Cyclescheme

Stories from Cyclescheme

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

Image for story Cycling to the BL at Boston Spa

Cycling to the BL at Boston Spa

Cycling to the British Library at Boston Spa is a treat. The library is excellent; the staff helpful; the coffee very good. There is no public transport from York. But the best route for a cyclist ... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Image for story 13 stone weight loss with a lot of help from Cycling

13 stone weight loss with a lot of help from Cycling

Just over a year ago weighing 27 stone I finally decided to do something about my weight. I started with the diet but set myself 3 goals which I wanted to hit with the weight loss. 1) Start cycling... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Northumberland

I cant think of a better area to ride in than here. You want hills we got them, Coastal routes, rolling roads, AONB all in the one place. From Tynemouth up to Berwick

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

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The power of bikes and friendship

Having lived in London now for nearly 7 years, I'd mostly thought that those choosing to cycle everywhere were a bit crazy to do so. I mean... it doesn't rain on the tube...? And public transport i... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Wheel Replacement Saving

Had to replace my wheels on my hybrid commute bike as the rims were dilapidated. "29ers" were cheaper than "700c". NB unless you are running narrow tyres they are same ;)

Topic: My commute by bike

Image for story Racing the robins

Racing the robins

Cycling to work gives me the best start to every day. I'm lucky enough to commute via a cycle path that takes me out of the busy city for just a short while and it's bliss. Last week, a little robi... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Park Life

I am so lucky to be able to commute to work via a beautiful park, a moment to appreciate the open space en route to work.

Topic: My commute by bike

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Image for story Some days I go to work just so that I can do my bicycle commute

Some days I go to work just so that I can do my bicycle commute

People think I am crazy. a middle-aged (yes I have to write that now) female riding over 11 miles each way to work and back, year round. It took a little while to figure out that 1. there was a r... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Surprises galore!

So I cycle to work most days,I arrive at work at 5.30am (yes that time does actually exist!). As part of my route I cycle through Cannon Hill Park in Edgbaston opposite the The cricket place.. One ... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Different job = Cycle commuting and less stress

After years of spending 3+hrs a day commuting by car, I found a role in 2016 where i could cycle to work. Since then I have seen a significant change in my work/life balance and resultant stress le... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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My bike is fixed!

Had a nice ride to work today with my back breaks mended and my tyres pumped!

Topic: My commute by bike

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New commute

Loving my new commute via a folding bike and the train. Takes a little bit longer but a lot more enjoyable!

Topic: My commute by bike

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The hills of Arran

Every year, my partner and I head to Holland to go on a cycling holiday using the "Vrienden op de fiets" scheme which gives us the opportunity to stay with local cyclists and travel to unusual loca... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Image for story Andy's Riding back to health

Andy's Riding back to health

I have encouraged my friend Andy to come bike riding with me due to him been diagnosed with diabetes and also company for myself been a lady rider, he got a starter bike to see if he liked it and ... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story Return to cycling

Return to cycling

Always used to bike everywhere as a kid then life happened and it all got put to one side until a few years ago. My friend convinced me it would be a good idea to take up mountain biking! I went ou... read more

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

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Never stop

I've spent years cycle commuting. Anything from 2 to 32 miles each way. I have never driven a car didn't interest me for lots of reasons. I used to work promoting cycling, now i plan custom-buil... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Why I took part in Pedal for Scotland 2018

Back in April 2018, I decided I was going to get back in to cycling, and seeing my work place has a cycle scheme, decided to make use of it, as I set my self a target event After spending 3-4 we... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story First riding memories

First riding memories

I learnt to ride a tricycle at the age of 4-5 and at that time cycled up and down the pavement along a main road campaigning for my local M.P. I had strapped to my trike a notice saying "VOTE FOR B... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Image for story Come rain or shine

Come rain or shine

As a year-round commuter, I'm used to taking on all weathers. Energy-sapping heat, bone-chilling cold and everything in between. Having the right gear helps of course, but sometimes you just have ... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Riding 1000 miles in 7 days

Hi! Each year I raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support by taking on several tough cycling challenges, mostly of my own design. So far this year I've raised over £2000 which is amazing & wi... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story Hard to get back on

Hard to get back on

Used to commute to work everyday 20 miles but 2 accidents, a broken back, have made me rethink. Still trying but more social now so enjoying the cake stops. Happy rides😎

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

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Image for story Commuting to work (off road) in memory of my dad

Commuting to work (off road) in memory of my dad

Many years ago I used to cycle to work 16 miles each way and loved it. Until one day a driver thought he could be quicker than me and pulled out in front of me and I went through his windscreen. L... read more

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

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Wear your helmet.

I haven't ridden a bike in years but have a partner who is a cycling nut so I finally cracked and got a Liv Hybird through the cycle to work scheme. Between my partner's nagging and NR's terms and ... read more

Topic: Other

My Road to Recovery

Coming from a cycling family it won't be a surprise that I have been a cyclist all my life. However my cycling activity was curtailed after a cancer diagnosis and prostrate removal in March of this... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Image for story Mental health restart

Mental health restart

I've suffered from mental health problems for a few years following some trauma. I have tried everything to combat it until about 3 months ago when a colleague suggested the cycle to work scheme. I... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story My journey

My journey

I started cycling about 15 years ago. It was when I first moved to London from the countryside of Suffolk for university. I loved it and cycled a great deal. However, after a few years, some ill he... read more

Topic: My Bicycle Romance

School holidays bliss

Another great ride in, no traffic on the roads until I hit the road works - where I bumped into my cycling buddy I've not seen in a while. I've achieved so many PB's on Strava, but bumping into fri... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

loosing weight feeling fit loving my bike

I reluctantly started a Weight Watchers group, I knew I had to do something and reaching a milestone birthday gave me the push, I plodded on for several weeks and starting loosing really well, I ha... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

Soaked but smiling

An early start on Saturday morning as our local parkrun was cancelled. The plan that Matt and I had hatched was to ride to to Lancaster from Preston, join their parkrun and then ride home again. O... read more

Topic: Other

Image for story Cycle Holiday

Cycle Holiday

I started my romance with cycling a few years ago when I first bought a bike under the cycle to work scheme. I used to cycle from home in the Purbecks to Bournemouth Airport Business Park one day ... read more

Topic: My Bicycle Romance

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Image for story Recommend the cycle to work scheme!

Recommend the cycle to work scheme!

I finally got myself a new bike on the Cycle to work scheme and my daily commute is so much easier as I was using quite a heavy bike before which was also too big for me! I told the secretary at sc... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Portland to Weymouth Commute

I started off in January 2018 after two months without work, then got a job locally. My only option was to walk or get on a bike. My wifes old bike was in the garage and I decided to get on it and ... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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London to Rome

I took up cycling because it saved my life quite literally. On 1/4/2019, i was on day 3 of a ride down to Rome from London in 7 days to support a friend running the Maradona di Roma. It was magic... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Radiotherapist Cycling for Charity

Over the past few years I have set myself challenges to stretch my personal boundaries. These have been an opportunity to raise both funds and awareness of charities that mean something to me. In ... read more

Topic: Other

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Stories from around the world

This was crazy...

At a cycle park, well, me and my brother managed to race against each other, but then we heard screaming. We realised it was our sister rushing behind us... Thankfully, with our bikes, we managed t... read more

Topic: Other

Image for story The rainbow at the end of the storm

The rainbow at the end of the storm

The last 2 years I have been riding for the young man pictured in the attachment below. He has fought the fight with everything he had to offer. Through his courage and a community committed to hi... read more

Topic: Other

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

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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

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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

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Image for story Not UK, sorry, now in Seville!

Not UK, sorry, now in Seville!

We hired bikes for 24 hours and discovered this great place in the best way. Only the very crowded tourist heart better on foot, otherwise there is a fantastic network of paths all over the city. A... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Image for story Pitch in for a new bike track for Forfar Nursery and Preschool

Pitch in for a new bike track for Forfar Nursery and Preschool

Our not-for-profit community preschool is running its annual Trike-a-Thon this Saturday. We are fundraising for a new bike track with better drainage, so the track is accessible to our Tamariki all... read more

Topic: Ride with kids

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Power of the Pedal

Loving the fact I can travel to work faster by bike than by taking the car! I feel very satisfied as I zoom past the stationery traffic stuck in the morning and evening traffic jams. All viwed from... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Cycling can be addictive!

I've previously mentioned how circumstances got me back on the bike last year. Since buying my ebike in August last year, I've ridden almost 4500 km on it. I love the bike and the riding experien... read more

Topic: My Bicycle Romance

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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

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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

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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

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Alps to Ocean

Most amazing cycle trail -- spectacular scenery and lots of fun physical challenges -- although best part by far was meeting golden-oldies were totally kicking it -- So, so inspiring -- If you ever... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Toddler and music

Somehow having a toddler on the back gives a perfectly valid excuse to blast some tunes on the bike... From Disney bangers to fat freddys, bring on the day!

Topic: My commute by bike

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Image for story My happy places x 2

My happy places x 2

So, I booked a weekend in Christchurch with goal of finding 'the bike'. I walked Sumner/Redcliffs pathway (Happy place no. 1 the beach)Then returned the next day to 'christen' my new bike on the sa... read more

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

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Image for story What to do with unused pavement chalks

What to do with unused pavement chalks

I saw my neighbours outside with their wee one on his little balance bike. I looked at my box of unused pavement chalk sitting around and knew what needed to happen. Some time and a combined effo... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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