Essex

Stories from Essex

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

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

ESSEX PEDAL POWER

would like to thanks Essex pedal power for giving me the chance to get back on a bike

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

9
Image for story Life as the founder of leos rides and being a cycle leader

Life as the founder of leos rides and being a cycle leader

Hi I run leos rides I take donated bikes and rebuild them and gift them to any one needing a bike to get to work or just for fun and fitness. I am Allso a fully trained advanced bike Macanic and fu... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

11
Image for story Cycling and chemo

Cycling and chemo

Cancer came back to visit me this year. I decided that Cancer Research needed more money to find ways to get rid of that unwanted visitor. So I gave myself the challenge of 1000 miles in 100 days... read more

Topic: Other

3
19
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 . 2019 my ... read more

Topic: My Bicycle Romance

12
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

10
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

6
Image for story Taste of freedom!

Taste of freedom!

Yesterday we were officially allowed to meet up with one other household outdoors, so we jumped on our tandem (Child 1 on crossbar seat in front of me and Child 2 pedalling at the back) for a 10 mi... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

12
Image for story Hyde Hall without a car #Ridefree

Hyde Hall without a car #Ridefree

Over lockdown I've done one too many local walks, so it was exciting to make a plan with my new ebike to go further afield. We had driven to Hyde Hall in Essex but it looked manageable by ebike fro... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

5

No looking back

After treatment for breast cancer I wanted a challenge, so I signed up for ride the night. But hubby pointed out that I didnā€™t really ride a bike without hitting things or falling off. So I joined ... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

1
11

Itā€™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 lifeā€™s wearing a mask. The ... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

7

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

4

cycle commute

I live just over 2 miles from my place of work and understand that it's not doing myself or the environment any good by taking the car to work. I am now cycling to work Monday to Friday and hope i... read more

Topic: Carbon Crushers

9
Image for story Ferry ride

Ferry ride

My friend Steve and me had a nice ride for brekkie then a ferry ride to carry on cycling

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

7
Image for story Our little pack of OAPā€™s

Our little pack of OAPā€™s

The three of us love our days out and to catch up with each other........ and also a little cake with cup of coffee.

Topic: My Bicycle Romance

7
Image for story love biking

love biking

only started this month as got a secondhand bike and want to get health and fit me and my son are trying to do at least 50 miles a week to start with but my bike not that good :( but i am trying a... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

7

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 75 km and Bike + Rider = 127 years

75 km and Bike + Rider = 127 years

This year I'm upping my game and putting myself outside my comfort zone. I'm not going to climb Monte Zoncolan or Alpe d'Huez but I am going to ride more organised rides instead of just heading out... read more

Topic: Other

8

Cycling in France

Wherever I go on holiday I try to cycle as the infrastructure in many places is so much more conducive, than in the UK. I've just added some new memories with plenty of bike rides on the quiet road... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

1
8
Image for story What goes around, comes aroundā€¦

What goes around, comes aroundā€¦

I own a 1980s Raleigh Sirocco that comes with bit of a story. My love for this bike started when I was a toddler. My Dad owned one and I have very fond early memories of trying to climb onto it... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

13

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

6

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

6

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 Bike touring in own back yard (literarlly)

Bike touring in own back yard (literarlly)

I had lots of adventure plans for last year which sadly did not happen. Was feeling a bit low with the lockdown. So packed up my bike with my new lightweight camping gear, which was feeling sad at ... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

1
11
Image for story Expanding Horizons

Expanding Horizons

I've been "working from home" for almost a year now. There are many real benefits to it, and it's been the right thing to do, but there are times when the same 4 walls feel a bit oppressive: that's... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

2
7

My happy place

Before lockdown 1 I would regularly commute the 20 km to and from work either along the seafront or through Prittlebrook Greenway. Cycling through lockdown gave me space to breathe and forget the p... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

1
2
Image for story Lessons by hard knocks.

Lessons by hard knocks.

The New Year started well with a lovely wedding of our son and his passing out as an Officer in the Royal Marines. Then came a choice one morning, wear the part reflective part blue cycling jacket ... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

4

Delivering Leaflets

Great way to get round our town to deliver newsletters. Quicker than walking and better than driving. Efficient and good for me.

Topic: Other

5
Image for story 1000 Miles

1000 Miles

I started the Swap-Stop-Go challenge on the 1st of August and over the next 56 days I completed 86 rides and cycled a total of 1001.7 miles. Being in the office still, I cycled to work every we... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

5
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
4
Image for story Socially isolating

Socially isolating

Only managed to get out on my bike once during the week to pick up a neighbours medication. By kept up the skills with YouTube indoor cycling through Spain and NZ and no Jet lag.

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

4
Image for story Getting back in the saddle

Getting back in the saddle

As a child I rode my bike everywhere and this continued into my twenties when I decided to sell my car and cycle instead to save money, improve fitness and be environmentally friendly. However, I ... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

16

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 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

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