UK

Stories from the United Kingdom

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

No right turn

Started riding a bike to commute to work about 7 years ago at 39 having not ridden since being a kid. I couldn't turn right, fell off twice in one day and remember disbelieving a friend who told m... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

It’s time for change.

As many now use a car I think they forget that we that do not drive have to breath in all the fumes from cars and we have no choice to do so unless we want to live our life’s wearing a mask.
T... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

6
Image for story Watchtree February Challenge

Watchtree February Challenge

1st day of my keeping active Watchtree challenge managed 18 chilly miles along the Sustrans 72 cycleway :)

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

1
Image for story 2021

2021

This year will be simple.
1. continue my 5 mile commute at 5am to the station with my 3st rucksack.
2. Cycle 1000 miles at weekends over a year, before my wife wakes up at 9am, dressed as a... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

1
4

Cranks are amazing

I work at FareShare Sussex and Karola from Cranks mentioned that they were offering discounts to key workers during the summer. They provided discounts on bikes and services for ten of our voluntee... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

4

Oh my god so much Snot!!! LOL

It was a tad on the chilly side this morning as I rode the 10 miles in the dark to work. Ice crunching under the tires in places at zero degrees and crikey, didn't realise I could produce so much s... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

2

Life on my Own

Riding can sometimes be a solo experience...no one there to see you flying over the handle, bars, walking home with a flat tyre, spiking your shin on the peddles, p*** wet through! cryin to yoursel... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

1
3
Image for story Be safe be seen!

Be safe be seen!

I have over 30 years cycling experience and a keen member of a local club.

Unfortunately cycling in the dark commuting and similar carries additional risks.

Purchase as powerful ... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

5
Image for story Sharing my passion

Sharing my passion

I started commuting by bike to work about 5 years ago when I first moved to the UK. I got given a very old purple mountain bike by one of our regulars in the pub where I worked. It was a very espec... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

1
11

After my accident

Back in 2018 , through no fault of my own I was hit by a large vehicle and suffered a dislocated collar bone, among other injuries. I was off my bike for over 6 months and it was a long painful roa... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

3
Image for story Motivation for the Nation

Motivation for the Nation

Cycling UK Stevenage have loved using Love to Ride, its really motivated us to keep cycling and to do a few more miles in these last few months (including Cycle September). We are now doing a Novem... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

1
Image for story 14 lessons I learnt from 50 days of riding my bicycle (part 2):

14 lessons I learnt from 50 days of riding my bicycle (part 2):

8 WEAR A HELMET, ALWAYS
Please, please wear a helmet! There is no excuse to not be wearing one. One doesn’t wear them for fashion. They’re there to protect your head. (There are some horrific i... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

1
3

My husband was right for once!

I live in Brighton and work between Brighton and Hayward’s Heath hospitals and have traditionally always cycled to Brighton and driven to Hayward’s Heath. My husband, a keen environmentalist and pa... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

6
Image for story Dartford Wibbler's and Wobbler's

Dartford Wibbler's and Wobbler's

We go from strength to strength with more enthusiastic ladies wanting to get back to riding. Today we had a successful cycle around the local park for the "Wibbler's" not quite ready for the longer... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

1

E-bike brings in new cyclist

You never know what influence you have over friends and acquaintances. An acquaintance from my yoga class excitedly told me she'd brought an e-bike during lockdown. I've now been out riding with he... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

3
Image for story What coffee shops have you discovered on the way?

What coffee shops have you discovered on the way?

Whether, they're quaint, quirky or trendy
I love discovering an independent coffee shop along the way.
A few week back, I discovered a great coffee spot in Quainton.

Today, I came ... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

3
Image for story Dartford Wobblers

Dartford Wobblers

Today we started a new ladies cycling group "The Dartford Wobblers" to encourage individuals to get back in the saddle and gain confidence. Even though 8 initially signed up for the ride we ended u... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

1
3
Image for story It's not just about the destination

It's not just about the destination

Today, I had to leave an hour earlier... at 1pm to cycle to my meeting at 2pm.
I was riding from Browns Wood to Newton Longville.

Obviously, a car would be easier. I would have less c... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

3

Breast Cancer Biker

I was a cyclist before being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2018 and always totally loved it. After 2 operations, chemotherapy and radiotherapy I felt so physically reduced I couldn’t imagine myse... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

5
Image for story #ExploreByBike..'it doesn't matter how you travel!'

#ExploreByBike.."it doesn't matter how you travel!"

My husband Rob and I love going for a cycle 'explore' on our bikes. We use adapted bikes because I have a disability which means that I cannot use a standard bike. This never limits what we do alth... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

12
Image for story Bristol to ...... along the Avon & Kennet canal

Bristol to ...... along the Avon & Kennet canal

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

8

I can do this .

My husband sadley passed away 3weeks ago . I belong to breeze riding group on let's ride Bury .Cycling and the support of the group is helping me with my grief and wellbeing.
Bury clarion grou... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

3
Image for story CYCALL Adapted Cycling

CYCALL Adapted Cycling

We can't wait to get people out on our adapted bikes again in Worthing, West Sussex! [address removed]

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

5
Image for story IWD 2020 Campaign | Why we cycle - Eloise Thatcher

IWD 2020 Campaign | Why we cycle - Eloise Thatcher

Where are you based and what do you do?

I live in Derby, I work at Rolls-Royce in Sinfin and I cycle to work every day. I am an aeronautical engineer and I am the Assistant Chief Design En... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

2
8
Image for story My 50th Birthday Charity Fund Raiser

My 50th Birthday Charity Fund Raiser

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

2
7
Image for story Danny and his Tandem

Danny and his Tandem

During lockdown I was able to support a visually impaired employee to get back out on the bike, this had a positive impact to both him and his pilot.
https://www.sustrans.org.uk/our-blog/person... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

2
Image for story To clear the head.

To clear the head.

Took the mtb into the forest today. Needed a to get out. Especially after the football result last night. 😭☺ didn't set no time. Didn't set no distance. Just enjoyed the scenery and fresh air. Took... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

7

My story

Travel everywhere with bike work, shopping, visiting friends and family and long rides out the freedom you have when out on bike is amazing

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

1
Image for story Lockdown release and a weight off my shoulders

Lockdown release and a weight off my shoulders

I’ve clocked over 3,000 km since getting a road bike in February. Lockdown gave me empty roads and time to build up fitness. I’m over forty and am fitter now than in 20 years, having lost around a ... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

7

Wonderful Winter WINDY Raining Painful Ride

I went for a ride Saturday morning...I looked out the window and thought Nooooooo But forced myself to go it was windy wet and challenging....and then I had a major blow out and now in need of a n... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

4
Image for story #WinterWheelers - don't be lazy!

#WinterWheelers - don't be lazy!

I needed to get some things from the shop.
It would have been easy to opt for taking my car:
- easier to carry groceries in the car
- it's 2 degrees, quite cold!

BUT no, I chos... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

6
Image for story Me and the lads

Me and the lads

Motivated my mates for a ride beyond their limits on an early Sunday morning. From Oldham to Bury. To local authority areas in less than 3 hours there and back.

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

6
Image for story Hilly Blasters

Hilly Blasters

I’m a Breeze Champion and for the last 2 or 3 years I’ve led a Thursday night, hilly ride which has proved popular with a core group of die hard riders. We motivate each other and our fitness has g... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

5
Image for story It maybe raining where you are but somewhere it is sunny!

It maybe raining where you are but somewhere it is sunny!

After a miserable day on Saturday where it rained all day we decided to brave the rain on Sunday morning and go for a bike ride from Woodbury to Topsham, a 4+ mile journey mostly on cycle paths. <... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

1
Image for story Mother and daughter

Mother and daughter

Encouraged by my daughter to get back cycling. This photo shows us both out today on the Carrington Moss Estate. This is a beautiful place to get outdoors and take in the Natural beauty that surr... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

11

Cuckoo Trail at dusk!

We live in Brighton and my daughter goes to the orthodontist in Hailsham. In the past we drove as there isn’t a train station in Hailsham. Since making the family decision to ditch the car during l... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

3
Image for story 14 lessons I learnt from 50 days of riding my bicycle (part 1)

14 lessons I learnt from 50 days of riding my bicycle (part 1)

I did it! Woohoo!

50 days of riding!
This is how this challenge came about. I decided to take part in the [address removed] #CycleSeptember challenge. I only really awoke to the idea o... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

2

Arthritus won't stop me riding

Since retiring in 2012 and ditching the car in 2013 I have enjoyed cycling, the past three years on my Scott Hybrid but this year the arthritis in my knees has made cycling uncomfortable so against... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

2
Image for story Afternoon ride out with my wife

Afternoon ride out with my wife

During a fabulous 9 day break in Northumberland I manged to encourage my wife out on several rides around Bambrugh. On 1 occasion we even rode to Holy Island and back. The cycling helped make ou... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

4
Image for story Empty the tank Ride

Empty the tank Ride

Back in May we decided to do a 60 miler, but ended up been a 9 & half hours in the saddle for fun!

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

2

Brick session cycle

Did my last Brick session yesterday before the 113 Cotswold triathlon on 20 9 20. It's 1.2 miles lake swim, 56 mile cycle, then 13 mile run. All for fun!
For those that don't know what a brick ... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

2
Image for story Family tandems!

Family tandems!

Childback tandems are a perfect way to get the kids about safely and quickly, my tandem has a child seat in front of me for my youngest so he is safely between my arms, and my 7 year old sits behin... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

1
3
Image for story Bristol Family Cycling Centre

Bristol Family Cycling Centre

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

2
8
Image for story Pill to Bristol Cycle Path

Pill to Bristol Cycle Path

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

7

Back in the saddle

I am sharing my back in the saddle journey to encourage and tempt others to give it a go.
The Covid-19 virus had made me think about new ways to get keep fit and get out whilst socially distan... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

2

Wandering aloud

During lockdown I decided I wanted to get fitter on my bike. So initially I got out my bike, set myself a challenge then I set off at full pelt everywhere......until I remembered why I love cycling... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

Cycle in my dresses to and from work

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

7
Image for story Boardman goes on

Boardman goes on

About 10 years ago I bought a Boardman Hybrid to commute to work. I've never looked back. Saved a fortune in petrol , parking fees. Been environmentally friendly. I've kept for any kept on riding t... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

1
3
Image for story International Women's Day 2020

International Women's Day 2020

International Women's Day 2020
For International Women's Day 2020, I decided to set up a campaign to encourage more girls and women to cycle after the Love to Ride Cycle September statistics sh... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

3

Dislocated shoulder

On the 22 November I had an accident and ended up falling off my bike and seriously dislocating my Shoulder, I was amazed at how many people stopped to help me, cyclist, car drivers and pedestrians... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

5