Bristol

Stories from Bristol

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

Image for story Things you'd never see otherwise

Things you'd never see otherwise

Would never have come across this army of pomeranians if I hadn't been out on my bike the other day! A local safari

Topic: Other

2
11
Image for story The best lights ever

The best lights ever

The S33N lights are so great! Bristol business and super unique. They can’t be stolen, can’t fall off and the AA battery keeps them simple and helps us be more efficient consumers. When my last lig... read more

Topic: Other

1
4
Image for story Sunday ride up A38 to Alveston church 04-12-2022

Sunday ride up A38 to Alveston church 04-12-2022

It was a serene cold Sunday afternoon and after a hot meal of my favourite soya curry and chapattis, I thought I should shake off my laziness and venture into the cold on my bicycle. Once you are o... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

10

health and cycling

Richard Hurst started cycling to get to work easier in the centre of town, where a car was not essential. Him and his family never looked back, and don’t need two cars anymore. Richard’s senior rol... read more

Topic: My Bicycle Romance

1
11
Image for story A bike adventure for the Bike Month Challenge!

A bike adventure for the Bike Month Challenge!

The weather this weekend was so gorgeous that I couldn’t have possibly made an excuse to not get out on my bike. I spotted a nature reserve on the map only a few miles from home that I’d never been... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

1
16
Image for story It's (almost) always ride weather!

It's (almost) always ride weather!

A couple of weekends ago the forecast was rain, rain and some more rain. I had planned to do my first ever 100-mile bike ride, what to do? I decided that all winter long the weather might have o... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

2
27
Image for story This #CycleSeptember has doubled my average cycling distance!

This #CycleSeptember has doubled my average cycling distance!

I got into cycling last year thanks to the earlier Cycling initiatives from 'Love To Ride' but my capacity was no more than 10-12 kms at a time. This challenge has only deepened my 'Cycling Romance... read more

Topic: My Bicycle Romance

11

Blue flame

A lovely easy ride out for a drink in the sunny evening with beautiful Kate. First ride for her in years, wont be the last

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

5
Image for story Fitness

Fitness

Cycling has helped change my life. From overweight coach potato to lean mean cycling machine. 25 St 54w type 2 dietbeties to 12 St 32 w fit healthy and happy

Topic: Other

1
20

Getting back in the saddle

First ride out probably since before the pandemic last weekend and it was lush! I got out of the habit of cycling to work a while back and forgot how glorious it can be getting out in the countrysi... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

4
Image for story Beautiful Britain By Bike - Day 3

Beautiful Britain By Bike - Day 3

Beautiful Britain By Bike - Day Three. A historic tour of Somerset & Dorset. Today's commute took us to Somerton, Ancient Royal Town of Wessex. Our adventure began under blue skies as we s... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

8
Image for story Beautiful Britain By Bike - Day 3

Beautiful Britain By Bike - Day 3

A historic tour of Somerset & Dorset. Today's commute took us to Somerton, Ancient Royal Town of Wessex. Our adventure began under blue skies as we set off towards the old Roman town of Ilch... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

2
Image for story Beautiful Britain By Bike - Day 1

Beautiful Britain By Bike - Day 1

The North Wessex Downs. I'm on annual leave so am taking the opportunity to explore a few new places. After a 75 minute commute to Pangbourne, we set off to explore the quiet country lanes of West... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

3
Image for story Lockdown Holiday-Cycle Challenge

Lockdown Holiday-Cycle Challenge

Set out this morning on my challenge to ride my longest ride 50 miles in a single activity. Packed lunch, bottles of water and an afternoon treat Eccles Cake. Heading out of the city towards the c... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

2

Cycling preseved my mental wellbeing

Following my partner being admitted to hospital earlier this year, I found myself valuing cycling even more than before. I began to almost look at my bike as an old friend who transported me across... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

2
Image for story Double child cycle to nursery!

Double child cycle to nursery!

For the car free day we decided to trial cycling both kids (1 and 3years old) to nursery. The kids loved it! Having the oldest on the front meant we could discuss traffic lights, cars and indicatin... read more

Topic: Carbon Crushers

9
Image for story Bristol Family Cycling Centre

Bristol Family Cycling Centre

I had a fantastic day yesterday helping out at the Bristol Family Cycling Centre in Hengrove, and still can't believe how many people turned up to the sessions despite the torrential downpour! If ... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

2
7
Image for story Bristol to Bath and beyond...

Bristol to Bath and beyond...

Bristol to Bath cycle path. As far as you want to cycle without the car traffic. A must in Bristol.

Topic: My commute by bike

1
7

Cycle around Blaise Estate and the Hazel Brook

I went around Blaise Castle Estate after cycling there via the Henbury Lodge entrance. This takes you past the Timber Lodge and Wood,an’s cottage. You can then visit the House, and cycle all the wa... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

9

A trip around the Avon cycle way

After being in lockdown & isolation for 3 months my friend & I both in our sixties decided to plan an epic cycle to celebrate our release. We chose to complete a full loop of the Avon cycle... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

2
5
Image for story Rediscovering the Beautiful City of Bristol

Rediscovering the Beautiful City of Bristol

I'd like to focus and share some of the many positive aspects of 'Lockdown' that I have enjoyed and experienced. Noticing and listening intently to the dawn and evening chorus of the many differen... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

1
9

Bid By Bike

Since the UK went into lockdown, I have ridden 243 miles around the Bristol City Centre BID area. I’m out on my bike every morning to check our city to ensure it stays ready for business by repo... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

1
7
Image for story Ride to Portishead!

Ride to Portishead!

Lush ride to Portishead with a nice break in the weather :)

Topic: A happy riding memory

3
Image for story Hello Old Friend

Hello Old Friend

I'm happy to say that my trusty (and slightly dusty) bike has once again seen the light of day. With work only a 30-minute walk away, I found myself putting off getting on my bike. In part, beca... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

2
33
Image for story A page from my cycling diary: Up A38 to Falfield and Stone 24-09-2022

A page from my cycling diary: Up A38 to Falfield and Stone 24-09-2022

Ever wondered how the long long never ending A38 which leads into Midlands looks like beyond Alveston / Thornbury? Me too! I had been to Itchington a couple of times before and also once to Tytheri... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

1
8
Image for story My 140-Mile Commute for Unicef

My 140-Mile Commute for Unicef

At the start of March feeling appalled at Putin's invasion of Ukraine and powerless to help I decided to donate some money to one of the charities I felt was likely to do meaningful work for the af... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

1
23
Image for story What a way to start the day!

What a way to start the day!

I hopped on my bike for my first day at the office in 2022, and like pretty much every time I ride to work, I was surprised by how great it made me feel - and it's my job to tell people that! Fl... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

13
Image for story Joanne Blair is the DAC Beachcroft #CycleSeptember Star 2021!

Joanne Blair is the DAC Beachcroft #CycleSeptember Star 2021!

Joanne had not cycled since she was a schoolgirl of 12 but had a real urge to get back on 2 wheels this September. She had been a close watcher of all our DACB cycling / walking events for years, a... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

4
18
Image for story How lucky am I?

How lucky am I?

Like many others I was stuck at home through lockdown and had become a bit sedentary when it came to exercise. Deciding enough was enough It was time to get back on my bike. I always use to commute... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

1
13

My first century

Trying to cycle more this month and on Saturday I cycled over 100 miles for charity. Didn't think I would ever get to this point but can't believe how much the enjoyment of a day in the sun and the... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

7
Image for story First timer up Cheddar Gorge

First timer up Cheddar Gorge

Having been building up her cycling abilities over lockdown Judy my sister-in-law has come on in leaps and bounds since this time last year. Even took on her first sportive in September, which took... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

8
Image for story Cycling in Wales

Cycling in Wales

Wales was out of bounds for English cyclists for many months. Very frustrating for Bristol cyclists, given the enticing sight of the Welsh hills from Bristol and surrounding areas. But understandab... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

1
8
Image for story Beautiful Britain By Bike - Day 2

Beautiful Britain By Bike - Day 2

Corinium Dobunnorum Loop of the Cotswolds- a step back in time exploring the deserted lanes of an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Today's commute took us to Cirencester - the forecast was f... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

5
Image for story Beautiful Britain By Bike - Day 2

Beautiful Britain By Bike - Day 2

Beautiful Britain By Bike - Day Two. Corinium Dobunnorum Loop of the Cotswolds- a step back in time exploring the deserted lanes of an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Today's commute took ... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

3
Image for story Lockdown Holiday-Cycle Challenge

Lockdown Holiday-Cycle Challenge

Set out this morning on my challenge to ride my longest ride 50 miles in a single activity. Packed lunch, bottles of water and an afternoon treat Eccles Cake. Heading out of the city towards the c... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

6
Image for story Cycling at night

Cycling at night

It’s been rare to cycle after dark recently, especially under lockdown. When things were open I was able to swim each evening; a perfect way to complement my cycling exercise. That’s not possible j... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

1
2
Image for story Saturday morning carbon crushing

Saturday morning carbon crushing

Rushing to meet some friends for a road ride on Saturday I noticed the headset was loose. I grabbed the Allen keys and got adjusting keeping one eye on the clock. In my haste, I overtightened the b... read more

Topic: Carbon Crushers

1
6
Image for story New Discovery ‘The Dramway’

New Discovery ‘The Dramway’

Cycle September has encouraged me to get out on my bike and to explore further afield to clock up the miles. Sunday decided to cycle Fir the first time the section of The Dramway from the Bristol ... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

7
Image for story Pill to Bristol Cycle Path

Pill to Bristol Cycle Path

I am very fortunate to work/support young people. Today I was able to encourage and support a young person to join me on a ‘Social Distancing’ cycle ride along the Cycle path which runs along The ... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

7
Image for story Bristol to ...... along the Avon & Kennet canal

Bristol to ...... along the Avon & Kennet canal

Really enjoyable ride along the canal. We started out from just west of Bristol and took the cycle path to Bath and joined the canal tow path and just kept going... The path is poor in places (espe... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

7

St Philips Greenway

Coming back from an appointment at The Paintworks on Bath Rd to Bedminster I discovered I could get straight onto St Philips Greenway and ride alongside the River Avon for half the journey. A very... read more

Topic: Other

1
5

Exploring the local area

While being confined to the area around my home on the edge of Bristol has been a great excuse to explore. From the cycle path taking a slightly different exit i have discovered the common at mango... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

5
Image for story Canal

Canal

Had a lovely ride along the Kennit and Avon Canal, I cycled my husband walked it was beautiful weather. I am trying to keep fit and stay well mentally so to get those endorphin rising cycling is ... read more

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

9

discovering Bristols cycle network

During this time of lock down and being made re-redundant I have been exploring Bristol by bike. I discovered the festival line and i think it is one of the nicest ride I have been on for a while.... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

16

Stories from around the world

Image for story 20,000 miles

20,000 miles

This is Robert. Robert cycles several times a week with us at simplycycling. Since he started his journey he has recorded every mile in a hand written journal. We had a little presentation to celeb... read more

Topic: Other

2
Image for story What a wonderful way to start the week!

What a wonderful way to start the week!

I took my beautiful daughter to the child minder for the first time today. We rode in the cargo bike and what a wonderful start to the week it was! The sun is shining. The sky is blue and people co... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

3
Image for story Finally got out there

Finally got out there

I realised that my commute to work In Hamilton (usually about 14 minutes by car) could be totally different by bike, as I could make use of the amazing Waikato River Te Awa trail. The Aotearoa Bik... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

5
Image for story Why I Love to Ride

Why I Love to Ride

I moved to Cambridge in 1999 as a young adult, and after commuting by bus for a while I switched to cycling, and have been a transport cyclist ever since. When I had a baby I stopped cycling for a ... read more

Topic: My Bicycle Romance

Image for story Joining the Fold!!

Joining the Fold!!

I work in the Centre of Cambridge, 8am- 4pm Monday to Friday. I used to drive everyday from my home in Haverhill to my work. Leaving work at 4pm it used to take me 25 minutes to cover 2.8 miles thr... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

5
Image for story The bridge to nowhere

The bridge to nowhere

Visited the famous bridge to nowhere in Bristol on a sunny Sunday after just having snowed the day before :)

Topic: Other

3