Mum and daughter: cycling in Edinburgh is like 'walking through the wardrobe to Narnia!'

I first met mum and daughter, Gill and Lizzie when they recently moved to Edinburgh after living in California for 13 years. Gill came on A wee pedal’s circular tour of Edinburgh- our 22 mile round trip taking in canal paths, aqueducts, parks and beach. She described it as “Edinburgh has been like going through the wardrobe door to Narnia. So many unknown places, paths and destinations you would never see unless you are on a bike”. 

A week later, her daughter, Lizzie joined us on a tour to Linlithgow Palace along the Union Canal. It turned out to be the windiest, more gusty, wettest day ever! We pushed along the canal and arrived at the birth place of Mary, Queen of Scot’s looking like drowned rats! Everything was dripping - even my panniers had accumulated a puddle in the bottom! Coffee, cake and chats later, we headed back laughing at how we are now heading home downhill with the wind behind us! Spoke too soon - Puncture! I couldn’t believe it - the day seemed like a comedy of errors! A quick change of inner tube, minus thorn-culprit and off we continued. We were ‘over-time’ by almost 2 hours and dusk had started it’s descent on Edinburgh. This epic day could have quite easily turned out to be a disaster, but with 2 women who took the day’s events in their stride, they made it into an adventure! It’s part of cycling they said, take the rough with the smooth and it makes it all the more fun! What struck me, was their persistent positivity throughout this wet and windy ride! Some people radiate energy, and Gill and Lizzie are two such women!

Lizzie returned for a 3rd (and 4th!) session with me for a 1:1 bike maintenance session. She brought, ‘Giuseppe’ her beloved second hand bike who we gently brought back to life! Lizzie is a smiler - always seeing the positives and hard work goes hand in hand with Lizzie’s desire to achieve her goal. I feel privileged to have met them both. 

I asked them a few questions:

Lizzie:

I started riding a bike when I was 4 years old. My mum taught me at an early age so I could pedal along while she was pushing my little sister in the pram. There was a grassy hill we went to when I was learning so I could gain a bit of momentum to start peddling...and I’ve been pedalling ever since!

My favourite places to ride are on trails, away from the roads and noise, that go through all the beautiful landscapes. It’s a great way to re-connect with the outdoors and appreciate the natural surroundings. 

Riding my bike makes me feel free and empowered - knowing that I can get to where I want to go (near or far) and be able to explore new places and see new things- all from my own power and strength. It is such a fulfilling activity and always makes me feel happy. 

Gill:

I gave up my beloved tricycle for a 2 wheeler when I was 7. I wasn’t as keen as most, due mostly to my dad’s ‘Spare the rod and spoil the child’ approach to instruction. 

I like to ride at the coast, bicycles and the seaside are a good partnership. Long distance rides along the West Coast, the Santa Cruz Bike party in California, and now here in Edinburgh - popping out to pick up some coffee. All fantastic.

Riding my bike brings me joy. The causes vary, sometimes it’s the distance I’ve ridden and recognising the effort and power involved, frequently it’s witnessing the beauty of the world at my own pace, other times it’s the collective fun of riding on the streets with like minded people, great music and community support.