Roger Lite

Suddenly the nights have closed in with a vengeance. It's getting to that time of year when I do more reading about cycling than working the pedals. If that's the case for you I can recommend Roger Leitch's By Bicycle in Scotland. Professing to cycle only "as a means to an end" to reach Scotland's half-forgotten roads and upland tracks, Leitch nevertheless comes up with 10 fascinating tours packed with history, folklore and quirky insights.

It's not just that the book starts in Perth, when he cycles away from Tay Street on a 5 day trip by the Braes of the Carse through Strathmore to Marykirk. Or that he too uses a Kalkhoff. What brings me back to his book again and again is that Leitch is a mentor offering 10 studies in slowing down, taking time to enjoy the experience of travelling. Heck, he's not 20 minutes out of Perth on the Scone - Pitroddie backroad before he parks the bike and takes a half mile detour to explore the old crofting settlement of Boglebee. The book is full of such digressions.

I'm for ever meaning to stop and explore such and such, reach those ruins way over there, actually visit Wolfhill. But generally I give in to speed and miles, stopping only for a special view or photo op. I'm afraid I'll only ever be Roger lite . . .