Claire pictured with the 8.30 Bun Run crew
Claire Balman, 44 from Edinburgh is a social cyclist and rides 1-2 times per week (work, energy & weather permitting)!
Claire bought a Road Bike in 2013 and has been cycling (properly) since early 2014 when she signed up for that years cycle sportive the L’Etape du Tour.
While living in Low Valleyfield Claire would always see and hear the club riding past her house on a Saturday morning and was always inspired by and excited about ‘real cyclists’ riding right past her front door! She never thought she would be capable/competent/strong enough to ride with a group but having set herself a cycle challenge at the end of 2013, she was desperate for some real life road cycling experience and really HAD to get some nerve.
This is where DCC came in!
DCC was Claire's closest club, and after a few friendly emails and text messages she plucked up the courage to join at the gates one Saturday for her first ‘Bun Run’. She then regularly attended the weekly Bun Runs and Midweek rides where she set some distance and stamina foundations, from which she built upon. It also connected her with some really great people, who she still rides with today.
Now living in Edinburgh Claire doesn’t get over to Dunfermline as much, but when she does, she still feels more than welcomed and comfortable riding with the groups.
Non Cycling related interesting fact:
Clare once had a personal audience with boxer Mike Tyson!