Essex

Stories from Essex

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

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Topic: My commute by bike

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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 onto it... 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 every we... 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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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 . 2019 my ... 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. The ... 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 hope i... 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 I won it!

I won it!

I love to ride. Hope on my bike and it is me and the rode with pedestrians, cyclists, and cars. My goal was always ride every day of the Bike Challenge Month, whether it be a short ride for errand... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Ride your bike while your car gets serviced!

I live in sacramento. We like the Davis dealer where we bought our car, so we take it there for servicing. When I take the car in, I always bring my bike. I drop the car off mid- to late morning, ... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Coldest day

A bit chilly this morning, hard frost on everything. Even though my face was crying with the cold, the rest of me was toasty. I have a waterproof helmet cover and that really keeps my head warm,... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story 1000 miles before end of year completed.

1000 miles before end of year completed.

So happy to complete my goal before December. I'm not stopping though gotta keep them legs working right through winter hopefully. New year and a new goal to come.

Topic: Other

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Image for story Neigh bad

Neigh bad

My noble steed having a well-earned rest at the half-way point of a longish day ride in glorious autumn weather.

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Image for story How do like them apples?

How do like them apples?

Anyone else have a mental map of good places to forage on their routes? I loaded up with some cute little windfall apples today :-)

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

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Image for story Car-free in Houston

Car-free in Houston

I remember plotting my move to Houston, from Detroit, and wondering if I could live there sans automobile. After researching, including looking at walkable neighborhoods, bike & bus routes, and... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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What It Takes to Get Those Day Miles

I’m trying to bicycle every day in October, as part of the BikeTober competition. On Saturday, I was not near mystreet bike. Stepped into a bike shop and asked about their rental policy, which was... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Happy Cycling

Imagine the open road ahead of you, the wind in your hair, and the gentle whir of your bicycle's wheels. There's a certain freedom that comes with passonly riding a bicycle. It's just you, your bik... read more

Topic: My Bicycle Romance

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My story that might inspire bicycle enthusiasts:

In the small town of Pedalville, I lived as young boy. I was not like the other kids. I had a deep passion for bicycles. I loved everything about them - the way they moved, the freedom they offered... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

Image for story Free ride on Sat 9/12/2023 Wanstead Park - Walthamstow Wetlands

Free ride on Sat 9/12/2023 Wanstead Park - Walthamstow Wetlands

Redbridge Cycling Campaign are leading a winter ride on Saturday 9th December, 10.30 from Wanstead Tea Hut to the Walthamstow Wetlands. It will be an easy ride, on quiet streets and off-road paths,... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Brrrrr

That was a chilly little commute this morning! Took a slightly different route to stay within the the houses rather than out on the exposed coast and found out it's all uphill!! Glad I've ordered... read more

Topic: Other

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Image for story My Biketober Holiday Prize!

My Biketober Holiday Prize!

I have taken part on the Biketober Challenge for several years now in the Wollongong City Council Team. It's a great way to ditch the car, save some money on petrol, tone up the leg muscles, get... read more

Topic: Other

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Image for story Dunwich Dynamo (1st July 2023) by Tandem

Dunwich Dynamo (1st July 2023) by Tandem

I think that it was at Needham Lakes that I hit my nadir. We had pulled up abruptly on the beast (a Dawes Galaxy Twin Tandem that had been a successful drunken ebay bid a few years ago) and I’d lef... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Food Delivery Riders

I find them tedious, and don't class their e-bike/small moped riders as cyclists. They ride on the pavements, firing through red lights and generally just giving all cyclists a bad name and therefo... read more

Topic: Other

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Image for story I never expected to be a 'cyclist'

I never expected to be a "cyclist"

I live in a two person, one cat, zero car household. While I have long had the goal that I want to live my life without relying on a car to move in a city, I always expected that goal would be sati... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Image for story Last day of Biketober

Last day of Biketober

I have had a wonderful month exploring on my bike during Biketober. Took this photo today in a local Melbourne park on a beautiful day which is also the last day of this wonderful event/challenge.

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Free facial !

"Good cycling weather" the family said. "Best day of the week" they said "Go for it" they said So I did. Got to the bottom of my steep hill and it rained.....hmmmm! Cycled along the Avenue a... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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A car crash led me to all-weather cycling!

During the deepest days of COVID lockdowns, my car was dramatically written off by another car, during the 3km drive to Karkarook Park. Second-hand car prices were very high, so I waited - using my... read more

Topic: Other

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