Stories from England

Encouraged by my daughter to get back cycling. This photo shows us both out today on the Carrington Moss Estate. This is a beautiful place to get outdoors and take in the Natural beauty that surr... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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I commute 3hrs each way to work most days.

And whats the best bit the 5 mile cycle to the station at 5am and home by 7pm

Even better is when it's dark.. then you can add all th... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

4

Well actually, just riding in the dark...

Before the pandemic, I cycled to and from the train station every day, all year, in all weather.

So what lighting do I recommend?
read more

Topic: Other

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Susan Cullen Well said Martyn safe cycling

Well said Martyn safe cycling

Cherri Farren Has anyone seen the LED string lights (like christmas twinkle lights) that you wrap around your frame? I have only seen the... read more

Has anyone seen the LED string lights (like christmas twinkle lights) that you wrap around your frame? I have only seen them for sale in the USA. I usto have tyres which were slightly reflective. My current lights are too dim for winter weather, so thanks for LED advice and help.

Paul Newell Some good points Martyn. I tend to use the hyper flash setting in the day as well. The flash attracts attention whilst the ... read more

Some good points Martyn. I tend to use the hyper flash setting in the day as well. The flash attracts attention whilst the steady beam provides your location. You are right about lights that are overly bright. They simply blind other road users who then can't really tell where you are.

Langton Wildman Very true Martyn, especially regarding the hi-power stobe lights.. Congratulations, Langton Wildman, Midas Eyewear.

Very true Martyn, especially regarding the hi-power stobe lights.. Congratulations, Langton Wildman, Midas Eyewear.

David Jenks To Cherri - I have just fitted some LED tube lights that fit into the tyre valves. I have put them on in my #LightTheNight ... read more

To Cherri - I have just fitted some LED tube lights that fit into the tyre valves. I have put them on in my #LightTheNight photo, but the front wheel one looks dim. The rear one appears to be illuminating the road, but it actually had 3 colours. Can't remember where I got them.

Andy Plowright Spot on. Essential to have a constant light source, if you have a flashing light on top of that, that's great, but drivers ... read more

Spot on. Essential to have a constant light source, if you have a flashing light on top of that, that's great, but drivers just glance briefly sometimes before pulling out, and if they happen to glance when your light is in the 'off' part of the cycle...

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My commute almost seems like a distant memory, mostly working from my back room rather than cycling the Milton Keynes redways into the office.

It's that time of year, light going out in th... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

1

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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8 WEAR A HELMET, ALWAYS
Please, please wear a helmet! There is no excuse to not be wearing one. One doesn’t wear them for fashion. They’re there to protect your head. (There are some horrific i... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Mahesh Patel So true, I had a fall whilst trying to corner on wet leaves, thank God for the helmet....

So true, I had a fall whilst trying to corner on wet leaves, thank God for the helmet....

Great way to get round our town to deliver newsletters. Quicker than walking and better than driving. Efficient and good for me.

Topic: Other

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I thought I'd join in by borrowing a set of wheels to help my team to the top of the table and also in the hope that I could actually win my own set of wheels!

Will do it again next year..... read more

Helen Fairhurst You have to be in it to win it! Well done, good luck for next time! Helen

You have to be in it to win it! Well done, good luck for next time! Helen

Great News Love to Ride Cycle September
Always good to get people out cycling
Activity keeps you much healthier
I’m out three, four times a week, not working
Set a goal, twelve hu... read more

Topic: Carbon Crushers

1

I took the opportunity of Cycle September to arrange to see my mates from University. We had not met up for 10 years and it was great to get together on a cycle ride on the Tissington Trail in Derb... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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The cycle from Pennington Warf > Old Trafford back is such a nice way to unwind after a tough working week. I always find the people on the route to be respectful and friendly. There are some gr... read more

I used to drive my car to the gym to walk on the treadmill.
I would go macdonalds for a big mac on the way home.
Now I ride my bike from home for a workout and pick something up to eat from... read more

Topic: Carbon Crushers

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Barny Barnes Great story and inspiration ;-)

Great story and inspiration ;-)

Having had numerous holidays cancelled, social distancing heightened we began to consider our options. Stay safe and keep fit. When sister and husband offered to drive our camper van for an adventu... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

3

For me "love to ride" is not just the love to ride is the only means of transport for work ,shopping and fun ....i do 250-300 miles mothly and i have 3 bike ( had 4 till cople months ago...got ... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Just a short story to say I was in target to hit 8000 miles this year and loving life on my bike, which includes my first camping bike packing experience. Unfortunately I freak incident knocked me ... read more

Topic: Other

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I started cycling between my home in Morecambe and Lancaster train station when Northern trains were on strike. I enjoyed it so much I thought I would carry on for the summer. Two years later after... read more

In January I started a new job which allowed me to cycle 12 miles to and from work. My previous job was 30 miles and 3 motorways away so cycling wasn’t an option. I decided to sell my car and put s... read more

I like to cycle and in the past I used to cycle a lot. After the knee surgery I was unable to cycle all the way to my workplace and than cycle to carry out inspections around Manchester. Cycle Se... read more

For the car free day we decided to trial cycling both kids (1 and 3years old) to nursery. The kids loved it! Having the oldest on the front meant we could discuss traffic lights, cars and indicatin... read more

Topic: Carbon Crushers

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Cyclists Prayer:

From these 2 wheels, I pray
That I may see things differently, today

Thank You for my health
Thank You for the joy of the journey
Thank You for the fr... read more

Topic: My Bicycle Romance

5

My car was due to be taxed on 1 June so I decided mid-May that I'd save the £160 and reduce my carbon emissions and start cycling to work. I've thoroughly enjoyed the experience and it certainly w... read more

Topic: Carbon Crushers

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I started the Swap-Stop-Go challenge on the 1st of August and over the next 56 days I completed 86 rides and cycled a total of 1001.7 miles.

Being in the office still, I cycled to work ev... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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With just one last opportunity to get in a few miles I took the chance of working from home this afternoon so that I could also get in one last ride for the arts company I work for, Salford-based W... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Having been diagnosed type 1 diabetic a number of years and having suffered the ups and downs of the disease, I wanted to give back to the charity that is helping support people like me affected by... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Milton Keynes is a fabulous place for biking with a lot more to experience than you can ever imagine.

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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I started cycle commuting in 1984, at the age of 22. I was fed up of waiting in the cold for a bus, and a friend offered to lend me her bike whilst she wasn't using it. I had the luxury of five gea... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

7

Ive been cycling for a while.
When my boyfriends' housmate was furloughed, his housemate brought a bike, and started cycling around Manchester. This was great news, and after borrowing the bike... read more

Before lockdown and Cycle September I did most of my travelling around the city by bus or Uber.
Now I cycle everywhere! I really enjoy it, it minimises unnecessary contact on public transport a... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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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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Scott Watson Walked up from Bardon Mill to Housesteads on that very road just the other weekend - but everything was white after quite a... read more

Walked up from Bardon Mill to Housesteads on that very road just the other weekend - but everything was white after quite a heavy snowfall. Quite a tough route on a bike.

Debra Willison It is but it’s we’ll worth it for the scenery.

It is but it’s we’ll worth it for the scenery.

I'll never forget how I felt when I was racing along an unlit country lane and my front light went out. I think the batteries died suddenly, and so did my confidence... it was terrifying. I freewhe... read more

I did it! Woohoo!

50 days of riding!
This is how this challenge came about. I decided to take part in the [address removed] #CycleSeptember challenge. I only really awoke to the idea o... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

2

24 years ago I left MK. Cycling was difficult and unpleasant in my new area. In the last 5 years, none at all.

Soon to be moving back to MK - with a bit of luck and a following wind! ... read more

I used to ride daily to the office and back. A journey of about 8 miles. Not a lot, but enough to keep me fit and the pounds off my waistline.

Then Lockdown happened and the need to cycle... read more

Rushing to meet some friends for a road ride on Saturday I noticed the headset was loose. I grabbed the Allen keys and got adjusting keeping one eye on the clock. In my haste, I overtightened the b... read more

Topic: Carbon Crushers

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Neil Drummond ...and meeting at Warmley Waiting Rooms. Cappuccino and cake as a consolation ;o)

...and meeting at Warmley Waiting Rooms. Cappuccino and cake as a consolation ;o)

I gave blood the other day, and used my bike (it's allowed! …. as long as you don't push too hard after donating). Donor sessions are always busy and it's often difficult to park your car - cyclin... read more

When the unthinkable happened and the roads fell quiet, it was a unique glimpse of what is possible, of the world we could have. The birds sounded louder, the air tasted sweeter and cycling was saf... read more

Commuting in Grantham is a mind numbing experience. I had to travel 3 miles across town to reach work and it could take as long as 45 minutes some days.
So, I decided to break out the old trus... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Melanie Carroll Hope you are still enjoying the time savings and are doing #CycleSeptember too :)

Hope you are still enjoying the time savings and are doing #CycleSeptember too :)

After a fall a few years ago I never worked up the courage to get back on my bike, until being inspired by Cycle September. Since then I've loved riding my bike to work or to the shops, come rain (... read more

Topic: Carbon Crushers

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Since lockdown started, I've managed to almost completely switch to commuting by bicycle! The quiet roads and pop up cycle lanes have made me feel happy enough to get myself to work via pedal powe... read more

Manchester’s Got Talent is a Youth group set up during Covid Lockdown to respond to the local needs of teenagers and parents and fill the gap left where many charities shut down or sent staff ... read more

Adrian Lewis fabulous. You and what you do is amazing!

fabulous. You and what you do is amazing!

I live just over 2 miles from my place of work and understand that it's not doing myself or the environment any good by taking the car to work.
I am now cycling to work Monday to Friday and hop... read more

As a carer, I have been caring full time for two adult sons suffering from depression and anxiety throughout lockdown. I used to work as a cycle instructor! But caring during COVID has affected tha... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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Our 4 year old learned to ride a bike about 6 months ago, but she's still a bit young for longer family trips, and getting too heavy for the bike seat! Buying a second hand tag along has been the b... read more

I absolutely loved the #CycleSeptember Challenge.
But I only committed to riding everyday from the 15th September
(I was away, without a bicycle - for the week before that)

So I ha... read more

Topic: Carbon Crushers

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I have been riding since I was a child and my partner is the opposite I managed to convince her to ride to work and to the shop and we take both are kids out all on bikes for the day. Better for ar... read more

Topic: Carbon Crushers

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First thing in the morning I'm not the most motivated of people so, starting to cycle to work was a big ask for my zombie like self to get in to.
I managed it one morning and amazingly after a... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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CHALLENGE COMPLETE!!!!!
Today I have completed my ‘100 for Guide Dogs’ cycle challenge. I have cycled for 100 hours and covered 1683 miles. I had to finish of course in beautiful Morecambe Bay... read more

Topic: Other

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The great thing about the Ribble Valley (30 miles north of Manchester) is that sooner of later you bump into a hill. Getting fit on a bike happens quicker when you're up against the force of an up... read more

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

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I took part in going around Milton Keynes taking photos of the 9 Landmarks. I didn't have to all 9. We needed to only submit at least 4 - but any excuse to go exploring. And today, I came acros... read more

Topic: My Bicycle Romance

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What is great about biking is what you see from those two wheels.
Today, I saw a Heron alongside a brook in Loughton.
Great spot!

We had a face off! :)

Was so great to pa... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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