Saturday 18th November and more

This Saturday morning saw the third week of an On Yer Bike beginners programme at Bellahouston. Three ladies are well on their way to developing their cycling skills and displaying lots of enthusiasm.
This is the fifth OYB beginners course that Glasgow City Council has run this year and all the participants that attended regularly have completed the course cycling. Some have gone on to take part in other OYB courses and the cycle trips that are arranged once monthly. Look out for the winter monthly programme which is included in the Culture and Leisure services walking programme booklet.
Saturday afternoon saw the second week of a trail side maintenance programme run on behalf of Braendam Link Govan. The project plans to run cycling groups and trips as part of it's ongoing programme throughout the year. This week saw a much more practical session with cable care and replacement, brake shoe replacement and adjustment, removal of rear wheels and repairing a flat, the setting up of a bike for the rider, handle bar and seat adjustment, with a review of the the previous weeks topics.
bike and hike are more than happy to be involved with groups like Braendam Link particularly as they are encouraging others to get out there on their bikes.

The next GCC On Yer Bike trip is on Sunday 26th November to the Carron Valley Trails, a skills development session. The trip is described as 'Difficult' as is the skills level required. The aim of this trip is develop the riders, individual riding skills to a level that they can take on more challenging rides for them. Then in the longer term ride safely and enjoy the experience.
Footnote.
There are concerns being expressed through out the British/Scottish Mountain Bike scene at present regarding the large increase in MB accidents. This is in part attributed to the large increase of people taking up mountain biking and particularly at purpose built centres. There are also developing concerns that riders can easily over estimate their abilities and experience and are undertaking to difficult and demanding routes to early resulting in many of these accidents.