England

Stories from England

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

Image for story Cycling to work in Bracknell

Cycling to work in Bracknell

Hi my name’s Phil, right up front I’ll admit I work at Bracknell Forest Council and my remit is encouraging more sustainable journeys around our borough.

I want to highlight some of the w... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

8
Image for story COVID Made me start a YouTube Channel

COVID Made me start a YouTube Channel

I've always been a keen cyclist and like to get out and about, joined a few cycling challenges here and there and all is good. COVID-19 came around and locked down any group rides in the beginning ... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

7

getting out in to nature

riding along the pathways listening to birds and insects. taking you away for the noise and traffic of the city lost out in a world that you would not know was there unless we jumped on a bike. we ... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

7

The 85 year old who rides everyday

I didn’t ride regularly in winter until I was introduced to this man!
He goes out at 6.45am everyday and does 10 miles on his electric bike 👏
He does a longer ride on a Sunday when two of u... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

23
Image for story Night riding

Night riding

We have all missed being out cycling together and fitting it in has required some night riding. We all got the bike lights on tonight and enjoyed a couple of hours of chatting and night riding safe... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

10
Image for story What a way to start the day!

What a way to start the day!

I hopped on my bike for my first day at the office in 2022, and like pretty much every time I ride to work, I was surprised by how great it made me feel - and it's my job to tell people that!
<... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

14
Image for story Sun rise

Sun rise

I was cycling to work along beautiful country lanes and saw the most amazing sun rise for this time of year breaking through the morning fog. Stunning way to start the day

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

7
Image for story Almost there.....

Almost there.....

2021 has been a tough year, work from home no reason to cycle, no commute to work.....set myself a goal, "Ride every day".... was easy to start with lots of enthusiasm much like when you join a gym... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

2
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Cycle-wear for commuters

Summer Commute Cycling - Bike; Sunglasses; Shorts & T-shirt.
Winter Commute Cycling - Bike; Lights; Extra Lights; Extra - Extra lights; Hi-Vis Jacket; Hi-Vis Gloves, Trousers, Shoes, Socks,... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

8
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

Ride ur bike

In 2021 yk its gd to ride ur bike

Topic: Other

3
Image for story Cycling and chemo

Cycling and chemo

Cancer came back to visit me this year. I decided that Cancer Research needed more money to find ways to get rid of that unwanted visitor. So I gave myself the challenge of 1000 miles in 100 days... read more

Topic: Other

3
19

Cycling = Cake

It's funny what interests people to start cycling or cycle more. Some are the cost savings they would make, the health impact, the sense of freedom... well I was sat at work having a treat of a cho... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

1
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Image for story Returning to the Office but by Bike (for now)

Returning to the Office but by Bike (for now)

Despite cycling a lot in the last 10 years, I've never lived close enough for the commute to work to be practicable by bike.

Since joining the council in January I've been working from hom... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

13
Image for story Joanne Blair is the DAC Beachcroft #CycleSeptember Star 2021!

Joanne Blair is the DAC Beachcroft #CycleSeptember Star 2021!

Joanne had not cycled since she was a schoolgirl of 12 but had a real urge to get back on 2 wheels this September. She had been a close watcher of all our DACB cycling / walking events for years, a... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story This #CycleSeptember has doubled my average cycling distance!

This #CycleSeptember has doubled my average cycling distance!

I got into cycling last year thanks to the earlier Cycling initiatives from 'Love To Ride' but my capacity was no more than 10-12 kms at a time. This challenge has only deepened my 'Cycling Romance... read more

Topic: My Bicycle Romance

11
Image for story Derailer, Sm'erailer!!

Derailer, Sm'erailer!!

After having cycled for many years now but not knowing a single thing about fixing bikes, I went to my first ever bike mechanic course - set up by Mark and Andy at Stretford mall. After going to th... read more

Topic: My Bicycle Romance

1
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Image for story cycling around just for...well becuase!

cycling around just for...well becuase!

So, my story is simple. If you ever don't know what to do, just get on your bike. This is surprisingly helpful and you will start to see things like you've never seen before. For me it was things l... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

1
5
Image for story My 'Quaran-triathlon'

My "Quaran-triathlon"

I was struggling with finding motivation to train during the 1st lockdown. So I decided to do something that could take the focus away from myself and I signed up for a virtual triathlon – called T... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

16
Image for story Gloucester Quays in the Sunshine

Gloucester Quays in the Sunshine

The quays on one of the hottest days of the year created a fantastic backdrop for a bike ride with colleagues from Thinktravel on a Tuesday in September! With lots to do to help make it easier for ... read more

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

10
Image for story When feeling down - get out!!

When feeling down - get out!!

Yesterday, I had a lonely feeling day, but I knew getting out would be good for me. I came to my 'senses' and decide to experience a ride with all my senses.
There is something about riding, e... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

1
10
Image for story Joined a club

Joined a club

I rode socially with friends for years but they decided to emigrate to Australia. As I was about to lose my cycling buddies I looked up ‘Lets Ride’ on the web and found like minded local groups. ... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

16

Is the universe trying to tell me something!

I do actually love riding to work although this is encouraged by the sunny days sometimes discourage but the threat of high winds storms thunder and lightening... but with every dark cloud there is... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

3
11
Image for story Getting back on the bike

Getting back on the bike

I've been a cyclist for many years and commuted regularly for a decade. I've ridden many of the great French climbs as well as Mount Diablo in California, have enjoyed cycle touring in several coun... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

3
18
Image for story My Favourite? Well, certainly one of my favourites....

My Favourite? Well, certainly one of my favourites....

South East Wales anyone?
Now, apologies to anyone living in or near Cwmbran but it is not the first place to think of when you want to go for bike ride.... Wrong! There is a gem that threads i... read more

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

9

Ice Cycle

Last month I was cycling and slipped on a slippery wooden bridge on an icy day and busted some ribs, hurt my leg but otherwise my bike broke my fall and itself.
So I've been bicycle shopping ag... read more

Topic: Other

6
Image for story Cycling in Bracknell Forest - love it? hate it? what can we improve?

Cycling in Bracknell Forest - love it? hate it? what can we improve?

I'm Aidan, and i'm one of the folks at the Council who deals with what we call sustainable modes, or in the case of walking and cycling, 'Active Modes'.

I'm a keen cyclist myself, and get ... read more

7
Image for story MTB stole from school in broad day light

MTB stole from school in broad day light

Last Monday lunch (31 01 2022) my MTB Corratec was stolen from the school Bike shed.
Green and Black
The 2015 Corratec Opiate 650b FZ is a full-suspension all Mountain/Enduro MTB
If a... read more

Topic: Other

2
3
Image for story Picnic lunch with my bike

Picnic lunch with my bike

After all this time, I am still working from home. Usually I go out on my bike or for a walk every day around lunch time to make sure I see some daylight and to get my exercise. To mix it up a bit,... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

9

Cycling anyway

I was a bit nervous when I signed up to a local Ladies only cycle - a 10 mile route round Cheltenham but I was determined to give it a go. When I turned up, there was another lady there so we got c... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

18
Image for story Best ride of the year

Best ride of the year

To celebrate a friend's 50th we decided to try e-mountain biking. What an amazing day we had, we hired the bikes and booked a guide which was a great move. We all had such a brilliant day and were ... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

16
Image for story First ride to nursery

First ride to nursery

Took my son to nursery by bike for the first time. Getting an ebike has given me the confidence to ride with him

Topic: A happy riding memory

1
21
Image for story Spreading Festive Cheer

Spreading Festive Cheer

6 of us from our Cycling group of Friends decided to get dressed up and cycle around Morecambe, to do a tour of the houses that were decorated. We all went above and beyond with the outfits and li... read more

Topic: Other

1
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Image for story Ride the lights

Ride the lights

Especially with friendd

Topic: A happy riding memory

1
12

Winter riding….

I’d forgotten just how much fun it is getting wet and blown around out there… what a great day to go out - and an even better day to appreciate getting home!!

Topic: My Bicycle Romance

3
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

And then it rained!

A beautiful autumn morning, the sun is just out, the sky is starting to turn blue from grey.
I am beginning my favourite bike ride.
I haven't ridden here for a while so now I hope the aut... read more

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

6
Image for story It's (almost) always ride weather!

It's (almost) always ride weather!

A couple of weekends ago the forecast was rain, rain and some more rain. I had planned to do my first ever 100-mile bike ride, what to do?

I decided that all winter long the weather might ... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

2
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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

8

Bike to school week

The weather has been, sunny, torrential rain and windy this week but my daughter, son and I have all managed to rise to the challenge of riding and enjoyed it 😃💖 Today was our greatest achievement ... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

8

Churchdown Family Cycle Ride (NCN41)

Wanted to share a traffic-free route on the National Cycle Network (NCN41) for families with young children from Churchdown Parish Council/Playground/Park/Skatepark/BMX track to Gloucestershire Air... read more

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

1
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Image for story What goes around, comes around…

What goes around, comes around…

I own a 1980s Raleigh Sirocco that comes with bit of a story.

My love for this bike started when I was a toddler. My Dad owned one and I have very fond early memories of trying to climb o... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

13

Fun

I had so much fun cycling with my friends

Topic: A happy riding memory

3

Sometimes the Fates conspire against you!

Okay, so I said to myself I'm going to cycle more this September when I return to my job at Reading College. Especially since lockdown, I had put on a lot of weight, plus I did want to reduce my ca... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

3
Image for story Tour de Manc

Tour de Manc

On Sunday I participated in Tour de Manc raising funds for HaTS charity to help Cancer patients.
I initially planned to do a mad manc route which is 200km via difficult terrain. Unfortunately, ... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

2
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Image for story My daughters' love for their bikes

My daughters' love for their bikes

The start of university meant a bike in tow for all three daughters, one of whom is now fully grown up and cycling through London to work. I love this picture captured on a leisurely cycle ride by ... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

10
Image for story Granddaughter &amp; me

Granddaughter & me

My granddaughter is only 11 yrs old and she always wants a cycle with me so off we went round Canvey island a full 11 miles, & she didn’t moan once .
She can’t wait till we do it again

Topic: A happy riding memory

12

From walking to cycling everywhere

I have only owned a car once when I was at college for a total of two years. I'm now 32 so that is a long time without driving! I used to get public transportation everywhere and walk everywhere. I... read more

Topic: My Bicycle Romance

11

Well done everyone for June Bike Challenge

Thank you Love to Ride for the June Bike Challenge and all those lovely prizes. Sad to say I had no luck in the raffles, but hey that is not what it is all about. I was trying not to be competiti... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

8

Wimbledon Devastation

Monday 28th June, lovely morning ride to work the start of Wimbledon YEY,(my other passion). I had my lucky Wimbledon monogramed hand towel in my back pack, sad but i love it :) cycled to work only... read more

Topic: Other

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