The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Off the sofa and on your bike
Maybe you were lucky enough to get a new bike for Christmas. Or maybe you want to take up cycling in the new year? We spoke to the experts at Gallatown Bike Hub to help you start your journey.
If you have not been on a bike before or have not cycled for a while, that is no barrier to getting started.
Gallatown Bike Hub in Kirkcaldy is a social enterprise changing lives by getting people off their sofas and on to the saddle.
John Rodger, 29, is one of the people whose life has been transformed by getting involved in cycling thanks to the hub. He is now part of the team and is helping others do the same.
“We try to encourage the locals and the young people to get out and be active, and cycle as much as they can,” he said.
“We help them if they’ve not got bikes or if their bikes are broken. Or if they want to learn any mechanics, all that stuff.”
All you need to start cycling is a bike and a helmet. Lycra is definitely not encouraged.
“First, just get a bike, and don’t look too much into all the gear that you need and stuff like that,” said John.
“The basics are just a helmet and, depending on the time of year, maybe a pair of gloves. A lot of people think you need everything, and it’s not necessarily like that.”
Once you have got the basic kit, it is time to get started. John advises novice cyclists to stay local.
“For me, when I was coming out of lockdown and I was trying to get back into cycling, a lot of it was just using the bike locally,” he said.
If you have not been on a bike before, you might be reluctant to take to the road. John suggested heading to your local woodland if you find the local park a bit public.
If you do have the confidence to negotiate a bit of traffic, the first thing you should do is familiarise yourself with the Highway Code.
Most of the people who come to Gallatown Bike Hub are beginners.
“We do a Friday cycle here and there are a lot of people who were beginners or didn’t cycle and now they’re just constantly out on their bike,” John added.
“I know people that used to just sit on their computer or Xbox and that was basically their hobby. And when they’ve found cycling, that was them. I don’t think they’ve ever switched it back on since.”