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 for covid recovery reignited my love for mtb

Cycling for covid recovery reignited my love for mtb

I caught covid the end of 2020 in December and then suffered with long Covid. I went from going to the gym lifting heavy and doing hiit sessions 4/5 days a week, to struggling to walk upstairs with... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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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 Cycling in ladies Breeze groups

Cycling in ladies Breeze groups

In recent months, I have been struggling with low mood and anxiety related to big changes happening at work. Cycling has really helped me unwind and switch off for a few hours each week. But it is ... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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Getting the wind up

My wife and I aren't used to longer rides but last year we decided to cycle across the New Forest to avoid public transport. We had booked a short stay in Fordingbridge and we took the most direct ... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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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 Cycling in Wales

Cycling in Wales

Wales was out of bounds for English cyclists for many months. Very frustrating for Bristol cyclists, given the enticing sight of the Welsh hills from Bristol and surrounding areas. But understandab... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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Image for story Taste of freedom!

Taste of freedom!

Yesterday we were officially allowed to meet up with one other household outdoors, so we jumped on our tandem (Child 1 on crossbar seat in front of me and Child 2 pedalling at the back) for a 10 mi... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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Image for story Hyde Hall without a car #Ridefree

Hyde Hall without a car #Ridefree

Over lockdown I've done one too many local walks, so it was exciting to make a plan with my new ebike to go further afield. We had driven to Hyde Hall in Essex but it looked manageable by ebike fro... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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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

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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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Breaking the bonds

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

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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Keeping going

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

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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Image for story Ferry ride

Ferry ride

My friend Steve and me had a nice ride for brekkie then a ferry ride to carry on cycling

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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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

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Image for story Not what you would expect to see in Hampshire

Not what you would expect to see in Hampshire

#ExploreByBike
So over lockdown I start exploring so new route on my mountain bike and f oik and found myself riding around the foot paths around marwel zoo.
I never realised there were pat... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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Cycle around Blaise Estate and the Hazel Brook

I went around Blaise Castle Estate after cycling there via the Henbury Lodge entrance. This takes you past the Timber Lodge and Wood,an’s cottage. You can then visit the House, and cycle all the wa... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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Image for story Helping out the struggling charities - Guide Dogs for the Blind

Helping out the struggling charities - Guide Dogs for the Blind

100 for Guide Dogs is a challenge where the participant can choose to Run100, Cycle100 or Swim100 between 1 July and 30 November. For the cycling event the individual can choose how they want to co... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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Eddy

I ride fairly regularly-3 or 4 times a week. I thought l knew my local area.l used to set out on a known route looking to improve my time. Coronovirus lockdown meant events were cancelled. I start... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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Exploring the local area

While being confined to the area around my home on the edge of Bristol has been a great excuse to explore. From the cycle path taking a slightly different exit i have discovered the common at mango... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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Normality

At the start off lockdown I chose to keep heading out each morning and get in the mileage I would have cycled to work. As time went by I persuaded my partner that we should head out on the weekend... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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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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discovering Bristols cycle network

During this time of lock down and being made re-redundant I have been exploring Bristol by bike. I discovered the festival line and i think it is one of the nicest ride I have been on for a while.... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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Image for story love biking

love biking

only started this month as got a secondhand bike and want to get health and fit me and my son are trying to do at least 50 miles a week to start with but my bike not that good :( but i am trying a... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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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

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4000 Miles for 40

Lockdown has been tough on me and my family, so I'm trying to keep moving and positive, cycling and running are big outlets for that, a time to unwind and switch off, part of that has been to fundr... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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From prog rock to the New Forest

Pandemics are not good things I know. However the prospect of being locked in last March, with no prospect of exercise prompted me to put some effort in. From running up and down the drive listenin... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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Image for story Keeping the same challenge

Keeping the same challenge

One benefit to last year was the lack of cars on the road so with that and the great weather we had it gave me a chance to really get into cycling I managed to do 3000 miles for the year which was ... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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Those were good times...

This might be an unpopular opinion, but for me, lockdown had its beauty. Especially when it comes to cycling. Usually when out on the street, I have to face the anger of "car-people" that cut you o... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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Image for story Beautiful Britain By Bike - Day 1

Beautiful Britain By Bike - Day 1

The North Wessex Downs.
I'm on annual leave so am taking the opportunity to explore a few new places. After a 75 minute commute to Pangbourne, we set off to explore the quiet country lanes of W... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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Image for story Bike touring in own back yard (literarlly)

Bike touring in own back yard (literarlly)

I had lots of adventure plans for last year which sadly did not happen. Was feeling a bit low with the lockdown. So packed up my bike with my new lightweight camping gear, which was feeling sad at ... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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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

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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

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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

LeJog

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

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Image for story 1000 Miles

1000 Miles

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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Visit to the Belge cafe

As I live near Stony Stratford one of the things I like to do is find a nice place to stop and have a nice slice of cake, homemade of course. Recently we heard about the Belge cafe near Nash, so we... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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Lock Down Rides

I started cycling again about 3 years as I was training for a sprint triathlon which included 10km ride. At 55 I hadn't cycled much since I was 18! Found I enjoyed being out and about again even on... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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Image for story Eric gets some PPE

Eric gets some PPE

Early one morning whilst out for an early morning pootle along Morecambe Prom (deservedly popular with all types of cyclists), I spotted that even our Eric Morecambe statue was sporting some PPE. W... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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Image for story #ExploreByBike

#ExploreByBike

The Covid-19 situation has been the only reason I have ended up finding a new and picturesque route between Helmshore in Rossendale and Stubbins near Ramsbottom. I have since found out that it is ... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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Image for story Meeting midway

Meeting midway

Meeting midway is about visiting more distant friends safely. We get social again, planning to meet-up & picnic in unfamiliar territory. Our two brothers travel by bike to meet for the first ti... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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A trip around the Avon cycle way

After being in lockdown & isolation for 3 months my friend & I both in our sixties decided to plan an epic cycle to celebrate our release. We chose to complete a full loop of the Avon cycle... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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Image for story Rediscovering the Beautiful City of Bristol

Rediscovering the Beautiful City of Bristol

I'd like to focus and share some of the many positive aspects of 'Lockdown' that I have enjoyed and experienced.
Noticing and listening intently to the dawn and evening chorus of the many diffe... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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Image for story Stanley's First Ride

Stanley's First Ride

Whilst on furlough during lockdown, I joined an amazing Facebook group called "Sloth Cycling Team". As the group name suggests, speed and distance are irrelevant and the main ethos of the group is ... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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Bid By Bike

Since the UK went into lockdown, I have ridden 243 miles around the Bristol City Centre BID area.

I’m out on my bike every morning to check our city to ensure it stays ready for business b... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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Image for story Socially isolating

Socially isolating

Only managed to get out on my bike once during the week to pick up a neighbours medication. By kept up the skills with YouTube indoor cycling through Spain and NZ and no Jet lag.

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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Image for story Cycling in a post car world

Cycling in a post car world

For the first time in a long time I had intended to cycle in and out of work everyday this week but with the office closed for the foreseeable I've swapped my commute for an early morning ride, lov... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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Stories from around the world

covid sucks

In lockdown in stage 4 it was so boring but in stage 2 we were back riding

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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ontspannen en je hoofd leeg maken ten tijde van corona

na werk eerste dag van coronapandemie gelijk gaan fietsen om me hoofd leeg te maken en niet teveel denken over wat er in ziekenhuis werkplek gebeurt en alles van je af zetten en geen werk mee naar ... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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Image for story Road warrior

Road warrior

During COVID we were allowed to exercise. I took the bicycle and cycle from home. Not long there after found myself on the State Highway.
Didn't see any cars. Dead quite.
Was very funny to ... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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My Introduction to Bike Life

We moved to Sacramento shortly after the pandemic began. My sister needed someone to home-school the kids while her and her husband worked and me and my dude had both been laid off.

I hat... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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