England

Stories from England

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

Image for story Ode to a Cargo Bike

Ode to a Cargo Bike

There once was a man named Phil,
Who cargo-biked up a ruddy big hill,
He had no e-assist,
But you’ll get the gist,
He nearly blacked out while the kids in the front were so chill.

Topic: My commute by bike

9

My leisurely ride on a country road

It is an almost balmy afternoon as I leave the busy road and join the quiet country road to West Marton on the edge of the Yorkshire Dale's. I Pedal sedately and drink in the surroundings. The tre... read more

Topic: Other

6

Reconnecting with my bikes

I promised myself I would use the extra time over the pandemic to get fitter. I have done lots of walking and have spent loads more time with the family which is a positive. However, my bikes hav... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

5
Image for story Slow cycling

Slow cycling

I have almost never been a fast cycler. Even when I was going full tilt, there were always other people going faster. I no longer have any bikes with drop handlebars. I like to sit up and look at t... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

1
8
Image for story Expanding Horizons

Expanding Horizons

I've been "working from home" for almost a year now. There are many real benefits to it, and it's been the right thing to do, but there are times when the same 4 walls feel a bit oppressive: that's... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

2
5

Hard work but worth it.

I have not done much cycling over the last two years as my road bike is broken. I made up my mind to try doing my 7.2 miles commute on my mountain bike. I was feeling the difference not cycling was... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

4

Dead Lose

I lost my husband at the beginning of April/Lockdown (not covid) so last years cycling was very rare and far between. Lets hope I can get out a bit more often and get back into shape :-)

Topic: Other

1
8

No looking back

After treatment for breast cancer I wanted a challenge, so I signed up for ride the night. But hubby pointed out that I didn’t really ride a bike without hitting things or falling off. So I joined ... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

1
10

It’s time for change.

As many now use a car I think they forget that we that do not drive have to breath in all the fumes from cars and we have no choice to do so unless we want to live our life’s wearing a mask.
T... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

6
Image for story Riding in the cold and rain!

Riding in the cold and rain!

Well it certainly been a challenging month. Back on furlough!
Dodging puddles, trying to stay upright on the ice, fixing punctures following the multitude of hedge cutters out this month.
read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

3
Image for story 2021

2021

This year will be simple.
1. continue my 5 mile commute at 5am to the station with my 3st rucksack.
2. Cycle 1000 miles at weekends over a year, before my wife wakes up at 9am, dressed as a... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

1
4

lightthenight

I commute from Colden Common to Bishops Waltham 2-3 times a week. Good lights are essential as the Winchester Road between the two places is unlit, although, now some of the farm houses and buildin... read more

Cycling in December

5.5 miles on a nice fresh, dry morning - best way to start the day at work, but it would have been fun to carry on past the factory!

Topic: My commute by bike

1
6
Image for story Looking for Light #Lightthenight

Looking for Light #Lightthenight

For the last 2 weeks, I have been in self isolation.
I was desperate to get out.
I had the perfect idea for #LightTheNight
And so, today the 30th (i am hoping I made the deadline?)
read more

Topic: Other

6
Image for story Me and the lads

Me and the lads

Motivated my mates for a ride beyond their limits on an early Sunday morning. From Oldham to Bury. To local authority areas in less than 3 hours there and back.

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

6

Making sure your seen

Prior to cycling I would have gone out running with only an illuminace jacket on. However on the bike it is so important people see you and you can see them. This week I got my girls out on their b... read more

Topic: Other

4
Image for story The time I accidentally went to Wales

The time I accidentally went to Wales

A few years ago, I set out on a mission to do 120 km in one day, for the Strava Gran Fondo challenge. It was a grey day, a bit rainy, but at least it was warm. I stopped for lunch in Chester, and l... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

3
15

Finding my love of cycling and maintenance

Having tipped past 47 years old this time I was keen to make more of an effort to get back into cycling. I joined cycling September challenge, which not entirely successful due to illness did see m... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

5
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 Lessons by hard knocks.

Lessons by hard knocks.

The New Year started well with a lovely wedding of our son and his passing out as an Officer in the Royal Marines. Then came a choice one morning, wear the part reflective part blue cycling jacket ... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

4
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

Cycling preseved my mental wellbeing

Following my partner being admitted to hospital earlier this year, I found myself valuing cycling even more than before. I began to almost look at my bike as an old friend who transported me across... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

2
Image for story Hill? What hill?

Hill? What hill?

I have a new love. My husband knows and approves. It means I am at home less, gives him a little 'me' time as we are both working from home in these strange times. I tried a similar relationship ma... read more

Topic: My Bicycle Romance

4
Image for story The cycling bug

The cycling bug

I am 71 years old, a type 1 diabetic on 4 insulin injections a day, asthmatic, waiting for a knee replacement and had a double heart bypass So why am I cycling? Simply because I love it! I haven... read more

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

5

#LighttheNight

A cheap but effective way to be seen at night, especially from the sides, which often gets overlooked, is to aim a clip/strap light on to your water bottles on your frame. It really lights up the b... read more

Topic: Other

Image for story Riding isnt for the day time

Riding isnt for the day time

Night riding is fast becoming, thanks to Covid my favorite time to get out on my bike. There is no one about and you have most places to yourself. At night your senses become more alert and you hea... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

6

Friend has now done the whole Guild wheel

A newish friend who hasn't cycled since childhood (and is now 48) has been trying to get fit and lose weight. They had bought a brand new bike three years ago but hadn't wanted to go out on their ... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

14
Image for story Ride Relaxed

Ride Relaxed

Looked like the sunniest day we'll have for a while and hubby had the day off so we packed gifted cakes, bought coffee and went for a leisurely bimble to Royal Victoria Country Park and back. Lovel... read more

Topic: Other

4
4
Image for story A Peaceful start to the day

A Peaceful start to the day

I love getting up before the rest of the family and stretching my legs on the bike, especially on mornings like today. The sun had just broken and the light was a golden colour. Not many out on the... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

6

My Bike ride

Everyday once I have either finished my work homeschooling or finished my work at school and go home I love to go out on my bike and do my favourite ride.
This ride consists of me setting off ... read more

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

7
Image for story Airport Orbital and Stop at Jolly Sailor

Airport Orbital and Stop at Jolly Sailor

Me and 4 friends have got together to lose weight, keep fit and cycle around our local area. We like the Manchester Airport Orbital Route and the new A555 Bypass too. We have started cycling most ... read more

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

1
4

Working at hospital

I am very happy to use my bicycle to get to Stepping Hill Hospital from Sale. Using my bicycle takes my to my workplace and keeps me fit. Stretching my legs after the shift standing up! Great for m... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

3

My happy place

Before lockdown 1 I would regularly commute the 20 km to and from work either along the seafront or through Prittlebrook Greenway. Cycling through lockdown gave me space to breathe and forget the p... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

1
1
Image for story To clear the head.

To clear the head.

Took the mtb into the forest today. Needed a to get out. Especially after the football result last night. 😭☺ didn't set no time. Didn't set no distance. Just enjoyed the scenery and fresh air. Took... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

7
Image for story Riding in the cold and rain!

Riding in the cold and rain!

Well it certainly been a challenging month. Back on furlough!
Dodging puddles, trying to stay upright on the ice, fixing punctures following the multitude of hedge cutters out this month.
read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

3
Image for story #WinterWheelers - don't be lazy!

#WinterWheelers - don't be lazy!

I needed to get some things from the shop.
It would have been easy to opt for taking my car:
- easier to carry groceries in the car
- it's 2 degrees, quite cold!

BUT no, I chos... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

6

IMPORTANCE OF CYCLING

I cannot stress enough how cycling has got me through the last months.
I am self isolating and cycle on my own but meet up with friends when it is allowed for coffee and cake. I try to cycle f... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

7
Image for story Biking to work

Biking to work

It's me and my bike when l bike ride the 4 miles each way to work .sometimes early on the morning when its still dark l travel along the road side, how many people are up and say good morning .On w... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

1
11

Life on my Own

Riding can sometimes be a solo experience...no one there to see you flying over the handle, bars, walking home with a flat tyre, spiking your shin on the peddles, p*** wet through! cryin to yoursel... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

1
3
Image for story To Hull and back

To Hull and back

Zeeland, well what an adventure. It all began with a 'thinking aloud' post on Facebook. Wouldn't it be good if….

Now lots of people said it would be and there it sat. We all did nothing. C... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

1
8

No bikes today!

Grantham Hospital has fenced off its staff bike shed today so I had no choice but to chain my bike to the fence. Note to managers we still bike in the winter!!

Topic: My commute by bike

9
Image for story Fabulous views, free commute and free exercise

Fabulous views, free commute and free exercise

Every day I cycle along Newcastle / Gateshead Quayside to and from work. The views are great, including:
Robert Stephenson's High Level Bridge (1849) - the world's first double decker bridge (... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

1
Image for story Cycling at night

Cycling at night

It’s been rare to cycle after dark recently, especially under lockdown. When things were open I was able to swim each evening; a perfect way to complement my cycling exercise. That’s not possible j... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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2

Biking to work in the dark

Starting my shift at Pilgrim Hospital, Boston at 6am means I am cycling to work in the dark since the clocks went back. Coming the other way down a narrow unlit street I have been dismayed to see a... read more

Topic: Other

7

Keeping going

So, here we are locked down, again....
In our urban environment, there are many busy roads, some do contain traffic shared cycle lanes.
However, going for it, we can via these and judicious... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

4
Image for story Hilly Blasters

Hilly Blasters

I’m a Breeze Champion and for the last 2 or 3 years I’ve led a Thursday night, hilly ride which has proved popular with a core group of die hard riders. We motivate each other and our fitness has g... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

5
Image for story Sharing my passion

Sharing my passion

I started commuting by bike to work about 5 years ago when I first moved to the UK. I got given a very old purple mountain bike by one of our regulars in the pub where I worked. It was a very espec... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story Rediscovered joy

Rediscovered joy

I used to cycle a lot, during my industrial training during my degree course I cycle from Porchester to Gosport each day there and back, daily total of 15 miles. I loved riding then then life chang... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

After my accident

Back in 2018 , through no fault of my own I was hit by a large vehicle and suffered a dislocated collar bone, among other injuries. I was off my bike for over 6 months and it was a long painful roa... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

3
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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