England

Stories from England

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

Image for story Border C2C Part 1

Border C2C Part 1

I love being off road in the countryside and commenced a DIY C2C mainly off road via Solway Firth/The Wall/Forest/Tyne in the summer. Unfortunately I had to halt at Hexham to return to Preston &... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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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

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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 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

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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

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Image for story The Konik Pony that Chewed on my Handlebar tape

The Konik Pony that Chewed on my Handlebar tape

I was cycling towards Ely. I passed by Wicken Fen. It was late winter, a sunny day, the highland cattle were in the horizon. The Konik ponies were standing still in a Zen-like state of meditation o... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Image for story Kidical Mass Leamington Spa

Kidical Mass Leamington Spa

Wow!
What a turnout!
Leamington you should be proud of yourselves, 150 families out on the Kidical mass ride.

Keep it going!!!!

Topic: Ride with kids

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Starting small

I've been encouraged by a colleague to get my bike out of the garage. I'm aiming to cycle to work one day a week this bike month. So far so good, I've done two rides and have the other two planned ... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Image for story Polly ride

Polly ride

when you boring- ride Polly,
when your day making you sad -ride Polly,
when people want to close your road-ride Polly,
when sun is going out- ride Polly,
when shower on your arm-rid... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Image for story #loveMK

#loveMK

Celebrating #loveMK with a bit of (kinda) Strava art cycling all on the glorious Redway network ❤️

Topic: My Bicycle Romance

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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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Stolen while swimming

My green Scott 21’ frame just was taken today outside Colchester leisure world between 1-:30-3pm while I was at work, please keep an eye out it is registered with police and I had brand new lights ... read more

Topic: Other

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Image for story It takes two!

It takes two!

Tandem riding together, this year now 2000 miles plus in 2024! Joint age 142 years.

Topic: My Bicycle Romance

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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 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 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 Coast to coast in 2024

Coast to coast in 2024

My daughter wanted to complete a cycling challenge before going to university this autumn, so she planned the route between 3 youth hostels and we cycled together for four days in fantastic weather... read more

Topic: Ride with kids

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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 Rail & Ride

Rail & Ride

It’s a damp grey start this morning for a commute to Beverley from Seamer.
Did you know there is no need to book your cycle on a Northern train (there is a limit though)
So if you fancy an ... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Image for story Ride the lights

Ride the lights

Pouring rain we left the airport area and did the whole ride!

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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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

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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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Bike ride

Every day, I ride my bike from school to and back around 2 miles (3.22 km) and I do this 5 days a week meaning 260 or so days of riding every year which is around 520 miles (ca. 837 km) every year... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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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

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Image for story Ebike heartbreak.

Ebike heartbreak.

Hi all,

I've only had an ebike since March, but wowsers is it fun. I'm sure I'm not the only one who smiled and laughed like a kid riding up a hill assisted for the first time.

... read more

Topic: My Bicycle Romance

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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

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Image for story Favourite cycles route

Favourite cycles route

It is an awesome feeling cycling with my granddaughter.

Topic: Ride with kids

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Image for story Mini Summer Bike Packing Adventure.

Mini Summer Bike Packing Adventure.

Take one overly excited 4 yr old and one introverted teenager and come up with a mini break which will keep them both entertained. I panicked and booked a mini bike packing trip. I enjoyed the plan... read more

Topic: Ride with kids

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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 Love to ride my bike

Love to ride my bike

I’ve been riding for many years, and it’s an integral part of me. I love exploring new places and meeting new people while riding. I run a small YouTube channel that documents some of my rides, and... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story Mindfulness ride

Mindfulness ride

There is nothing more beautiful than cycling in a sunny spring morning by the country lanes on the way to work and listening to the birds singing. This is one of my favourite times of de year, the ... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Riding a bike is doable, actually?

I started commuting by bike at uni because the buses were expensive and unreliable. 15 years later and I still commute to work by bike every day. I encouraged my housemate to start cycling. He's ve... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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First day back with a new hip!

After having a new hip installed in November I was nervous about getting back on my bike. I was terrified of falling over suddenly, not that I do that often lol!

But today marked the first... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Rossendale Commute

Hi,

Not so much a story but a plea. Is there anywhere good near rawtensall bus station to lock your bike?

Thanks in advance.

Stephen

Topic: My commute by bike

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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 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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A gratitude post!

I’ve thoroughly enjoyed cycle September and was heading out in an extra ride yesterday when I realised I had a flat tire. Turned round, pushed the bike home and pumped it up, within seconds it was ... read more

Topic: Other

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Image for story Love To Ride goody bag winners

Love To Ride goody bag winners

These two amazing people won the goody bag today at a Love To Ride cycling event.

Wheely Active CIC helped them to get their bikes road worthy and sized correctly.

Having previ... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Dusting off the bike for my Cycle September Commute

It's been quite some time since I've commuted to work by bike (certainly over a couple of years), but as I had arranged a workplace Dr Bike for colleagues as part of Cycle September I set myself a ... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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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

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Image for story National Trust Cafe Ravenscar

National Trust Cafe Ravenscar

Recommend a stop at this lovely cafe on Stage 1 of the Moors to Sea Cycle Route in Ravenscar.

Outstanding food and service from staff, and the views from beyond the cafe are spectacular.read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Moving Through Anxiety

I used to ride my bike every day during 2020, when the roadways were quiet and the sun was shining. It was amazing seeing spiders flying overhead with silk parachutes and hearing birds singing - so... read more

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

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Image for story Lancs to Leeds

Lancs to Leeds

Started commuting to work via train. 2 hour journey 3 days a week so don’t want to have to walk at the other end. Bought an old fold up bike for £25 to give it a go. Doing me good so far!

Topic: My commute by bike

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The only way to commute

I work about 3 miles from home at a school. I don't drive and the bus service is unreliable and too costly so cycling is the best option for me. I have always chosen to cycle rather than use transp... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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