An Aberdeenshire cycling club has hailed a huge boost in numbers since the pastime was thrust into the spotlight in the north-east.
Team Ecosse Northboats, which is based in Inverurie, said it now had 133 adults and youngsters as members – a third of which are women.
Group chairman, Pete Lowson, said its quotient of female cyclists was “now well above the Scottish Cycling national level”.
He added: “We had more than 100 youngsters take part in the fun races we organised as part of the 2019 Great Inverurie Bike Ride so there’s no doubt the demand is there.”
Mr Lowson added that the high membership is due to the success of the Aberdeen city centre Tour Series races held over the previous three years, and expects another boost with the arrival of the internationally renowned Tour of Britain professional road race in the north-east later this year.
Committee member Jacqueline Ross, who co-ordinates the club’s ride leaders, paid tribute to the dedication and commitment of those who lead each of the organised weekly group rides.
She said: “None of these rides could happen without their input so they all deserve a big vote of thanks.”
The committee will shortly be looking at the club’s ride structure to find more ways to encourage beginner, inexperienced or returning riders to take part.
Looking towards the future, Mr Lowson said the club would focus heavily on its core activities of club rides and youth development this year.
At the recent annual general meeting, he thanked all the volunteers who had given their time to help the club at numerous events and races
He also paid tribute to club member Lucy Ritchie who, as a rider with the InternationElles cycling team, completed the gruelling 2,150 miles of the Tour de France route last July.
She will be returning to France this year as a team leader in the InternationElles.
He added: “It was a fantastic effort. When I travelled to Inverurie’s twin town of Bagneres de Bigorre in the Pyrenees to see her at the halfway point in the Tour, the temperature topped 40C.
“Riding in such conditions took immense fitness, skill and commitment.”
The club is open to members of all ages and abilities and aims to bring people together to enjoy cycling at any level.
Club details and membership information are available from the www.tencycling.co.uk
