… but the Love to Ride UK and the Cyclescheme 7 week challenge has made me appreciate how many others are taking up cycling (or cycle to work already). An online community such as this helps to r... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

A few weeks ago I was coming home in the evening with two mates in time trial mode. It was dark but we had good lights. I was second and a naughty badger managed to run between me and the lead ride... read more

Topic: Other

6

From the title, it sounds more than madness. Well, it is true, but more than exaggerated :P

I started commuting to and fro place when I was in uni. Before I went to university I always wan... read more

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

2

I didn't learn to cycle as a kid. I tried, but I didn't get on with it and gave up instead. Then in 2010 I got a new job at the hospital in Leicester. I gleefully turned up on my first day and disc... read more

I have been cycling to work for over 6 years. Taking a car was never an option, for cost, car availability, ecology reasons, and I’ve never regularly commuted by motorised individual traffic all my... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

I've been cycling to work regularly for the last 3 years, and over that time have managed to get the 15 mile route down to what I thoug was a fairly respectable 40 minute ride.

As part of ... read more

Once upon a time, I swam 2 miles, twice per week at speed. I thought this chlorine in the pool is a bit much! I thought, I wonder if its feasible to cycle the 25 miles each way to work and back. So... read more

I started riding a bike regularly last year after our car was written off. I pulled the old beater mountain bike out the shed and gave it a go. I quickly upgraded to an inherited hybrid I found mys... read more

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

7

I started cycling as a way to save money on travel costs in London and to help burn some calories. I stopped when I took a job closer to home. Since being involved in the 7 week challenge ot has re... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

Challenging cycle in especially with my panniers that act like sails of a boat! Still mild enough for t-shirt though. Wind is tough to cycle in but still enjoying being outside exercising in summer... read more

I recently got my first road bike on cycle to work and I am commuting 7 km across central Edinburgh to work. My commute starts with a lovely big hill out of the Dean Village. The first time I did i... read more

My first memory of cycling as a boy was when I was doing a sprint and braked too quickly when I managed to do a somersault holding on to the handlebars and still landed the bike square on the pavem... read more

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

I started cycling to work this year and I've never felt better!

After coming off my bike 4 weeks ago and having 3 weeks of treatment and an X-ray, I finally rode my bike again yesterday and managed 17 miles around the hill.
Such a good feeling to be back cy... read more

Another commute to work by bike, this morning in rain. Less cyclists but slower journey. All things considered I don't mind the rain it's always better than getting the tube!!

:)

I like cycling down the canal towpath. The end.

I started cycling (after a 25+ year break!) after retiring from rugby about 3 years ago. Now I commute 18 miles a day, 3 days a week and really love it.

The best part of this is teaching ... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

6

I started with a small section of my commute by bike due to a foot injury. After being initially terrified of rising in a city, I quickly enjoyed the freedom. After treating myself to a second hand... read more

Topic: Other

1

5

David Le Bon I love cycling I do it every day to go to work and 5 times a week and I love it. It makes me feel good it is like being... read more

I love cycling I do it every day to go to work and 5 times a week and I love it. It makes me feel good it is like being free especially when the weather is beautiful.

Frustrated by public transport I started cycling to work in 1980 at the age of 33. At the time this amounted to a 25 mile daily round trip between the outskirts of London and the West End. Sadly fo... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

2

Russell Catchpole How's your back now? I got back into cycling after a long break for the same reason as you, I would get severe pain after s... read more

How's your back now? I got back into cycling after a long break for the same reason as you, I would get severe pain after standing for a few minutes. This went on for 2 years nearly. After a few months cycling the pain had completely disappeared, 18 months on my back is still great and I'm fitter than I have been for years! Now I'm commuting over 28 miles each way at least once a week + other rides too :-)

Graham Watkins My back's great thanks. Keep up the cycle commuting. It's the thing I miss most about work.

My back's great thanks. Keep up the cycle commuting. It's the thing I miss most about work.

I guess like a lot of folks, I rode a bike as a youngster mainly to get around and go further afield. Dabbled with a mountain bike when kids were younger (usually one on the back in his seat). 4 ye... read more

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

1

3

Mark Hurst PS I'm almost 52

PS I'm almost 52

I was happy to change jobs in 2018 meaning I could cycle 20 miles a day to work and back. Helping me stay stress free, fit and help the environment. Even through winter I set myself a personal goal... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

I started riding just of 14 years ago - a short 1/2 day cycle hire with a mate in Sardinia. In 2006 I managed to ride a total of 1,000 miles & I was absolutely delighted with myself!

E... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

6

My favourite hill is the one from Elslack to Lothersdale, there is some beautiful scenery and a few intense 12% climbs and sharp corners. You get a huge sense of achievement when you reach the top ... read more

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

When the local Authority I work for relocated to an "environmental centre" outside town, the number of Folk cycling to work dropped off. This is due to the office being on a steep hill and having l... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

2

I used to ride loads as a kid but then drifted away from it after taking up rock climbing at Uni. A few years ago some work colleagues got me back in to it, and what a blessing in disguise that tur... read more

Topic: Other

2

My life changed when I was introduced to riding with Breeze network, not many miles but with encouragement from leaders and cycling buddies, I soon got the bug and enjoyed cycling into the wolds an... read more

Topic: Other

4

Back to riding after ten years or so mainly thanks to all the share bike schemes around...
Got my first ever brommie through cycle scheme and loving it!

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

I am 62 years old and have rheumatoid arthritis and recently my walking has become very painful, so I asked the nurse what would help me to still get exercise and she recommended cycling. I had a ... read more

Gill Wood Actually reading through this site I think perhaps I should not be on here as I don't work due to the rheumatoid arthritis ... read more

Actually reading through this site I think perhaps I should not be on here as I don't work due to the rheumatoid arthritis please let me know if I should not post on her, many thanks. I just thought the site was to encourage others to ride their bikes more. Sorry if I was wrong.

John Newell anyone who inspires others to ride a bike belongs here. You certainly do.

anyone who inspires others to ride a bike belongs here. You certainly do.

Richard Beale I quite agree

I quite agree

Show 1 more comments

Heavy legs, post gym aches and 5 days of continual cycling.

Roll on rest day :)

No complaints however, the roads were nice and quiet too!

After a serious illness a few years ago, I put on a bit of weight and my fitness suffered because of damage to my lungs. I've been walking to work occasionally, but I finally decided to get a new b... read more

We've cycled through the seasonal summer without the ice,
And at rare times the sunshine which was nice,
Getting up extra early to cycle by the deer,
Or the birds of prey swooping pa... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

9

Part of my commute home used to be by Sarehole Mill (part of the inspiration for Lord of the Rings) in Moseley Birmingham. There is a short cut around the back that either goes through the ford, if... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

3

Mark is the reason I took up cycling after 30 years. When he calmly announced to the office he had a couple of months to live, we all asked what we could do. Laughing his head off he said “cycle fr... read more

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

1

14

Clare Cassidy That's a lovely thing to have done, well done.

That's a lovely thing to have done, well done.

As a commuter, I often have problems with punctures and with overall bike maintenance. My ambition is to be able to carry out simple maintenance tasks myself, without having to take the bike into ... read more

I vividly remember the dreaded day mum took the training wheels off my bike and took me and my brother down to a park in Brookfield to ride without the stability and reliance of those extra two whe... read more

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

13

My daughter started to cycle again at the end of last summer, which she hadn't done since she was at primary school (she's now post-University). This summer she's taken it a lot more seriously, and... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

1

Myself and fellow Research Nurse Janine started riding with each other for light relief from our slave driving partners. However with a little help from our friend Strava we have become competitive... read more

Maybe like me, your work is desk-based. Sometimes my cycle commute is the only exercise I get during the working day.
It’s partly because of being office-bound that I like to spend time outdoo... read more

I stared riding my bike 7 years ago thanks to my husband, I have since then ridden the Northumberland coast to coast both ways over 4 days, I have ridden my first 200K audax ( up the downs) I have ... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

1

6

Adrian Lewis Great advice. Similarly I came off head first and the helmet saved me! The transcontinental race is on my radar too, but w... read more

Great advice. Similarly I came off head first and the helmet saved me! The transcontinental race is on my radar too, but when I don’t know. Won by a lady I think this year. You next?

For those with children and a '9-5' office job, it's difficult to make 'me' time, let alone motivate yourself to use the time to exercise. For me the balance came by ditching the car and commuting ... read more

I am not a cyclist, but I do want to be. I try to make sure I ride when I can around town. I just got a "beach cruiser" in addition to my now dusty hybrid. I am loving it so far. It's a great yello... read more

Topic: My Bicycle Romance

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5

Drew Brown when you stop loving it, you stop riding. Don't stop loving the ride

when you stop loving it, you stop riding. Don't stop loving the ride

As I were younger I did a lot of riding, mostly mountain biking but also road or trials riding.. Life takes over and the kids grow, now its time to get back on the bike. It's been road bikes for th... read more

Topic: My Bicycle Romance

3

Today I rode just over 15 miles to Newcastle and back home again, my bum hurts like no tomorrow but I actually loved it the cycle route is right next to the river tyne its also so diverse I've ridd... read more

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

I started riding to work 2 years ago with the aim to get fit and now as a 50 year old with 4 bikes and my second Ride London under my belt and plans to do the Fred Whitton Challenge next year I don... read more

I turn 40 this year. To celebrate, I'm setting off tomorrow to ride from Brighton to Paris. I've always wanted to complete the Avenue Verte route - and I've done the London - Newhaven section, so i... read more

I put off commuting by bike as I thought it would be just a little too far to do both before and after work. Ive done it a few times now and even the first ride wasn't as bad as I thought it would ... read more

I have only just recently bought a bike after years of thinking I should be cycling to work. I had ruptured two ligaments in my ankle in a footballing injury at the beginning of last year and have ... read more

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

3

I am now back to my daily "Bike to Work" habit. Enjoying it in the summer weather and across new small 'bike-friendly' streets I am discovering day after day (also thks to some smart Apps).
Hap... read more

About five years ago, I moved to a new house to be only 3 miles away from work.
It made sense to buy a bicycle and begin commuting in a healthier way and so I purchased a cheap bike (£89) from... read more

Topic: Other

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3

Lucy Giuliano Thank you for sharing this story Garry, glad to hear the Cedric 450 is still going strong!

Thank you for sharing this story Garry, glad to hear the Cedric 450 is still going strong!

They say if you're tired of London then you're tired of life... I fully agree! The energy of the city, and the (some may surprising) beauty of the city - the plentiful parks, the river, the histori... read more

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

1