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 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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Wanting to Ride Again 🚲

[address removed]

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 resulte... read more

Topic: Other

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Image for story AWS outage weekend and doubled up log entries

AWS outage weekend and doubled up log entries

After the AWS problems last weekend, October 18-19 2025, I noticed an error on Monday 20th when I tried to log a ride. I tried again, and again, and later in the day I tried again. What I did not n... read more

Topic: Other

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The Best Thing To Ever Happen To Me!

Last year a friend let me borrow their hybrid bike - lightweight, fast, FUN. I instantly fell in love. Shortly after, I purchased my own (secondhand, my usual choice). Riding felt like - and still ... read more

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

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Image for story The William Gilbert School Wheelers ride to Paris!

The William Gilbert School Wheelers ride to Paris!

We Did It! The William Gilbert Wheelers Rode to Paris – and Beyond!

This September as part of Mode Shift Month and Cycle September, William Gilbert Primary School proudly took part in the ... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Bike ride

Every day, I ride my bike from school to and back around 2 miles (3.22 km) and I do this 5 days a week meaning 260 or so days of riding every year which is around 520 miles (ca. 837 km) every year... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Cycling Gave Me My Freedom

I was out on a nice pedal this morning. The sun was starting to ride and the sky was a beautiful orange. Everything was calm and perfect. I thought back to when I was a child and realised, cycling ... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Image for story Riding across our Kitchen!

Riding across our Kitchen!

We've created a fun little graphic on the kitchen whiteboard to entice colleagues to join our ride through Biketober! Hopefully the FOMO factor kicks in and more team mates get pedalling!

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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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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Image for story Quick stop for play in sand

Quick stop for play in sand

Love our bike rides around our beautiful home here on the sunshine coast

Topic: Ride with kids

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Ridiculous bike spaces on a train

I cycle to the train station 5 days a week and then commute to work on my bike when I get off . .After a day's work the last place I want to be is sat on the floor when there are free seats becaus... read more

Topic: Other

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Ride in Cemeteries! (Respectfully, of course)

Riding in cemeteries is an underrated adventure by bike in spooky season and beyond. Tranquil landscaping, light traffic and winding roads make cemeteries ideal spots to enjoy a peaceful ride. Mean... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Image for story 300 KM of Silence and Spirit

300 KM of Silence and Spirit

A Personal Ride by me, Md. Imjamul Hoque Bhuiyan

It was still dark when I pulled my helmet strap tight. 5:30 a.m. — Chittagong still asleep, the streets hushed like dawn was holding its br... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Image for story Slow and steady wins the Race!

Slow and steady wins the Race!

I received my September roundup from Love to Ride this morning and I was pleasantly surprised to note that my number of 'cycling trips' were up 115% and 'cycling miles' up by 205% Wow! - I thought ... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Learning as an Adult

For years I refused to ride a bike. It was a mixture of defiance and embarrassment that kept me feeling more independent clinging to the wheel of a car. A few months ago I made the decision to lear... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story We Fly As One

We Fly As One

I share my magpie attacks on YouTube and then post them on Social Media and one of my friends (who's a Collingwood Magpies supporter) suggested I change my top to Magpies Jersey. No chance in hell... read more

Topic: Other

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