Durham

Stories from Durham

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

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

2
9
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

1
10
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

6
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

12
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

2
17
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

1
15
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

5
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

8

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

2
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

7
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

5
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

5
Image for story Hadrian’s Wall

Hadrian’s Wall

Just got this cheeky little cycling šŸš“ā€ā™€ļø 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

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

7
7
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

10
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

12
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

5
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

1
15

Getting back to it

Let's get fit again!

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

2
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

1
12
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

6
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

3
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

6
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

13

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

2
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

1
13
Image for story Hadrian’s Wall

Hadrian’s Wall

Just got this cheeky little cycling šŸš“ā€ā™€ļø 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

2
6

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

11
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

3
21

Stories from around the world

Image for story Weight loss, new bike, and the 4th of July.

Weight loss, new bike, and the 4th of July.

Recently the spouse and I purchased 2 identical AKEZ S1 ebikes. They came in days before the 4th of July. Got them put together and waited till the following day to test them out. I have been on a ... read more

Topic: My Bicycle Romance

1
Image for story Something to Appreciate

Something to Appreciate

During my Sunday bike ride, I came across a vibrant variety of flowers. Given their diversity, I suspect they were intentionally planted. It’s a thoughtful gesture that one I might have overlooked ... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

4
Image for story Exploring South Sacramento Trails

Exploring South Sacramento Trails

Decided to explore new trails today. As I set out I thought I might do 25 miles. First time for me on Del Rio Trail and these sections of the Sacramento River Trail. It's a shame these trails aren'... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

6

Fruitful Farmers Market Ride :)

We decided to ride to the Farmers Market. It turned out to be a beautiful day there. We bought honey, hot sauce, and found tulips that I really wanted. It was a wonderful ride. Riding bikes with th... read more

Topic: Ride with kids

1
Image for story ITS POSSIBLE AFTER HIP SURGERY

ITS POSSIBLE AFTER HIP SURGERY

I had a hip replacement on 07/03/25 that is 11 weeks 1 day ago. Today I went out on my new bike and enjoyed it so much.
At Christmas I was on crutches and had been for over a year, I could bar... read more

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

12
Image for story Memories

Memories

When I was a kid my dad used to take my sister and I ridding on the river trail pretty frequently. We both remember the ride taking close to 4 hours, but I took my family for a ride there a couple ... read more

Topic: Ride with kids

1
10

It's My 2nd Car...

Still have the commuter bike I bought in Fresno 30 years ago, and it still works fine. No commuting any more (3-7 miles each way in Fresno, 4ish miles each way to bus or light rail in Folsom). Back... read more

Topic: Carbon Crushers

2
Image for story Sentiment de libertƩ

Sentiment de libertƩ

Excellente faƧon de garder notre cerveau, coeur et corps en fusion !

Topic: My Bicycle Romance

Image for story Rainy Saturday Commute

Rainy Saturday Commute

Today’s bike ride differ from my normal daily routine. Instead of hitting the pavement at 6 AM, I got to sleep in and get out the door at nine. Little bit of a sprinkle, but I enjoyed biking throug... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

3
Image for story Staff Team Cycle

Staff Team Cycle

Yesterday we went for a bike ride as part of our team meeting. We have many new starts and are encouraging them to Love to Ride.

Greener Kirkcaldy and Langtoun cycles are working hard to ... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

1
4
Image for story Quinn Moody Artist creates bike poster

Quinn Moody Artist creates bike poster

I commissioned my artist daughter Quinn Moody to create a bike poster that people can use to promote biking. So far is is being used in Oregon and Washington. If you want the same poster with you... read more

Topic: Other

1
Image for story Bamboo is Best

Bamboo is Best

As a disabled cyclist, hand building my Bamboo Gravel bike has been a great achievement.
With just the use of my left hand, the whittling and glueing took some thought process but the finished... read more

Topic: Carbon Crushers

šŸš“ā€ā™€ļøā˜• Weely Good Wednesdays šŸ’„

We’re a small but mighty crew who love to ride and we’re inviting YOU to join the fun! Every Wednesday, we roll out from Holland Park along the V1, picking up legends along the way. šŸš“ā€ā™‚ļøšŸ’Ø

... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

1
Image for story Taking Love to Ride to our Eco-estival

Taking Love to Ride to our Eco-estival

Logan's biggest eco event is on Sunday 1 June 2025!
This free, family-friendly festival is all about environmental conservation, sustainability, and the wonder of nature.
Don’t miss your ... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

1
Image for story You're Never Too Old

You're Never Too Old

Our company co-founder, 91-year old Bob Crafton, joined us for an office group ride on a beautiful day in May 2025. Bob brought his e-trike and rode the whole route with us. He proves that keepin... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

4
Image for story Bikes and Bars

Bikes and Bars

A lovely day in New Orleans!

Topic: A happy riding memory

6
Image for story Bike dates are the best dates

Bike dates are the best dates

When I met my partner I was an avid bike commuter. We lived in Seattle and I did not own a car. After we started dating, he bought a bike so he could ride with me. Almost all of our vacations in... read more

Topic: My Bicycle Romance

1
8
Image for story Kidical Mass Leamington Spa

Kidical Mass Leamington Spa

Wow!
What a turnout!
Leamington you should be proud of yourselves, 150 families out on the Kidical mass ride.

Keep it going!!!!

Topic: Ride with kids

9
Image for story Love to ride my bike

Love to ride my bike

I’ve been riding for many years, and it’s an integral part of me. I love exploring new places and meeting new people while riding. I run a small YouTube channel that documents some of my rides, and... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

6
Image for story Sponsored by REI breakfast for 5/15/25 bike2work day

Sponsored by REI breakfast for 5/15/25 bike2work day

I ride for many reasons: health, planet protection, savings, ease of parking. Today I woke up early and rode to REI for their sponsored bike2work day. Why wouldn’t I? There was Matt Miller and oth... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

1
6
Image for story Quinn Moody Artist creates bike poster

Quinn Moody Artist creates bike poster

I commissioned my artist daughter Quinn Moody to create a bike poster that people can use to promote biking. So far is is being used in Oregon and Washington. If you want the same poster with your ... read more

Topic: Other