I love the freedom that cycling gives you; going at your own pace and going wherever you like. I love the health benefits; on the days I cycle to work that’s two hours of exercise, a big dose of Vitamin D and as my endorphin levels rise, I can feel an improvement in my mood, especially after a busy day at work. Cycling really helps to clean your mind and I arrive home relaxed.
As an outdoor person, I really value the environmental benefits cycling offers. I have a sticker on my bike that says, ‘this machine fights climate change.’ I got this when I joined the cycle/march at COP26. That was a really uplifting event where people came from all over the world, and we cycled from Pollock into the COP26 main venue to raise awareness of everyone doing their bit to improve their carbon footprint.
I hadn’t cycled for years, and just by chance I got talking to someone who happened to be the secretary of the Cycle UK Ayrshire group and she persuaded me to come along and give it a go! I do a couple of rides every week, usually 12 – 15 miles. I think I enjoy the social aspect the most. It’s been a great way to meet new people, learn new routes but most of all we enjoy stopping at our favourite coffee shops and enjoying lunch and cake! No cyclist feels guilty eating cake!
You pay an annual membership to join Cycle UK and that includes insurance. If you are interested in joining, you can come along for 2 or 3 rides with us at no cost and then if it’s for you, you can become a member. All you need is a basic bike, a helmet and there’s no need to train and get fit beforehand and there is definitely not a requirement to wear lycra! The rides are well organised and there is a choice of routes that offer varying degrees of difficulty, length and speed. There is something for everyone.
We mainly cycle in Ayrshire, but sometimes we go down to Dumfries and Galloway or further afield. We can meet up with local Cycle UK groups. It’s very sociable. In Ayrshire the majority of the members are retired, but we welcome everyone no matter what age or stage you are at.
My favourite route in South Ayrshire is from Stair to Ochiltree. There is a section lined with trees and in the spring its full of daffodils and snowdrops. It’s just beautiful!
I work as a Procurement Manager with Ayrshire College and as part of their Green Travel Plan, they encourage active travel. We do hybrid working, so twice a week I cycle from my home in Mossblown to my office in the Kilmarnock Campus. It’s really satisfying to arrive in the office feeling productive and refreshed! The College has secure cycle parking and lockers, showers/changing rooms which are great! The College offers bike maintenance workshops and opportunities to buy a reconditioned bike from Killie Can Cycle. Killie Can Cycle (webs.com) We are also part of a ‘Cycle To Work Scheme’, where you can get help to buy a new bike.
The main challenges of cycling to work are the weather – if it’s really wet, it’s not ideal. The traffic in the town of Kilmarnock can be an issue as unfortunately, not everyone is cycle friendly. Once I am through the main town, I turn up from Shortlees and go via Craigie and down to Mossblown so the majority of my journey is absolutely fine. Because we are doing hybrid working, I have to carry my laptop home. Initially I carried it in my rucksack, but it’s heavy, so now I keep it in my panier and it’s fine.
I’ve done the ‘Caledonian Way’ which starts in Campbelltown and goes to Oban, Fort William, finishing in Inverness. It was really enjoyable and has given me an appetite for doing more exploring. My advice for cycling holidays would be to do your research and plan your trip well in advance. I would recommend www.Sustrans.org.uk for inspiration, great advice, routes and maps. Komoot is a superb cycling app showing you cycling routes.
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Although I love cycling in Scotland, Denmark and other countries in Europe are on my bucket list. It’s such a cycle friendly continent and everything is geared up to make it easier for cyclists. The UK has got more cycle friendly, but we have a long way to go to get up to European standards.
I think the pandemic has helped to grow the interest in walking and cycling. Riding down the cycle path from Alloway to the shore, you can see how many people are out enjoying the fresh air and the spectacular views to the Heads of Ayr and across to the Isle of Arran. It’s a lovely part of the world we live in, and great for visitors and tourists as there is so much to do and see. I think the mural in the tunnel is a great attraction and people will visit it as part of other activities in Alloway. The new underpass at Dunure road is a great improvement and I am looking forward to seeing how the tunnel develops. I’ve also heard about the Culzean Way, which I believe starts at the Alloway Tunnel, and once completed this will be an amazing cycling experience.
Kath Harper
