Stories from England

I had a fantastic day yesterday helping out at the Bristol Family Cycling Centre in Hengrove, and still can't believe how many people turned up to the sessions despite the torrential downpour!
... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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first_322906 last_322906 Whoopsie address removed... you can book at Better By Bike :)

Whoopsie address removed... you can book at Better By Bike :)

first_262790 last_262790 Always welcome Louise!!!

Always welcome Louise!!!

At the start of the year I decided to get more active improve my fitness and lose some weight I started with eating healthier then cleared the garage and put in some exercise machines I had but had... read more

first_494857 last_494857 Good luck to you, Michael! A new bike always feels a bit odd at first, but you'll get used to it after a few rides. And co... read more

Good luck to you, Michael! A new bike always feels a bit odd at first, but you'll get used to it after a few rides. And congratulations on your 17km walk! That's awesome.

first_492460 last_492460 Good luck Michael

Good luck Michael

first_482567 last_482567 Good luck! I was in the same place as you in March, recently I reached 500 miles, I feel better than I have in many many y... read more

Good luck! I was in the same place as you in March, recently I reached 500 miles, I feel better than I have in many many years, good luck!

first_494099 last_494099 Hi Michael, I'm in a similar situation. I'm 38 years old and learning to ride an old bike in London for the first time. I'v... read more

Hi Michael, I'm in a similar situation. I'm 38 years old and learning to ride an old bike in London for the first time. I've been doing it in parks for 10 minutes every other day. It's challenging, but I know that with practice it will get better and enjoy the rides. I wish you luck enjoying cycling around your beautiful Country. :)

first_94027 last_94027 Go for it my friend - take it steady, you'll soon find your confidence. You'll look back and wonder why you were ever nervo... read more

Go for it my friend - take it steady, you'll soon find your confidence. You'll look back and wonder why you were ever nervous. Good luck

first_426566 last_426566 Best of luck Michael, it can be very daunting at first, just aim for getting off your drive and going to the end of your st... read more

Best of luck Michael, it can be very daunting at first, just aim for getting off your drive and going to the end of your street and back, fingers crossed for you

first_634891 last_634891 good luck firstly.pick a nice flat pavement route to make your first ride easier.If youve a friend who has a bike get them ... read more

good luck firstly.pick a nice flat pavement route to make your first ride easier.If youve a friend who has a bike get them to go with you or a family member or one of the kids in your family.that might help take your mind off your nervousness. Plus youl be chatting as you ride so not be worrying as much hopefully.start off short flat ride to build your confidence and fitness up.good luck and dont give up.x

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I am very fortunate to work/support young people. Today I was able to encourage and support a young person to join me on a ‘Social Distancing’ cycle ride along the Cycle path which runs along The ... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Okay it's not a cycle story but I have a passion for long-distance skateboarding across countries and where possible, ticking a new one off the list. My two-week annual adventure typically starts j... read more

Bristol to Bath cycle path. As far as you want to cycle without the car traffic. A must in Bristol.

Topic: My commute by bike

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first_583205 last_583205 Is there still anti-social behaviour taking place or is it a safe place to cycle now ?

Is there still anti-social behaviour taking place or is it a safe place to cycle now ?

We're a group of six nearly or already 60+ ladies who have upped our cycling distance since lockdown. Yesterday was the EPIC fifty miler from my home in Crowthorne to Woolhampton for lunch, via Son... read more

Topic: Other

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Really enjoyable ride along the canal. We started out from just west of Bristol and took the cycle path to Bath and joined the canal tow path and just kept going... The path is poor in places (espe... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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As a Registered Nurse and mother of extremely vulnerable daughter. Cycling has kept us fit and healthy during the Coronavirus Era. Cycling on the beautiful country side of Carrington Moss.

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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first_490053 last_490053 That's great to hear you are able to get out, enjoy the sunsine!

That's great to hear you are able to get out, enjoy the sunsine!

Gradually working my way through the various "100 Cycling Climbs " challenges on Strava/Veloviewer. I'm not that fast but I am quite stubborn (!) and often end up wheeling my bike up the steeper gr... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Great weather to #ExploreByBike, first ride down the southern coast, and #ExploreByBike beautiful towns and villages.

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Being a Nurse needed to spend this Era looking after my physical and mental health. Have lived in the area for many years and never have taken the time out to cycle this beautiful green space. It... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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first_378437 last_378437 Snap! Important to protect this green space

Snap! Important to protect this green space

100 for Guide Dogs is a challenge where the participant can choose to Run100, Cycle100 or Swim100 between 1 July and 30 November. For the cycling event the individual can choose how they want to co... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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Coming back from an appointment at The Paintworks on Bath Rd to Bedminster I discovered I could get straight onto St Philips Greenway and ride alongside the River Avon for half the journey. A very... read more

Topic: Other

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first_420661 last_420661 I did the same recently and enjoyed using this path as well. Took us to the ‘bridges to nowhere’ at the Arena Island site.

I did the same recently and enjoyed using this path as well. Took us to the ‘bridges to nowhere’ at the Arena Island site.

I ride fairly regularly-3 or 4 times a week. I thought l knew my local area.l used to set out on a known route looking to improve my time. Coronovirus lockdown meant events were cancelled. I start... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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While being confined to the area around my home on the edge of Bristol has been a great excuse to explore. From the cycle path taking a slightly different exit i have discovered the common at mango... read more

As a member of the fundraising team for St. Andrew's, I am always inspired to learn of the amazing challenges people take on to support their local hospice. Due to the Coronavirus outbreak we reall... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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Had a lovely ride along the Kennit and Avon Canal, I cycled my husband walked it was beautiful weather. I am trying to keep fit and stay well mentally so to get those endorphin rising cycling is ... read more

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

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Normally, I drive to work as I got to university every night after work to study.
With the current pandemic I have to do computer at home and physical in the laboratory (I'm not a mad scientist... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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During this time of lock down and being made re-redundant I have been exploring Bristol by bike. I discovered the festival line and i think it is one of the nicest ride I have been on for a while.... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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only started this month as got a secondhand bike and want to get health and fit me and my son are trying to do at least 50 miles a week to start with but my bike not that good :( but i am trying a... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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I'm using my time off work due to all this madness to ride my turbo trainer using real footage or routes from around the world on rouvy to raise money for mind, mental health charity. As I sure wit... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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I started commuting by bike about two years ago. I love it! You get to work feeling alert and ready for the day, there's no tedious traffic to get stuck in and I've saved to much money and CO2. I'v... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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#NoCarbon
I found a route that keeps me away from the traffic with a short off road section too! And so far my bike is 7lb lighter than when i started riding it...!
Happy cycling!

Just a thought for those who are safety conscious about burglary and stalking.
If you use Strava go to your privacy settings and create a privacy zone around your home location- this will keep... read more

Topic: Other

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first_397183 last_397183 I agree and always horrified when people show events on Strava when on holiday basically telling everyone your house is emp... read more

I agree and always horrified when people show events on Strava when on holiday basically telling everyone your house is empty for a week or more.

first_357591 last_357591 Excellent point Tom!

Excellent point Tom!

first_443115 last_443115 Thank you for the great advice! Be safe out there!

Thank you for the great advice! Be safe out there!

first_377658 last_377658 Thanks for the tip, I've heard it mentioned just wasn't sure quite where to look for the setting.

Thanks for the tip, I've heard it mentioned just wasn't sure quite where to look for the setting.

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This has made a lot of car drivers/passengers smile 👌❤️
Attach colourful pipe cleaners and feathers to the rear of your helmet.

Topic: My commute by bike

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first_430917 last_430917 What a wonderful idea!! I will do that! Thanks for sharing ☺

What a wonderful idea!! I will do that! Thanks for sharing ☺

first_357591 last_357591 No problem ❤️ Enjoy! Post your picture too 😃

No problem ❤️ Enjoy! Post your picture too 😃

The three of us love our days out and to catch up with each other........ and also a little cake with cup of coffee.

Topic: My Bicycle Romance

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You will find me on bike rides along the Trans Pennine Trail from Altrincham to Warrington. It is a safe and long straight route for a pleasant ride. A shared path with walkers, horse riders and ... read more

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

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first_490053 last_490053 It's so important to know where the tasty cafe stops are, sounds heavenly

It's so important to know where the tasty cafe stops are, sounds heavenly

I started cycling during the lockdown in March 2020. One day for some reason I decided to go on a short early morning ride. After the ride I felt great, so motivated and energised. So I thought the... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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first_156009 last_156009 Fantastic! Well done you. Very inspirational story.

Fantastic! Well done you. Very inspirational story.

first_476439 last_476439 Awesome! brilliant effort

Awesome! brilliant effort

first_527780 last_527780 They're both very challenging routes. Well done!

They're both very challenging routes. Well done!

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Hi Bikers!
This was our first family bike ride on 22 July 2020 from Woodhall Spa, Lincolnshire to Lincoln City Centre, to meet up with our son to celebrate his 24th birthday :). It's called th... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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I started cycling again about 3 years as I was training for a sprint triathlon which included 10km ride. At 55 I hadn't cycled much since I was 18! Found I enjoyed being out and about again even on... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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So, I haven't ridden a bicycle in roughly 10 years. The love to ride guys helped me pick and choose the bike and my boyfriend is an experienced cyclist. I took the plunge, he has terrible sense of... read more

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

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#ExploreByBike
So over lockdown I start exploring so new route on my mountain bike and f oik and found myself riding around the foot paths around marwel zoo.
I never realised there were pat... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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A colleague of mine wrote to me last week - she had ventured out on her bike and tried the home to work commute from Stretford to the city centre - using the pop up Chester Rd cycle lane. She'd be... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Early one morning whilst out for an early morning pootle along Morecambe Prom (deservedly popular with all types of cyclists), I spotted that even our Eric Morecambe statue was sporting some PPE. W... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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I went around Blaise Castle Estate after cycling there via the Henbury Lodge entrance. This takes you past the Timber Lodge and Wood,an’s cottage. You can then visit the House, and cycle all the wa... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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The Covid-19 situation has been the only reason I have ended up finding a new and picturesque route between Helmshore in Rossendale and Stubbins near Ramsbottom. I have since found out that it is ... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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After a bad day or a stressful week,
An escape on my bike, I must seek!
Off I head, before it gets dark,
To the Royal Victoria Country Park.
On the way, there are hills so steep -read more

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

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first_341503 last_341503 Love that Jayne, you must do a similar route to us (Woolson stench) ;-)

Love that Jayne, you must do a similar route to us (Woolson stench) ;-)

first_410750 last_410750 This is what I do on alternate days after work (which will maybe be in my lunchbreak now that winter darkness is arriving!)

This is what I do on alternate days after work (which will maybe be in my lunchbreak now that winter darkness is arriving!)

Meeting midway is about visiting more distant friends safely. We get social again, planning to meet-up & picnic in unfamiliar territory. Our two brothers travel by bike to meet for the first ti... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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first_482261 last_482261 Hmm, it loses a certain "je ne sais quoi" when the you tube reference is removed! Search SplashMaps on YouTube and look for... read more

Hmm, it loses a certain "je ne sais quoi" when the you tube reference is removed! Search SplashMaps on YouTube and look for "From your Doorstep". There you'll find us :-)

After being in lockdown & isolation for 3 months my friend & I both in our sixties decided to plan an epic cycle to celebrate our release. We chose to complete a full loop of the Avon cycle... read more

first_478960 last_478960 What an accomplishment well done.

What an accomplishment well done.

first_262790 last_262790 kudos...lovely route!

kudos...lovely route!

I'd like to focus and share some of the many positive aspects of 'Lockdown' that I have enjoyed and experienced.
Noticing and listening intently to the dawn and evening chorus of the many diffe... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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first_322906 last_322906 I definitely share these thoughts during lock down! I normally cycle purely to get from A-B and not really for leisure, so ... read more

I definitely share these thoughts during lock down! I normally cycle purely to get from A-B and not really for leisure, so its been great exploring the local bike routes I've never tried!

At the start off lockdown I chose to keep heading out each morning and get in the mileage I would have cycled to work. As time went by I persuaded my partner that we should head out on the weekend... read more

first_432440 last_432440 i quite agree that the avenue needs a cycle lane of sorts and the current situation is great. i would not want to go back ... read more

i quite agree that the avenue needs a cycle lane of sorts and the current situation is great. i would not want to go back to two lanes of gridlocked traffic instead of one and a free cycle lane. traffic fills roads. half of the avenue is two lanes but the lower half is not, but is treated as it is with idiot drivers overtaking leaving and approaching burgess road lights. there has been a bottleneck as it turns into a single lane at the turning into the common, this has just been moved back 1.5 miles. don't be too quick to give road space to cars as currently us cyclists are safe and free flowing. people sat in cars keep dry and travel most of their journeys in ease. if they have to wait a little because there are too many of them in city centres then they could stagger their journeys, catch a bus, join us in cycling or put up with this little inconvenience.

Whilst on furlough during lockdown, I joined an amazing Facebook group called "Sloth Cycling Team". As the group name suggests, speed and distance are irrelevant and the main ethos of the group is ... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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Since the UK went into lockdown, I have ridden 243 miles around the Bristol City Centre BID area.

I’m out on my bike every morning to check our city to ensure it stays ready for business b... read more

first_57212 last_57212 Hi Fran please email me so we can share the video jack at lovetoride dot org

Hi Fran please email me so we can share the video jack at lovetoride dot org

Only managed to get out on my bike once during the week to pick up a neighbours medication. By kept up the skills with YouTube indoor cycling through Spain and NZ and no Jet lag.

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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I bumped into so peeps I had not seen for years at a Birthday party who told me they were mountain bikers and I started to ride with them, at this point I was super unfit. After riding with them fo... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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For the first time in a long time I had intended to cycle in and out of work everyday this week but with the office closed for the foreseeable I've swapped my commute for an early morning ride, lov... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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So last July I changed my commute from Southampton to London from using the company car to cycling the 5 miles to the station and training it in...

I even now cycle the occassional 15 mile... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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first_334877 last_334877 #NoCarbon

#NoCarbon

first_467878 last_467878 Trigger it!!!

Trigger it!!!

Well here I go again, though I've told My better half this will be the last one!
My 50th this March, I'd thought for some years about doing the Lakesman this particular year. An Iron Man distan... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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first_465484 last_465484 Please donate to: [address removed] .

Please donate to: [address removed] .

first_465484 last_465484 Wont let me leave link! Find me on Facebook :(

Wont let me leave link! Find me on Facebook :(

I've joined the Lendwithcare Zambia Bike Ride taking place in May 2020. Its a 10 day trip, cycling 500 kms starting in Lusaka and ending at the fantastic Victoria Falls in Livingstone. We'll be sto... read more

first_430983 last_430983 amazing !! well done !!

amazing !! well done !!

Having a lot of positives from acknowledging drivers at junctions/roundabouts and give way chicanes with this hand signal combined with a big smile.
Fist tap your heart three times- point direc... read more

Topic: Other

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