Night Riding is a Breeze
When I was growing up, ‘Knight Rider’ was a talking car driven by David Hasselhoff. Last week, the term took on a whole new meaning (and spelling) for me.
Annie is my next door neighbour and she is a UK Breeze cycle leader. This initiative is run by British Cycling and offers fun, free bike rides for women of all abilities across the UK. When Annie had posted information about ‘an introduction to night riding’ event on her Facebook page, I knew it was exactly what I needed to unwind from a frantic week at work. My daily chaotic routine was leaving little time for exercise and fresh air. It was also now dark and very cold.
At 5.30pm we met at the village hall and after an equipment check we set out on our 10km loop around the forest. The route would take us on a short stretch of the A95 so I was grateful when Annie was able to lend me a high visibility jacket and an additional front bike light, provided, with thanks, free of charge by Aviemore Bikes.
Annie was an excellent bike leader, reassuring us and providing tips and guidance along the way. The forest takes on a completely different feel when you travel through it by bike light. We saw roe deer and the most incredible full moon lit up the sky peeping through the granny pines. It was breathtaking and immediately lifted any tension from my working week. While the weather was cold I was well wrapped up and the ride was just the perfect length and level. Not enough to tire me out but perfect to energise me.
With daylight hours being so limited over winter, this opens up new opportunities for me. Though I occasionally jog in the forest at night, I don’t think I would feel confident to cycle on my own. The breeze ride gave me the confidence to do so and meet others in the process. When I asked fellow cyclist, Fiona, why she took part she said
“If I didn’t sign up for this I would just get comfortable at home after dinner. By committing to meet someone it makes me turn up rather than talk myself into staying at home”.
This resonates with me. I am much more likely to get active outdoors in the summer and tend to hibernate away from everyone in winter. Night Riding is a way to continue to be active and meet others and I would definitely like to go out again.
To take part in a Breeze Ride near you you can visit their webpage online. Registration is quick and easy to do. Help is available with equipment for those that don’t have access to it.
Thank you to Annie and British Cycling for such a great experience.
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This guest blog has kindly been written for Think Health Think Nature by Ailsa Villegas