Tunnel, once completed, will hold its rightful place as a major tourist attraction alongside the existing heritage of Robert Burns. The integration of the Tunnel into listings of local walks and cycles featuring the Burns legacy will undoubtedly prove popular and greatly enhance the tourist experience in this area.
Tracy Moynihan with husband Andy and George Weir our latest trustees!
