Gloucestershire

Stories from Gloucestershire

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

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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Image for story An E-bike has enabled me to cycle to work

An E-bike has enabled me to cycle to work

I used to cycle to work in my previous job just before the pandemic but with a change of workplace and a further and longer commute of around 5 miles which would have involved 2 buses and up to an ... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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69 nearly 70

Hi
So here is my story. I have riden a bike before as a 14 year old I used to ride the 3 miles across Cheltenham to school at least twice a day. But then as a teen riding a bike wasn't cool..read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story Stopping is as important as keep going!

Stopping is as important as keep going!

I had such a lovely day of biking around the district yesterday. I covered around 30 miles on three separate outings and visited Brimbscombe, Nailsworth, Randwick & Ebley, bumping into friends ... read more

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

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Back on my bike again

Six months after becoming very poorly with covid I am back on my bike. I have had to switch to an e-bike to help manage my loss of fitness and ongoing covid recovery. Was so lovely to get out on it... read more

Topic: Other

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Image for story Reason to be cheerful 1, 2, 30

Reason to be cheerful 1, 2, 30

Today I counted thirty reasons why I was right to sell the car and get a bicycle.

Four o’clock. Nearly rush hour, and the roads are starting to get busy. Those who can get away before five... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Cycling anyway

I was a bit nervous when I signed up to a local Ladies only cycle - a 10 mile route round Cheltenham but I was determined to give it a go. When I turned up, there was another lady there so we got c... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Bike to school week

The weather has been, sunny, torrential rain and windy this week but my daughter, son and I have all managed to rise to the challenge of riding and enjoyed it 😃💖 Today was our greatest achievement ... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story Gloucester Quays in the Sunshine

Gloucester Quays in the Sunshine

The quays on one of the hottest days of the year created a fantastic backdrop for a bike ride with colleagues from Thinktravel on a Tuesday in September! With lots to do to help make it easier for ... read more

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

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Image for story My Favourite? Well, certainly one of my favourites....

My Favourite? Well, certainly one of my favourites....

South East Wales anyone?
Now, apologies to anyone living in or near Cwmbran but it is not the first place to think of when you want to go for bike ride.... Wrong! There is a gem that threads i... read more

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

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Get out there and ride!

#WomenWhoRide
As a 50 something woman, who has a failing transplant and isn't in the best of shape, riding bikes gives me the headspace to deal with my daily stresses. While out on the bike I a... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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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 Why I cycle

Why I cycle

Mainly I commute to work daily. I have been known to cycle a few miles to go for a swim and back again. Or to visit family up in the forest. So I would say I’m an experienced rider, but every ride ... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Over 40 years!

My husband and I bought ourselves some e-bikes in August after spending some time in France on e-bikes with my brother and his wife.
Absolutely loving it!
I am 61 and hubby turns 60 in Janu... read more

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

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I'm Retired & Vegan

I've always had a Bike but never new but last November i purchased a Electric Maintain bike just before my 70th birthday having moved to Forest 2 years before i try to go out most days unless it's ... read more

Topic: Other

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Image for story Route 45 - Cainscross (Stroud)-Woodchester-Nailsworth, and back

Route 45 - Cainscross (Stroud)-Woodchester-Nailsworth, and back

First ride for Bike Month was a family one. 44yF 41yM 8yF 7yM, hooking up 2 Cube bikes and 2 kids bikes onto our secondhand towbar rack. Literally bought this this morning from marketplace and it's... read more

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

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Image for story Our team ride for Ride Anywhere Week in Gloucester

Our team ride for Ride Anywhere Week in Gloucester

It was great to get out and enjoy the wonderful Gloucester Quays not far from the Thinktravel offices. We invited our newest member of the team and all enjoyed a cycle using the pool bikes we have ... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Image for story Returning to the Office but by Bike (for now)

Returning to the Office but by Bike (for now)

Despite cycling a lot in the last 10 years, I've never lived close enough for the commute to work to be practicable by bike.

Since joining the council in January I've been working from hom... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Churchdown Family Cycle Ride (NCN41)

Wanted to share a traffic-free route on the National Cycle Network (NCN41) for families with young children from Churchdown Parish Council/Playground/Park/Skatepark/BMX track to Gloucestershire Air... read more

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

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Image for story My daughters' love for their bikes

My daughters' love for their bikes

The start of university meant a bike in tow for all three daughters, one of whom is now fully grown up and cycling through London to work. I love this picture captured on a leisurely cycle ride by ... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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4000 Miles for 40

Lockdown has been tough on me and my family, so I'm trying to keep moving and positive, cycling and running are big outlets for that, a time to unwind and switch off, part of that has been to fundr... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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Get on Your Bike!

I severe lack of cash resulted in missing insurance payments on my car and the policy cancelled!
Luckily I had three bicycles in the shed all in various states of disrepair. Selecting the best... read more

Topic: Other

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Stories from around the world

Image for story Snoopy Trail

Snoopy Trail

Watch out for Snoopy's in and around Fleet Street this Christmas. 12 in all. Map available Fleet Street Quarter website.

Topic: Other

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Image for story From the heart

From the heart

A few years ago l collapsed on my bicycle and ended up with a triple heart bypass. I am now back as a volunteer rider for Cycling UK in Aberdeen.

I take people on small rides to give them ... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Wanting to Ride Again 🚲

[address removed]

Kia ora,

My name is Scott, I have been living with a permanent lower back injury that has affected the function of my right leg since 2014. My injury has resulte... read more

Topic: Other

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Image for story AWS outage weekend and doubled up log entries

AWS outage weekend and doubled up log entries

After the AWS problems last weekend, October 18-19 2025, I noticed an error on Monday 20th when I tried to log a ride. I tried again, and again, and later in the day I tried again. What I did not n... read more

Topic: Other

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The Best Thing To Ever Happen To Me!

Last year a friend let me borrow their hybrid bike - lightweight, fast, FUN. I instantly fell in love. Shortly after, I purchased my own (secondhand, my usual choice). Riding felt like - and still ... read more

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

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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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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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Learning as an Adult

For years I refused to ride a bike. It was a mixture of defiance and embarrassment that kept me feeling more independent clinging to the wheel of a car. A few months ago I made the decision to lear... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story We Fly As One

We Fly As One

I share my magpie attacks on YouTube and then post them on Social Media and one of my friends (who's a Collingwood Magpies supporter) suggested I change my top to Magpies Jersey. No chance in hell... read more

Topic: Other

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Image for story Inner Forth Bike Bus - Kelpsie to Charlestown

Inner Forth Bike Bus - Kelpsie to Charlestown

Kelpies to Charlestown: A Climate-Friendly Cycling Adventure

As part of the Fife Climate Festival, a group of 11 enthusiastic people took on a scenic and sustainable cycle journey from th... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story Try a Better Commute in the Energy Corridor

Try a Better Commute in the Energy Corridor

If you don’t have a bike, it’s hard to give bike commuting a try. But in west Houston's Energy Corridor, we’ve got a fix for that!

You can borrow a full bike commuting kit, including a hel... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story 100 mile goal!

100 mile goal!

Banff & Buchan Ranger Jodie Rhodes has cycled 100 miles in support of the Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SSPCA), and as part of Cycle September!

Setting off... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Image for story birthday bicycle

birthday bicycle

drinking buddies & appalachia quakers helped to purchase august - #bikeTober inkTobee bike

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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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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Wanting to Ride Again 🚲

Kia ora,

My name is Scott, I have been living with a permanent lower back injury that has affected the function of my right leg since 2014. My injury has resulted in being unable to ride a... read more

Topic: Other

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Image for story Quick stop for play in sand

Quick stop for play in sand

Love our bike rides around our beautiful home here on the sunshine coast

Topic: Ride with kids

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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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Ride in Cemeteries! (Respectfully, of course)

Riding in cemeteries is an underrated adventure by bike in spooky season and beyond. Tranquil landscaping, light traffic and winding roads make cemeteries ideal spots to enjoy a peaceful ride. Mean... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Image for story 300 KM of Silence and Spirit

300 KM of Silence and Spirit

A Personal Ride by me, Md. Imjamul Hoque Bhuiyan

It was still dark when I pulled my helmet strap tight. 5:30 a.m. — Chittagong still asleep, the streets hushed like dawn was holding its br... 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 Riding across our Kitchen!

Riding across our Kitchen!

We've created a fun little graphic on the kitchen whiteboard to entice colleagues to join our ride through Biketober! Hopefully the FOMO factor kicks in and more team mates get pedalling!

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story My Happy Place

My Happy Place

Moved up to the Sunshine Coast 2 years ago and wish I have done this sooner. I LOVE riding along the coastline of this beautiful location and the weather is a very nice bonus.

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

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Image for story Local MP supports Love to Ride Cycle September

Local MP supports Love to Ride Cycle September

A BIG thank you to Andy Macnae MP for supporting Cycle September. Andy joined Blackburn with Darwen Council officers and Pete from Love to Ride at Darwen Leisure centre last week to learn more abou... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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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 bicycle birthday

bicycle birthday

drinking buddies & appalachia quakers purchased me a inkTober bicycle

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Image for story EUROPEAN Divide Trail

EUROPEAN Divide Trail

Having now completed the 8000km ride, just want to try and encourage anyone who has struggled to get further or farther is my 8000km started in Covid riding one loop of the 32Km cycle route around ... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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