Did you know you can cross the Atlantic Ocean on a bridge?  The water that flows under the The Clachan bridge is a sound that's connected to the Atlantic Ocean. It's why it's known as the 'bridge over the Atlantic'. One one side is mainland Scotland and on the other is the Island of Seil. The bridge is around 12 miles south of Oban

• crossing the bridge over the Atlantic
• whisky, seafood and chocolate in Oban
• ride alongside the shore of Loch Feochan
• appreciating the beauty of the two churches along this route

​This is a great way to start a bike trip. It takes just over 3 hours and you can relax with some of the best train views in the country. On this trip my highlights were counting at least 100 oystercatcher on a beach near Helensburgh. Around Garelochhead there were so many ferns that it felt like the train was fighting to get through them. I could hear them brush against the carriages and see them glisten with morning dew.

Bikes care carried free on this service, but you need to book in advance.

There is the smell of sea and the cry of gulls. It was August and busy with tourists. Despite the warm weather the whisky shop had a fire blazing. It creates the right ambiance for whisky tasting, curled up in a leather armchair. A crab sandwich from the Oban Seafood Hut is lunch perfection. Follow this with a treat from the Oban Chocolate Company and you are set up for the afternoon.

There's no escaping that the only way to reach The Clachan Bridge is to use the A816.

​You can avoid some of it by taking a twisty minor road that runs roughly parallel. This adds about 2 miles to the journey and you still have to do about 4 miles on the A-road. I didn't have time for this, so took the direct route.

The most unpleasant part is getting out of Oban. There are several supermarkets and other business out this way and this can make the roads busy, but if you are used to city cycling its not too bad and it doesn't last long. Once you are through this the traffic thins out. 

​It was a tough climb on this road. There wasn't much to see until I reached Loch Feochan. The road runs along the shore, so you get a great view for this part.

Churches are often the standout architecture when exploring Scotland. Even small churches, like the two on this route, have a presence. About 3 miles from Oban is  Kilmore Church. It sits on a grassy bump that overlooks the loch. A different colour of stone has been used to pick out the corners and the window and door frames, giving it a distinctive look.

After leaving the A816 and turning onto the B844 you'll find Kilninver Parish Church. It was built in 1793. The front door is approached by a hedge-lined gravel path. That little walk is a joy. With the hedge enclosing you it feels like you have discovered a secret place. There's a wooden porch, a place to take off coats and leave umbrellas. It has a round hole cut in its roof for the chain that pulls the bell.

Inside the walls are white, offset by the dark wood of the pews. Light floods in from the large windows. A narrow staircase takes you to the upper gallery. A place to sit for a few minutes and enjoy how quiet it is and clear your mind.

It's just under 4 miles to The Clachan Bridge. There are a lot of hills on this road, some with 15% gradients.

The smells coming from this road were glorious. It was earthy from the ferns and grass, plus sweet from wildlowers. No candle can compete with the aroma sensation of cycling in Scotland.

This location is spectacular. The view from the top of the bridge has islands and inlets and hills on the horizon.

The humpback bridge was completed in 1793, so it was never designed for motor traffic. I noticed that it's steep incline gave some drivers a bit of trouble with gear changes.

On the other side of the bridge there is a lovely scene of white-painted buildings. One of these is an inn called Tigh an Truish (house of the trousers). This curious name comes from the period when the Government banned the Gaelic language and the wearing of kilts. Islanders who crossed to the mainland would first stop in the inn to get changed out of their kilts and into trousers. When they returned to the island they would get changed back into their kilts.

After crossing the bridge you can explore the Slate Islands. Look out for my next blog.

I love trying famous Scottish foods in the place that they come from. You can get variations of the bridie all over Scotland, but I can tell you that nothing beats a bridie from Forfar. On this route you can try one and see some of Scotland's finest Pictish stone carving.

• Trying a Forfar Bridie
• Visiting Restenneth Priory, dating from the 1100s
• Aberlemno Pictish stones with a carved battle scene
• Balgavies loch where red squirrels can be seen
• The secret disused station, Auldbar Road station 

From Kirriemuir
I made this journey as part of a cycling trip to Glen Clova. I took the A926 from Kirriemuir to Forfar. It's only 6 miles.

This road has a steady volume of traffic, but there is a way to avoid this. A pavement runs alongside the road. It has signage, in places, indicating that it is a shared pedestrian and cycle path. I was able to use this and encountered very few pedestrians. It's not the best surface in places, but for the short distance its worth it to avoid sharing the road with fast moving traffic. 

From Arbroath
You can also do this route by taking a train to Arbroath. Forfar is around 15 miles from Arbroath. Just follow my blog in reverse if you are starting in Arbroath.​

Once in Forfar I headed straight to Saddler's bakery for a bridie. Although the traditional tea room with its wood panelling was enticing, the bridie is best enjoyed as a takeaway food. I found the perfect location, about 10 minutes bike ride away, at Restenneth Priory.​

The priory was founded in the early 1100s and the most distinctive feature of the ruin is the 14m high tower. In 1325 Robert the Bruce buried the body of his son here. 

There's not a great deal to see, but Restenneth is a pleasant spot. I took a seat and tried my first ever Forfar Bridie.

I loved every bite of it. The salty pastry was crispy in places. It was packed with a juicy meat filling made sweet by onions. A restaurant critic, Tam Cowan, was equally impressed:

"My bridie was sensational — the soft buttery pastry was packed with mince and onion — and I marvelled at the simplicity of this very satisfying meal. Oysters? Lobster thermidor? Chateaubriand? Nah. Give me a bridie and beans any day of the week."

There are two versions of how the bridie came about. One is that it started out as a traditional meal served to the bride at weddings, hence 'bridie'. The other is that a Margaret Bridie sold them in the eighteenth century from the market in Forfar.

If you come for a Forfar Bridie then you really should include a trip to the Aberlemno Pictish Stones. From Restenneth Priory it is a 5 mile cycle along the B9134 to reach them.

The four stones are among the best examples of Pictish stone carving in the country. They date between AD 500 and 800. The stone that depicts a battle is particularly exquisite, with helmeted figures on horseback.

It is incredible that these are so well preserved and survive all that the Scottish weather can throw at them. They do get covered with wooden boxes in the winter months, so you need to time your visit to see them.

Another of the stones depicts a hunting scene, with figures on horseback.

Another stone looks onto a field. It has carvings of symbols that are typical of Pictish stones- the serpent and double-disc and z-rod.

The location of the road in relation to the stones is crazy. You have to be careful when viewing the stones. 

The stones are adjacent to Aberlemno Parish Church. The building dates from 1772 and it was open during my visit. A spiral staircase takes you to the upper gallery where you can look down on the pulpit.

This loch is about 4 miles south of the Aberlemno stones. Its a haven for wildlife, including red squirrel, kingfisher and skylark. 

After miles of similar looking farmlands this is a surprising change of scenery. 

Another suprise, next to the loch is a disused railway station. Auldbar Road station was on the Arbroath to Forfar Railway. The line closed in the 1960s, but you can still find a station house and signal box here.

It's about 12 miles to Arbroath station, where you can pick up trains heading to Aberdeen, Edinburgh and other locations. That's using the quieter roads, but you can reduce this by around 2 miles if you cycle on the busier A-roads.

I took the quiet roads. My head was down as I had a train to catch, so I didn't take in a lot of detail. It's farming country with good roads that don't get a lot of traffic.​

Taking up cycling as a hobby is a great way to stay in shape and get around in a cost-effective manner. It is also good for the environment to travel this way. However, buying a bicycle is just your first step toward receiving all of these benefits.

There are plenty of other cycling accessories that you will need to make all your journeys safer and more enjoyable. Here are just some of the biking accessories that every bike rider needs.
​
Bike Lock
One of the benefits of driving a car is that you never have to worry about where you are going to leave your vehicle. Many cyclists can benefit from using a bike lock to safely store their bikes when they are out and about. These locks are especially useful if your workplace doesn’t feature any off-street storage for those who choose to cycle instead of drive. No one wants to keep their bike with them all day. Using a bike lock allows you to safely store your bike outside without worrying about it being stolen. The best thing about bike locks is that they are small and malleable. This means that you can reliably bring them everywhere you go in your backpack or even your pockets. You will also notice how easy it is to find a spot for your bike outside.

Bike Helmet
A bike helmet isn’t just a necessary accessory, it is often required that cyclists wear them by law in many countries across the world, but it isn’t yet the law in the UK.  These helmets are designed to protect your head, one of the most fragile parts of the human body, in the unfortunate event that you are knocked off your bike while riding. You can easily recover from a scraped knee or elbow, but head injuries tend to be a lot worse. You can always cycle with elbow pads and knee guards if you choose, but a bike helmet is an absolute must for every rider. To get the most out of one of these accessories, it is advised that you replace your helmet every three to five years.

Lights
Almost every bike is fitted with a front light and a rear reflective light as a legal requirement; however, you will need more than these if you plan to regularly cycle at night. You will find many kinds of cycling lights on the market, but the best ones are the kind that easily clips to your handlebars and can be charged by USB. That way, you should be able to keep them topped up wherever you are.

Bicycle Insurance
While the accessories above are all good to have, there is never a guarantee that they will work one hundred percent of the time. That is why it is a good idea to get bicycle insurance. This type of cover works like any other insurance policy, so bicycle insurance from a company like Bicy Insurance should cover the cost of your bike if it is damaged or stolen and it wasn’t your fault. You don’t want to be off the road for too long, and these small monthly payments can help you get back on your bike in no time. Of course, the cost of your policy will depend on the make and age of your current bike.

Bicycle Pump
All those hours on your bike are going to have an effect on your tires. Nothing lasts forever, and your bike tires will slowly deflate over time. This happens when you ride your bike and when it is left standing for a long while.

Cycling is much easier and safer with fully inflated tires, which is why you will always need a bicycle pump. These bike pumps come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Fortunately, a real bike expert should point you toward the right pump. Again, these pumps are small enough to carry with you, so an unexpected flat tire shouldn’t get in your way.

Bells
Sometimes there is nothing worse than having to continuously stop to move around pedestrians in your way. A bike bell can alert those ahead of you and signal your presence so you can keep moving forward. However, it is always wise to stick to the cycle lanes where possible.

Bike Computer
Almost every bit of gym equipment has an in-built computer so that you can track your progress. Fortunately, you can also buy a similar device for your bike. An onboard bike computer clips safely onto your handlebars and features a calorie tracker, timer, and GPS system. This gadget is perfect for cyclists that take up the activity for exercise, although it is always handy to have a GPS on you.

Allen Keys
No one wants to be stranded at the side of the road. When you own a car, you can always rely on roadside assistance to help you out when things go wrong. Cyclists usually have to rely on themselves. That is why you will never regret carrying a set of allen keys with you. These small tools can help you navigate any part of your bike so that you can learn how to fix most issues yourself.

Rucksack
If you can take away any piece of advice from this article, it is that every cyclist can benefit from leaving the house with a rucksack. Whether you are cycling to lose weight or to speed up your morning commute, you will need somewhere to store your bike lock, onboard computer, bike pump, and allen keys. Even if you do not feel like you need all these accessories, you can’t deny that a rucksack wouldn’t come in handy for storing your waterproof gear. No one likes to cycle in the rain, so try to make sure you always come prepared.

Conclusion
As you can see, there are a lot of things that a cyclist needs. However, every rider will find a use for all these items. In other words, these are all bike accessories that every rider needs. 

"Like the fingers of a hand stretching from low lying farmland of Strathmore deep into the southern ranges of the Cairngorms." 

I found this description of the Angus Glens on a visitor information panel. It perfectly describes the journey into Glen Clova.

​It begins in farmland, quite ordinary. Then the Cairngorm mountains appear on the horizon. Each pedal stroke brings you closer to them. You enter a landscape that was sculpted by melting glaciers. It's spectacular to travel through.

You can follow these steps to reach Glen Clova:

1. Take a train to Arbroath. Then cycle 20 miles on quiet roads to visit Glamis Castle. I have a blog about this route.

2. Cycle 5 miles from Glamis Castle to Kirriemuir. This is on the A928. Although it's not the most exciting road it is flat and smooth. I found the traffic volume to be low.
​
3. Cycle 5 miles from Kirriemuir to Dykehead, the start of Glen Clova. The scenery starts to get interesting on this road. There are twists and turns ad forested sections. It feels like a road leading to something special.

4. It's then a 9.6 mile through Glen Clova to the Glen Clova Hotel.

Make sure to stop in Kirriemuir. It's the gateway town to the Angus Glens and has:

• a Peter Pan connection
• a statue of AC/DCs lead singer
• Scotland's oldest sweet shop

I recommend Vissochi's cafe for good coffee and cake. It's windows look out on the Peter Pan statue. JM Barrie, the creater of Peter Pan was born in Kirriemuir.  ​

JM Barrie gifted a cricket pavilion with a camera obscura to the town. Kirriemuir's camera obscura is one of only 3 in Scotland. 

Another famous person born here is Bon Scott, the lead singer of AC/DC. There's a statue of him on the Bellie's Brae Road.

​Scotland's oldest sweet shop is right here in Kirriemuir. It opened in 1833. Name your sweet, they've got it. It's called the Star Rock Shop after their own, unique sweet. Star rock is made in the kitchen in the back of the shop. It's a hard sweet, flavoured with natural lemon oil. It's wrapped in paper that has a lovely, classic design featuring the Peter Pan statue. 

Dykehead, with its pretty cottages, is 5 miles from Kirriemuir. This marks the start of the glen. After a few pedal strokes the mass of the Cairngorm mountain range appears on the horizon.

Around 3 miles later the road splits. It doesn't matter which path you choose as they both take you to the same place. This is the great thing about this road, it means you can do a loop and come a different way when you travel back out of the glen. ​

I took the right-hand road, where the sign points to 'Rottal Lodge'. 

The sound of the River Esk, meandering through the valley, is a constant companion  Sometimes you are looking down on it. Sometimes it is flowing right next to you.

Then there is the beauty of the plant life. It was the ferns that caught my attention. So common all over Scotland that they are easy to overlook, but in Glen Cova they seemed to have a prominence. They made the place rich, lush and smell amazing. I took a closer look at them, the beauty of the simple pattern of their leaves.  ​

The glen is teeming with bird life. I heard lots of different songs and calls as I pedaled along. I saw lapwing and oystercatcher and many others that I didn't know the names of. There were rabbits everywhere, some dashing right in front of my front wheel. Sheep were slower moving than the rabbits and some stopped to stare at me.

There is a feeling of going deeper and deeper into nature, getting closer to the moutains and further from the towns and cities. And that brought a great sense of well-being, that cares and worries were being left behind. I loved being in this place.  

As I got closer to the hotel I imagined what it must be like. I pictured a spectacular and secluded location that would forever make me smile when I drifted into my memories. It turned out to be even better than that.

The hotel has an immaculate white exterior and is very well appointed. It's the perfect place to relax at the journey's end. There's a bar with a wood burning stove and a restaurant with a bay window overlooking the glen. 

I had a heavenly crab salad for a starter, followed by the Clova Fish Box. This is fish n' chips, presented in a wooden box printed with the name of the hotel. The haddock is from Arbroath and potatoes from the nearby farm are used to make the chunky chips. 

After dinner I took my pint of Clova Ale to the outside tables. I got bitten by swarms of midges, but I didn't care. I was in this wonderful place, listening to bird calls, baa-ing sheep and trickling water from the Corrie Burn.

There's always a 'moment' on a great bike trip where everything feels special and you are so glad that you made the journey. Sitting outside the Glen Clova Hotel was definitely the 'moment' of this trip.

I loved that it was still daylight at 9pm and I could keep on exploring. Clova Kirk is opposite the hotel. One of those simple church buildings that are found all over Scotland, but always complement their surroundings. It's made of sandstone and Aberdeenshire granite. It's no longer a parish church and is now mainly used for weddings.

The road goes beyond the hotel into Glen Doll. Each step that I took revealed somewhere that managed to be even more magical than Glen Clova. I was surrounded by rugged and majestic hillsides- the impact of the melting glacier was clearly on show. It was a tantalising glimpse of where I would cycle tomorrow.

After a breakfast of poached eggs I cycled into Glen Doll. Mist hung in the air, creating that mysterious and authentic Scottish glen atmosphere. 

I passed rocky outcrops where some sheep had got themselves into precarious positions.

The road between Glen Clova and the Glen Doll Ranger Base is only 3.5 miles, but it is one of the most beautiful short cycle rides I have experienced. 

Glen Doll is very popular for walking. I saw signs and boards with route maps. There is a lot to explore here and I made a note to return one day. 

Explore more of the Angus region
Visit another Angus Glen- Glen Esk
Visit Glamis Castle

This is a masterclass in travel writing. It's a collection of encounters with people who live in these lands, expertly curated by the author. You will learn a lot about what life is like here and what people think of the political situation. There is plenty of cycling action, the joys of travelling by bike are recorded immaculately in this book, but it is primarily about the place and the people who live there.

The prologue of this book has one of the best love notes to bicycle travel I have ever read. It's just a couple of paragraphs, but it perfectly captures why travel by bicycle is one of the most beautiful things in life.

Sayarer is a master of detail. I was stunned at the level of detail in the opening chapter- his arrival into Israel, the encounters with the border guards, and then his departure from the airport into Tel Aviv. This care and attention to recording everything that he experiences makes this an exquisite read and it made me feel like I was travelling with the author.

He records his conversations with people in similar detail. Again it felt like I was in the room, or by the roadside, listening to these people talking. It's an interesting mix of people that the encounters- hip-hop artists, cyclists, brewers, Bedouin and more. Then there is the food. Sayarer describes it so well that you can practically taste it. In particular, his love of hummus will have you ditching the supermarket stuff and searching for recipes that will taste as good as it does in this part of the world. 

I adored the chapter about the author's first night in Ramallah. It's just a couple of pages, but it so perfectly expresses the joy for life that he witnesses. So often the media portray Palestine as a place of struggle, but by simply recording what he sees Sayarer opens our eyes to the spirit of the place. 

As you might expect this journey has plenty of tense situations. Guns. Border crossings. Soldiers. But what I will remember the most about this book is that travel in this region can be complex, but also beautiful. 

CJC 1295 ist ein Peptidhormon, auch bekannt als GHRH, das die Produktion von Wachstumshormonen anregen soll. CJC 1295 wirkt direkt auf die Hirnanhangsdrüse, was zu einem Anstieg der Wachstumshormonsynthese im menschlichen Körper führt. CJC 1295 wird in der westlichen Welt schon seit langem erfolgreich eingesetzt. Zuerst wurde es in Kombination mit anderen Peptiden am Ende des Steroidzyklus verwendet, um die anabole Wirkung zu verstärken, und jetzt ist CJC 1295 (Sie können es in unserem Shop kaufen) ein direkter Konkurrent für viele anabole Steroide, während es absolut sicher und legal ist. Das Peptid hat eine Halbwertszeit von etwa 30 Minuten, was als guter Wert angesehen wird. CJC 1295 erfreut sich aufgrund seiner langen Halbwertszeit und seiner stabilen Wirkung zunehmender Beliebtheit.

Mehrere klinische Studien haben gezeigt, dass bereits eine einzige Injektion dieses Peptids einen deutlichen Anstieg des Wachstumshormonspiegels bewirkt!

Sie können Steroide legal in Deutschland kaufen, indem Sie eine Bestellung in unserem Online-Sportshop aufgeben.

Welche Auswirkungen hat dieses Medikament?

Zahlreiche Studien haben bewiesen, dass CJC 1295 die gleichen Eigenschaften und positiven Wirkungen hat wie ein normales Wachstumshormon. Dies ist nur natürlich, da ihre Wirkmechanismen sehr ähnlich sind. Sie können auf die folgenden Wirkungen dieser Zubereitung hinweisen:

o Erhöhung des Energiepotenzials des Körpers;
o Stärkung und Regeneration des Skelett- und Knorpelsystems;
o deutliche Beschleunigung der Fettverbrennung;
o Stimulation der Muskelmasse und des Kraftzuwachses;
o allgemeine Verbesserung der Gesundheit und des Immunsystems;
o Verkürzung der Erholungszeit nach längerer körperlicher Anstrengung;
o Verlangsamen den Alterungsprozess und verjüngen den Körper im Allgemeinen.

Um den Alterungsprozess zu verlangsamen, sollte dieses Produkt einmal täglich (vor dem Schlafengehen) verabreicht werden. Im Bodybuilding und Powerlifting wird CJC 1295 nach anderen Schemata verwendet, die im Folgenden beschrieben werden.

Besonderheiten und Arten der Anwendung von Arzneimitteln
Das Arzneimittel wird subkutan oder intramuskulär verabreicht. Eine optimale Einzeldosis liegt bei 1-2 Mikrogramm pro Kilogramm Körpergewicht. Diese Injektion sollte bis zu dreimal durchgeführt werden, um die beste anabole Wirkung zu erzielen, oder einmal, um den Körper zu verjüngen. Für einen Sportler mit einem Gewicht von 100 kg würde also eine einzige Injektion von 100 mcg CJC 1295 für 7-20 Tage ausreichen, je nachdem, wie viele Injektionen pro Tag gesetzt werden.

Das Arzneimittel muss in 1-2 ml eines speziellen Injektionswassers verdünnt werden. Die Injektionen sollten in einem Mindestabstand von drei Stunden erfolgen. Die beste Zeit für die Einnahme des Peptide: nach dem Training, vor dem Schlafengehen und vor den Mahlzeiten.

​Sports can be an extraordinary means of coming together for the greater good. And the Tour de Forth is a perfect example of that giving spirit. A charity fundraising sportive, Tour de Forth raises funds for local charity Cash for Kids. The event features two distinct routes for bikers willing to make a change pedalling. A classic route starts west of Edinburg and circles around the River Forth, spanning 68 miles/109km. The Nouveau, on the other hand, is a shorter 36 miles/58 km route by the River Forth and back to RBS Gogarburn.

The next tour will kick off on Sunday, 11 June. Paying a small standard fee, participants can enter the race by registering on the British Cycling website.

The Bealach Mor is arguably one of the most scenic rides in Scotland. Running for 90 miles through the grandiose Highlands, this event is also particularly challenging as the route takes riders on the steepest and toughest hill climb there is in the UK. Of course, bikers can take comfort in the splendour of the rugged cliffs and mesmerising lochs all around glens Docherty and Carron. The route also graces its participants with an astonishing view of the Isle of Skye before branching off through the Applecross peninsula and all the way back to Kinlochewe. If you’re planning a Scottish trip, come 9th September, you might as well watch the epic Bealach Mor.

It's the law to use bike lights if you cycle on roads in the dark. However, the minimum requirement for a red rear light and white front light can sometimes feel inadequate on some of our roads. Cycling at night is a whole different ball game to cycling in the day and it does need a certain level of confidence to get over the fear that you are going to be hit by a vehicle because the driver does not see you. Some people will simply not venture out in the evening for that reason.

The solution is to remove that fear completely by having proper segregated cycling infrastructure. However, that feels like a long way off for many parts of our country, so any product that helps to reduce that fear of night cycling is to be commended.

This vest vastly increases your visibility from what you could ever get from a set of bike lights. It covers your whole upper body with lights. It has 6 white lights on the front and 6 red lights on the rear. I've seen other people try to cover this part of their body by attaching a second light to a backpack or helmet, but this vest does a much better job. 

There's a small power bank that you charge with a USB cable. It's got a red light to indicate that it is charging and this will turn green when it is fully charged. It takes about 2 hours to fully charge it.

You then connect the power bank to the vest. There's a neat inside pocket with a connector that you attach the power bank to. There's a velcro flap so that you can close the pocket and keep the power bank secure and protected from rain. That's all there is to the set up.

On the outside of the jacket there is a power symbol. On the other side of this symbol is the pocket that has the power bank. The power bank has a button on it and this needs to be be aligned to the power symbol so that you can push it on the outside of the jacket.

There are three settings for the lights. Press the button once for a solid light, twice for a fast flash and three times for a slow flash. Using the flashing modes will make the battery last longer. You'll get about 20 hours from the fast flash and 10 hours for the solid lights.

 The vest is super easy to use. Pull it on and press the button.

That's what makes this such a great product. There's no faff with setting it up. Extra bike lights and lights that you have to attach to your backpack or helmet require set up time. It can make leaving the house more time consuming than it needs to be.

The lights on this vest are excellent quality and the level of visibility that they provide is superb. I felt a lot more confident wearing this vest than I did when I just relied on my single red rear light.

The vest is water resistant, wind resistant and breathable. The lights are waterproof. I used it in rain and it performed well.

Vizirider also offer jackets with LED lights. That's a good option if you don't already have a cycling jacket or want something a bit more substantial for wetter weather. They also have gilets so check out their website for other options.

This vest currently retails for £39. It's good value when you consider you get a high-visibility vest plus 6 lights. 

This product is a really great idea. It provides a practical solution to improving the visibility of the upper part of a cyclist's body. Personally I feel more confident heading out into the dark wearing this vest. It makes me much more visible to other road users. I love that it is so easy to set it up when you are going out. You can just grab it off the peg, like you would with any coat, and you are ready to go.

This book is about using the power of your mind to ride your best. The subjects of cycling fitness and nutrition are well documented, but how to train the cycling mind is a less familiar aspect. I found it a fascinating read which gave me lots of tips and advice about mental training. 

It's written by two renowned experts. Mark Beaumont, the Scottish cycling legend and Dr Jim Taylor who is a leading authority on sports psychology. This book isn't just for round the world cyclists or serious racing cyclists, it's for everyone who uses a bicycle. This is summed up nicely in this quote from the book:

"...it is about getting the most out of yourself and your life...to give you the inspiration, insights, information, and tools to find your own personal greatness, and experience essential meaning, satisfaction, and joy in both your cycling and life journeys."

​This is a key point- the information in this book can be just as useful in everyday life.  It's about using your mind to overcome adversity and become a more positive person. The book has 240 pages with a sharp design that features bold images of Mark on his training runs. There are tips and exercises that can help you to train your mind. It's thought-provoking stuff and it made me think about my rides and how I can apply this knowledge to ride better.

Take the chapter on 'attitudes'. It teaches you to have a positive attitude when you go on a ride. If its bad weather you could moan about this and it will have a negative impact on your performance. But if you see bad weather as just a part of the experience of  riding a bike you will feel more positive about it. You will see it as something that you take on to achieve your goal.

There's so much great content in this book. There's even a chapter about emotions with tips on how to overcome the trauma of a bike crash. I found the most interesting chapter to be the one on 'self-talk' which is about the things you tell yourself when you are riding a bike. Negative self-talk, like saying "I can't do this" when faced with a steep hill will have a negative impact on performance. The book tells you how to train yourself to use positive self-talk, even in challenging situations.

The book is filled with real life examples of cycling psychology from Mark Beaumont. These sections are called 'inside Mark's mind'. For anyone who has followed the cycling adventures of Mark this is the highlight of the book. It provides an intimate and personal insight to what was going on in Mark's mind when facing these challenges. For example, he recalls a low point during his around the world cycle. He was in Canada and encountered a herd of bison. He found this experience with nature exhilarating. It helped him to refocus on why he loves adventure cycling, that opportunity to see amazing things. It pulled him out of the mental low point.

This book delivers on both the insight into Mark's cycling mind and providing you with practical advice. It's not just for adventure and competitive cyclists, but anyone who wants to improve their mental fitness. 

The Complete Guide to Cycling Psychology is published by the Global Cycling Network. You can buy a copy from the GCN website.

Are you thinking about cycling to work to help save yourself money or help reduce your impact on the planet? Perhaps you’re an employer who’d love to encourage your team to adopt a greener form of transport to boost your organisation’s sustainability practices? 
 
If so, the UK government’s Cycle to Work Scheme could be the ideal solution. It enables employees to get the bike or safety equipment they need in a more affordable and manageable way whilst providing financial benefits to the employer too.   

So, what is the Cycle to Work Scheme and who can take part? What benefits can it offer to employees and employers alike? Let’s take a look.  
 
What is a Cycle to Work scheme? 
The Cycle to Work Scheme is a UK government initiative aimed to help reduce pollution, get people fitter and healthier and benefit the environment.  
 
Part of the Green Transport Plan, the scheme allows employees to hire or buy cycling and safety equipment completely tax-free, they don’t have to pay tax or National Insurance on these products.  
 
The employer pays upfront for the cycling equipment then you pay it back over the course of several months, directly from your salary. Not only do they get back the full sum, but they also get an extra 15.05%.  
 
To take part, employers need to sign up for the scheme first. Then you can calculate your budget, apply for your eCertificate and get shopping for your new bike and cycling safety equipment.  
 
Who can take advantage of the scheme?  
Any employer can take part in the Cycle to Work Scheme, whether they’re in the private or public sectors. They simply need to register with the online system to get started.  
 
If you’re an employee and want to get a new bike to cycle to work you’ll need to: 
 

• Be over 16 years old 
• Be paid and taxed via the PAYE (Pay As You Earn) system  
• Earn at least minimum wage after the repayment has been taken from your earnings 

 
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the government has also widened the scheme to allow employees who are working remotely to take part.  
 
This is exciting because it gives employees the freedom to use co-working and alternative office spaces allowing them to collaborate with other team members and ease some of the pressures of working from home, whilst getting a mini workout in! 

 Why take part in the Cycle to Work Scheme? 
Both employers and employees can benefit enormously by taking part in the scheme and commuting to work by bike. Here are some of the most compelling of these.  
 
#1: It benefits the environment 
With climate change and sustainability hot topics for businesses and individuals across the country, many are looking for ways to reduce their impact on the planet.  
 
Opting for a greener form of transport is one of the most powerful ways we can do this.  
 
According to The Energy Saving Trust, “Transport is the single biggest contributor to carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in the UK, making up 24% of all emissions in 2020, mostly from road transport.”  
 
By cycling to work instead of taking the car, train or even public transport, we can slash these emissions, avoid using fossil fuels and provide a sustainable option that could help slow the rate of climate change.  
 
For the employer, it also demonstrates their sustainability efforts and can be an effective way to show corporate social responsibility and promote the business or organisation.  

#2: It helps save money  
With petrol prices hitting a record £1.99 per litre in June 2022 and a soaring cost of living, filling up a tank is becoming unaffordable for many, causing them to rethink their daily commute.  
 
Cycle Scheme states, “Cycling burns calories rather than cash. Switch to a bike for your journey to work and you could save over £3,000 every year.”  
 
Thanks to the huge financial savings offered by the Cycle to Work Scheme and the fact it spreads the cost of getting hold of cycling equipment, it’s more affordable than ever to make this money-saving change.  
 
Employers will benefit too as cycling requires less parking space so it’s easier to find a brilliant office in a location that suits the business, instead of worrying about parking. They can also save 13.8% on National Insurance Contributions, so it’s a financial win-win for all.  
 
#3: It’s faster to get to work 
Choosing to commute by bike can also reduce journey times, ease stress and frustration and help ensure that the employee doesn’t have to worry about being late.  
 
Instead of being stuck in congestion for hours or facing frustrations and delays during rush hour traffic, they can use shortcuts and bike lanes, choose a more scenic route and move through traffic much more easily, even if there are huge tailbacks, accidents or roadworks.  
 
This means that the employee is more likely to arrive at work relaxed and on time and productivity levels are maintained.  
 
#4: It’s great for employee health and fitness  
We all know that we need to get more active if we want to be as healthy as possible. If we can do so, we’ll boost our circulation, reduce the risk of heart disease, cancer and diabetes and maintain a healthy weight.  
 
But with long hours spent at our desks and multiple responsibilities at home, it can be tricky to fit into the average workday.  
 
Cycling to work makes it easier to incorporate movement into the day and leave employees feeling healthier, more focused and motivated and less likely to come down with illnesses that can cause absences from work.  
 
#5: It’s great for mental health  
Cycling is a great way to boost mental health as it helps employees enjoy the uplifting benefits of fresh air, get the ‘brain space’ they need and ease stress and anxiety.  
 
Physical activity also helps get those feel-good endorphins flowing and boost their mood, making the employee happier and more productive.  
 
Again, it means they’re less likely to suffer from mental health problems, they’ll find it easier to interact with other staff, customers or clients in a positive and friendly way and they’re less likely to take sick days.  

Conclusion 
The Cycle to Work Scheme offers employers and employees a huge range of money-saving benefits whilst helping them get the exercise they need, keeping their mental health in check and getting to work faster whilst helping to ease climate change.  
 

Glamis Castle is 12 miles from Dundee. If you are cycling to the castle I recommend travelling from Arbroath where the roads are not as busy with traffic. My cycling route to Glamis Castle has all the details.​

​The driveway to the castle is almost one mile long. Cycling down this is the best way to appreciate the unfolding view of the castle. It's just the right speed to get the full affect of the big reveal. I think doing it in a motor vehicle wouldn't be quite as impressive because you would get there too quickly.​

The guided tour lets you see 10 of the 125 rooms in Glamis Castle. I think a 10 room house sounds extravagant, but 125 rooms is on a whole other level. I can't even begin to imagine what it feels like to live somewhere with that many rooms. 

Did you know that there are only 6 paintings in the world that depict Christ wearing a hat? And that one of those paintings is in the chapel of Glamis Castle?

It's the little details like this painting that I enjoyed the most about the guided tour. Here's another one- there's a travelling chest in Glamis that's made of shark skin. The idea was that if the chest fell off a boat and into the water the shark skin made it waterproof and protected the contents.

​​There's a lot of taxidermy in the castle. The most intriguing is a bear who was a family pet called Fred. My guide told me that Fred used to be taken walks on a leash and on one occasion he came off the leash and had an unfortunate encounter with a Highland Cow. The cow was protective of its calf and killed Fred.

Glamis was the childhood home of Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother. She was the daughter of the 14th Earl of Strathmore- the castle is the ancestral seat of the Earls of Strathmore and Kinghorne. There are Royal Apartments where there is a phone with a direct dial to Buckingham Palace.

You usually find a tea room in historic properties, but Glamis has something that is a bit more special. It's called the Castle Kitchen and is located inside the huge Victorian kitchens, so there are plenty of original features. The menu features fruit and vegetables from the Castle's walled garden and you can even have afternoon tea with a glass of presecco. On my visit I had the pea soup and it was thick, tasty and comforting.

It's the outdoor space that's often my favourite thing when visiting a Scottish castle. In my opinion the gardens at Cawdor Castle are hard to beat, but Glamis has the gorgeous Italian Garden. It's got an interesting layout of hedges and trees, including the most amazing tree canopy I have ever seen.  It's like a train station canopy, but made of trees.

I was delighted by this structure and it was my favourite part of the gardens. It must have involved people with great talent, skill and a love for gardening. When I walked under it I looked up to marvel at the network of interwoven branches. In wet weather, I imagine, this is a good  place to keep dry.

If you love Scotland's iconic Highland coo then Glamis is a great place to see them. 

There's also pleasant walks by the Dean Water, including a ​chance to cross the beautiful Earl Michael Bridge.

There's a pet cemetery that has headstones for the family pets, including a dog called Fizz Wizzie and a guinea pig called Happy. The Great Sundial of 1671 was used to set the castle's clocks. It's 7 metres high.

Outside the castle grounds you will find this lovely village with attractive cottages and stone buildings. It was built, mainly, to rehouse estate workers when the castle was being redeveloped under the  9th Earl of Starthmore.

You might’ve heard of the UNESCO Trail hosted on VisitScotland’s site, but this year, VisitScotland have decided to reimagine the trail through the eyes of AI. AI imagery has taken the world by storm in recent years, but its popularity has increased extensively with platforms such as TikTok creating a text-to-image AI-generated filter. 

VisitScotland challenged this AI technology to see what it thought each of Scotland's 13 UNESCO designations looked like. Believe it or not, the AI generated the images by learning the specific aesthetics of each location by analysing over a thousand curated images, and then combining them to create new depictions in line with the real-life photos it had been exposed to!

Whilst lots of the UNESCO trail is easily accessible for cyclists, we wanted to share our top bicycle-friendly designations to inspire your trip this year. There are a range of distances and gradients to navigate here.
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Also, with these rides, put Strava to the back of your mind. If you’re too busy focusing on clocking up those miles, you’ll surely miss out. The Scottish scenery is nothing short of stunning!

Scotland’s beautiful capital is home to some of the most breathtaking cycling routes in the country. One unmissable trip is the route from Edinburgh to Pennicuick; this 38-mile return journey winds through low traffic marked paths and will guide you through serene rivers, historical railway architecture and lush county side views.

This passage will lead you to Rosslyn Chapel, just 7 miles south of Edinburgh and famous for its feature in the best-selling book, The Da Vinci Code. This picturesque location offers a historically immersive experience like no other.
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The AI-generated imagery depicts the diverse landscapes of Edinburgh, and it is this variety of paths, trails and hidden treasures that makes Edinburgh so unique.

A hub of untouched coastline and woodland, this Biosphere offers endless opportunities for natural discovery. The AI-generated imagery above shows the vast range of wildlife and nature that resides in this stunning area.

This site offers a perfect location for you to hop off the saddle and venture into  Galloway Forest Park, renowned for its gold-standard dark skies. We suggest visiting after hours to find yourself underneath luminous stars and breathtaking constellations.

Next, why not follow the cycle route to the majestic Drumlanrig Castle and take a guided tour? Located in the 120,000-acre Queensberry Estate, this 17th Century Castle encompasses all that is grand and luxurious.
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This site has a variety of cycling routes designed to suit everyone from beginners to experts.

This Geopark stretches over 2,000 square kilometres and is a location defined, but it’s expansive sandy white beaches, atmospheric rock caves and rich biodiversity.

The AI image captures these features via its rocky coastlines that contrast with its soaring mountains.

Why not embark on your own adventure, by exploring one of the six Pebble Routes that the Highlands offer?
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By exploring these routes by bike, you are offered the unique opportunity to observe lesser known paths, and can truly embrace nature at a slow and steady pace (the best way to do it).
 
So, what are you waiting for? Get planning your next cycling adventure today, and discover Scotland’s most hidden locations and natural wonders! Our challenge to you is to compare VS’s AI-generated imagery with your own perceptions of these locations? How do they compare? There’s only one way to find out!

On my first ever cycle touring trip I wore jeans. That's before I knew anything about selecting the right clothing for cycling. It was a disaster. They were simply too tight for my legs to pedal properly. And when it rained heavily they got soaked through and weighed a ton- they become near on impossible to pedal in. I learned my lesson that jeans and cycling don't go together. ​

After that experience I kept my jeans packed away in the panniers and only wore them off the bike. I switched to specialist cycling shorts when going on cycle tours. However, when I am riding in the city I don't want the faff of getting changed when I arrive at my destination, or feeling a bit self-conscious in cycling clothes. I want to be able to step off the bike in the clothes I am wearing and step into whatever work or social setting I am attending. Cycling jeans are ideal for this, so I was really excited to try out Vulpine's jeans.​

The first thing I noticed about these jeans is the quality of the finish. They feel like they are made to last, that they will withstand a life on the bike. The stitching is flawless and the feel of the garment is luxurious. 

On normal jeans there is a seam down the middle of the backside. If you've ridden any great distance in normal jeans you will know that this seam is a major pain point. It hurts! Vulpine's design has a diamond gusset. This is a piece of cotton on the inside that protects you from the seams. This feature works brilliantly and I had no issues on my 5 mile commute.

With these jeans your movements are not restricted like they are with normal jeans. Normal jeans can feel stiff and rub against your skin. Vulpine has clearly thought about the movements you make when riding a bike and incorporated this into the design. In particular, the area around the knees is great for ease of movement compared to a normal jean. 

There's a high waist band to stop the jeans slipping down as you ride. There are some reflective details for night time cycling. These are on the side of the back pockets and if you roll up the trouser leg, there's some there.

I love that these cycling specific features are practical, but also subtle. You don't notice them and that means it can look and function like a normal pair of jeans when you are not riding your bike. 

I would have preferred slightly deeper side pockets. I was always slightly worried that my phone or cards would slip out, especially if there was a bump on the road. To be fair they never did fall out, so it's a minor criticism.  

The jeans are not waterproof, but I tried them out in a light rain shower. It was about a 5 mile ride and they were fine. They didn't get soaked through or stick to my skin or become too heavy, like normal jeans would. If the rain is heavier then I'd be reaching for waterproofs anyway, but for light rain I would just keep going, safe in the knowledge that they would dry off pretty quickly once I got to my destination. 

These jeans are really for urban cycling and I would choose something else for cycle touring. I didn't test them out on longer distances simply because I wouldn't ever choose or recommend cycling jeans for that purpose.

These cycling jeans are superb. They have all the practical features that you need for cycling and they also look great off the bike. For urban cycling these jeans make a great addition to your wardrobe. You'll find them on the Vulpine website.