Durham

Stories from Durham

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

Image for story Night ride at long last

Night ride at long last

My first night ride since before my long lay up after surgery. I didn't realise how much I missed it, 15 miles of bliss.

Topic: Other

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Image for story Thorn in my side you know that's all you ever were. (Eurythmics).

Thorn in my side you know that's all you ever were. (Eurythmics).

First time off road since my Hip revision surgery and it was tested by them god damm thorns. 2 to be procise in my front tyre. It was still a very nice day and a very nice ride out. There was eve... read more

Topic: Other

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Image for story My new handle bars,  following my hip revision surgery

My new handle bars, following my hip revision surgery

Well guys that's me out of the game for a while, hopefully I will be back at it for the summer as my recovery starts at minus 6 weeks before I can load bare at all then the recovery really starts. ... read more

Topic: Other

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Getting back to it

Let's get fit again!

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

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Image for story First ride on new bike.

First ride on new bike.

14 miles today on my new bikes maiden voyage to run it in. A nice quiet route including a ride from Shildon to newton aycliffe past the locomotion museum, which is a lovely smooth wide path. If y... read more

Topic: Other

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Image for story Back in the saddle

Back in the saddle

I’ve been biking for about 2 years now, but have been off the bike for 7 months following a fall whilst out riding. Back in August last year I was out riding with a colleague, we’d set ourself the ... read more

Topic: Other

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Image for story First Dec 2021

First Dec 2021

My day out today, with the mad weather we are having. Very cold to start, then the rain came down( but I had the right gear on so it didn’t matter) then the snow, that was a little harsh on the fa... read more

Topic: Other

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Image for story Bikeability

Bikeability

Last week I started a new job as a Bikeability Instructor! I’ve always loved cycling and travel by bicycle as much as I can (a friend once said to me that I was into cycling when it wasn’t fashion... read more

Topic: Other

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Everyday life of a Commuter

I commute to work Mon-Fri every week and have seen a big change in people's lifestyles since COVID; there are more pedestrians and cyclists about which leads to less traffic. During the pandemic c... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Image for story Durhams Rails to Trails

Durhams Rails to Trails

Getting out on my bike more during the pandemic last years I discovered County Durhams Rails to Trails. These include the C2C, Deerness Valley, Bishop Auckland to Brandon and the Derwent Valley tra... read more

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

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Image for story Be safe be seen!

Be safe be seen!

I have over 30 years cycling experience and a keen member of a local club. Unfortunately cycling in the dark commuting and similar carries additional risks. Purchase as powerful a rear light... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story Riding in the dark

Riding in the dark

Commuting to work all year round for 20 years meant that good lights were essential. A couple of powerful rechargeable cateye lights on the front and several rear lights attached to my back were a ... read more

Topic: Other

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Image for story Hadrian’s Wall

Hadrian’s Wall

Just got this cheeky little cycling 🚴‍♀️ route in before lockdown. We stayed at Twice Brewed and cycled along the Hadrian’s wall route into Chollerford one day then into Greenhead, To Haltwhistle s... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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First time in nearly 40years

At the start of the year I decided to get more active improve my fitness and lose some weight I started with eating healthier then cleared the garage and put in some exercise machines I had but had... read more

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

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Image for story Extea bike time

Extea bike time

Normally, I drive to work as I got to university every night after work to study. With the current pandemic I have to do computer at home and physical in the laboratory (I'm not a mad scientist, I... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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Image for story A cyclists friend,  Diamond of a man.

A cyclists friend, Diamond of a man.

Look at this great guy blowing them pesky thorns off the road to help us on bikes. I had just changed my front inner tube 100yds before this. Thank you that man. I wonder if I could fit a leaf bl... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Image for story Railway Paths in England

Railway Paths in England

Many former railway lines in North East England have been converted to paths for cycling and walking. This is an old rail map from the railway station at Beamish, superimposed with a nearly traffic... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story A 100-miler, twice!

A 100-miler, twice!

Having trained and covered C2C this summer with some wonderful ladies from the amazing group called Breeze Durham whom I joined quite accidentally, I've been wondering what would be my next challen... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Image for story Bike ride with mother

Bike ride with mother

Went on a bike ride with the old dear great to be back in the saddle been out every day since

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

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Image for story Keeping up with my daughter!

Keeping up with my daughter!

My oldest daughter learnt to ride her bike this Easter. I’ve not ridden for 20 years, but I finally had to get back on the saddle to keep up with her! Luckily you never forget do you! I’m super ... read more

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

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Image for story Great day out

Great day out

Lovely day riding today. I wanted to find a route that I had found last year , so went out and found it. Great sunshine easy riding.

Topic: Other

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Image for story Route 68

Route 68

My favourite place to ride is on route 68 from the Sill on the military road across to Kielder. The route is offroad after a couple of miles then it's just you on the logging roads across to Kielde... read more

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

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Image for story Can cycling stop the coronavirus?

Can cycling stop the coronavirus?

During the pandemic it has been really humbling to hear of the hard work of so many in the NHS and other important services. It left me wondering how I could help. One obvious way was to use my ... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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Image for story Crossing the Tyne

Crossing the Tyne

One of my favourite types of ride is to combine urban and rural areas, and that's very easy around Durham and Newcastle as cities and countryside are very close to each other. The Tyne foot tunnel ... read more

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

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Back on the bike

My son, Luke has got right into cycling following back surgery and loves it, I ventured out with him yesterday for 8 miles which was a hard slog for me as it's been nearly 12 months since I was las... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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Image for story Quick Tip

Quick Tip

Carry a small headtorch in your jersey pocket, just in case you need to fix a puncture or have a mechanical in the dark.

Topic: Other

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Image for story Hadrian’s Wall

Hadrian’s Wall

Just got this cheeky little cycling 🚴‍♀️ route in before lockdown. We stayed at Twice Brewed and cycled along the Hadrian’s wall route into Chollerford one day then into Greenhead, To Haltwhistle s... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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First time in nearly 40years

I eventually made my first bike ride in nearly 40 years. After getting over my nervousness and a few rides round the garden to see if I stayed on the bike I went early last Sunday morning so as to ... read more

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

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Image for story Reivers Route & return on C2C

Reivers Route & return on C2C

I started cycling during the lockdown in March 2020. One day for some reason I decided to go on a short early morning ride. After the ride I felt great, so motivated and energised. So I thought the... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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Stories from around the world

Image for story Use your bike to meet people!

Use your bike to meet people!

An unusual bicycle gets attention and starts conversations. Back in 1997, I needed a bike, as mine kept getting stolen, even though they were all second-hand and not fancy. I'd recently read M... read more

Topic: Other

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My ebike's brand still exists and is doing great

I bought my ebike from a relatively obscure ebike company in 2018, mainly because it was extremely affordable on a student salary, and it was a New Zealand company. The nearest shop that sold them ... read more

Topic: My Bicycle Romance

Image for story Timber Trail awesomeness

Timber Trail awesomeness

One of the best trails I've ever experienced. Challenged myself to do the whole thing in one day. Stopped at the camp site half way for a photo, no turning back now. So many great views of our spec... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

Image for story Accessible Cycling

Accessible Cycling

My workplace (charity Vision 21) was lucky enough to get a grant through GCC Think Travel to have access to an accessible folding trike. This has enabled me to learn how to ride for the first time ... read more

Topic: Other

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Image for story My Cycling Journey - Caitlin aged 13

My Cycling Journey - Caitlin aged 13

I live in Galston, a town in East Ayrshire, Scotland. I first learned to ride a bike, at aged 4. Gaining independence throughout the years then beginning riding to school, cycling to friends' hous... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story Crossing the bridge

Crossing the bridge

For those of us living in the proximity of the Bristol Channel, one fascinating opportunity is to cross the Severn Bridge via the shared footpath/cycle path, parallel to the M48 motorway. This is t... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story En selle pour le 48hrs vélo Make-A-Wish

En selle pour le 48hrs vélo Make-A-Wish

Récemment pationné de vélo, je décide de me lancer et de formé une équipe de 6 afin de participé à l événement. Cyclistes occasionnels tout comme débutants, qui se magasinaient un vélo encore 6 sem... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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My Best Friend and Me

I met Annie when we were kids. We bonded over riding our bikes together. Ever since then, we have done many bike trips together, the longest being a 3 day rail trail we did earlier this year. I hav... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Image for story Age is no barrier

Age is no barrier

I am Ian Shaw from Balloch West Dunbartonshire. I found out about LTR in my then work place Glasgow Clyde College and I'm now retired. I have been cycling for about 40 years now as well as a ke... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Image for story The zen of the ride

The zen of the ride

Most days, my spouse will ask where I want to ride. I suggest a route, he suggests something else, and I say okay. I’m not really a pushover. The feel of riding, the movement, the act of being in t... read more

Topic: Other

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Bike Around the Bay

Bike around the bay 2024

Topic: Other

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Image for story A new riding region.

A new riding region.

I am in Southland exploring the region. Going on the long dusty backroads. It has been a glorious way to see the landscape.

Topic: A happy riding memory

Image for story Another Reason to Ride

Another Reason to Ride

I decided to add stops to my bike rides to take photos of film locations. I had ridden by many of these locations without realizing it. If I were driving, parking would be difficult, but on my bi... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

Image for story This time last year...

This time last year...

I had a cycling accident at at the bottom of shooters hill road. I fractured my shoulder and lacked confidence to return to cycling for sometime. However, winter has returned and I am glad to say I... read more

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

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test

test

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

Image for story It takes two!

It takes two!

Tandem riding together, this year now 2000 miles plus in 2024! Joint age 142 years.

Topic: My Bicycle Romance

2

Is something broke?

Where have all my rides gone that were down the left hand side of the screen? Can't see anyone else's either...

Topic: Other

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Image for story My colleagues ride annually in Europe

My colleagues ride annually in Europe

This year rode (was supposed to be from Trafalgar Square but changed due to unrest) from 22nd September (early morning until late afternoon in torrential rain!) We started in Letchworth 60 mile... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Bikes for sale

Hey anyone know any recommendations for long distance for bikes? Or have one for sale

Topic: Other

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Image for story 15 years - 100,000km

15 years - 100,000km

I've been commuting to work for 15 years with at least one ride on the weekends. All up I have clocked over 100,000 km. Here are some comparative guesimates of savings over that time: Financial: ... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Image for story Commuting Carbon Neutral

Commuting Carbon Neutral

I drive an electric car but as everyone knows it still takes fossil fuels to operate. Luckily, even with everything factored in, it has less than 1/3 the carbon footprint of gas cars. I discovered ... read more

Topic: Carbon Crushers

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