England

Stories from England

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

Image for story Bike Month 2026 - A Disaster

Bike Month 2026 - A Disaster

I had intended cycling a lot more this Bike Month 2026, sadly I couldn't find the motivation to get out on the bike until the last week. Various technical problems with both of my bikes and the lac... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

Life of biking to work.

Every weekday morning, I wake up early to get ready for work. After getting dressed and eating a quick breakfast, I grab my helmet and head outside to my bike. Instead of driving a car or taking th... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

2
Image for story Sally's Cycling Story

Sally's Cycling Story

Feedback from female rider in Bracknell:

I live in Great Hollands and I have always had a bike but took up cycling as a hobby 9 years ago.
I like the social element riding , eating... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

1
Image for story Kidical Mass Southampton Glow Ride

Kidical Mass Southampton Glow Ride

We went to the Kidical mass Annual Glow Ride this weekend. It is one of my favourite community events, over 70+ people attended and cycled around southampton city centre. The kids loved it and we g... read more

Topic: Ride with kids

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Image for story The William Gilbert School Wheelers ride to Paris!

The William Gilbert School Wheelers ride to Paris!

We Did It! The William Gilbert Wheelers Rode to Paris – and Beyond!

This September as part of Mode Shift Month and Cycle September, William Gilbert Primary School proudly took part in the ... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

4

Cycling Gave Me My Freedom

I was out on a nice pedal this morning. The sun was starting to ride and the sky was a beautiful orange. Everything was calm and perfect. I thought back to when I was a child and realised, cycling ... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Image for story Durham County Council Cycling Forum

Durham County Council Cycling Forum

10th December is the next meeting

register at Email address. activetravel(AT)durham.gov.uk

starting usually at 5.30pm
County Hall Committee Room 1A,
Durham DH1 5U... read more

Topic: Other

1
Image for story A family journey through Piedmont Italy

A family journey through Piedmont Italy

Enjoyed being able to cycle with my 2 year old son on a rear cycling seat around the sloping hills on our Italy holiday away.

We popped from play park to outdoor swimming pools in neighbo... read more

Topic: Ride with kids

4
Image for story Cycle from London to Europe.

Cycle from London to Europe.

Cycling through France, Belgium, Netherlands and Germany. Facing strong head wind and rain was an exciting challenge riding on small wheels bike (Brompton). With a folding bike make a return to Lon... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Image for story Droitwich Critical Mass Cycle

Droitwich Critical Mass Cycle

We are now looking forward to our 3rd Cycle event around Droitwich Spa. This brings together local community cycling and aims to improve the local cycling infrastructure. All are welcome to join ou... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

2

Simplicity Of Singlespeed

Whilst the trend for folks of a certain age, my age, is to go e-bike. I’ve gone the other way, I have reverted to being seven year old and thrashing around the streets on a Singlespeed bike… that’s... read more

Topic: My Bicycle Romance

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Image for story Crossing the bridge

Crossing the bridge

For those of us living in the proximity of the Bristol Channel, one fascinating opportunity is to cross the Severn Bridge via the shared footpath/cycle path, parallel to the M48 motorway. This is t... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story Made to Bruges!

Made to Bruges!

I love this picture. it's my friend and I in Bruges in Belgium.
Earlier on in the year, I invited him to join me early Sept to go on a bike adventure.
Over 4 days, we'd cycle in France and... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Image for story Coffee ride

Coffee ride

Cycling from southampton to Lyndhurst New forest.
Have a Coffee the woods cyclery bike shop.
[address removed]

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

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Image for story Loving the Chocolate Path

Loving the Chocolate Path

The Chocolate Path follows the river Avon for a good part of my commute to Bower Ashton and is a beautiful part of the ride. It was closed for 6 years after part of it collapsed into the river, for... read more

Topic: Other

22

Wolds Way Cycle Route in a Day 146 Miles

I am 71 years old and recently completed the above challenge. It has been on my bucket list for some time. Riding time was 10.5 hours averaging 14 mph.
It may sound daunting to some of you, but... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

4
Image for story Thorn in my side you know that's all you ever were. (Eurythmics).

Thorn in my side you know that's all you ever were. (Eurythmics).

First time off road since my Hip revision surgery and it was tested by them god damm thorns. 2 to be procise in my front tyre.
It was still a very nice day and a very nice ride out.
There w... read more

Topic: Other

5
Image for story Railway Paths in England

Railway Paths in England

Many former railway lines in North East England have been converted to paths for cycling and walking. This is an old rail map from the railway station at Beamish, superimposed with a nearly traffic... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

8
Image for story Race Day!

Race Day!

Completed my first duathlon on Sunday to celebrate St Patricks Day!
2.5km run, 12.3km bike ride and then another 2.5km run.
Nasty weather on the cycle down there but cleared up nicely for t... read more

Topic: Other

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Brrrrr

That was a chilly little commute this morning!
Took a slightly different route to stay within the the houses rather than out on the exposed coast and found out it's all uphill!!
Glad I've o... read more

Topic: Other

4
Image for story Dunwich Dynamo (1st July 2023) by Tandem

Dunwich Dynamo (1st July 2023) by Tandem

I think that it was at Needham Lakes that I hit my nadir. We had pulled up abruptly on the beast (a Dawes Galaxy Twin Tandem that had been a successful drunken ebay bid a few years ago) and I’d lef... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Image for story Gin and Tonic in the Yorkshire Wolds

Gin and Tonic in the Yorkshire Wolds

The purpose of the ride was to check out a new cafe and take advantage of a sunny day. The ride had already been postponed due to a day of relentless rain.

The highlight of the day had to... read more

Topic: Other

7
Image for story Heading somewhere old and new

Heading somewhere old and new

The weather looks good and I’ve a picnic packed. Where shall I head? I fancied being by the sea and hit on the idea of using a ferry. There are a number to choose from around here, but today I fanc... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Image for story My First Audax

My First Audax

🚴🏻♀️🚴🏻♀️🚴🏻♀️So - here it is in writing - so I am committed ( or maybe I should be committed 🤪🤪🤪).
I have signed up to my first Audax.
The Yorkshire Wolds 50k on the 12th August - on my own ... read more

Topic: Other

12
Image for story Trying to make it a habit.

Trying to make it a habit.

Second time I have ridden into work, managed one day last week, aiming for pedalling in at least two days this week.

Topic: My commute by bike

8
Image for story Grief and biking

Grief and biking

Boxing Day 2023 changed everything. My little sister passed away, and with her, it felt like a piece of me went too. The months that followed were heavy and motionless , I couldn’t bring myself to ... read more

Topic: Other

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Image for story Philip's commitment to riding to work!

Philip's commitment to riding to work!

I live in Camberley and in 1986 I did my 1st bike race.
My favourite thing about cycling is the bikes, I have always been into bicycles and riding different bikes. It's about getting to know yo... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Ride to work in the winter

I love cycling in the winter! In London, it used to be rare to see cyclists around in winter, that is no longer the case. Since the Covid-19 pandemic, and with the rise of electric bikes, cycling h... read more

Topic: Other

5

Ridiculous bike spaces on a train

I cycle to the train station 5 days a week and then commute to work on my bike when I get off . .After a day's work the last place I want to be is sat on the floor when there are free seats becaus... read more

Topic: Other

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Image for story Slow and steady wins the Race!

Slow and steady wins the Race!

I received my September roundup from Love to Ride this morning and I was pleasantly surprised to note that my number of 'cycling trips' were up 115% and 'cycling miles' up by 205% Wow! - I thought ... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story Mental health

Mental health

So I came across this app one day on Facebook so I signed up just to track my progress then I seen there was a challenge September with my mental health was a bit low off feeling overweight and unf... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Image for story blissfull night

blissfull night

took a week of work to go mountain biking in my home town, Oldham; arguably the best.
I was joined by my two brothers, one on an Ebike, full of himself (we know how the ebikers are) and one on... read more

Topic: Other

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Image for story Rain or shine.

Rain or shine.

Was cycling in heavy rain for my daily grocery... short but intensive... 16.5 miles.

Topic: My commute by bike

4
Image for story Favourite cycles route

Favourite cycles route

It is an awesome feeling cycling with my granddaughter.

Topic: Ride with kids

7
Image for story ITS POSSIBLE AFTER HIP SURGERY

ITS POSSIBLE AFTER HIP SURGERY

I had a hip replacement on 07/03/25 that is 11 weeks 1 day ago. Today I went out on my new bike and enjoyed it so much.
At Christmas I was on crutches and had been for over a year, I could bar... read more

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

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Image for story This time last year...

This time last year...

I had a cycling accident at at the bottom of shooters hill road. I fractured my shoulder and lacked confidence to return to cycling for sometime. However, winter has returned and I am glad to say I... read more

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

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Image for story Night ride at long last

Night ride at long last

My first night ride since before my long lay up after surgery.
I didn't realise how much I missed it, 15 miles of bliss.

Topic: Other

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Image for story Rain or shine - the only way to commute!

Rain or shine - the only way to commute!

Just a quick one, but surely arriving at work (or anywhere to be fair) by bike is the best way to start the day?! I wake up excited to ride, and look forward to the ride home. Even during the hideo... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Image for story Women's Group Ride from Southampton to the New Forest!

Women's Group Ride from Southampton to the New Forest!

I wanted to encourage more members of my team to ride for Cycle September as well as build up my own miles. I cycle small distances for transport but haven't been out on a longer ride for ages. We... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story Cycle tour to Norfolk

Cycle tour to Norfolk

My husband and I gave up our car last October. We now commute 5 miles to work and back four days a week.
At the moment we are on a cycling and camping tour to Norfolk. Today we arrived in Ely. ... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Image for story A cyclists friend,  Diamond of a man.

A cyclists friend, Diamond of a man.

Look at this great guy blowing them pesky thorns off the road to help us on bikes. I had just changed my front inner tube 100yds before this.
Thank you that man.
I wonder if I could fit a l... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Image for story 1000 miles + in July

1000 miles + in July

I have a bucket list ride coming up in October, the Garden Route in South Africa. So need to get some mileage in the legs. Having been restricted by a few health issues and of course the poor weath... read more

Topic: Carbon Crushers

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Image for story Enjoyed a nice riding to Beverley

Enjoyed a nice riding to Beverley

Finally had some nice weather so I take a nice bike riding to Beverley it was about 18-22km round trip. Can’t wait for my next adventure

Topic: Other

6
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

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Coldest day

A bit chilly this morning, hard frost on everything.
Even though my face was crying with the cold, the rest of me was toasty.
I have a waterproof helmet cover and that really keeps my head... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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5

rain and bad traffic

Today was a perfect cycle commute.
It looked like rain but it didn't happen.
The traffic was appalling, with new added roadworks, and extra traffic lights on St. Denys rd.
I like best,... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

8
Image for story The best lights ever

The best lights ever

The S33N lights are so great! Bristol business and super unique. They can’t be stolen, can’t fall off and the AA battery keeps them simple and helps us be more efficient consumers. When my last lig... read more

Topic: Other

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Back to work after holiday

I have missed my bike so much whilst on holiday! Not the grown up kids or the dog....my bike. Back to it tomorrow, hopefully I can also lose some of the many pounds I have gained too!

Topic: Other

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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

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Getting back to it

Let's get fit again!

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

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