A fine balancing act around the North Inch in Perth

A recent survey commissioned by the Big Lottery Fund found that 87% of children aged between seven and 15 regularly played computer games. However, debunking the assumption that our children are becoming a generation only interested in sedentary activities the poll also found that more than half (56%) of children surveyed currently go cycling and an additional 13% would like to have the opportunity to do so.

Parents can often be a key to whether children cycle or not and if they are enthusiastic they can open up a whole new world of discovery for them and their family. So your children want to ride, you want to get fit, what better excuse to get out on your bikes this weekend and go for a family cycle ride.

“Sighing for new worlds to conquer, I determined that I would learn the bicycle.” – Frances Willard

Balance Bikes

Getting children cycling used to involve a period of learning on stabilisers. For many it still does, but a quiet revolution in how children learn to cycle is taking place. Balance bikes are nothing new. The forerunners of today’s bikes were wooden frames on wheels, propelled by the rider’s feet on the ground. The balance bike follows the exact same principle and its beauty is that the rider learns to balance, which when you think about it, is the key to riding a bike. Once learnt the rider can then scoot along to their heart’s content and then when they are ready to progress to a pedal bike without stabilisers, they will have learnt the hardest part. The rest will be as easy as, well, riding a bike.

Tayside and Fife are blessed with a huge amount of green space areas and parkland that are ideal for children on their balance bike or just starting out on their pedal bike.

One of my favourites, where both my children learnt to balance and cycle is the North Inch in Perth. Situated right in the heart of the city, its circular path has a good surface for young children to ride on and is flat enough that even the youngest children will have no problems. Close to the centre of Perth, it’s very accessible for many and with amenities at the Bell’s Sport Centre and a play park on its route, it is a great place to take those first few bike rides.

Route details

A family friendly cycling route on the old A9

Cycling in Britain has never been more popular, and the successes of our Olympic and World Cycling Champions have further boosted the profile of an already growing sport. Whether it be for commuting, health benefits, environmental and financial concerns, or just wanting to revisit the sheer youthful joy of hurtling along under your own power, cycling is now a big deal. Whatever your reason for getting back into the saddle, now’s the time to start the New Year in a positive pedal-powered way and cycle your own trail along the roads and tracks of Courier country.

“Nothing compares to the simple pleasure of a bike ride” – John F. Kennedy

When I think back to my first bike I can still remember the feeling of independence it gave me, allowing me to explore further and further afield with my friends. Now my own children are cycling and I was keen for them to have the same experience, even though things have changed since my childhood. This is partly to do with perception, but undeniably the roads are now busier and as a parent I would think twice about letting them ride about as I did so many years before. Thankfully there are still many, many options, both on and off road for families and individuals to ride. Over the coming weeks we will be looking at some of the popular and some of the less well known routes, as well as adding other little bits of information to get you out and about on your bike.

Driving along the A9 North of Pitlochry you may have noticed the National Cycle Network Route 7. Although it is surrounded by dramatic mountain scenery it is not the most appealing route for a family cycle. However, one section from Calvine and Struan to Dalnacardoch is a hidden gem. It follows the old A9 and is a surface suitable for all kinds of bikes. It isn’t closed to traffic, but since the only reason for driving along its length is to get to the few houses, it is virtually traffic free. Indeed the sunny summer’s day our family cycled along it we didn’t see a single car. Ideally for young children it is also very flat and our little boy rode the six miles out and back on his balance bike. As you ride the first few miles you are surrounded by natural woodland, with the River Garry on your left, you can almost imagine you are in the middle of nowhere, rather than right next to the busy A9. There are numerous places to stop for picnics, and the thought of cheese sandwiches, crisps and juice was more than enough motivation, if any was needed to keep our kids riding.

Route: Calvine to Dalnacardoch (return by same route)
Grade: Easy – Suitable for all levels of cyclist, including young children.
Distance: 12 miles (19km) return (the route can be shortened by returning before Dalnacardoch)
Climbs: No climbs, but a gradual ascent of 313ft (95m) in 6 miles (9.7km)
Start: OS 1:50,000 Map 43 – NN803 659
Finish: OS 1:50,000 Map 42 – NN723 704
Parking: There is plenty of roadside parking available by driving onto the first section of the cycle route.
For the more adventurous: The route can made into a circular by turning South at Dalnacardoch and following the old Military Road to Trinafour and returning to Calvine via Glen Errochty. This is a challenging climb from either side, but one of the best in the area and I would highly recommend the climb from Glen Errochty.

Skinny Tyres Director, Scot Tares will be writing a weekly cycling column in the Courier every Saturday, starting from tomorrow (Saturday 21st January 2012).

The column will be in the weekend supplement and cover all aspects of cycling from family rides, to competitive racing, sportives and all disciplines. The column was preceded by a profile of Scot Tares today

Profile Preview Courier — Scot Tares’ cycling column