England

Stories from England

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

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 “virtual” 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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Blue flame

A lovely easy ride out for a drink in the sunny evening with beautiful Kate. First ride for her in years, wont be the last

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

5

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 Cycling in ladies Breeze groups

Cycling in ladies Breeze groups

In recent months, I have been struggling with low mood and anxiety related to big changes happening at work. Cycling has really helped me unwind and switch off for a few hours each week. But it is ... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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Get out there and ride!

#WomenWhoRide
As a 50 something woman, who has a failing transplant and isn't in the best of shape, riding bikes gives me the headspace to deal with my daily stresses. While out on the bike I a... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Commute #womenwhoride

Biking to work each day (32miles round trip) was a lot when I started doing it. But the benefits are amazing. Not only have I saved money, and improved my fitness, it is also a shorter commute (1 h... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Everyday life of a Commuter

I commute to work Mon-Fri every week and have seen a big change in people's lifestyles since COVID; there are more pedestrians and cyclists about which leads to less traffic. During the pandemic c... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

2

I Love To Ride

I don't really have a specific story. I simply ride because it's good for the environment, good for my wallet, good for my mental and physical health, and I enjoy it.

It would be amazing ... read more

Topic: Carbon Crushers

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Image for story Cycling can be a little wooden....

Cycling can be a little wooden....

I am so excited about this! I felt 5 years old again!! 🪵 🌲 🚴

Is it bamboo? No

Is it heavy? No

Is it nice to ride? Hell yes! 🤩

Built from wood here in Hampshire i... read more

Topic: My Bicycle Romance

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I cycle for my dog!

I'm not what you would call an enthusiastic cyclist but I started cycling to work when I adopted a rescue dog. Not wanting her to be home all day alone, but also knowing that she would not enjoy d... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story The commuter

The commuter

I've always enjoyed cycling since been really young and and I've always cycle to work. Recently I cycled about 3 miles to work and back everyday and thought that was amazing and it was at the time.... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Image for story Finding time

Finding time

Prior to lockdown I used to commute 2 to 4 times a week but then with lockdown I ended up working from home which made the opportunity for biking difficult with the number of meetings, mostly tedio... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story Way of the Roses

Way of the Roses

After three years planning and lock downs we completed the way this June. Setting off from Whalley we rode to Morecambe, took the usual start photo and cycled to Lancaster for our first nights stay... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Building energy for biking

I would love to say before I contracted Covid I was an avid cyclist. But, I don't lie and neither would my bike if you saw it.
Cycling to work a few times a week, weather permitting of course(a... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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Image for story Doing it for Breast Cancer

Doing it for Breast Cancer

Signed up to do 300km in the Month of July for the Charity . . Looking forward to the challenge and getting my partner involved too 🤞💝🌈

Topic: Other

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Image for story Solstice Ride

Solstice Ride

Usually we try to arrange a ride around the Summer Solstice, last year we couldn't do it due to the restrictions. So, this year we got up before the crack of dawn, met in time for the drab and grey... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Image for story early morning ride

early morning ride

A firm favourite of mine is to get up at 5am (yes 5am) and ride over to Todmorden and back home. The roads are lovely and quiet, I know where all the pot holes are (to avoid) and this is a perfect ... read more

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

8

Getting the wind up

My wife and I aren't used to longer rides but last year we decided to cycle across the New Forest to avoid public transport. We had booked a short stay in Fordingbridge and we took the most direct ... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

4

Winding down after a day at work

My job is quite stressful and often I end the day with a long to-do list, lots of questions and some frustration. Jumping on the bike is a great opportunity to sort my head out, get some clarity an... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

2
Image for story Manchester Gravel #MCRGRVL

Manchester Gravel #MCRGRVL

Most have re-discovered the benefits of cycling. One element has been taking things a step further and joining a local club. A cycling buddy of mine set up Manchester Gravel MCRGRVL on Facebook, ... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story Take time to ride each day

Take time to ride each day

I wasn’t looking forward to returning to work in London this month but the warm weather and being back on my bike really helped.
London is a fabulous city to ride in. Just ride safely and res... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

3
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 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

6

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

2
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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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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Past the halfway point

I decided to set a challenge of riding 250 days in a calendar year and as we approach half way I have managed 130 (including some indoor riding after I broke my wrist on an icy January morning comm... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

2

Biking

I bike every morning before school so tired in the morning but have to stay motivated

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

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Twice a day, five days a week

I've now been cycling to work for 9 years,
Most people think I'm crazy, as I cycle in all weathers and all year.
Come rain, snow, hale, wind and sometimes sunshine.
It's all just fun.<... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Waiting for my foot to mend

A few years ago I took up running (again!) and gradually built up distances with the aim of running a marathon. Then I injured my foot through a combination of long runs and vigorous spade work on ... read more

Topic: Other

5
Image for story No-one told me about Lincoln being so hilly!

No-one told me about Lincoln being so hilly!

After many years feeling like a bit of a social outcast cycling round Cardiff to many different universities, offices, schools, pubs, cinemas and so on, this year I was happy to be offered a dream ... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story #WomenWhoRide

#WomenWhoRide

A couple of hours happily getting lost in the Levels (Somerset!) Whilst it's important for the media to call out harassment of women doing their thing out and about, let's make sure it doesn't crea... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Goals in a covid world

Since the start of the initial lockdown in the U.K. i have been riding more than at anytime in my life.
I set my goals (distance) wise based on missions on another app and so far have ridden vi... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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Image for story Sunshine, smiles and a few miles

Sunshine, smiles and a few miles

For many years I rode my bike as hard as I could whenever I could. However the last 18 months have brought a big change to my riding, various reasons, mostly non-pandemic related.
Now my focus... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

2

Traffic-free route around Manchester Airport

This is one of my favourite rides because it goes through some pleasant countryside on quiet lanes, smooth tracks and cycle lanes. You can also pop into the ice-cream aviation park for an ice-cream... read more

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

3

From prog rock to the New Forest

Pandemics are not good things I know. However the prospect of being locked in last March, with no prospect of exercise prompted me to put some effort in. From running up and down the drive listenin... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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Image for story Charity challenge

Charity challenge

I'm a keen runner, taking on marathons dressed as 'Scissorman' to raise funds for the Little Princess Trust. When the charity launched a London to Paris ride, that sounded just right for my next ch... read more

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

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Image for story Why I decided to get moving #womenwhoride

Why I decided to get moving #womenwhoride

Lockdown one hit me hard- I developed anxiety and depression through a mix of teacher and mum guilt. This left me both a mental and physical wreck. I was prescribed fluoxetine and it helped however... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Image for story Mental Health and cycling

Mental Health and cycling

Covid-19 lockdown affected me in a way that I never thought it would. It brought back memories of being in isolation and made my depression and anxiety much worse. I started cycling to help clear m... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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Image for story Steve's 41 club Dementia UK 706 mile challenge.

Steve's 41 club Dementia UK 706 mile challenge.

I work at Johnson Matthey at Clitheroe and a lot of colleges have seen me coming into or leaving work in bright coloured lycra. Instead of my bright car.

And you have wondered why …
read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Image for story Feels like Faith

Feels like Faith

I used to be a happy cycler as a young person, I'd cycle to visit my grandparents during the week and take a break from schoolwork. I'd also cycle many kms every Saturday just to hang around the ne... read more

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

2

Commuting

Commuting to / from work daily a total of about 22miles - even when the weather is bad, always makes me feel as though I have achieved something. The worst bit is trying to keep my bike clean!! I s... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

4
Image for story To keep my heart healthy

To keep my heart healthy

I have loved my bike through out lock down. I am the proud owner of a pace maker and have had a few cardiac problems. It has been my bike that has kept me going and healthy . It’s been brilliant t... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story Crossing the Tyne

Crossing the Tyne

One of my favourite types of ride is to combine urban and rural areas, and that's very easy around Durham and Newcastle as cities and countryside are very close to each other. The Tyne foot tunnel ... read more

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

13

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

3

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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