Women encouraged to join 'Big Breeze' cycle in Moray

LOCAL women's cycling champions are encouraging those new, or returning, to the sport to get involved with an introductory ride this Saturday.

The Big Breeze, which has been running since 2014, is a British Cycling initiative which encourages women across Great Britain to take up cycling.

The scheme has been especially well-received in Moray, with last year's Big Breeze ride breaking records as 36 women rode 17 miles to Duffus Castle from Elgin's Cooper Park in the biggest Breeze ride in Scotland to date.

Six of those riders were completely new to the initiative.

Local leaders are now calling for more women – especially women new to cycling or returning to their bikes – to join in and they aim to secure a further record on Saturday, October 29.

This year's route will see the ladies cycle from Elgin Library, leaving at 10am, to The Snug in Alves where coffee and cake will be on offer.

"We want more women to take part in this particular ride, but more importantly, we want more women to discover or rediscover the joy of cycling," Elgin Breeze Champion and Big Breeze organiser Diane Maciver said.

"Cycling gives all of us a little headspace as well as exercise, and the benefits to mental health are as important as the benefits to our physical fitness."

More than 100 regular riders join local Breeze cycles, and more new and returning cyclists take part every week.

Short, gently-paced, rides are organised locally at weekends and during the week by any of the 11 leaders or champions at groups across the country. The rides are free to join.

Check out www.lets-ride.co.uk/breeze or Elgin Breeze Group on Facebook to join the Big Breeze Ride, or future individual rides.

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