Cycling has brought me many things: health, opportunities to travel the world, work and enjoyment – but perhaps the greatest is the number of friends I have gained over the years.
Despite the varied nationalities, age and background of my friends, riding a bike is one thing that has brought us all together. So diverse is the group it is hard to pin the tag “cyclist” on any of us – although it is something we all clearly display a passion for.
Such a dedication to two wheels could define us, but it is only one small part of a wider picture for each person. Despite this, when I meet someone for the first time and discover they ride a bike I know I am with a kindred spirit.
What defines a cyclist is not the fact they ride a bike, but the reason why they ride a bike – and these are a whole bucket-load of different traits.
Top of these attributes is a love of being outdoors: why else would you cycle if you didn’t have an appreciation of the landscape you are travelling through?
Many riders cite their main reason for cycling as fitness, but if that was the only reason, surely they would happily sign up for a spin-class and never venture beyond the gym doors.
As my circle of friends has grown, so has my ability to always find someone to ride with, and even when working away from home there will be someone I know that is up for a ride.
My introverted nature means I occasionally prefer a bike ride alone, but this can sometimes backfire as my enthusiasm can falter if the weather is bad, or I’m tired after a day at work.
But if I know I’m meeting someone to ride, then I force myself to go out, even when I would rather sit in front of the fire, watching TV. Once I’m out I’m always glad and the banter and companionship on a bike ride will always lift my mood.
Cycling clubs are great ways to find other people in your area who also ride a bike. Registered clubs are still a cornerstone of cycling life, but more and more communities are getting together and creating informal groups of riders.
Some of these are just a few local riders in an area, or a specific group who like winter riding in the dark on a weekly basis. Others are a loose group of work colleagues who meet at lunchtime, or on a day off. The groups develop their own criteria over time, based on common interests outside of cycling.
There is no official structure to these groups, perhaps a Facebook page, or What’s App group, but that is the real pleasure to them. Their relaxed nature means you can turn up for a group whenever suits you. I loosely participate with several such rides and because of my peripatetic work role only manage to ride with each group a couple of times a year. But when I do turn up the welcome is always warm, the chat interesting and the pedalling fantastic.
Join the Blazing Saddles Strava Club at: www.strava.com/clubs/BlazingSaddlesWeekendCourier
Where to Ride: Longforgan – Abernyte – Longforgan
OS 1:50,000 Map 53 – NO 309300
Road Cycling Route
One of my favourite rides as a young lad was up towards Abernyte. This loop was one I rode many times in both directions. Starting in Longforgan head north via the A90 underpass on the unclassified road towards the Knapp. The road slowly climbs up beyond the Knapp before the rider should turn left at East Newton Farm. The route then climbs up towards a T-junction where the rider should turn left and follow the swooping descent down through Abernyte and towards Inchture, crossing over the A90. Heading south from Inchture the rider should follow the long straight section until a left turn at Little Powgavie takes you to Rawes, where turning left again the route heads back to Longforgan.
Distance: 11.43 miles/18.4 km
Height gain: 358ft/109 m
