Durham

Stories from Durham

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

Image for story Mental health

Mental health

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

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Image for story blissfull night

blissfull night

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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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 w... 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. I... 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... read more

Topic: Other

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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 u... 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 &amp; 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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Image for story Durham County Council Cycling Forum

Durham County Council Cycling Forum

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

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Simplicity Of Singlespeed

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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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 l... 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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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 ... 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... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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Stories from around the world

Image for story Why I cycle :)

Why I cycle :)

I live in Aberdeen
I started cycling again during the pandemic to compliment my running when sources of enjoyment & activity were reduced, it took off from there!
My favourite thing abo... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

Image for story PHD student at RGU feedback from Winter Wheelers

PHD student at RGU feedback from Winter Wheelers

Always cycled since I was young to get around, and started commuting by bike and really getting into it properly in 2017.

The best thing about cycling is the freedom; being able to jump o... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

Image for story E' cominciata così...

E' cominciata così...

È cominciata così…

è la didascalia della mia foto profilo, caricata nei giorni scorsi…

Sì è cominciata così la passione per la bicicletta, raccogliendo incoscientemente l’invito d... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Image for story A Caposile in bici!

A Caposile in bici!

Partiti da Carpenedo in bici in un giorno di fine estate abbiamo seguito la ciclabile fino ad Altino e poi proseguito fino a Caposile, una meraviglia ! I bambini erano stanchi quel giorno e ce li s... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Ride to work in the winter

I love cycling in the winter! In London, it used to be rare to see cyclists around in winter, that is no longer the case. Since the Covid-19 pandemic, and with the rise of electric bikes, cycling h... read more

Topic: Other

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Image for story Aztec Bikes

Aztec Bikes

Big shout-out to Aztec Bikes near Bow 🚲

Independent bike shops are getting rare these days, and this one’s a proper find. It’s close to my office and every time I’ve rocked up with an issu... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Biking and Brain Health

I encouraged everyone to ride a bike, in all weather. Bike riding helps clear your mind and provides a calm, peaceful feeling, which supports overall health, particularly brain health. Focusing on... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story Snoopy Trail

Snoopy Trail

Watch out for Snoopy's in and around Fleet Street this Christmas. 12 in all. Map available Fleet Street Quarter website.

Topic: Other

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Image for story From the heart

From the heart

A few years ago l collapsed on my bicycle and ended up with a triple heart bypass. I am now back as a volunteer rider for Cycling UK in Aberdeen.

I take people on small rides to give them ... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story NHS worker feedback from Winter Wheelers

NHS worker feedback from Winter Wheelers

I live in Kingswells and decided to get a bike due to the bus service in the area. I applied for a bike through the Cycle to Work scheme and began cycling, to my work, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary last... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

Image for story Kindy trips

Kindy trips

The drop to kindy is so special with my pre-schooler when we go on my bike. The excitement in the 3 year old is infectious. With a ready grin - he dons the helmet and gets ready to sit on my bike. ... read more

Topic: Ride with kids

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Image for story In bicicletta in Sri Lanka

In bicicletta in Sri Lanka

Quest'estate durante il nostro viaggio in Sri Lanka abbiamo scelto di girare per i templi di Polonnaruwa in biciletta con la nostra bambina di 5 anni e non potevamo scegliere mezzo migliore.
Se... read more

Topic: Ride with kids

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Image for story Het Bikkelseizoen 2025

Het Bikkelseizoen 2025

December begon nog redelijk zacht, maar werd steeds kouder.
Mijn club organiseerde ter gelegenheid van Serious Request een fietstocht van Zwolle naar 's-Hertogenbosch, met als doel het overhand... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Image for story A Boxing Day ride

A Boxing Day ride

It’s Christmas. And what do we always do at Christmas? – over-indulge! I find the best way to clear the mind of its post-Christmas fog; to detox all the rubbish I have consumed; to get fresh air i... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story Kidical Mass Southampton Glow Ride

Kidical Mass Southampton Glow Ride

We went to the Kidical mass Annual Glow Ride this weekend. It is one of my favourite community events, over 70+ people attended and cycled around southampton city centre. The kids loved it and we g... read more

Topic: Ride with kids

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Image for story Mantova in bicicletta

Mantova in bicicletta

Ho portato i ragazzi a fare un giro in bici a Mantova. Davvero una gran bella città, anche da girare in bici!

Topic: Ride with kids

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Image for story Border C2C Part 1

Border C2C Part 1

I love being off road in the countryside and commenced a DIY C2C mainly off road via Solway Firth/The Wall/Forest/Tyne in the summer. Unfortunately I had to halt at Hexham to return to Preston &... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Wanting to Ride Again 🚲

Kia ora,

My name is Scott, I have been living with a permanent lower back injury that has affected the function of my right leg since 2014. My injury has resulted in being unable to ride a... read more

Topic: Other

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