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

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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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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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Stories from around the world

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

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

Starting small

I've been encouraged by a colleague to get my bike out of the garage. I'm aiming to cycle to work one day a week this bike month. So far so good, I've done two rides and have the other two planned ... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Image for story Mindfulness ride

Mindfulness ride

There is nothing more beautiful than cycling in a sunny spring morning by the country lanes on the way to work and listening to the birds singing. This is one of my favourite times of de year, the ... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Image for story Ragbrai 2024

Ragbrai 2024

My first experience riding Ragbrai! It was a thrill to ride with thousands of people on the highways of Iowa! It started off foggy but the ride was beautiful! I’m getting excited for this year’s r... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Image for story Etape Loch Ness 2025

Etape Loch Ness 2025

Trip to Inverness to take part in the Etape Loch Ness 2025 and raise funds for PAPYRUS Prevention of Young Suicide.

Topic: Other

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Image for story Riding a trike?

Riding a trike?

About seventy years ago I cycled to school most days - three miles each way. About 75 years ago I rode a tricycle.
My world has gone full circle and I now ride a trike again but just two or th... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Commute motivated by Bike Month 2025

After a 10k run last night I wavered several times this morning before committing to riding to work this morning.
I’ve set myself the goal of 8 transport bike journey’s through May and I didn’t... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Image for story #loveMK

#loveMK

Celebrating #loveMK with a bit of (kinda) Strava art cycling all on the glorious Redway network ❤️

Topic: My Bicycle Romance

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Why not ride to work?

Do you get frustrated with traffic?

Take full control of your commute and cycle!

Avoid that traffic, arrive to work feeling refreshed and ready to start your day on the front fo... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Earth Day event at work

Last Thursday, my office held our annual Earth Day event. This year, I was inspired to get involved and help organize the event. I got connected with other cyclists at work and started planning for... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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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

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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

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Image for story First ascent of Shasta Dam

First ascent of Shasta Dam

Always thought it was a long hard climb, but with the Chappie parking lot empty I decided to give it a try when I wouldn't be in anyone's way... nice steady climb actually! Picked my gear and just ... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Image for story Polly ride

Polly ride

when you boring- ride Polly,
when your day making you sad -ride Polly,
when people want to close your road-ride Polly,
when sun is going out- ride Polly,
when shower on your arm-rid... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

Riding a bike is doable, actually?

I started commuting by bike at uni because the buses were expensive and unreliable. 15 years later and I still commute to work by bike every day. I encouraged my housemate to start cycling. He's ve... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story Out-n-about

Out-n-about

I know there is a trail here somewhere...

Topic: Other

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Image for story I love to ride, but hate the rain

I love to ride, but hate the rain

I love to ride, but hate the rain. Unfortunately, I live in one of the wettest places in the United States. When I wore out my road bike that I rode since 1993, I was looking for a new one. I set m... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

Image for story Kids are forced to have fun

Kids are forced to have fun

Now that my kids are getting to that fun teenage years, I get to have my day with a Father day, birthday and family time ride when i pick our activity.

Topic: Ride with kids

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Image for story Celebrating 46 years of grocery shopping by bicycle!

Celebrating 46 years of grocery shopping by bicycle!

I started biking to grocery shop in 1979 when I moved to Santa Cruz. I've since shopped by pedal power and electric power first to the Westside Coop, then Community Foods, New Leaf and finally Staf... read more

Topic: Other

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Image for story Prize purchase

Prize purchase

I was able to get some puncture resistant tyres and a new inner tube with the $100 prize for doing the bike challenge survey. The puncture resistant tyres are a must with urban riding.

Topic: Other