NEED A REASON TO GET ON YOUR BIKE? SUSAN SWARBRICK HAS PLENTY

1 Go somewhere new

Be it soaring over the M8 or a gentle amble to Ballachulish, a clutch of cycle routes will open this summer. The National Cycle Network (NCN) provides traffic- free routes for cyclists, stretching to almost 2000 miles across Scotland. In Glasgow the long- awaited cycle path over the “bridge to nowhere” – part of NCN75, which crosses the M8 and will link Central Station to the west end – is due to open on July 8.

Other routes under development include cycle route NCN78, from Oban to Ballachulish, taking in the area’s many sea lochs and mountains, with a bridge being opened at Duror this month. www.sustrans.org.uk

2 Stop for a brew

Pro cyclists are famed for their coffee stops, but you don’t need to be putting in hundreds of miles to enjoy the sociable side of bike riding. Some great venues are popping up across Scotland, not least Siempre Bicycle Cafe in the west end of Glasgow where, alongside your caffeine fix, you can peruse a range of hip clothing perfectly suited to the Scottish climate, enjoy wine tasting evenings or watch live big screen coverage of major cycling events.

Another top spot is Velocity Cafe and Bicycle Workshop in Inverness, co-founded by top female Scottish mountain biker, Lee Craigie. It runs maintenance classes, hosts regular talks from the likes of Paralympian Karen Darke and serves sublime carrot cake. www.siemprebicyclecafe.com; www.velocitylove.co.uk

3 Gain confidence on the roads

Cycling Scotland has launched a pilot scheme providing adult cycle lessons in Edinburgh, aimed at boasting confidence when navigating busy roads. The courses, in partnership with bike retailers Alpine Bikes, Bike Station, Edinburgh Bicycle Co-operative and the Tri- Centre, are offered over four levels including skills such as bike handling, roadside repairs, cycle commuting and route planning. www.cyclingscotland.org

4 Take a spin around a velodrome

A little over a year from now, the world’s top cyclists will descend on the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome for the 2014 Commonwealth Games – but you can get in there first.

The velodrome, part of the £113 million Emirates Arena complex in Glasgow, offers regular drop-in sessions to ride the track for fun as well as courses to become accredited to race in the weekly track league. Open to cyclists aged eight