The Big Instagram Ride Scotland

Sep 27, 2024

On 2 June 2023, I was day two into my Land’s End to John o’ Groats endeavour and this was the first day I met a familiar face from the world of Instagram, Aidan King (@kingaidancyclist), who took time out of his day for work to meet me in Dulverton, Somerset. It was so nice to meet somebody I’d never met before, but had got to know through social media. Aidan was a huge support and source of encouragement (along with many others) during my LEJoG challenge.

Words and pictures by Stu Dick

Caven O'Hara

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Friends

Aidan had an idea to bring people together, mainly those through Instagram who may know each other digitally, but have yet to meet physically and encourage those in the world of social media to meet for a real-life ride. The possibility of real-life chat and exploring new places together.

On 18 September 2023, the first Big Instagram Ride took place in Newcastle where Aidan travelled 400 miles to be there as the host and although the rain made an appearance (along with a little sunshine) there was nothing but laughter and smiles all around.

It was here Aidan met Caroline Voong (@carolinev.life) and the first discussion of bringing the Big Instagram Ride to Scotland.

Preparation

Aidan later approached me and asked if I would like to work with Caroline and organise Scotland’s first Big Instagram Ride…of course I did!

With lots of discussions back and forth, and a well-planned route designed by Caroline, the wheels of motion were gaining momentum and it was decided the ride would start and end at The mighty Kelpies, Falkirk. A central location for those attending and a great opportunity for some photographs and Insta content.

On 3 May 2024, Caroline and I got together and rode the 44-mile route to recce the roads, cafe stops and photo opportunity locations ( of which there were plenty). Needless to say, we had a great time exploring the route and discovering the good and bad points together.

I created a form for people to sign up to to let us know they were coming and it didn’t take long to get the attention it deserved. Just before the big day, we had 27 people signed up (29 including Caroline and I).

The Big Day

Sunday 2 June 2024, the day of the Big Instagram Ride Scotland. 08:45 am, we arrived as planned and in total, there were 24 of us! Delighted to meet and greet everyone and grab the much-anticipated photographs. It was so good to see everyone chatting, laughing and absorbing the fun atmosphere.

Not long after 09:00, we all set off on our journey, coming to our first photo stop at the Grangemouth Spitfire memorial, placed to commemorate the trainee Spitfire pilots from all over the world who learned to fly the plane at the beginning of WWII.

The journey continued and took us to Blackness Castle, a place I had never visited until I did the recce and wasn’t even aware it was there. What a beautiful place, with toilets, a cafe and views of the Forth Bridges in the distance. This 15th century Castle was a fantastic backdrop for many photos and an employee at the Castle took out his set of bagpipes and played some well-known tunes. A nice gesture or a wise man aware over 20 Instagramers are poised with phones to provide some easy exposure, you decide lol!

Great Day

Toilet and coffee break over, the route continued into South Queensferry where guess what? We had another coffee stop planned at The Little Bakery (very nice). With the sun shining it was great to see so many cyclists and the variety of accompanying bikes lining the street outside the cafe and everyone mingling together.

It was on to the Forth Road Bridge, where we stopped again for more photos and to take in the amazing view, or many this was the first time they had cycled over the bridge.

Once over the bridge, we headed back towards the Kelpies on the north side the Firth of Forth, stopping in the beautiful little village of Culross, Scotland’s most complete example of a burgh of the 17th and 18th centuries. Here we stopped for some delicious locally made ice cream and a stretch of the legs before the final push back to where it all started.

Finally, back at the Kelpies, some cyclist had peeled off or made their way home, but for those left, it was a final opportunity to say goodbye, grab some (more) selfies and head home.

What a truly wonderful day, with wonderful memories and friendships made. This is what cycling and the community it brings together are all about. People are already organising other cycling adventures that they might not have if it wasn’t for this wonderful get-together. The power of the bike!!