Norma thought her bike would collect dust—now she’s leading group rides
Norma Edwards’ cycling journey didn’t start in Scotland—it started years earlier in England, where she regularly rode her bike. But after relocating, her confidence took a hit. Fear of riding on the road kept her from cycling, and soon, she gave it up entirely.
Determined to break the cycle (literally), Norma bought her first e-bike. But doubts crept in—would it just sit in the shed, unused? She searched for a local group to ride with, but the options weren’t ideal. Most clubs only ran in the summer, and the long, fast-paced rides left her worrying about running out of battery.
That all changed in February 2022, when she attended a Connecting Communities presentation at Udny Development Trust in Pitmedden. Hosted by The Aberdeenshire Bothy, the talk focused on helping people regain confidence on their bikes. That’s when Norma heard about the Bothy’s new led rides in Ellon.
Unlike the cycling groups she’d found before, the Bothy rides weren’t about speed or distance—they focused on enjoying the ride. No pressure, no competition, just a welcoming group exploring their local area together. It was exactly what she needed.
From nervous rider to confident commuter
Joining those first Bothy rides was a turning point. For the first time since moving to Scotland, Norma felt comfortable on a bike again.
She also took part in Bothy bike maintenance workshops, which became unexpectedly useful. On one ride to meet her husband for coffee, she removed her bike’s wheel to fit it in the car—only to realise later that she had no idea how to put it back on! Thanks to the Bothy workshops, she quickly learned how to handle common mechanical issues, making her a more independent and confident cyclist.
As her skills improved, so did her ambitions. Soon, she was cycling to work at the local library, riding to neighbouring towns, and even adding 15 extra miles onto her Bothy-led rides. The newfound confidence wasn’t just physical—cycling became a key part of her mental wellbeing too. She noticed she always felt better, both mentally and physically, on the days she cycled.
From learner to leader
By summer 2024, Norma had come full circle—she joined the Bothy as a volunteer ride leader.
Not only was she planning and risk-assessing routes, but she also led her own ride—a seven-mile loop around Pitmedden, which attracted six new riders. For a first-time event in a new town, it was a massive success!
Having once been a nervous cyclist herself, Norma now uses her experience to support new riders. She understands the fear of getting back on a bike and helps others overcome those first wobbly moments.
Norma never expected to become a volunteer leader, but now she’s an essential part of The Aberdeenshire Bothy and the Connecting Communities programme.
