THE CYCLIST
Bart Giszter, 37, is a graphic designer and cyclist from Dundee.
“I grew up in Poland and drinking tap water wasn’t really an option there, at least when I was young. I used to live close to the mountains so there was a lot of mineral water available in glass bottles. A Coca-Cola or fizzy drink would have been for a very special occasion, so we mainly drank water.
“Later, when a variety of products started to appear on the market, I began to drink fruit juices thinking that was a healthier option. I got into cycling around 10 years ago and, as my fitness began to improve, I became more and more interested in diet and hydration.
“I started to travel and I was regularly cycling in other parts of Europe. I wanted to perform better on the bike so I took note of what other cyclists were doing.
“When I was in some parts of Northern Europe, I noticed that drinking tap water was part of the culture.
“Travelling really opened my eyes to tap as an option and I realised it was the easiest solution, and it would save me money. It also began to dawn on me that there was a lot of sugar in the juices I was drinking. The quality of water in Poland has improved over the years, and around five years ago I began drinking tap water there.
“When I moved to Scotland two years ago, one of my first questions was whether I could drink tap. I soon found out the quality here is very high and the water tastes better too. So, from day one, tap water has been my main drink.
“I take a reusable bottle everywhere with me. Sometimes when I go out to work in the morning I forget my glasses, I forget my keys, but I don’t ever forget my drinking bottle. I drink tap water everywhere.
“I cycle a lot here, and I love to go up to the Highlands at the weekend. Among cyclists it’s common to carry a reusable water bottle and top up along the way. Wherever I stop people are super helpful. Water bottles are attached to the bike so they can get really muddy, and I was pleasantly surprised that, when I stopped in cafes and bars to ask for a refill, I was not only getting bottles of fresh water back, they were even cleaning them for me.
“I have never been refused a refill of tap anywhere I’ve stopped and no one should ever feel afraid to ask.”
Water simply tastes better in Scotland. I take a reusable bottle everywhere I go