Stories from Devon

I have been riding this area through lockdown and now at the weekend. This ride gives me hills flat and curved areas which is lovely, and all the time I have a sea view. I often stop to chat to oth... read more

Rode to work on the first day of the year. Bit chilly, but worth it Forgot to bring a shirt to change into. Luckily left an emergency one in the office!

Topic: My commute by bike

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I’d planned a longer bike excursion on Saturday but the weather was just horrible, with persistent rain, dark and with poor visibility. On this route, there are some effective way points which appr... read more

Learning to cycle means I can volunteer on nature reserves. There are no nature reserves within walking distance of our home in Chulmleigh. Learning to ride last year has increased my opportunities... read more

Topic: Carbon Crushers

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I love riding in the rain! The key is to be prepared and have waterproof clothing for both top and bottom halves of your body. Also, make sure your bike's lights are working. You will probably r... read more

With the Autumn nights quickly drawing in our ladies only BMXercise session at Tiverton track means we have to curtail riding on the track. Not quite ready to stop riding our bikes meant we practis... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Tom Darville Is that a Kuwahara?

Is that a Kuwahara?

Paula Hallett Yes it is Tom

Yes it is Tom

With the gyms being shut and having to social distance. I decided to make use of my mountain bike that had been kept in a shed since I brought it on the nhs cycle scheme. After a few weeks of c... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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Richard Lake Well done Anna, its great to hear stories like this! I hope your experience inspires and gives confidence to others to go a... read more

Well done Anna, its great to hear stories like this! I hope your experience inspires and gives confidence to others to go and do the same.

3 generations riding, youngest grandaughter Hallie,4, youngest daughter, eldest son (Hallie's dad), myself and Hallie's other Nanny, first time on a BMX for Jackie and she did brilliantly. Plus we... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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I’ve just had a lovely cycle along the Tarka trail with my friend Jane. We had a a nice catch up whilst taking in the fabulous views along the estuary. Total therapy session:)

Topic: Other

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I've got back into the habit of cycling, and really enjoy going out to Turf and back. Last week, I went a little bit further, near Powderham, and watched the sunset. It was a lovely way to spend a ... read more

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

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I love riding trails and DH on my bike, but what I’ve really enjoyed recently is showing other ladies this love of MTB in Cann Woods. We have a Devon Ladies MTB group on FB where we arrange rides.

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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I am going to be moving out on my own soon so I've been stepping up my bike game to try and get by without needing a car. There are plenty of cycle routes around my new place and I will be able to... read more

Hannah Page This is a lovely story Rachel :)

This is a lovely story Rachel :)

Rachel B Thank you! ^u^

Thank you! ^u^

On World Bicycle Day, we cycled along the glorious Exe Estuary Cycle Path to Lympstone. With our son in the trailer (alongside his bucket and spade) - we ditched the busy Exeter roads and opted for... read more

We made the leap and scrapped our car last May - now our bikes and trailer have become our car. We still hire cars if we need to travel further afield (both sets of parents live in the middle of no... read more

Rachel B I'm planning on staying without a car when I move out on my own soon - my parents also live out in the middle of nowhere so... read more

I'm planning on staying without a car when I move out on my own soon - my parents also live out in the middle of nowhere so I've been trying to work out how best to get to them to visit! I have had comments about losing independence if I'm without a car but your story makes me feel more confident about my choice :)

Hannah Page Ah, I can highly recommend Co-Cars, which is the car club we use, they also hire out e-bikes as part of their fleet. We hav... read more

Ah, I can highly recommend Co-Cars, which is the car club we use, they also hire out e-bikes as part of their fleet. We have cycled to my husbands parents on Dartmoor - it was definitely a challenge and combined train & cycling to my parents. I think it's just the 'norm' when it comes to owning a car for many - we had a lot of very surprised friends and family who I think thought they would never see us again!

Rachel B Thank you Hannah, that's really helpful! :D

Thank you Hannah, that's really helpful! :D

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I use my bike most days normally. I also walk. In fact I normally clock up at least 100 miles a month on the bike, 20 miles in the swimming pool and 15 or so on foot. Come the first lockdown I w... read more

Cycling my children home in the dark on busy streets- and through a pitch black park- was a bit of a worry, so we added a lot of lights to the trailer! Now I've got two flashing rear lights on the ... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Hannah Page Amazing! Can I ask where you got the strip from? I would love to do the same for our trailer :-)

Amazing! Can I ask where you got the strip from? I would love to do the same for our trailer :-)

To celebrate my husband's 80th birthday last month, the family helped us buy two new e-bikes. We've both ridden ordinary hybrid bikes for years and managed 25 miles fairly comfortably even in hilly... read more

Topic: Carbon Crushers

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Ivan Lafayette What an inspiration! Keep doing what you're doing 'cause obviously you are doing it very well!!

What an inspiration! Keep doing what you're doing 'cause obviously you are doing it very well!!

Christine King Thank you!

Thank you!

Anne Davies WOW you are amazing... we have only just started cycling...we have a long way to go. Very inspirational

WOW you are amazing... we have only just started cycling...we have a long way to go. Very inspirational

Christine King Thanks Anne! And you'll get there - just enjoy your cycling and as you get fitter you'll find it gets easier ;-)

Thanks Anne! And you'll get there - just enjoy your cycling and as you get fitter you'll find it gets easier ;-)

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I have been commuting to work for years. My morning commute is quite an early start, especially now we have moved further from our place of work. I try to be on the bike before 5.30am for the 19.5 ... read more

Topic: Other

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We are loving doing the school run on our bikes! We avoid the traffic, the parking nightmare and we arrive with a smile!

I started commuting to work when my daughters went to senior school, I thought they’d ride their bikes to school but it wasn’t ‘cool’. Fast forward 12 years and they are both working, they don’t al... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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After having my first child and a few rainy mornings I told myself that my car commute wasn't so bad and that others were doing far more damage to th environment. I was inspired by the cycle Septem... read more

I’ve been encouraged to do my bit to reduce our family’s carbon emissions. One easy change for us is cycling the nursery/work commute instead of using our family car. My toddler is seated quite hap... read more

Topic: Carbon Crushers

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My petrol car was coming up for its' insurance renewal in August, this was set to cost me circa £60 with tax. In a bid to save money, I decided to declare the car as SORNed and attempt to live car-... read more

Topic: Carbon Crushers

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Deborah Hanks Wonderful

Wonderful

Hersha Mistry You have shown that with a bit of thought and planning it is possible to ditch the car!

You have shown that with a bit of thought and planning it is possible to ditch the car!

When coronavirus started affecting the UK, I decided to start cycling to work instead of using public transport, it’s 5 miles each way and I work Monday - Friday. 6 months later, I have upgraded my... read more

Topic: Carbon Crushers

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For some time I had wanted to ride the 'old' A30 between Whiddon Down and Okehampton, via the village of Sticklepath, a distance of 14.2 miles return. Over the summer I had been visiting the are... read more

Today was the fourth time than I've taken my bike on the train. This time I bought a Devon & Cornwall Railcard at Barnstaple station. Chulmleigh has beauty rolling hills with views to Dartmoor ... read more

Topic: Carbon Crushers

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I decided to go for a ride today the weather was mizzale to start with then the wind picked up of course it was a head wind the roads was flooded so up with the feet and splash through and hopefull... read more

Topic: Other

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Last commute of 2021

Topic: My commute by bike

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My daughter lent my a bike and challenged me to learn to ride for my 52nd birthday in June 2020. It took me about month before I could get the hang of pedalling and staying upright. Then there was ... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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I bought my current bike almost exactly eight years ago. I hadn't ridden one for over thirty years but I remember vividly the feeling of exhilaration and freedom I got when I first got back on the... read more

For a nice ride to clear my head and forget about the pressures of the day I love to ride along the cycle path from Exeter to Exmouth. It’s not a challenging route and there is plenty to see and of... read more

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

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Caroline Kay It sounds lovely, thank you for sharing! Bit too far away from me (Suffolk!) but I'll be passing this on to my auntie and c... read more

It sounds lovely, thank you for sharing! Bit too far away from me (Suffolk!) but I'll be passing this on to my auntie and cousins in the area

Khurram Wadee It's a much better way to get to Exmouth than even by train. I've done it on several occasions and each has been a lovely ... read more

It's a much better way to get to Exmouth than even by train. I've done it on several occasions and each has been a lovely day out.

My first memory is crashing into my mom's washing line post, learning to ride my first bike. Once I'd found my legs though, that was it. I was usually zooming around the street then the estate or c... read more

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

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Marjolein Rijken What a lovely story and thank you for sharing! I have gone the opposite direction, moved to rural North Devon (coming from ... read more

What a lovely story and thank you for sharing! I have gone the opposite direction, moved to rural North Devon (coming from Tiverton) where the cycling is a bit more challenging haha! But great to hear your story about your return to cycling!

My cycling story began a long way back on a large 3 wheeled tricycle, then always rode a variety of bikes, often where I wasn't supposed to! Local dirt track was for boys, not girls and mum said 'n... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Maura Murphy Fabulous. I have always cycled but never tried BMX . It sounds fun. Would I be too young at 64 ?

Fabulous. I have always cycled but never tried BMX . It sounds fun. Would I be too young at 64 ?

Paula Hallett Maura Murphy you are never too old to have a go and see if you can love it.

Maura Murphy you are never too old to have a go and see if you can love it.

I started cycling more regularly (rather than quick commutes and around town) when I signed up for a charity challenge in Kenya for a unique and amazing small charity. Getting started was a bit s... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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The end of a big challenge. Completed the Dartmoor Classic Medio ride not far off a Silver Medal time. Only started cycling again about 4 years ago, because the work car park was shut!

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Doing my favourite cycle in my lunch break ☀️

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

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I find I can get to work and back home for lunch and end of day in the same time as a car! With the increase of traffic and road maintenance a bike can slip through it all. Choosing the country t... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Lee General i can go to supper market and back 5 minute quicker with bike and trailer. without trying

i can go to supper market and back 5 minute quicker with bike and trailer. without trying

We love our electric bikes. Yesterday we cycled 35 hilly miles round trip, with a very large heavy fruit cake and picnic lunch for 4, to surprise my Dad for his 87th Birthday. We have done 1000... read more

Over the past 3 years or so my ability to walk distances has slowly decreased due to spinal stenosis. On a good day I can still walk (with rests) maybe 5 miles. Other days it's a struggle to get ro... read more

Topic: Other

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Rachel B So inspiring! Thank you for sharing :) I am so glad that cycling has helped you to feel better.

So inspiring! Thank you for sharing :) I am so glad that cycling has helped you to feel better.

I have been commuting to work and back on my bike since the spring. As the evenings and mornings are now dark I have invested in a new USB front light, amazing green wheel lights and of course a ba... read more

Topic: Other

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Rachel B You will look like a carnival float before long! ;) That sounds great though, super safe :)

You will look like a carnival float before long! ;) That sounds great though, super safe :)

We had had an unexpected visitor drop by for a cup of tea so we were very late starting our ride. However it was dry and we wanted some exercise. It was getting towards dusk and I wondered how ... read more

Makes you appreciate the warmth of your heating when you get back home a huge amount!

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

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The weather has been atrocious, I still prefer to be cycling in. Two lights on the front (100 lumen), bright rear, plus high visible waterproofs My bike tyre walls are even reflective too..... B... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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I started commuting by bike this September- and because I have no parking space at my new job I knew I had no choice but to get on with it! I have fallen in love with it... Treating myself to a new... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Having had mobility problems since I was 19 I always thought cycling was beyond me. I’m married to an avid cyclist and always felt I missed out when he went out in his bike. Four years ago I saved ... read more

Topic: My Bicycle Romance

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Kayleigh Evans A wonderful story and I love the names of your bikes! :)

A wonderful story and I love the names of your bikes! :)

RB BB Don't worry what others think about electric bicycles. It ENABLES you! And that is the most important thing! I know that yo... read more

Don't worry what others think about electric bicycles. It ENABLES you! And that is the most important thing! I know that you will enjoy your rides more each time as your fitness and confidence improves. 🙂🚴

Alison Smith Brilliant so glad you are able to get out there. I love my electric bike too!

Brilliant so glad you are able to get out there. I love my electric bike too!

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Although I'd been cycling too and from work (8 miles) for several years, I had never attempted to 'go on holiday' by bike. Well, I decided this was the year - especially as travel restrictions mean... read more

Christine King We hope to cycle to at Austell too. Where did you get your route from please? We don't want to be anywhere near main roads!... read more

We hope to cycle to at Austell too. Where did you get your route from please? We don't want to be anywhere near main roads! Thanks 😊

Christine King St Austell not at! Spell check grrr

St Austell not at! Spell check grrr

Karen M Hi Christine! It was a really amazing journey. If you look at the Sustrans maps online i basically created a route using th... read more

Hi Christine! It was a really amazing journey. If you look at the Sustrans maps online i basically created a route using the National Cycle Routes so quite a bit was on quieter roads/cycle paths. From Exeter I took the old A30 to Okehampton, then joined the Granite Way (27) to Lydford, then across onto the 327 through Launceston until it joined the number 3 which takes you up over Bodmin and onto the Camel Trail and then continued to follow the route 3 through Bodmin to St. Austell. There is a good interactive map on the sustrans website. There are route markers (the small blue ones) on all of the major routes so i only got a little lost at a couple of points, but generally easy to follow! Hope you have a great time if you do it or even over a couple of days :)

Christine King Thanks Karen. This is really helpful. We've e-bikes so it should be an easier ride for us!

Thanks Karen. This is really helpful. We've e-bikes so it should be an easier ride for us!

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It's been fantastic to see so many children cycling to the school where I work each week. I love seeing my bike in the bike rack alongside a variety of almost adult sized racers, mid-sized mountain... read more

When our son transitioned from the local primary school to a secondary school 7 miles away, he agreed to try and cycle there and back a few days a week. He is now 4 weeks in, has cycled well over 4... read more

Wiltshire: Wylye Valley (Nat Cycling Network - NCN 24). Limited-stop training ride: Warminster and Wilton only. Start and finish: Wylye village, off A303. The Wylye valley in Wiltshire is one of ... read more

I've been on a crazy journey of weight loss and fitness since June 2019 where I was weighing in at 23s 10lb (150.6kg) to now 14s 6lb (91.6kg) so dropped 9s 4lb (59kg). Before I started I was barely... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Steve Cargill WOW! Unreal effort this is sir! You will have added a few years to your life with this, having done simular since March (Lo... read more

WOW! Unreal effort this is sir! You will have added a few years to your life with this, having done simular since March (Lost 32KG) I know only too well how much sewlf dicipline and commitment it takes to make such a dramatic change to your body! WELL DONE BROTHER!

Mark Smith Thanks Steve, great work on your 32kg too, it's amazing isn't it?!

Thanks Steve, great work on your 32kg too, it's amazing isn't it?!

Elaine Livingstone a massive well done to you. The first step is the hardest. I am hoping by this time next year to be lighter than I am now..... read more

a massive well done to you. The first step is the hardest. I am hoping by this time next year to be lighter than I am now.....and fitter of course

Lyndsey Henderson You rock!

You rock!

Marjolein Rijken Thank you for sharing this very inspiring story! I hope it will show others that change is possible. All the best on your t... read more

Thank you for sharing this very inspiring story! I hope it will show others that change is possible. All the best on your target for September, I'm sure you'll smash it!

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