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She's a Belter

September/October 2021 in South Ayrshire

By Tineke Ziemer

October 14^th, 2021

A beautiful day to buy a Bianchi

Having been settled in Scotland for the past 10 days, I decided that if I wanted to get out exploring on my own, I was going to need a set of wheels. And if I wanted to go really fast down some hills (yes please!), it was going to need to be a mountain bike. I mean, I've been wanting one for ages anyway so why not get one in Scotland where I don't have to pack it up for 6 months of the year during snow season. YESSSS!!!!

South Ayrshire has a fantastic trail network that goes from town to town along the sea side, across golf courses and through the bramble. So, off I headed for a 90 minute walk/run to Prestwick, the next town over, feeling my heart settle with each and every breath of the fresh sea air. There is almost always a wind on the west coast and it is incredibly refreshing.

Running the trails to Prestwick along the golf course

There are blackberries growing wild all over the place and no one seems to eat them! Except me!

It pays to have good friends when you are settling into a new country. My buddy Jamie sent me in the direction of a good bike shop, and they were super helpful. Before long, I'd selected a beautiful little Bianchi mountain bike. While it was being assembled, I took a wee wander through Prestwick and down to the sea wall. The to-go cup in my hand became the container for all of my new-found treasures along the way. A true scavenger at heart, I never leave the beach without bringing some of it home with me.

My favourite find of the day was a piece of heart-shaped sea glass: maybe, just maybe, a little gift from Love Itself, a reminder of how adored I am. That's something we all need sometimes and being a million miles away from family, this girl is no exception!

I was just about to sit down on a piece of driftwood to soak in some of the sunshine, when the call came. My bike was ready! I spent the rest of the day riding the stunning trails back to Troon and exploring the neighbourhoods, not getting home until dark. Zipping along the beaches, watching the sunset over the ocean, this felt like the freedom I'd been waiting for!

The bike trails in Troon look like an enchanted forest

My neck of the woods

Having a set of wheels gave me the motivation needed to start exploring my own little town of Troon. The day after I got my bike, I set out on foot for half the day and on the bike for the other half, getting to know the lay of the land. It's starting to feel more like home now!

Troon is a west coast town with beautiful beaches that attract a lot of visitors in the summer, though its main claim to fame is the golf course. When deciding where to stay for my trip, it sure helped to know that Troon had be voted "the happiest place to live in Scotland." Of the 15,000 or so people who live in Troon, a large part of the demographic is older folks, so it's known to be very safe and friendly.

I was warned several times about the rain and the persistent winds that come off the ocean here. But I knew what I was signing up for and so far, I'm absolutely loving the weather. The rain is more of a mist a lot of the time and I find it refreshing. Anytime I need a little emotional reset, I can step outside for a walk or a cycle and the winds blow my worries away.

So many restaurants allow dogs in here, it's so awesome!

A little rain isn't going to stop me. Bring it on! (If I'm still saying that in 5 months, then I really do belong here.)

One of many beautiful street corners in Troon

Let the bike shots commence!

The first time my friend Richie saw my bike he said, "That's a belter!"

I'd heard the word from a song by one of my favourite Scottish artists, Gerry Cinnamon, 'shockingly' titled Belter. (Check it out here, seriously, he's the BEST!) Being keen to infiltrate my vocabulary with ALL the Scottish slang, I was quite chuffed to have my bike referred to as a belter, which means "exceptional or of outstanding quality."

Thank you, thank you very much. I think she is pretty special, and though I'm not normally one to name my inanimate possessions, I think I shall refer to her affectionately as "Belter" henceforth.

For the past eight months, I've seen photos of Jamie's mountain bike in different beautiful places all around Scotland, which I confess was quite convincing incentive to get my butt over here.

So, now that I have my own, let the bike shots commence!

My Belter Bianchi with Troon in the background

Barassie Beach, just one block from my flat. I ride the trails along here almost daily.

Absolutely falling in love with this wee town

Hitting the Hills

My first day out "mountain biking" in Scotland! I put it in quotations because Jamie started me off on some easy trails that wind through the hills around Dundonald. We got caught in two downpours, muddy from top to bottom, rode past a field of highland cows and got up close to TWO CASTLES!!!! Invigorating, thrilling and refreshing. If this is mountain biking in Scotland, sign me up every day!

Trying to get a photo while zipping along the trails next to the quarry

Back in the spring Jamie video chatted me from this castle out in the woods and now I was seeing it with my own eyes. Exciting times!

If you aren't muddy, have you even cycled?!

There's something in the Ayr!

Oh gosh, I'm so punny! ha!

The cycling trails to Ayr take you along breathtaking ocean views. When you hit the evening sunset, it's truly magical. Ayr is the main city in my area, the 14th largest in Scotland, with a population of around 47,000. The street scenes are truly spectacular for those of us who haven't grown up with stunning European architecture being NORMAL!

I've been to Ayr a few times now, to shop and explore. I've taken the train all on my own (I know, I'm all grown up now), especially when I have a lot of bags to carry home. But I vastly prefer to cycle and experience the sights, sounds and scenes of the city up close.

The weather has been sunny and temperate since I've arrived. Back in Canada it's going below freezing some nights and I've even heard of some people getting snow already. Here, I've found it very muggy and warm. Most days I'm out in my tank top while all of the locals are in their winter jackets and scarves. I guess that's my Canadian blood! Looking forward to experiencing a mild winter if I don't get blown away by the winter winds!

The only photo I could get where the wind wasn't blowing my hair in my face. haha. The wind is relentless here and I LOVE IT!!

Gorgeous sunset views along the cycling paths to Ayr

Cycling has become my therapy here. Thanks for joining me and my Bianchi for a tour of the three towns I consider my new stomping grounds. I hope to venture out further on my bike soon as I'm finished all of my summer editing. All of these images in this blog post were taken with my cel phone so I could keep it light while out on my bike. I can't wait to hit the streets with my real camera one of these days. Until then, enjoy!