Elgin and Nairn female cyclists in Scotland’s biggest 'Breeze' ride to date
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FIVE local women's cycling "champions" will next month lead a large group of female cyclists for Scotland's biggest ride to date under British Cycling's "Breeze" initiative.
Breeze is a programme designed to encourage more women into cycling throughout the UK.
It has seen a particularly high take-up in Moray and Nairn.
There are now a number of local trained ride leaders – known as Breeze Champions – including two in Elgin and two in Nairn.
The volunteers offer regular fun, free bike rides for women of all abilities.
The ride on Saturday, November 6, is set to break the programme’s record for the number of riders involved, with 26 women signed up so far. Would-be participants can still sign up.
Elgin Breeze Champion Diane Maciver said: "The region is becoming a hotspot for women’s involvement in cycling.
"Elgin Cycling Club already boasts a 48 per cent female membership – twice the average in the whole of the UK.
"The Breeze programme is especially encouraging to new, returning and not-been-out-for-a while women to come out and (re) discover the joy of cycling."
Fellow Breeze Champion Sheila Scott said: "We're particularly excited about this as it will be the biggest ride in Scotland so far under this initiative, which has been running since 2014.
"Scottish Cycling are particularly keen to watch this event – and we are incredibly proud and excited."
The Elgin and Nairn Breeze Firework Meet Up will be a steady 17-mile ride, including a cake and coffee stop at Kula Coffee Hut, at Duffus Castle.
The ride will set off from Elgin's Cooper Park at 10am on the day.
More information about Breeze rides, and details on how to book a place, can be found at www.letsride.co.uk/breeze.
