Cycling with a buddy

One of the best things about cycling is doing it with a friend. My cycling buddy is Paul and we have been on numerous adventures together all across Scotland. We met at university and discovered a mutual interest in riding a bike. Soon we had bought bicycles and were meeting up at weekends and spending a few hours pedalling along the Union Canal path. This evolved into a desire to try out cycle touring with overnight trips and longer distances. Our first multi-day cycle tour took as to the Orkney Islands and we had such a great time that we wanted more and took a cycling holiday every year.

Cycling together has been so rewarding because:

• We shared those first tentative pedal strokes together on the canal path that gradually built our confidence to try longer distance trips. It is something we will always look back on as the starting point of our shared passion for cycling.

 

• On that first cycle trip to the Orkney Islands I struggled with hills and if it wasn't for Paul being there I think I would have given up. Seeing my friend making the effort to get up the hills motivated me to do the same and keep up with him. 

 

• We have sometimes faced truly horrendous weather and going through this with a buddy keeps your spirits up. I recall one occasion when we faced non-stop heavy rain that soaked us to the bone. We used hand-dryers, unsuccessfully, in public toilets to dry our sodden clothes.  In the afternoon the rain stopped only to be replaced by gale-force winds that toppled us from our bikes! It could have been demoralising doing this on my own, but with Paul we got through it together and the camaraderie made this a memorable, rather than a miserable experience.

• When our bicycles first got punctures we did not have a clue how to fix them, but we learned together through trial and error to get to the point where it became second nature. One particular puncture will always stay in my mind. It was on a remote road in the Highlands, miles from the nearest bike shop and it took us several hours to fix the puncture. I don't think I could have done this on my own and I would have felt nervous in such a rural location.

• The banter we have on the road is great. We often chat away and have a laugh whilst cycling. 

• Cycle touring is not just about the bike it is about the places that you can see along the way and sharing this with a buddy is going to create hours of future reminiscing. We have seen remarkable scenery, castles and historic sites. And when you come across something beautiful it is special to be able to share this with a companion.

• Cycling on multi-day trips with a buddy means you do not have to face having your dinner alone. You will always have a companion at the end of a long day riding to share a meal with and perhaps a few drinks in a pub.

 

• Navigation of routes can be shared with your buddy and it means you have someone to check with when you are not 100% sure whether to turn left or right.

 

• I created a photo book of our cycling adventures for a birthday gift for Paul. A photographic record of all the great times we had together when pedalling around Scotland.  It was a perfect way to show why cycling with a buddy is the best.

It can be difficult to find someone to go cycling with, particularly if you have moved to a new area. SportPartner is a site where you can find a cycling buddy. Whether you are looking for more motivation or just enjoy meeting new people while cycling then SportPartner is the place to try. Basic Membership is free.

Post written in collaboration with SportPartner