Durham

Stories from Durham

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

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

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. If y... 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 fa... read more

Topic: Other

3
Image for story Bikeability

Bikeability

Last week I started a new job as a Bikeability Instructor! I’ve always loved cycling and travel by bicycle as much as I can (a friend once said to me that I was into cycling when it wasn’t fashion... read more

Topic: Other

1
18

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 Woodland Moor

Woodland Moor

Lush morning ride over the tops and down in to Barney

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

2

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 🚴‍♀️ 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 & 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
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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

10
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

1
14
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
14
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

4
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
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 use my ... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

5
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

11
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 a rear light... 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 🚴‍♀️ 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
6
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, I... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

9

Stories from around the world

Image for story FD's Maiden Voyage

FD's Maiden Voyage

Got my buddy out on his new to him used bike! Hope to have him in as the 2nd member of the Hoboken Cycling Club soon! Join to watch our progress!

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

Image for story Life Changer

Life Changer

I’m approaching 60 and I have been missing a sustainable workout routine that provided good health both from a physical and mental standpoint. About three years ago I started riding and have rece... read more

Topic: My Bicycle Romance

3
Image for story Why I Love to Ride

Why I Love to Ride

After finding my forgotten bike and motivated by the opportunity to win a prize for each day ridden I signed up to take part in the latest challenge through work. Although the weather was far fr... read more

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

Island

Hi all always wanted to visit Iceland and see there interesting places, maybe someone has already traveled there, and know - in what interesting places can be reached by bike.

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

2
Image for story Cycling to Donnottar: A Tale of Friendship and Discovery

Cycling to Donnottar: A Tale of Friendship and Discovery

As the morning sun rose over Aberdeen, casting a golden glow upon the city streets, I and my friend stood ready, bicycles at the ready, anticipation bubbling within us like a freshly uncorked bottl... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

2
9

This was crazy...

At a cycle park, well, me and my brother managed to race against each other, but then we heard screaming. We realised it was our sister rushing behind us... Thankfully, with our bikes, we managed t... read more

Topic: Other

1
Image for story The rainbow at the end of the storm

The rainbow at the end of the storm

The last 2 years I have been riding for the young man pictured in the attachment below. He has fought the fight with everything he had to offer. Through his courage and a community committed to hi... read more

Topic: Other

1
Image for story Why I Love to Ride

Why I Love to Ride

I moved to Cambridge in 1999 as a young adult, and after commuting by bus for a while I switched to cycling, and have been a transport cyclist ever since. When I had a baby I stopped cycling for a ... read more

Topic: My Bicycle Romance

3
Image for story Joining the Fold!!

Joining the Fold!!

I work in the Centre of Cambridge, 8am- 4pm Monday to Friday. I used to drive everyday from my home in Haverhill to my work. Leaving work at 4pm it used to take me 25 minutes to cover 2.8 miles thr... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

11
Image for story The bridge to nowhere

The bridge to nowhere

Visited the famous bridge to nowhere in Bristol on a sunny Sunday after just having snowed the day before :)

Topic: Other

5
Image for story Not UK, sorry, now in Seville!

Not UK, sorry, now in Seville!

We hired bikes for 24 hours and discovered this great place in the best way. Only the very crowded tourist heart better on foot, otherwise there is a fantastic network of paths all over the city. A... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

5
Image for story Pitch in for a new bike track for Forfar Nursery and Preschool

Pitch in for a new bike track for Forfar Nursery and Preschool

Our not-for-profit community preschool is running its annual Trike-a-Thon this Saturday. We are fundraising for a new bike track with better drainage, so the track is accessible to our Tamariki all... read more

Topic: Ride with kids

7
Image for story Bikepacking a great way to see the country side.

Bikepacking a great way to see the country side.

Yesterday was excellent, weather, fun, scenery, type one fun. We cycled from Cambridge, to Wicken Fen on to the lcknield way through Cavenham heath, Kings Forest and on to Knettershall Heath where ... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

1
Image for story Life Changer

Life Changer

I’m approaching 60 and I have been missing a sustainable workout routine that provided good health both from a physical and mental standpoint. About three years ago I started riding and have rece... read more

Topic: My Bicycle Romance

Image for story Why I Love to Ride

Why I Love to Ride

I started cycling in lockdown 2020, I was encouraged to cycle from my experience when travelling and seeing other places having great culture of cycling - there's so much freedom in it Cycle Confi... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

1
Image for story Bike to Work/School Day plans

Bike to Work/School Day plans

At my last job I helped organize Bike to Work day for a county of 3.2 million people. Since moving to Ithaca NY, a town of 32,000 people, I've been adapting to a less massive bike scene. It's easy ... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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2

Found Phone Reunited With Owner

As the title suggested, I found a phone and reunited it with it's owner. Hower, what makes this remarkable is that I found the phone in the on-road cycle path, on a 100km/h road, during morning pe... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

2

Cycling can be addictive!

I've previously mentioned how circumstances got me back on the bike last year. Since buying my ebike in August last year, I've ridden almost 4500 km on it. I love the bike and the riding experien... read more

Topic: My Bicycle Romance

2
Image for story 20,000 miles

20,000 miles

This is Robert. Robert cycles several times a week with us at simplycycling. Since he started his journey he has recorded every mile in a hand written journal. We had a little presentation to celeb... read more

Topic: Other

5
Image for story What a wonderful way to start the week!

What a wonderful way to start the week!

I took my beautiful daughter to the child minder for the first time today. We rode in the cargo bike and what a wonderful start to the week it was! The sun is shining. The sky is blue and people co... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

9
Image for story Finally got out there

Finally got out there

I realised that my commute to work In Hamilton (usually about 14 minutes by car) could be totally different by bike, as I could make use of the amazing Waikato River Te Awa trail. The Aotearoa Bik... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

10

Alps to Ocean

Most amazing cycle trail -- spectacular scenery and lots of fun physical challenges -- although best part by far was meeting golden-oldies were totally kicking it -- So, so inspiring -- If you ever... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

1

Toddler and music

Somehow having a toddler on the back gives a perfectly valid excuse to blast some tunes on the bike... From Disney bangers to fat freddys, bring on the day!

Topic: My commute by bike

5
Image for story My happy places x 2

My happy places x 2

So, I booked a weekend in Christchurch with goal of finding 'the bike'. I walked Sumner/Redcliffs pathway (Happy place no. 1 the beach)Then returned the next day to 'christen' my new bike on the sa... read more

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

5