The Blootoon Bike Bothy
In the last two years since launching the Blootoon Bike Bothy (BBB) in July 2023 we have had an extraordinary number of attendees to the Catto Park Track to experience the elation of being on a bike for the first time. (200 different users to date).
Throughout the time I have helped run the sessions, we have loved to see the smiles of glee where young and elderly, able and not so, have been showing off their new found skills on two or three wheeled adapted cycles.
There are regular attendees from (ASN and SEND organisations) Anna Ritchie School, Cornerstone, Arkdale, Inspire and Westburn in Fraserburgh and many other organisations, where much joy has been the order of the day. We regularly have 20-30 of these attendees with their carers or guardians, which keeps the team at the BBB on our toes, for sure.
There are now GICB Bike Bothies in Aberdeen, Alford and Banff, so the recent employment of both Beth Douglas and Hannah Moore, who are funded through GICB by NESTRANS to help develop the existing Bothies and perhaps develop more, has helped take the pressure off the original Lead Trainer Fiona Smith. We are extremely lucky to have volunteers in our fully qualified cycle mechanic in Gemma Geddes as well as our experienced cyclist in John Quy (an American gent who travels everywhere on his array of bikes and doesn’t own a car).
We work closely with other local community groups in partnership with Live Life Aberdeenshire to support ASN holiday programmes ensuring activities continue, when locations perhaps close.
The impact that the BBB has had on the local community has been incredible, with visitors travelling from as far north as Banff and south from Inverurie. Indeed we have welcomed folks on holiday from overseas whilst on holiday and visiting family in the North East.
We have had many visitors to our sessions including representatives from SSEN, Aberdeenshire Ward 5 & 6 Councillors, Stella’s Voice, Police Scotland & SFRS, who all come away happier to have experienced what we try to deliver to our community.
The BBB is part of the GICB which is funded by Grampian Disability Sport through the National Lottery Community Fund.
The Bikes, Trikes, (both delta and tadpole designs),Tandems, Recumbent, side by side and balance bikes are popular and are stored in a forty foot container, adjacent to the track, are suitable from 3 years to 83 years and are all used at each session.
The recumbent trike is a valuable asset to both those who perhaps have balance or mobility issues, due to spinal issues, enabling the users to partake in the sessions, week in week out.
The Feedback has been very important to each of the Cycle Leaders where it has helped us grow the BBB, with many attendees and carers say that being able to access free use and education in cycling has been a gamer changer and for some experiencing the joy of cycling for the first time and now come back week after week.
The following scenarios show the impact on three of our clients in the last year or so:
Rider A.
An individual who attends as part of a group. Initially sat at the side of the track on the grass bank and did not want to take part due to the fear of falling from a bike, gradually through the support of coaching by our volunteer Bike leaders to try a bike, now cycles weekly around the track independently.
Rider B.
An individual who attends their two person carer team, they love the cycling session so much that he stays on the track for thirty minutes or more (if the opportunity arises). The Feedback from the carer support team say that this individual is a much calmer person directly attributed to the cycling session and has a better day following because of the BBB facility.
Rider C.
An individual who cycles with a friend. Both are elderly who have been experienced cyclists in the past as youngsters and had no longer the confidence on two wheels anymore. However, despite awaiting a hip replacement, enjoyed the sessions on a trike and being able to exercise and socialise with friends at the Bothy, brought new benefits.
It is safe to say that over the last two years at The Blootoon Bike Bothy, I have along with my volunteer and GICB employees, enjoyed the journey and we have a better understanding of what this venture has brung to the town and community and what additional cycles and facilities would be beneficial to the participants in the future.
Allan Sneddon