Local female cyclists smash Scottish record in British Cycling Breeze ride
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A GROUP of nearly 40 local female cyclists have smashed a Scottish record during a weekend ride.
Six local women's cycling "champions" from Elgin and Nairn, trained under British Cycling’s Breeze initiative, led 30 women and one talented youngster for the programme's biggest Scottish ride to date on Saturday, November 6.
Breeze has been running since 2014 and is designed to encourage more women into cycling throughout the UK.
The initiative has been picking up pace in Moray, where the programme's ride leaders – four in Elgin and two in Nairn – offer regular fun, free bike rides for women of all abilities.
The group cycled 17 miles from Elgin's Cooper Park to Duffus, enjoying a cake and coffee stop at Duffus Castle's Kula Coffee Hut before returning.
Ride organiser and Breeze Champion Diane Maciver said: "The programme is especially encouraging for new, returning and not-been-out-for-a-while women to come out and (re) discover the joy of cycling.
"It was great to welcome six riders who were new to Breeze on this record-breaking ride.
"The atmosphere was fantastic.
"One observer messaged me afterwards saying she had seen us all on the cycle path from Lossiemouth to Elgin. She said, 'It was pouring rain but all I could see were groups of women cycling and chatting ... they all just looked to be really enjoying themselves'."
Fellow Breeze Champion Sheila Scott said: "Saturday's Elgin and Nairn Breeze ride was the biggest in Scotland so far. We were so excited. Even a heavy rain shower just as we left Duffus Castle for home didn't dampen spirits at all."
The Breeze Champions welcome local women on each of their bespoke Breeze rides, which set off from either Elgin Library or Nairn's Maggot car park.
More information about the rides, and details on how to book a place, can be found at www.letsride.co.uk/breeze.
