I had intended cycling a lot more this Bike Month 2026, sadly I couldn't find the motivation to get out on the bike until the last week. Various technical problems with both of my bikes and the lac... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

So I came across this app one day on Facebook so I signed up just to track my progress then I seen there was a challenge September with my mental health was a bit low off feeling overweight and unf... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

7

took a week of work to go mountain biking in my home town, Oldham; arguably the best.
I was joined by my two brothers, one on an Ebike, full of himself (we know how the ebikers are) and one on... read more

Topic: Other

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3

Roger Kaye Great post. I feel the same about the trig point at Beacon Fell near Longridge, where I grew and still live. I never really... read more

Great post. I feel the same about the trig point at Beacon Fell near Longridge, where I grew and still live. I never really spent that much time up on the fell as a kid but since getting a gravel bike a few years ago and more recently a MTB I bet there’s rarely 2 weeks between visits either on a bike or walking my dog.

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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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 w... read more

Topic: Other

5

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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David Newell I had this a couple of years back.. I have moved onto an e-bike since.

I had this a couple of years back.. I have moved onto an e-bike since.

Let's get fit again!

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

3

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. I... read more

Topic: Other

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Carol Imray Fantastic, we have been to the Shildon museum on holiday and I remember it well - it would be a lovely cycle :) Your new b... read more

Fantastic, we have been to the Shildon museum on holiday and I remember it well - it would be a lovely cycle :) Your new bike looks great

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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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... read more

Topic: Other

3

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 u... read more

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

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

2

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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Scott Watson A very useful tip.

A very useful tip.

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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Scott Watson Walked up from Bardon Mill to Housesteads on that very road just the other weekend - but everything was white after quite a... read more

Walked up from Bardon Mill to Housesteads on that very road just the other weekend - but everything was white after quite a heavy snowfall. Quite a tough route on a bike.

Debra Willison It is but it’s we’ll worth it for the scenery.

It is but it’s we’ll worth it for the scenery.

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

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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Steve Clayton Fantastic! Well done you. Very inspirational story.

Fantastic! Well done you. Very inspirational story.

Kirsty Bushell Awesome! brilliant effort

Awesome! brilliant effort

Scott Watson They're both very challenging routes. Well done!

They're both very challenging routes. Well done!

Show 1 more comments

Every weekday morning, I wake up early to get ready for work. After getting dressed and eating a quick breakfast, I grab my helmet and head outside to my bike. Instead of driving a car or taking th... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

2

10th December is the next meeting

register at Email address. activetravel(AT)durham.gov.uk

starting usually at 5.30pm
County Hall Committee Room 1A,
Durham DH1 5U... read more

Topic: Other

1

Whilst the trend for folks of a certain age, my age, is to go e-bike. I’ve gone the other way, I have reverted to being seven year old and thrashing around the streets on a Singlespeed bike… that’s... read more

Topic: My Bicycle Romance

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Steve Gardner I love single speeds too! I ride a converted 50 year old Motobecane and have put 15k miles on it the last three years. Sim... read more

I love single speeds too! I ride a converted 50 year old Motobecane and have put 15k miles on it the last three years. Simplicity rules!

Nigel Tsang which gear do I use? oh that one! haha, learnt to climb hills faster when i got the gear choice wrong but surprisingly stil... read more

which gear do I use? oh that one! haha, learnt to climb hills faster when i got the gear choice wrong but surprisingly still climbed it!

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 l... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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George Olivos I love a good human story. Thanks.

I love a good human story. Thanks.

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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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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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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Jenny Norman If your old dear is the lady in the back of your picture? she is looking fabulous not even a wrinkle, I thought she was yo... read more

If your old dear is the lady in the back of your picture? she is looking fabulous not even a wrinkle, I thought she was your girlfriend. 😍

Debra Willison You made my day🥰

You made my day🥰

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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Lotta Vaananen That said friend was recently dragged to an incredible 100-mile ride by the author of this piece who is a true superwoman a... read more

That said friend was recently dragged to an incredible 100-mile ride by the author of this piece who is a true superwoman and definitely more than capable of keeping up with her daughter now! In fact us mere mortals somewhat struggle to keep up with her now... Now there&#39;s an inspiring story indeed!!!

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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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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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

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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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 ... read more

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

5

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

4

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

Lottie Price Good luck to you, Michael! A new bike always feels a bit odd at first, but you'll get used to it after a few rides. And co... read more

Good luck to you, Michael! A new bike always feels a bit odd at first, but you'll get used to it after a few rides. And congratulations on your 17km walk! That's awesome.

John Kershaw Good luck Michael

Good luck Michael

Julie Bailey Good luck! I was in the same place as you in March, recently I reached 500 miles, I feel better than I have in many many y... read more

Good luck! I was in the same place as you in March, recently I reached 500 miles, I feel better than I have in many many years, good luck!

Debora Moritz Hi Michael, I'm in a similar situation. I'm 38 years old and learning to ride an old bike in London for the first time. I'v... read more

Hi Michael, I'm in a similar situation. I'm 38 years old and learning to ride an old bike in London for the first time. I've been doing it in parks for 10 minutes every other day. It's challenging, but I know that with practice it will get better and enjoy the rides. I wish you luck enjoying cycling around your beautiful Country. :)

Rob Fox Go for it my friend - take it steady, you'll soon find your confidence. You'll look back and wonder why you were ever nervo... read more

Go for it my friend - take it steady, you'll soon find your confidence. You'll look back and wonder why you were ever nervous. Good luck

Ron Dixon Best of luck Michael, it can be very daunting at first, just aim for getting off your drive and going to the end of your st... read more

Best of luck Michael, it can be very daunting at first, just aim for getting off your drive and going to the end of your street and back, fingers crossed for you

Kayla Mc Gowan good luck firstly.pick a nice flat pavement route to make your first ride easier.If youve a friend who has a bike get them ... read more

good luck firstly.pick a nice flat pavement route to make your first ride easier.If youve a friend who has a bike get them to go with you or a family member or one of the kids in your family.that might help take your mind off your nervousness. Plus youl be chatting as you ride so not be worrying as much hopefully.start off short flat ride to build your confidence and fitness up.good luck and dont give up.x

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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... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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