DUNFERMLINE Cycling Club are hopeful of hosting an event in memory of Craig Hardie when Covid-19 restrictions are eased.

Craig, whose funeral was held on Friday after a five-month cancer battle (see pages 34-35), was a long-time member in addition to competing across a variety of disciplines within the sport.

Restrictions mean no club activity for those aged 12 and above is permitted, but officials are hoping that will soon change.

Treasurer Scott Hutchinson described Craig's passing as "heartbreaking" and said: "It came as quite a shock, as I'm sure it is to most people.

"I think one of the things the club are looking at doing – obviously we can't do anything just now – is that, hopefully, we'll be running an event, a race, later on in the year. The early chat is that we'll run that in Craig's memory.

"There's certainly a will to do something to recognise his contribution."

Like many, Dunfermline Cycling Club have faced a challenging 12 months because of the virus, with their activities dependent on guidance from the Scottish Government, sportscotland and Scottish Cycling.

However, it's not prevented them for jumping into the saddle – even if much of it has been on a virtual basis.

In addition to monthly Zoom meetings, the club delivered its first ever virtual AGM in November – Scott joked it was "not quite as boisterous" as the famous Handforth Parish Council meeting which went viral – and a virtual time trial on the RGT cycling platform, which mimicked their mountain time trial that is usually held at this time of year.

A second event, open to all, is planned, whilst two challenges – one to ride as far as possible in an hour and another to pedal 400km in a month using the Strava online cycling community and data tracker app – are also being taken on by members.

Online turbo sessions, using a static device to pop your bike onto to turn it into an indoor trainer, led by coach Neil Daly and weekly virtual 'bun runs' – an iconic, weekly social ride where coffee and cake are on the menu in normal times – on the Zwift platform, hosted by Chic Medley, have also allowed members to keep in touch.

"Obviously, the vast majority of our activity is outdoor so we've had to adapt and try to keep our members engaged," Scott continued.

"That in itself had provided some challenges as the club is operated entirely by volunteers, who will have been dealing with their own 'version' of lockdown, be it home schooling, isolating, not seeing loved ones or, indeed, fighting the virus itself.

"I'm on the board of Scottish Cycling as well, so we work quite closely with the government on all the guidelines. Certainly there's no indication that those are going to be relaxed any time soon.

"Hopefully outdoor sport would see a relaxation sooner because the relative risks are a lot lower than, say, training in a gym for example.

"We'd be wanting to get back to even smaller groups riding. I think the members are absolutely champing at the bit!

"Fortunately, we do have a loyal and committed bunch of folk who want to make sure the club continues to provide for its members."

The club are continuing to accept members and are confident that numbers will increase once the go-ahead to ride outdoors is given.

They also have an opening for the role of media secretary.

It includes being responsible for updating the club's website, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages; publish race and event reports compiled by members; liaise with event and ride organisers to publicise recreational rides and events internally and externally; and respond to enquiries from members of the public received through its website.

For more information, contact the club secretary by emailing info@dunfermlinecyclingclub.co.uk.