Guided Rides offer fun, friendly, supportive bike rides for individual and family cyclists. The programme has been growing in Scotland over the past few years, helping more people to build their cycling experience and explore their local area by bike.
In the past month, volunteer ride leaders have led rides in the Scottish Borders, Perth and Kinross, Aberdeenshire, South Lanarkshire & Glasgow, and in this series of articles we meet some of the volunteers supporting more people to cycle in their local communities.
We spoke to Ruth Isherwood, a volunteer ride leader based in Peebles, to tell us more about her experience of the Guided Ride programme.
“I was attracted to the Guided Rides programme as it is for men and women of all abilities, is free to join and you got free membership of British Cycling,” said Ruth.
“I have learned so much through the programme about giving instructions and communicating in a riding group. It can sometimes be tricky when you have riders with electric, mountain and road bikes all on the same ride. As a leader, you have to adjust the speed and be prepared for anything.
“I have found that it is helpful to share links to your rides on the Let’s Ride website to lots of local Facebook feeds, and to give people an idea of average speed and reassure them that no-one will be left behind. Most of my rides are easy-going or steady and around 20 miles.
“I have met lots of new people through being a Guided Ride leader, and everyone is appreciative and enthusiastic at the end of a ride. I’ve also learned not to be too disappointed when people cancel or just don’t turn up on the day!”
If you want to cycle more, then Scottish Cycling Guided Rides are for you. All you have to do is bring your bike and pedal. Guided Ride Leaders do the rest. It's easy. It's free.
All kinds of cyclists are welcomed on Guided Rides, with rides classifications offering easy-going, steady and challenging rides, and opportunities of adult-only and family rides.
You can join Ruth on her next Guided Ride, or find a ride near you and more about Guided Rides at the Let’s Ride website: www.letsride.co.uk/guided-rides
For more information about becoming a Guided Ride leader visit: www.letsride.co.uk/volunteers
