Greater Manchester

Stories from Greater Manchester

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

The Road is Safer

I'm biking form home (Monton) to Tameside hospital. I've gone various routes across Manchester....I've got to say the safest fastest route has been into MC town centre and up Hyde Road...however do... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Image for story Cycling for transport, exercise and fun!

Cycling for transport, exercise and fun!

I started cycling during lockdown and now ride most days to work, the shops or to see friends! I'm loving it and have started riding in the evenings to enjoy the sunset.

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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Up Holme Moss & over the tops back to Glossop

I have recently purchased a few bikes, mainly to help me into my flexible retirement, but mostly as a way to enjoy the fact that despite the pandemic, life can still bring rewards. So with that in... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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Image for story Airport Orbital and Stop at Jolly Sailor

Airport Orbital and Stop at Jolly Sailor

Me and 4 friends have got together to lose weight, keep fit and cycle around our local area. We like the Manchester Airport Orbital Route and the new A555 Bypass too. We have started cycling most ... read more

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

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Life on my Own

Riding can sometimes be a solo experience...no one there to see you flying over the handle, bars, walking home with a flat tyre, spiking your shin on the peddles, p*** wet through! cryin to yoursel... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story To Hull and back

To Hull and back

Zeeland, well what an adventure. It all began with a 'thinking aloud' post on Facebook. Wouldn't it be good if…. Now lots of people said it would be and there it sat. We all did nothing. Club ru... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Image for story Fabulous views, free commute and free exercise

Fabulous views, free commute and free exercise

Every day I cycle along Newcastle / Gateshead Quayside to and from work. The views are great, including: Robert Stephenson's High Level Bridge (1849) - the world's first double decker bridge (tra... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Image for story Sharing my passion

Sharing my passion

I started commuting by bike to work about 5 years ago when I first moved to the UK. I got given a very old purple mountain bike by one of our regulars in the pub where I worked. It was a very espec... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Save the Planet!

I started cycle commuting in 1984, at the age of 22. I was fed up of waiting in the cold for a bus, and a friend offered to lend me her bike whilst she wasn't using it. I had the luxury of five gea... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Turning to the dark side

Well actually, just riding in the dark... Before the pandemic, I cycled to and from the train station every day, all year, in all weather. So what lighting do I recommend? Flashing lights... read more

Topic: Other

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Meeting old friends

I took the opportunity of Cycle September to arrange to see my mates from University. We had not met up for 10 years and it was great to get together on a cycle ride on the Tissington Trail in Derb... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Wheelie excited to be back on my bike!

After a fall a few years ago I never worked up the courage to get back on my bike, until being inspired by Cycle September. Since then I've loved riding my bike to work or to the shops, come rain (... read more

Topic: Carbon Crushers

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Image for story MGTYouth Bike rides

MGTYouth Bike rides

Manchester’s Got Talent is a Youth group set up during Covid Lockdown to respond to the local needs of teenagers and parents and fill the gap left where many charities shut down or sent staff on ... read more

Topic: Other

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4 year old loving the tag along

Our 4 year old learned to ride a bike about 6 months ago, but she's still a bit young for longer family trips, and getting too heavy for the bike seat! Buying a second hand tag along has been the b... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Image for story A cracking climb to see the best view in the country

A cracking climb to see the best view in the country

The great thing about the Ribble Valley (30 miles north of Manchester) is that sooner of later you bump into a hill. Getting fit on a bike happens quicker when you're up against the force of an up... read more

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

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Trans Pennine Trail: Altrincham-Warrington

You will find me on bike rides along the Trans Pennine Trail from Altrincham to Warrington. It is a safe and long straight route for a pleasant ride. A shared path with walkers, horse riders and ... read more

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

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Cycle in my dresses to and from work

A colleague of mine wrote to me last week - she had ventured out on her bike and tried the home to work commute from Stretford to the city centre - using the pop up Chester Rd cycle lane. She'd be... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story My 50th Birthday Charity Fund Raiser

My 50th Birthday Charity Fund Raiser

Well here I go again, though I've told My better half this will be the last one! My 50th this March, I'd thought for some years about doing the Lakesman this particular year. An Iron Man distance ... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story Cargo bike

Cargo bike

Having bought a cargo bike, it's enabled my commute via nursery to be a quicker and easier journey. I love the fact we can also do a food shop on the way home or pop to the park with bits ready for... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Image for story Trans-Pennine Trail, Fallowfield Loop, Peak Forest Canal

Trans-Pennine Trail, Fallowfield Loop, Peak Forest Canal

Hi There, I'd like to share this circular route, as lots of people in Manchester and Stockport will love it. It takes in part of the Trans-Pennine Trail, Fallowfield loop and Peak Forest Canal, is... read more

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

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Image for story Slow cycling

Slow cycling

I have almost never been a fast cycler. Even when I was going full tilt, there were always other people going faster. I no longer have any bikes with drop handlebars. I like to sit up and look at t... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Working at hospital

I am very happy to use my bicycle to get to Stepping Hill Hospital from Sale. Using my bicycle takes my to my workplace and keeps me fit. Stretching my legs after the shift standing up! Great for m... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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Image for story Me and the lads

Me and the lads

Motivated my mates for a ride beyond their limits on an early Sunday morning. From Oldham to Bury. To local authority areas in less than 3 hours there and back.

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story The time I accidentally went to Wales

The time I accidentally went to Wales

A few years ago, I set out on a mission to do 120 km in one day, for the Strava Gran Fondo challenge. It was a grey day, a bit rainy, but at least it was warm. I stopped for lunch in Chester, and l... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Image for story Hilly Blasters

Hilly Blasters

I’m a Breeze Champion and for the last 2 or 3 years I’ve led a Thursday night, hilly ride which has proved popular with a core group of die hard riders. We motivate each other and our fitness has g... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story Mother and daughter

Mother and daughter

Encouraged by my daughter to get back cycling. This photo shows us both out today on the Carrington Moss Estate. This is a beautiful place to get outdoors and take in the Natural beauty that surr... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Starting a Trend

Ive been cycling for a while. When my boyfriends' housmate was furloughed, his housemate brought a bike, and started cycling around Manchester. This was great news, and after borrowing the bike a ... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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My favourite way to move

Before lockdown and Cycle September I did most of my travelling around the city by bus or Uber. Now I cycle everywhere! I really enjoy it, it minimises unnecessary contact on public transport and ... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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Old Trafford to Pennington Warf

The cycle from Pennington Warf > Old Trafford back is such a nice way to unwind after a tough working week. I always find the people on the route to be respectful and friendly. There are some gr... read more

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

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Image for story A forced break from riding my bike

A forced break from riding my bike

Just a short story to say I was in target to hit 8000 miles this year and loving life on my bike, which includes my first camping bike packing experience. Unfortunately I freak incident knocked me ... read more

Topic: Other

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Cycling again!

I like to cycle and in the past I used to cycle a lot. After the knee surgery I was unable to cycle all the way to my workplace and than cycle to carry out inspections around Manchester. Cycle Se... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Image for story After-work ride to fly the flag for Walk the Plank

After-work ride to fly the flag for Walk the Plank

With just one last opportunity to get in a few miles I took the chance of working from home this afternoon so that I could also get in one last ride for the arts company I work for, Salford-based W... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Whale of a time

Having not rode a bike in years I bought a bike and cycled to and from work. Found it in Invigorating, fresh, although a little tiring. Will continue to ride, ride, ride.

Topic: My commute by bike

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Image for story Physical and Mental Health

Physical and Mental Health

As a Registered Nurse and mother of extremely vulnerable daughter. Cycling has kept us fit and healthy during the Coronavirus Era. Cycling on the beautiful country side of Carrington Moss.

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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Image for story Carrington Moss

Carrington Moss

Being a Nurse needed to spend this Era looking after my physical and mental health. Have lived in the area for many years and never have taken the time out to cycle this beautiful green space. It... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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Stories from around the world

Image for story Fernyhalgh Wood

Fernyhalgh Wood

The way I believe in the circle ⭕️ as the cycle exists.make the world better place for everyone to be happy 😃. Enjoy the ride with a lot of memories.

Topic: A happy riding memory

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

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

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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

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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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

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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

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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

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