In the past when I was asked what I did for a living I would be met with blank stares, or the usual quip of “do you shave your legs?” However, if the other person was a cyclist I would then find myself in an absorbing conversation along the lines of gear sizes, riding on flats or clipless pedals.
These conversations, however, were rare and often I managed to contentedly hide my introverted self in the kitchen of a party enjoying the canapés and avoiding any form of conversation.
Times have now changed and it is impossible to go anywhere without someone wanting to tell you their reasons why they think Chris Froome is a better rider than Bradley Wiggins, or discussing the tactics of Laura Trott in the Olympics Omnium. I am right behind the success of our British cyclists; I was almost punching holes in the ceiling of our living room as I screamed at the TV in joy as Laura Trott won her fourth gold medal.
But these accomplishments by our riders have completely changed the dynamic of my social interactions. No longer can I go to my barber and grunt a half-hearted “yes” or “no” to one-sided conversations about politics or the weather. My last visit required me to give my opinion on whether Jason Kenny should have been disqualified, or not, from the Olympic Keirin final.
It is now quite incredible to think how the landscape of cycling has changed in just a few years. People who once perhaps had no interest in cycling can now tell you the rules of a track “point’s race”, although author JK Rowling seems to be still be struggling; during the Olympics she tweeted “Don’t you DARE tell me Quidditch is hard to understand”.
Last week, when out for a ride on my 48×16 fixed gear bike I stopped at the top of a hill with a gradient of 20% to catch my breath. A woman walking her dog passed me and asked if I was tired. Replying that I was, I was then about to explain I was on a single geared bike when she retorted: “You should stop trying to be like those Olympians and just ride a bike with gears”. Firmly put in my place I rode off with a smile realising that cycling was no longer the forgotten sport supported by the minority.
It reminded me of someone years ago who told me, after seeing the new drop-barred racing bike I had just bought, that “No one rides bikes like that any more”. Well, times have changed and judging by the excitement our Olympic cyclists have generated there will be a lot more people riding bikes “like that” in the future.
Where to ride: Callander to Strathyre
Suitable for: Cycle path suitable for families
Distance: 9 miles – one way
Where: OS Landranger 1:50000 Map 57 NN 63045 08037
Description: Starting at the Meadows car park head into Callander and follow the cycle path by the riverside to join the cycleway near the main road. Just past the camp cross the A821 and continue on the cycle path beside the river Leny. Once you pass the walkers car park at Stank take the right fork onto the path closest to the river and continue on to follow the western shore of Loch Lubnaig and eventually onto the village of Strathyre. The route is not entirely flat, but the climbs are short and the views more than compensate for any effort made.
