Stories from around the world

On October 31st, 2017 on a crisp bright morning, while commuting to work by bicycle, I was struck head on by an oncoming car. The driver said he didn't see me, which is a small comfort; as I would ... read more

- Drew Brown

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

1

Steven Dewar Well done on your recovery and getting back to fitness!

Well done on your recovery and getting back to fitness!

Students in higher education are at an age vulnerable to mental illness as 75% of mental health difficulties develop before the age of 25. 16-25 is the key age group to target with preventative & e... read more

- Brian Mc Gowan

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

1

My life changed when I was introduced to riding with Breeze network, not many miles but with encouragement from leaders and cycling buddies, I soon got the bug and enjoyed cycling into the wolds an... read more

- Dawn Braithwaite

Topic: Other

1

Steven Dewar Brilliant story, very inspiring, well done!

Brilliant story, very inspiring, well done!

Back to riding after ten years or so mainly thanks to all the share bike schemes around... Got my first ever brommie through cycle scheme and loving it!

- Yoni Dital

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

I am 62 years old and have rheumatoid arthritis and recently my walking has become very painful, so I asked the nurse what would help me to still get exercise and she recommended cycling. I had a ... read more

Steven Dewar Fantastic to hear how well you are getting around, a real inspiration, the yorkshire wolds are lovely.

Fantastic to hear how well you are getting around, a real inspiration, the yorkshire wolds are lovely.

Gill Wood Actually reading through this site I think perhaps I should not be on here as I don't work due to the rheumatoid arthri... read more

Actually reading through this site I think perhaps I should not be on here as I don't work due to the rheumatoid arthritis please let me know if I should not post on her, many thanks. I just thought the site was to encourage others to ride their bikes more. Sorry if I was wrong.

Heavy legs, post gym aches and 5 days of continual cycling. Roll on rest day :) No complaints however, the roads were nice and quiet too!

After a serious illness a few years ago, I put on a bit of weight and my fitness suffered because of damage to my lungs. I've been walking to work occasionally, but I finally decided to get a new b... read more

We've cycled through the seasonal summer without the ice, And at rare times the sunshine which was nice, Getting up extra early to cycle by the deer, Or the birds of prey swooping past my ear... read more

- Sharon Maclean

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

3

Part of my commute home used to be by Sarehole Mill (part of the inspiration for Lord of the Rings) in Moseley Birmingham. There is a short cut around the back that either goes through the ford, if... read more

- Charles De Foy

Topic: My commute by bike

3

Mark is the reason I took up cycling after 30 years. When he calmly announced to the office he had a couple of months to live, we all asked what we could do. Laughing his head off he said “cycle fr... read more

- Adrian Lewis

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

3

As a commuter, I often have problems with punctures and with overall bike maintenance. My ambition is to be able to carry out simple maintenance tasks myself, without having to take the bike into ... read more

I vividly remember the dreaded day mum took the training wheels off my bike and took me and my brother down to a park in Brookfield to ride without the stability and reliance of those extra two whe... read more

- Andrew Adermann

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

2

My daughter started to cycle again at the end of last summer, which she hadn't done since she was at primary school (she's now post-University). This summer she's taken it a lot more seriously, and... read more

- Steve Trice

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

1

Myself and fellow Research Nurse Janine started riding with each other for light relief from our slave driving partners. However with a little help from our friend Strava we have become competitive... read more

Maybe like me, your work is desk-based. Sometimes my cycle commute is the only exercise I get during the working day. It’s partly because of being office-bound that I like to spend time outdoors ... read more

I stared riding my bike 7 years ago thanks to my husband, I have since then ridden the Northumberland coast to coast both ways over 4 days, I have ridden my first 200K audax ( up the downs) I have ... read more

- Jill Lewis

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

4

For those with children and a '9-5' office job, it's difficult to make 'me' time, let alone motivate yourself to use the time to exercise. For me the balance came by ditching the car and commuting ... read more

I am not a cyclist, but I do want to be. I try to make sure I ride when I can around town. I just got a "beach cruiser" in addition to my now dusty hybrid. I am loving it so far. It's a great yello... read more

- Jessica Vergari

Topic: My Bicycle Romance

As I were younger I did a lot of riding, mostly mountain biking but also road or trials riding.. Life takes over and the kids grow, now its time to get back on the bike. It's been road bikes for th... read more

- Ben Rosvall

Topic: My Bicycle Romance

3

Today I rode just over 15 miles to Newcastle and back home again, my bum hurts like no tomorrow but I actually loved it the cycle route is right next to the river tyne its also so diverse I've ridd... read more

- Lyndsey Dunn

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

I started riding to work 2 years ago with the aim to get fit and now as a 50 year old with 4 bikes and my second Ride London under my belt and plans to do the Fred Whitton Challenge next year I don... read more

I turn 40 this year. To celebrate, I'm setting off tomorrow to ride from Brighton to Paris. I've always wanted to complete the Avenue Verte route - and I've done the London - Newhaven section, so i... read more

I put off commuting by bike as I thought it would be just a little too far to do both before and after work. Ive done it a few times now and even the first ride wasn't as bad as I thought it would ... read more

I have only just recently bought a bike after years of thinking I should be cycling to work. I had ruptured two ligaments in my ankle in a footballing injury at the beginning of last year and have ... read more

- Laura Hutchinson

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

2

I am now back to my daily "Bike to Work" habit. Enjoying it in the summer weather and across new small 'bike-friendly' streets I am discovering day after day (also thks to some smart Apps). Happy ... read more

About five years ago, I moved to a new house to be only 3 miles away from work. It made sense to buy a bicycle and begin commuting in a healthier way and so I purchased a cheap bike (£89) from Ha... read more

- Garry Ball

Topic: Other

1

1

Lucy Giuliano Thank you for sharing this story Garry, glad to hear the Cedric 450 is still going strong!

Thank you for sharing this story Garry, glad to hear the Cedric 450 is still going strong!

They say if you're tired of London then you're tired of life... I fully agree! The energy of the city, and the (some may surprising) beauty of the city - the plentiful parks, the river, the histori... read more

- Sam Bradley

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

I stopped cycling years ago when the dog gave me a pitiful look if I dared go for a ride rather than take him for a walk, and then children got in the way. As for commuting, a big hill and a relat... read more

As a child I rode my bike everywhere, I loved the feeling of freedom my bike gave me, however once I'd learnt to drive and had a car that became my preferred way of getting around - it was so much ... read more

Having been a keen cyclist for several years I applied for the Ride London last August, only to find out 4 day's later I had breast cancer. Active treatment finshed in November. February this year ... read more

I never imagined I would actually write about why I ride, but here it is. At university in London, I commuted by bike using my dad's old Peugeot from the 70s. It was a proper retro machine, and... read more

My story is simple. I’m a people person. I like chatting, and my geographic knowledge and sense of direction is horrific. To cycle more, and have more fun whilst doing it, I joined a fundraising ... read more

- Ellen Clayton

Topic: Other

I bought my first road bike 4 months ago and have fallen in love with it/cycling. Up till recently I have been overweight, and at school was often bullied about it. I have struggled to get rid of t... read more

I'm concluding a two year, one man quest to improve the changing facilities at work. Feel great when I get there but no so great putting damp gear on on my way home. Apparently the funds have been ... read more

- Nick Edwards

Topic: My commute by bike

I have been training hard over the past few weeks and dragging others up hills . In the last week I have achieved pb's up a couple of the hills . So good for my friends and good for me

- Colin Smith

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

I never used to get out of my third gear but since getting a new bike, i cant get enough, high energy music and clear roads are unmatched.

- Hugo King Irwin

Topic: My Bicycle Romance

Some challenging hills on my commute in results in a buzz that lasts for hours. The downhill rush on the way home blows away the stresses of the day

- Rhian Drummond

Topic: My commute by bike

Hour on a bike Day or night Rainy day or sunny bright Weather good Weather bad Always happy Never sad

- Richard Atkins

Topic: My commute by bike

On the 8th of August it was cycled to work day with help from let’s ride and colleagues at work we organised a lunchtime ride out. The weather was good no wind nice warm weather, short ride about... read more

I cycle to work every day all year round come sun, rain or snow, except maybe for a few days in winter when it's just too hazardous, and have done for many years. Honestly I don't always enjoy it t... read more

- Tim Spencer

Topic: My commute by bike

1

I thought an 11 mile commute by bike would be too long, but this far it’s going well! Hopefully I can continue into the winter :)

Hiya, Today is week 7 of the cycle scheme challenge- To update your story. Am writing in the hope i will inspire others to start to ride?! Two years ago i woke up one morning ( during a continued ... read more

- Philippa Talbot

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

There are many reasons that I cycle to work. It is a great way of incorporating exercise in to my daily routine. This gives me time to enjoy other activities after work such as gardening. It is in... read more

It is a long commute from the west end of Glasgow to Leith in Edinburgh. It is not all done by bike. I cycle to my local railway station and take my bike on the train to Edinburgh Waverly. From ... read more

- Stephen Lappin

Topic: My commute by bike

As part of cycle to work day I really wanted to get the whole company out on their bikes and enjoying the great outdoors in the form of a 100km ride between our two offices. 12 brave souls took ... read more

I’m you’d told me a couple of years ago that I’d become a cyclist and be commuting to work each day there and back , I’d of laughed my head off! I work in A&E and felt a tad anxious about cycling o... read more

- Ali Parker

Topic: My Bicycle Romance

With cycling to work scheme i got an opportunity to have a good bike and started to commute to work and other places as well as have some social cycling as well as training. It has been a slow clim... read more

After a number of years off my mountain bike (Kids happen) I am really enjoying getting back out on 2 wheels, including the switch to something a little racier through the Cyclescheme, I am lucky e... read more

- Andy Cook

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

I started out commuting to work a few years ago, as an alternative to running. As I grew to start enjoying riding I started to go out with a club, and over time extended my ride distance from 10 or... read more

Frank Harrison "Chapeau" radonneur!

"Chapeau" radonneur!

Little things make life simple, my top 5 are: 1) carry oil in a little sushi plastic bottle, it will get rid of those annoying dry chain! 2) a chain that you can carry easily that wont lose you y... read more

While the nights are light, and the fields remain dry, my commute takes me across the wildflower meadows of Cambridgeshire. Once out of my estate, and having successfully (hopefully) negotiated ... read more

I swapped my car parking permit for a set of cycle-to-work incentives (basically you get a few free daily parking permits if you are a bike user) last September and I've been mainly cycling (with a... read more

- Katie Alcock

Topic: My commute by bike

1

I have been commuting for a good few years now come rain or shine. Although it can be a bit miserable at times with poor weather, I find it very therapeutic. If the work day is stressful the journe... read more

- Alistair Kirkland

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

1

I am not sure this is the best name for the cycle area at the front of the lights, but I can't come up with anything that fits better. I am beyond fed up with motorbikes and scooters sitting in the... read more

- Robbie Gilchrist

Topic: Other

1

It has been quite a few years since I commuted to work but have managed to get back in the saddle again. Have been commuting by bike at every opportunity over the past 6 weeks and aiming to keep i... read more

Really bad car smash last year and revoked driving licence. Decided fitness needs a boot up the backside and can't keep using the excuse of " not fit enough yet" !! invested in a new Pedal Assist b... read more

- Liz Martin

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

1

As a sufferer of bipolar disorder, my brain is very busy, an awful lot of the time. The one time I find peace, is out on my bike. It is remarkably therapeutic, and the main reason I ride my bike

Cycling to the British Library at Boston Spa is a treat. The library is excellent; the staff helpful; the coffee very good. There is no public transport from York. But the best route for a cyclist ... read more

- Helen Hills

Topic: My commute by bike

1

Just over a year ago weighing 27 stone I finally decided to do something about my weight. I started with the diet but set myself 3 goals which I wanted to hit with the weight loss. 1) Start cycling... read more

- Dave Winchester

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

3

6

Kevin Jackson Magnificent

Magnificent

Shirley Foster well done Dave, I lost 3 stone over a year cycling to work, have put the weight on again as I stopped cycling. Need to sta... read more

well done Dave, I lost 3 stone over a year cycling to work, have put the weight on again as I stopped cycling. Need to start again as I do love it.

Tom Darville You should be extremely proud of yourself that is one hell of an achievement, HUGE pat on the back from me!

You should be extremely proud of yourself that is one hell of an achievement, HUGE pat on the back from me!

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We discovered the joys of 'canal cycling' around three years ago when we detoured off the Thames path at Brentford and onto the towpath of Grand Union Canal heading towards Birmingham. We've been h... read more

- Graeme Smith

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

1

So, I recently started a new job, about 5 miles from where I live (Leeds), previous to that I had spent the last 6 months working about 25miles away from home. On starting the new job I was tol... read more

As a year-round commuter, I'm used to taking on all weathers. Energy-sapping heat, bone-chilling cold and everything in between. Having the right gear helps of course, but sometimes you just have ... read more

- Daren Chandisingh

Topic: My commute by bike

5

A couple of years ago I decided I wanted to complete Lands End to John O'Groats. I had only purchased my first 'real' bike a year before and had done a few shortish rides, 10 or 15 miles here and ... read more

- Suzy Hill

Topic: A happy riding memory

1

Having jacked in the cycle commute a couple of years ago because of the gradient struggle in the City of Seven Hills, I'm now back on a new e-bike and loving it. It might well be cheating, but my ... read more

- Jill Le Bihan

Topic: My commute by bike

Having lived in London now for nearly 7 years, I'd mostly thought that those choosing to cycle everywhere were a bit crazy to do so. I mean... it doesn't rain on the tube...? And public transport i... read more

Used to commute to work everyday 20 miles but 2 accidents, a broken back, have made me rethink. Still trying but more social now so enjoying the cake stops. Happy rides😎

- Matthew Croughan

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

1

Many years ago I used to cycle to work 16 miles each way and loved it. Until one day a driver thought he could be quicker than me and pulled out in front of me and I went through his windscreen. L... read more

- Tim Allen

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

3

I haven't ridden a bike in years but have a partner who is a cycling nut so I finally cracked and got a Liv Hybird through the cycle to work scheme. Between my partner's nagging and NR's terms and ... read more

Coming from a cycling family it won't be a surprise that I have been a cyclist all my life. However my cycling activity was curtailed after a cancer diagnosis and prostrate removal in March of this... read more

I've suffered from mental health problems for a few years following some trauma. I have tried everything to combat it until about 3 months ago when a colleague suggested the cycle to work scheme. I... read more