Had a fantastic day on Saturday, 29th July 2023 both at the ‘Women’s Confident Cycling Skills’ from 10:00am – 11:00am then later at the ‘Mixed Social Cycle’ from 11:30am – 12:30pm.
I learnt so many skills from Instructor Victoria who has the patience of a Saint. I didn’t know what to expect when I rocked up to the car park. I am profoundly deaf, on the Autistic spectrum with ADHD. Luckily, I arrived as she was unloading her bike so she chummed me to the cycle track. There I was with my borrowed cycling gear – right down to the shoes and a bike that I had never ridden before, complete with two flat as a pancake tyres!
I learnt how to do the ‘M’ check to ascertain all of the safety aspects of the bike before going on a ride. I was taught how to read the correct tyre pressure from the information on the wheel then how to inflate my tyres to the correct psi. I learnt how to adjust my own saddle for my height and riding experience and handle bars for a comfortable ride.
I then learnt how to ride the bike using the full range of gears, going up and down hills and on the flat but remembering to change them BEFORE I needed to as this made for a smoother ride.
We were made aware of the forthcoming ‘UCI World Cycling Championships’ as there was a promotional stand with all of the details on display.
However, the most fun part of the day was riding with others (me, Victoria, Gail and Tanya) ‘in formation.’ We learnt how to ride ‘in a pack’ and in a ‘chain gang.’ We felt like we were training for the ‘Femmes de France.’ Our confidence just soared after this!
Next, we went on the ‘Mixed Social Cycle’ ride. This took us on the Clyde Walkway Cycle Route (also known as the ‘Clyde Walkway’) from Cambuslang with the River Clyde on our left. Victoria led the ride with another leader, Helen, kindly riding at the back behind me as she knew that I had additional needs. She was amazing with her encouragement when going up hills or trying to avoid dogs without leads and joggers with headphones. Gail very kindly let me borrow her husband, who acted as my ‘Domestique’ by riding in front of me which protected me from the wind and sun. There was another lovely guy on the ride (John ??) who stated that he had lost some of his confidence as he had been involved in a bike accident the previous year so it was great to see him back on his bicycle.
The cycle walkway goes on for miles but due to our inexperience and this being an introductory day out, we stopped after a comfortable 2.5 miles, as we still had the journey back to the Clyde Cycle Park in Cambuslang.
I know that there are lots of people behind the scenes who made this day very special and memorable so big thanks to everyone including Susan, Carol and Richard the Photographer. Sorry that I cannot remember everyone’s name!
Hi Phoebe
Thank you so much for taking the trouble to write such a lovely post and your appreciation for the coaching on the Family Fun Day. Everything you write about building confidence and skills is what we’re about at Clyde Cycle Park. We’re really glad that you had a good day and we look forward to seeing you on your next ride!
Thanks again, and all the best
John Bachtler
Chair, Clyde Cycle Park
Had a fantastic day on Saturday, 29th July 2023 both at the ‘Women’s Confident Cycling Skills’ from 10:00am – 11:00am then later at the ‘Mixed Social Cycle’ from 11:30am – 12:30pm.
I learnt so many skills from Instructor Victoria who has the patience of a Saint. I didn’t know what to expect when I rocked up to the car park. I am profoundly deaf, on the Autistic spectrum with ADHD. Luckily, I arrived as she was unloading her bike so she chummed me to the cycle track. There I was with my borrowed cycling gear – right down to the shoes and a bike that I had never ridden before, complete with two flat as a pancake tyres!
I learnt how to do the ‘M’ check to ascertain all of the safety aspects of the bike before going on a ride. I was taught how to read the correct tyre pressure from the information on the wheel then how to inflate my tyres to the correct psi. I learnt how to adjust my own saddle for my height and riding experience and handle bars for a comfortable ride.
I then learnt how to ride the bike using the full range of gears, going up and down hills and on the flat but remembering to change them BEFORE I needed to as this made for a smoother ride.
We were made aware of the forthcoming ‘UCI World Cycling Championships’ as there was a promotional stand with all of the details on display.
However, the most fun part of the day was riding with others (me, Victoria, Gail and Tanya) ‘in formation.’ We learnt how to ride ‘in a pack’ and in a ‘chain gang.’ We felt like we were training for the ‘Femmes de France.’ Our confidence just soared after this!
Next, we went on the ‘Mixed Social Cycle’ ride. This took us on the Clyde Walkway Cycle Route (also known as the ‘Clyde Walkway’) from Cambuslang with the River Clyde on our left. Victoria led the ride with another leader, Helen, kindly riding at the back behind me as she knew that I had additional needs. She was amazing with her encouragement when going up hills or trying to avoid dogs without leads and joggers with headphones. Gail very kindly let me borrow her husband, who acted as my ‘Domestique’ by riding in front of me which protected me from the wind and sun. There was another lovely guy on the ride (John ??) who stated that he had lost some of his confidence as he had been involved in a bike accident the previous year so it was great to see him back on his bicycle.
The cycle walkway goes on for miles but due to our inexperience and this being an introductory day out, we stopped after a comfortable 2.5 miles, as we still had the journey back to the Clyde Cycle Park in Cambuslang.
I know that there are lots of people behind the scenes who made this day very special and memorable so big thanks to everyone including Susan, Carol and Richard the Photographer. Sorry that I cannot remember everyone’s name!
I can’t wait for the next ride.
Hi Phoebe
Thank you so much for taking the trouble to write such a lovely post and your appreciation for the coaching on the Family Fun Day. Everything you write about building confidence and skills is what we’re about at Clyde Cycle Park. We’re really glad that you had a good day and we look forward to seeing you on your next ride!
Thanks again, and all the best
John Bachtler
Chair, Clyde Cycle Park