UK

Stories from the United Kingdom

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

Image for story Keeping the same challenge

Keeping the same challenge

One benefit to last year was the lack of cars on the road so with that and the great weather we had it gave me a chance to really get into cycling I managed to do 3000 miles for the year which was ... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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Image for story Cycling to work is the best!

Cycling to work is the best!

For the past year, I have cycled to work in all weather - sun, rain, sleet and hail. Not only is it a great form of physical exercise, but it is also a fantastic way to clear your head and blow awa... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Get on Your Bike!

I severe lack of cash resulted in missing insurance payments on my car and the policy cancelled!
Luckily I had three bicycles in the shed all in various states of disrepair. Selecting the best... read more

Topic: Other

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Image for story Wild spaces in the city!

Wild spaces in the city!

I love living in Manchester, and I'm happy to have rediscovered cycling as it's a great new way to explore the city. There's so much freedom in heading out for a ride with no intention but to find ... read more

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

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Image for story 16 years and going strong!

16 years and going strong!

My bike celebrated its 16 birthday! I got this bike when I was 16-I was a little disappointed to get a bike for my birthday but I have soon come to appreciate it as one of my best presents to date!... read more

Topic: My Bicycle Romance

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Image for story Summer ride

Summer ride

Lovely ride to Emberton Park with my daughter and brother in law

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Harriet

My bike romance is with my new and first ever bike, Harriet the chariot! I've gone from not being able to ride a bike at all, to daydreaming about her all day. I get up early to spend time with her... read more

Topic: My Bicycle Romance

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My first century

Trying to cycle more this month and on Saturday I cycled over 100 miles for charity. Didn't think I would ever get to this point but can't believe how much the enjoyment of a day in the sun and the... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Image for story Magnificent 7 go to Blackpool!

Magnificent 7 go to Blackpool!

Magnificent 7 go to Blackpool!
We literally had a blast with high winds and high spirits!
Love to Ride is all about removing barriers to get people cycling. I managed to convince 4 relati... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

8

The Road is Safer

I'm biking form home (Monton) to Tameside hospital. I've gone various routes across Manchester....I've got to say the safest fastest route has been into MC town centre and up Hyde Road...however do... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Image for story The view on my route to work

The view on my route to work

I started riding to work when corona hits the UK. Its around 6 miles away and a bit shall i call it Hilly on my way to work (Harrow on the hill) but I love it when its home time because its shall I... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Image for story Bike packing the South Downs Way

Bike packing the South Downs Way

Having been a keen cyclist for years for commuting, in a work based road club, and mtb trail riding with friends. With the lock down easing I decided to try a new challenge with my mtb friends. We ... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Image for story New bike new journeys

New bike new journeys

So today i went out on my new bike. Ive always had mountain bikes and still do but i fancied a road bike to try for a change as I've never had one. I bought a Specialized and today was my first tri... read more

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

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G7 in Cornwall

I work in Falmouth not far from the media centre at the National Maritime Museum. It is very busy with the holiday makers, the police and all the transportation that goes with it. I find it easier ... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

3
Image for story My cat will be in heaven!

My cat will be in heaven!

Whilst out on a 40 mile cycle ride today, I happened upon a new place for my cat to stay when I am next able to go away on my cycling holiday to Croatia.
Called the Willow Tree Cat Hotel, it re... read more

Topic: Other

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Image for story Elderflower cordial

Elderflower cordial

I have been waiting for the elderflowers to open on my local cycle path (far from the fumes of traffic) and last week the time finally arrived (almost a whole month later than last year). I put a c... read more

Image for story Durhams Rails to Trails

Durhams Rails to Trails

Getting out on my bike more during the pandemic last years I discovered County Durhams Rails to Trails. These include the C2C, Deerness Valley, Bishop Auckland to Brandon and the Derwent Valley tra... read more

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

7
Image for story Coffee run.

Coffee run.

Sunday morning trip out to Sledmere House, NR Driffield East Yorkshire for a take out coffee and breakfast with the chaps.

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

1
Image for story What’s around the corner?

What’s around the corner?

I rode into my training session today as it was a lovely day clear skies and 18c at 8.30 when I set off. Now at lunchtime I’m less than half a mile from site sat at the side of the River Ouse. I’m ... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story ALL for a good cause! Leicester to Edinburgh for RAINBOWS..

ALL for a good cause! Leicester to Edinburgh for RAINBOWS..

Riders of Shaam are humbled to be supporting Rainbows Children’s Hospice for the Third time. An organisation that is so close to our hearts.

Sadly, some children don’t live long enough. S... read more

Topic: Other

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Image for story First timer up Cheddar Gorge

First timer up Cheddar Gorge

Having been building up her cycling abilities over lockdown Judy my sister-in-law has come on in leaps and bounds since this time last year. Even took on her first sportive in September, which took... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story Pedal Power from London to Paris for Charity

Pedal Power from London to Paris for Charity

In September I'll be particupating in a 500km cycle ride from London to Paris in support of Cure Leukaemia. The money that I raise will go towards funding specialist nurses at 12 blood cancer centr... read more

Topic: Other

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Image for story Recovery during the Pandemic

Recovery during the Pandemic

After breaking both ankles just prior to the start of the Covid-19 pandemic I have never been so grateful to be able to hop on my bike as part of my rehabilitation and return to fitness at a time ... read more

Topic: Other

Image for story Long time coming.

Long time coming.

I suggested that we should get out riding again after years off our regular riding antics. So myself, my fiancee and my brother ( oh and dog but you can't see him in the pic🐕) travelled along the n... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

1
Image for story Monsal Trail Derbyshire

Monsal Trail Derbyshire

For the UK bank holiday weekend we cycled to the Peak District via the cloud trail and on cycle paths along the Derby canal and River Derwent and the over the big hill to Wirksworth and down the st... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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9 years

Nine years ago I gave birth to my miracle baby but due to a genetic defect my heart started to fail. I entered a dark time of joy in my baby but not knowing what was wrong. I was told if I had pas... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story The art of the working lunch!

The art of the working lunch!

I ride because bicycles give me freedom.
I’m Ben, and I work for Trafford Council.
I came into the Town Hall today, and for lunch I fancied a bit of a change. I grabbed my sandwiches, hoppe... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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1000 this month

This month I am trying for the 1000 miles but looks like I may not make it last month was easy 600 miles so I thought an extra 400 would be easy, It's not easy I have the time as I am retired I am ... read more

Topic: Other

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Image for story Riding for work

Riding for work

I love my job. I get to train colleagues and volunteers on our new e-cargo bike from Iceni Cycles. We got funding last year to trial an electric bike and electric van to see if they could add to ou... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Riding in the rain

I'm a relatively novice bike-rider, having picked it up because of a bad knee which is making running and walking difficult on some days. Having logged a few rides before work I thought I'd set off... read more

A lock of air.

I left my cherished love (a raleigh pursuit) combination locked to a cycle parking rail in George street Oxford, as I went to an afternoon showing at the cinema opposite. When I emerged into the af... read more

Topic: My Bicycle Romance

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Image for story Breath of freash air

Breath of freash air

I have been riding my bike to work for nearly 20 years and every day it feels so refreshing and gives you a buzz.

The winter months can be challenging but with the right clothing and attit... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

1
Image for story I’ve just sold my car!

I’ve just sold my car!

After cycling to work for a year and using only one family car we decided it was time to part with my micra! It had been sat unused for over a year due to the pandemic, and it made me realise didn’... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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The Outlaw

Most of 1st lockdown I must of cycled and average of 5 hours a day for fun and exercise. The fun was being out the house, the Mother-in -law was isolating with us for 12 whole long weeks, the exerc... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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Image for story Vietnam

Vietnam

I'm not your sleek, fast athlete but I have done a fair bit of cycling so when an opportunity came along to go on a cycling holiday up the Mekong Delta I jumped at it.
We were a group of 10 wo... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Cry for help!

I cycle to work on the quietest route possible. One frosty morning I heard a feeble cry of “Help!” , coming from a garden. I stopped my bike and found a lady in her 90s and dressed in her night at... read more

Cats' eyes

I had biked out a few miles to Writtle from Chelmsford to my first in-person-post-lockdown Book club this week but was a bit concerned to notice on the way that there was no.street lighting on the ... read more

Image for story Not Croatia but a great day out in North Wales

Not Croatia but a great day out in North Wales

Met up with 14 other friends who I normally get together with for a week's cycling holiday touring the Croatian Islands. Unfortunately, we have had to cancel again this year, so today we headed ac... read more

Topic: Other

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A bike ride to Cyprus

In 2008 me and my husband cycled 2000 miles from Lincolnshire to Cyprus. I wasn’t what you’d call a cyclist and was very overweight when we set out. Over the course of 3 months we cycled down to Po... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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"A small hill"

My partner and I went to Devon to visit his family this weekend. I've recently gotten into cycling so was excited to go for a ride with them, as they're veterans of the sport. After about 30 minute... read more

Topic: Other

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Image for story Group rides are back in good weather

Group rides are back in good weather

Great mixed ability ride in the Calderdale valley as part of the #ridedrinkpie club. All levels, all off road suitable bikes, mixed ability.

This weeks ride was great, new members, people ... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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recycled wood

After my ex wife remove old fence lots of wood was to be remove so as I met some caravan traveler on my cycling ride I ask do they have enough wood for there wood burning stove no was the answer. I... read more

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

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My daily commute

I work for the NHS in a support role, not frontline, and have been working from home since February 2020. I used to commute to various NHS offices for my job, so all this stopped with COVID-19. Ver... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

2
Image for story What’s around the corner?

What’s around the corner?

I rode into my training session today as it was a lovely day clear skies and 18c at 8.30 when I set off. Now at lunchtime I’m less than half a mile from site sat at the side of the River Ouse. I’m ... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

1
Image for story Fitness

Fitness

Cycling has helped change my life.
From overweight coach potato to lean mean cycling machine.
25 St 54w type 2 dietbeties to 12 St 32 w fit healthy and happy

Topic: Other

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Image for story A Lesson Learnt whilst out on Two Wheels

A Lesson Learnt whilst out on Two Wheels

Hi all,

This is a post that I published on an online cycling group that I'm a member of. It talks about how being fatigued and having to stop whilst tackling a particularly tough ascent du... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Image for story Owls, hares and Deer

Owls, hares and Deer

I am a Bikeability Instructor inYork and I commute from my home 20 miles away by bike to deliver the training sessions to the pupils of York.
My commute takes in back lanes and main roads as on... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Image for story Cargo bike

Cargo bike

Having bought a cargo bike, it's enabled my commute via nursery to be a quicker and easier journey. I love the fact we can also do a food shop on the way home or pop to the park with bits ready for... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Back on the bike

My son, Luke has got right into cycling following back surgery and loves it, I ventured out with him yesterday for 8 miles which was a hard slog for me as it's been nearly 12 months since I was las... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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Image for story Gravel biking…. Never heard of it!

Gravel biking…. Never heard of it!

I have used the cycle to work scheme a few years ago and still own my original bruised and battered bike.
However I thought it was time to upgrade so with certificate and interweb I was away. ... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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