Tell me your “Once Upon a Bicycle..” story! Jo Cowan I was recently asked to participate in Kinlochleven Community Trust’s Think Health, Think Nature Cycle Day when they were launching their new e-bikes project. It was a great idea, attracting people of all ages – so, what could I do? I’m no great cyclist! A couple of phone calls later I had sourced, and was picking up, a 1987 Raleigh Triumph bicycle and was thanking Neil Parrish for both his bike and his inspiration! I fixed a sign to it saying: “Once Upon a Bicycle....” People of all ages have bicycle memories and stories. Highland Senior Citizens Network is keen to hear yours! Your first bike; your favourite bike; your first/best memories of cycling.. Come and share your bicycle story. On Saturday 7th August, I set up my stall and enjoyed visits from people of all ages – with two families turning
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up with three generations together. Here’s Deborah’s story of overstepping parental boundaries on her bicycle: When I was nine or so, a friend and I went for a wee run out to Seagull Island. We decided to go a bit further, and then further again. When we arrived at Bishop’s Bay, we decided that we were going round the loch. We were having a great time, stopping off for a shot on the swings at Glencoe, then a mad rush to get home before the hooter at quarter to five! We were never missed – those were the days! All was well until someone mentioned to one of our parents that they had seen us in the Glencoe playpark... I recorded some lovely bicycle
memories, and one about making great “bogies” with bicycle wheels. Some of the visitors weren’t too sure about the word “bogies”, mind you! I even found myself promising to come back and try out the fantastic new e-bikes. So, what’s your “Once Upon a Bicycle” story? Please get in touch if you have a bicycle-related tale to share. E-mail jo-hscn@outlook.com or call me on 07933 653585
| OctOBER 2021
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