Coming in your new compact Courier — Scot Tares' cycling column

With The Courier's switch to a new compact format comes a wealth of new content and features.

New Courier cycling columnist Scot Tare.

Published in the Courier : 20.01.12
Published online : 20.01.12 @ 12.23pm

Scot Tares — founder of Skinny Tyres and cycling fanatic — is our newest columnist. Every Saturday he'll be writing about all things pedal powered and giving you details of some of the finest and most spectacular cycling routes in your area.

The 41-year-old from Dundee was first set atop a saddle at the age of two and immediately fell off. He got straight back on though and has been addicted to cycling ever since.

Scot's dad was a member of the now-defunct Charles Star cycling club in Dundee and Scot began cycling competitively at the age of 14.

He set up Skinny Tyres in 2009 in a bid to showcase Scotland's unique scenery, which he thinks is best experienced from a saddle.

''I'd been cycling in the Alps with some friends and I suddenly thought: why are we travelling all this way when we've got scenery that's just as stunning back in Scotland?'' Scot said.

Skinny Tyres runs cycling tours for beginners to the most advanced cyclist and also visits schools to coach youngsters.

''I'm really looking forward to writing in The Courier,'' he added. ''It's a great opportunity to showcase the many amazing cycling routes that are in The Courier's area.

''Apart from club cyclists I don't think many casual cyclists realise just how many great routes there are on our doorstep.

''I had a group of cyclists from Kent on a 180 mile, three-day route we call the Highland Perthshire Revolution and they couldn't believe how good it was — they all thought you had to go to the Alps to get scenery like that.

''I'm looking forward to introducing Courier readers to some of the fantastic cycle routes near where they live.''