Stories from Essex

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

Stolen while swimming

My green Scott 21’ frame just was taken today outside Colchester leisure world between 1-:30-3pm while I was at work, please keep an eye out it is registered with police and I had brand new lights ... read more

Topic: Other

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Image for story Group ride

Group ride

I enjoy getting as many people to ride as much as possible

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Rhod confidence


I completed my Rhod confidence course on the 6th April thru learn to ride and ECC instructors.
I would recommend anyone who has just started cycling again to take this course the instruct... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story 75 km and Bike + Rider = 127 years

75 km and Bike + Rider = 127 years

This year I'm upping my game and putting myself outside my comfort zone. I'm not going to climb Monte Zoncolan or Alpe d'Huez but I am going to ride more organised rides instead of just heading out... read more

Topic: Other

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Cycling in France

Wherever I go on holiday I try to cycle as the infrastructure in many places is so much more conducive, than in the UK. I've just added some new memories with plenty of bike rides on the quiet road... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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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

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A bike ride a day keeps the doctor away

I decided to ride my rickety old Kona mountain bike every day of June as a personal challenge. So far I'm on day 22 and have been out everyday and ridden 188 miles, the most in one day is 20 miles ... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Commute #womenwhoride

Biking to work each day (32miles round trip) was a lot when I started doing it. But the benefits are amazing. Not only have I saved money, and improved my fitness, it is also a shorter commute (1 h... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Commuting

Commuting to / from work daily a total of about 22miles - even when the weather is bad, always makes me feel as though I have achieved something. The worst bit is trying to keep my bike clean!! I s... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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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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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 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

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Delivering Leaflets

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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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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Image for story Family tandems!

Family tandems!

Childback tandems are a perfect way to get the kids about safely and quickly, my tandem has a child seat in front of me for my youngest so he is safely between my arms, and my 7 year old sits behin... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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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 Getting back in the saddle

Getting back in the saddle

As a child I rode my bike everywhere and this continued into my twenties when I decided to sell my car and cycle instead to save money, improve fitness and be environmentally friendly. However, I ... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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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 Leith to Leigh on Sea April 2024

Leith to Leigh on Sea April 2024

I just completed on 21st April 2024, 480 Mile 7 day bike ride from Leith to Leigh on Sea in memory of my son Archie aged 5, who sadly passed away from DIPG in January 2023. Raising money for severa... read more

Topic: Other

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ESSEX PEDAL POWER

would like to thanks Essex pedal power for giving me the chance to get back on a bike

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

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Image for story Life as the founder of leos rides and being a cycle leader

Life as the founder of leos rides and being a cycle leader

Hi I run leos rides I take donated bikes and rebuild them and gift them to any one needing a bike to get to work or just for fun and fitness. I am Allso a fully trained advanced bike Macanic and fu... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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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

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Image for story 100 miles

100 miles

2017 overweight and told pre-diabetic so had to lose weight. I lost my weight on treadmill
(stick with me lol )
I have always loved cycling be it Chipper,Grifter ,M/bike or Road Bike .
read more

Topic: My Bicycle Romance

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Image for story Never to old to peddle and roll.

Never to old to peddle and roll.

Five years ago I got a bike to get out, have some fun and maybe loss weight. 18 months later I had loss 6 Stone, I now own four mountain bikes and at the young age of 57 will be going to Bike Park ... read more

Topic: Other

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Image for story Solstice Ride

Solstice Ride

Usually we try to arrange a ride around the Summer Solstice, last year we couldn't do it due to the restrictions. So, this year we got up before the crack of dawn, met in time for the drab and grey... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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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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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

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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

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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

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cycle commute

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

Topic: Carbon Crushers

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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 Our little pack of OAP’s

Our little pack of OAP’s

The three of us love our days out and to catch up with each other........ and also a little cake with cup of coffee.

Topic: My Bicycle Romance

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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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Stories from around the world

Image for story Photos from Pasadena Bike Month

Photos from Pasadena Bike Month

We had a blast celebrating Pasadena Bike Month in May of 2026!

In Pasadena, CA we had a full month of rides and events, including biking movies, group rides, and learn to ride classes. Th... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

Image for story Bike Month 2026 - A Disaster

Bike Month 2026 - A Disaster

I had intended cycling a lot more this Bike Month 2026, sadly I couldn't find the motivation to get out on the bike until the last week. Various technical problems with both of my bikes and the lac... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

Image for story The Ultra Duathlon That Tried to Break Me — But Didn’t

The Ultra Duathlon That Tried to Break Me — But Didn’t

After completing the 100km London run on Saturday 9 May, I travelled up to Newcastle to begin the second part of the challenge — cycling to all 20 Premier League stadiums in support of City in the ... read more

Topic: Other

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Image for story My Longest Ride

My Longest Ride

This story begins on the 28th of August 2018 when I was out riding my motorcycle 🏍️ and was hit by a woman who ran a red light 🚦 while texting and driving...I awoke from a coma eight (8) days later... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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First motorhome trip 2026

Took the motorhome and our bikes to Silverdale for a couple of nights. Rode to Silverdale and to Arnside. Very hilly glad we had electric bikes. Lovely day out.

May on the Burke

Nothing beats Seattle when the sun decides to show up! I spent the day cruising down the Burke-Gilman yesterday, and honestly, the vibe was perfect. The air was warm, the trees were a bright green,... read more

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

Image for story Bike Month Challenge 2026

Bike Month Challenge 2026

[Sana Ahmed is UCLA Transportation's Active Transportation Planner.]

Ride Your Way to Wellness During Bike Month at UCLA!

Making headway on mental health can start by simply hopp... read more

Topic: Other

Empowering joy

Total complete genuine and complete the joy I feel as my heart beats faster and as I taste the air the ambiance my bicycle has taken me like the greens of sand on the beach always moving rhythmical... read more

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

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Image for story I Have the Most Beautiful Commute in the World and I Am So Lucky

I Have the Most Beautiful Commute in the World and I Am So Lucky

I could get up earlier than I have to and catch the bus on someone else's timetable, sit in the car and get miserable and frustrated in traffic, or be out in the elements enjoying six miles of off-... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Image for story A Bike Race Like No Other

A Bike Race Like No Other

Have you ever wanted to build a bike that could traverse any obstacle? In Humboldt County, we have the Kinetic Sculpture Grand Championship Race (kineticgrandchampionship.com). These bikes have to ... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

Image for story Wobbly legs = steady mind

Wobbly legs = steady mind

Last week I walked part of the Kintyre Way, an 100-mile walking route that zigzags the Kintyre Peninsula in Argyll, in Scotland.

I wanted to share my story because if you have the opportu... read more

Topic: Other

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Image for story First motorhome trip 2026

First motorhome trip 2026

Took the motorhome and our bikes to Silverdale for a couple of nights. Rode to Silverdale and to Arnside. Very hilly glad we had electric bikes. Lovely day out.

Image for story Night rides are the best

Night rides are the best

Most of my life, I have work jobs with late shifts. One thing that I have always enjoyed about them is the night time commute home. I love riding when I see more foxes, raccoons, or opossums than I... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Image for story Bikes on Bikes!

Bikes on Bikes!

Found this funny photo I took of my kiddo's Strider bike on the back of my trailer, so I could drop him at daycare with his wheels for Bike Day at the school on my way to work. I love that he loves... read more

Topic: Ride with kids

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Empowering joy

Total complete genuine and complete the joy I feel as my heart beats faster and as I taste the air the ambiance my bicycle has taken me like the greens of sand on the beach always moving rhythmical... read more

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

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