Durham

Stories from Durham

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

Image for story My new handle bars,  following my hip revision surgery

My new handle bars, following my hip revision surgery

Well guys that's me out of the game for a while, hopefully I will be back at it for the summer as my recovery starts at minus 6 weeks before I can load bare at all then the recovery really starts. ... read more

Topic: Other

15

Getting back to it

Let's get fit again!

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

2
Image for story First ride on new bike.

First ride on new bike.

14 miles today on my new bikes maiden voyage to run it in. A nice quiet route including a ride from Shildon to newton aycliffe past the locomotion museum, which is a lovely smooth wide path. If y... read more

Topic: Other

1
12
Image for story Back in the saddle

Back in the saddle

Iā€™ve been biking for about 2 years now, but have been off the bike for 7 months following a fall whilst out riding. Back in August last year I was out riding with a colleague, weā€™d set ourself the ... read more

Topic: Other

6
Image for story First Dec 2021

First Dec 2021

My day out today, with the mad weather we are having. Very cold to start, then the rain came down( but I had the right gear on so it didnā€™t matter) then the snow, that was a little harsh on the fa... read more

Topic: Other

3
Image for story Bikeability

Bikeability

Last week I started a new job as a Bikeability Instructor! Iā€™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 wasnā€™t fashion... read more

Topic: Other

1
18

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
Image for story Woodland Moor

Woodland Moor

Lush morning ride over the tops and down in to Barney

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

2

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

2
Image for story Quick Tip

Quick Tip

Carry a small headtorch in your jersey pocket, just in case you need to fix a puncture or have a mechanical in the dark.

Topic: Other

1
13
Image for story Hadrianā€™s Wall

Hadrianā€™s Wall

Just got this cheeky little cycling šŸš“ā€ā™€ļø route in before lockdown. We stayed at Twice Brewed and cycled along the Hadrianā€™s wall route into Chollerford one day then into Greenhead, To Haltwhistle s... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

2
6

First time in nearly 40years

I eventually made my first bike ride in nearly 40 years. After getting over my nervousness and a few rides round the garden to see if I stayed on the bike I went early last Sunday morning so as to ... read more

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

11
Image for story Reivers Route & return on C2C

Reivers Route & return on C2C

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

3
19
Image for story A 100-miler, twice!

A 100-miler, twice!

Having trained and covered C2C this summer with some wonderful ladies from the amazing group called Breeze Durham whom I joined quite accidentally, I've been wondering what would be my next challen... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

10
Image for story Bike ride with mother

Bike ride with mother

Went on a bike ride with the old dear great to be back in the saddle been out every day since

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

1
14
Image for story Keeping up with my daughter!

Keeping up with my daughter!

My oldest daughter learnt to ride her bike this Easter. Iā€™ve not ridden for 20 years, but I finally had to get back on the saddle to keep up with her! Luckily you never forget do you! Iā€™m super ... read more

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

1
14
Image for story Great day out

Great day out

Lovely day riding today. I wanted to find a route that I had found last year , so went out and found it. Great sunshine easy riding.

Topic: Other

4
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

8
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 use my ... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

5
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

11
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 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 a rear light... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

5
Image for story Riding in the dark

Riding in the dark

Commuting to work all year round for 20 years meant that good lights were essential. A couple of powerful rechargeable cateye lights on the front and several rear lights attached to my back were a ... read more

Topic: Other

5
Image for story Hadrianā€™s Wall

Hadrianā€™s Wall

Just got this cheeky little cycling šŸš“ā€ā™€ļø route in before lockdown. We stayed at Twice Brewed and cycled along the Hadrianā€™s wall route into Chollerford one day then into Greenhead, To Haltwhistle s... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

4

First time in nearly 40years

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

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

7
6
Image for story Extea bike time

Extea bike time

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, I... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

9

Stories from around the world

Image for story More to Experience

More to Experience

My commute by bike lets me see the different, the unusual, the overlooked, the bypassed. This morning the USGS was measuring stream flow on Langham Creek. I was able to stop and watch for a few... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

Image for story Activism

Activism

I live in Philly, where most bicyclists commute by bike, and many of the drivers park in or drive down bike lanes. I was tired of seeing cars drive down the bidirectional lanes on Market Street, so... read more

Topic: Other

Image for story Older, Greener, and (Bike-Only!) Better

Older, Greener, and (Bike-Only!) Better

I have always had a passion for biking and parks. Growing up in Beaumont, I had the privilege of biking to school until ninth grade. Back in the 70s, there was just one bike shop, one bike option (... read more

Topic: My Bicycle Romance

1

I'm back!

Since I received a promotion eight months ago, I have been hesitant to bicycle to work. It is four miles longer and the commute is along some treacherous streets in Sacramento... but, I have accomp... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

1
Image for story The way up

The way up

Imagine the paradise

Topic: My Bicycle Romance

Image for story River Trail Today

River Trail Today

I just love the comfort of the River Trail and on a day like today, it is so beautiful. So grateful for good paths that highlight the natural beauty of our community!

Topic: Other

1
5

My company bought me an ebike

My company bought me an e-bike. They wanted to reduce mileage claims, be more environmentally aware, and give me an incentive to be healthier - and around longer. Not that I was ill, but I was on a... read more

Topic: Other

3
Image for story Chico Wildflower Ride

Chico Wildflower Ride

My friends and family rode with me in the Chico Wildflower ride on April 28, 2024! What a blast and what a well supported event! We rode the Valleyflower route which was 30 miles. The ride had lots... read more

Topic: Ride with kids

1
Image for story Amazing Ebikes for hire on Talbot Road

Amazing Ebikes for hire on Talbot Road

Last week I met John from Blackpool eBike Hire in his amazing shop on Talbot Road. He's recently unearthed a piece of Blackpool history on his walls and uncovered a beautiful set of original tiling... read more

Topic: Carbon Crushers

3
Image for story Leith to Leigh on Sea April 2024

Leith to Leigh on Sea April 2024

I just completed on 21st April 2024, 480 Mile 7 day bike ride from Leith to Leigh on Sea in memory of my son Archie aged 5, who sadly passed away from DIPG in January 2023. Raising money for severa... read more

Topic: Other

2
4

Riding for weight loss.

I have ridden bike for a very long time. Over the years since I turned 25 I gained weight. At the age of 49 I weighed 430 pounds. My mobility was affected by my obesity and it hurt to do most thing... read more

2
8
Image for story Bikepacking a great way to see the country side.

Bikepacking a great way to see the country side.

Yesterday was excellent, weather, fun, scenery, type one fun. We cycled from Cambridge, to Wicken Fen on to the lcknield way through Cavenham heath, Kings Forest and on to Knettershall Heath where ... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

5
Image for story Stop and Enjoy and Be Happy :-)

Stop and Enjoy and Be Happy :-)

Enjoying the little things you find when you let the ride pause and look around. Bikes rule! Davis to Sacramento, a nice found note when I paused to enjoy the sunset from the riverfront.

Topic: My commute by bike

Overcoming weather

I used to live in Cambodia and rode a simple acoustic bike everywhere. The weather there had two seasons, wet and dry. Wet season was very wet. Monsoons. I commuted by bike through monsoons and roa... read more

Topic: Other

Image for story Going to work by bike is the best part of the day (and so is leaving)!

Going to work by bike is the best part of the day (and so is leaving)!

I've been so into eCargo biking lately. I bought a couple bikes from Virtue Cycles recently and they have totally improved the quality of life in our home. I take my dog to the dog park in them dai... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

1
Image for story Fernyhalgh Wood

Fernyhalgh Wood

The way I believe in the circle ā­•ļø as the cycle exists.make the world better place for everyone to be happy šŸ˜ƒ. Enjoy the ride with a lot of memories.

Topic: A happy riding memory

2
Image for story Fife Easy E-Bikes is helping people get out on their bike

Fife Easy E-Bikes is helping people get out on their bike

A bit of a shameless work plug but a great initiative! Lang Toun Cycles, based in Kirkcaldy, Fife, has launched a new e-bike subscription service to make it easier for people in Fife to get into... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

1
2

Riding down to Toad Hall and around the bike trail to Old wharf road.

Great ride down through thorps bush and then old wharf road to high street to Toad Hall. Russell and I had brunch there today. There was a breeze but not too windy. After that we went via the r... read more

Topic: Other

1
Image for story In the early morning is my favorite time to ride into work

In the early morning is my favorite time to ride into work

Life better in the morning rides because I get to take in the Freemont bridge view of the water and the rowers. Early morning calm waters and depending on the time of year I get to see the sun rise... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

1

The way to do the same thing every moment

Motionless emotions through the journey of by cycling riding.

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

How to Reduce Number of Flats... BIG TIME!

I finally found a way to reduce flats significantly. I commute in an area of heavy industry. Poorly maintained roads fully of glass, nails, and screws were leading to multiple flats per month. ... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

1
3

Rhod confidence

I completed my Rhod confidence course on the 6th April thru learn to ride and ECC instructors. I would recommend anyone who has just started cycling again to take this course the instructors we... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

Image for story FD's Maiden Voyage

FD's Maiden Voyage

Got my buddy out on his new to him used bike! Hope to have him in as the 2nd member of the Hoboken Cycling Club soon! Join to watch our progress!

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

1
Image for story Life Changer

Life Changer

Iā€™m approaching 60 and I have been missing a sustainable workout routine that provided good health both from a physical and mental standpoint. About three years ago I started riding and have rece... read more

Topic: My Bicycle Romance

7