England

Stories from England

Read stories and get inspired! Share a cycling story and inspire others to get out and ride!

Image for story It's (almost) always ride weather!

It's (almost) always ride weather!

A couple of weekends ago the forecast was rain, rain and some more rain. I had planned to do my first ever 100-mile bike ride, what to do?

I decided that all winter long the weather might ... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story Route 68

Route 68

My favourite place to ride is on route 68 from the Sill on the military road across to Kielder. The route is offroad after a couple of miles then it's just you on the logging roads across to Kielde... read more

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

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Bike to school week

The weather has been, sunny, torrential rain and windy this week but my daughter, son and I have all managed to rise to the challenge of riding and enjoyed it πŸ˜ƒπŸ’– Today was our greatest achievement ... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Churchdown Family Cycle Ride (NCN41)

Wanted to share a traffic-free route on the National Cycle Network (NCN41) for families with young children from Churchdown Parish Council/Playground/Park/Skatepark/BMX track to Gloucestershire Air... read more

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

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Image for story Derailer, Sm'erailer!!

Derailer, Sm'erailer!!

After having cycled for many years now but not knowing a single thing about fixing bikes, I went to my first ever bike mechanic course - set up by Mark and Andy at Stretford mall. After going to th... read more

Topic: My Bicycle Romance

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Image for story cycling around just for...well becuase!

cycling around just for...well becuase!

So, my story is simple. If you ever don't know what to do, just get on your bike. This is surprisingly helpful and you will start to see things like you've never seen before. For me it was things l... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story My 'Quaran-triathlon'

My "Quaran-triathlon"

I was struggling with finding motivation to train during the 1st lockdown. So I decided to do something that could take the focus away from myself and I signed up for a virtual triathlon – called T... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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Image for story Gloucester Quays in the Sunshine

Gloucester Quays in the Sunshine

The quays on one of the hottest days of the year created a fantastic backdrop for a bike ride with colleagues from Thinktravel on a Tuesday in September! With lots to do to help make it easier for ... read more

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

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Image for story When feeling down - get out!!

When feeling down - get out!!

Yesterday, I had a lonely feeling day, but I knew getting out would be good for me. I came to my 'senses' and decide to experience a ride with all my senses.
There is something about riding, e... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story Joined a club

Joined a club

I rode socially with friends for years but they decided to emigrate to Australia. As I was about to lose my cycling buddies I looked up β€˜Lets Ride’ on the web and found like minded local groups. ... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Is the universe trying to tell me something!

I do actually love riding to work although this is encouraged by the sunny days sometimes discourage but the threat of high winds storms thunder and lightening... but with every dark cloud there is... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story Getting back on the bike

Getting back on the bike

I've been a cyclist for many years and commuted regularly for a decade. I've ridden many of the great French climbs as well as Mount Diablo in California, have enjoyed cycle touring in several coun... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story My Favourite? Well, certainly one of my favourites....

My Favourite? Well, certainly one of my favourites....

South East Wales anyone?
Now, apologies to anyone living in or near Cwmbran but it is not the first place to think of when you want to go for bike ride.... Wrong! There is a gem that threads i... read more

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

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Image for story Breast cancer now challenge when injured!!

Breast cancer now challenge when injured!!

After getting into cycling recently, I set myself a challenge...ride 300km in July for breast cancer now.
I had rides planned, secured sponsors, got all excited...then disaster struck. My pet c... read more

Topic: Other

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Image for story Cycle with Youth

Cycle with Youth

Find somewhere you can have a pit stop and share snacks, enjoy nature and chat. Important to encourage each other and make memories.
Open spaces, running water and Heron watching.

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story Miles=Smiles on my Peloton

Miles=Smiles on my Peloton

I've ridden >350 (virtual!) miles on my Peloton bike in June; pretty pleased with that!

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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Image for story 0kms to 20kms to 65kms and beyond

0kms to 20kms to 65kms and beyond

I was a regular biker 10 years ago. used to do 100 mile ride once a year for charity. I couldn't get onto bike riding until this year.

I found group of friends doing Saturday rides. We st... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Please say hello .............. it means alot

Just reached a goal of 1000 in the June bike challenge. Stopped at the top of Cherry Willingham by-pass bridge and cheered to myself. Despite the challenge, it means more to me when someone gree... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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Brief Encounter

Whilst riding through a local park my path was blocked by a group of women chatting. I stopped and talked bikes gave them my number if they needed a bike buddy. About a month on we started riding t... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story Being Present on your ride

Being Present on your ride

Yesterday I rode the well known guided busway that runs between St Ives and Cambridge in Cambridgeshire.
One way it is 14 miles.
Because it runs along an old trainline, it's pretty flat the... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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My Early Morning Ride










At 72 Years old a diabetic for 50 years only just started riding a bike again in the past 9 months. I am up at 6.30 am, have breakfast then out on my bi... read more

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

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Riding everyday

I have been riding my bike every day since 1.1.15 when I decided this would be my bike challenge. I say every day but I crashed my bike that September and had to be brought home in an ambulance and... read more

Enjoyable rides

since I started riding again I've put a little effort in expanding my rides
though sometimes it does not work out because my legs tell me to stop
but even though I do stop on that day I wi... read more

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

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Image for story 'Olive' my substitute horse!

"Olive" my substitute horse!

I have ridden horses all my life but as my pal "GG" was in his final years, and I knew I never wanted to own another one, I needed something to take me to all the places he and I visited. Sooooo...... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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My love for cycling

I've had my fair share of tragedies over the years, then being diagnosed with Menieres disease, this means I am prone to severe vertigo attacks.

I have always ridden horses for years and... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story Returning to the Office but by Bike (for now)

Returning to the Office but by Bike (for now)

Despite cycling a lot in the last 10 years, I've never lived close enough for the commute to work to be practicable by bike.

Since joining the council in January I've been working from hom... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Image for story Joanne Blair is the DAC Beachcroft #CycleSeptember Star 2021!

Joanne Blair is the DAC Beachcroft #CycleSeptember Star 2021!

Joanne had not cycled since she was a schoolgirl of 12 but had a real urge to get back on 2 wheels this September. She had been a close watcher of all our DACB cycling / walking events for years, a... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story This #CycleSeptember has doubled my average cycling distance!

This #CycleSeptember has doubled my average cycling distance!

I got into cycling last year thanks to the earlier Cycling initiatives from 'Love To Ride' but my capacity was no more than 10-12 kms at a time. This challenge has only deepened my 'Cycling Romance... read more

Topic: My Bicycle Romance

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Image for story Bikeability

Bikeability

Last week I started a new job as a Bikeability Instructor!
I’ve always loved cycling and travel by bicycle as much as I can (a friend once said to me that I was into cycling when it wasn’t fash... read more

Topic: Other

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Image for story What goes around, comes around…

What goes around, comes around…

I own a 1980s Raleigh Sirocco that comes with bit of a story.

My love for this bike started when I was a toddler. My Dad owned one and I have very fond early memories of trying to climb o... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Fun

I had so much fun cycling with my friends

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Sometimes the Fates conspire against you!

Okay, so I said to myself I'm going to cycle more this September when I return to my job at Reading College. Especially since lockdown, I had put on a lot of weight, plus I did want to reduce my ca... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Image for story Tour de Manc

Tour de Manc

On Sunday I participated in Tour de Manc raising funds for HaTS charity to help Cancer patients.
I initially planned to do a mad manc route which is 200km via difficult terrain. Unfortunately, ... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story My daughters' love for their bikes

My daughters' love for their bikes

The start of university meant a bike in tow for all three daughters, one of whom is now fully grown up and cycling through London to work. I love this picture captured on a leisurely cycle ride by ... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story Granddaughter & me

Granddaughter & me

My granddaughter is only 11 yrs old and she always wants a cycle with me so off we went round Canvey island a full 11 miles, & she didn’t moan once .
She can’t wait till we do it again

Topic: A happy riding memory

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From walking to cycling everywhere

I have only owned a car once when I was at college for a total of two years. I'm now 32 so that is a long time without driving! I used to get public transportation everywhere and walk everywhere. I... read more

Topic: My Bicycle Romance

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Well done everyone for June Bike Challenge

Thank you Love to Ride for the June Bike Challenge and all those lovely prizes. Sad to say I had no luck in the raffles, but hey that is not what it is all about. I was trying not to be competiti... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Wimbledon Devastation

Monday 28th June, lovely morning ride to work the start of Wimbledon YEY,(my other passion). I had my lucky Wimbledon monogramed hand towel in my back pack, sad but i love it :) cycled to work only... read more

Topic: Other

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Image for story From Stockport to Scotland

From Stockport to Scotland

I thought it would be a great idea to cycle from Stockport to Scotland in order to wildcamp with some mates and avoid taking a 6 hour car journey over the border, so I did!

Day 1 consisted... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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Loving it :-)

I commute most days to work and have been doing so my around 4 years, slowly building up the amount of days and slowly building up how many miles I do. Direct it is 11 miles each way but I often do... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Image for story Ride, spread joy and create art

Ride, spread joy and create art

Earley Panda cycles for a safe cycling campaign and male mental health awareness while spreading joy and creating GPS Doodles.

Panda met Hooch (Captain Tom's dog) when Panda cycled to Capt... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Keeping going.

Only a short story but I switched over to cycling after a running injury. Currently waiting on knee surgery. I used running as it improved my mental health. when I got injured I knew I couldn't jus... read more

Topic: My Bicycle Romance

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Image for story Can cycling stop the coronavirus?

Can cycling stop the coronavirus?

During the pandemic it has been really humbling to hear of the hard work of so many in the NHS and other important services. It left me wondering how I could help.

One obvious way was to u... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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Image for story Hidden gems to discover while cycling

Hidden gems to discover while cycling

I have been living in Milton Keynes since 2002. Busy life style and work commitments meant that the car was my main transport option. However, following a change in my work circumstances, I sudde... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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4000 Miles for 40

Lockdown has been tough on me and my family, so I'm trying to keep moving and positive, cycling and running are big outlets for that, a time to unwind and switch off, part of that has been to fundr... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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Image for story 100 miles

100 miles

2017 overweight and told pre-diabetic so had to lose weight. I lost my weight on treadmill
(stick with me lol )
I have always loved cycling be it Chipper,Grifter ,M/bike or Road Bike .
read more

Topic: My Bicycle Romance

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Pot holes and tree roots may kill me; but it's well worth the risk!

I loved riding round the block on my red tricycle when I was a little boy. Then I got a bike and became a β€œvirtual” sports commentator, as I fantasised my success in the Tour de France! At the age... read more

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

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Image for story How lucky am I?

How lucky am I?

Like many others I was stuck at home through lockdown and had become a bit sedentary when it came to exercise. Deciding enough was enough It was time to get back on my bike. I always use to commute... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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A bike ride a day keeps the doctor away

I decided to ride my rickety old Kona mountain bike every day of June as a personal challenge. So far I'm on day 22 and have been out everyday and ridden 188 miles, the most in one day is 20 miles ... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Image for story Never to old to peddle and roll.

Never to old to peddle and roll.

Five years ago I got a bike to get out, have some fun and maybe loss weight. 18 months later I had loss 6 Stone, I now own four mountain bikes and at the young age of 57 will be going to Bike Park ... read more

Topic: Other

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