Stories from Gloucestershire

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

Moving Through Anxiety

I used to ride my bike every day during 2020, when the roadways were quiet and the sun was shining. It was amazing seeing spiders flying overhead with silk parachutes and hearing birds singing - so... read more

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

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Image for story Why I cycle

Why I cycle

Mainly I commute to work daily. I have been known to cycle a few miles to go for a swim and back again. Or to visit family up in the forest. So I would say I’m an experienced rider, but every ride ... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Over 40 years!

My husband and I bought ourselves some e-bikes in August after spending some time in France on e-bikes with my brother and his wife. Absolutely loving it! I am 61 and hubby turns 60 in January. T... read more

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

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I'm Retired & Vegan

I've always had a Bike but never new but last November i purchased a Electric Maintain bike just before my 70th birthday having moved to Forest 2 years before i try to go out most days unless it's ... read more

Topic: Other

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Image for story Route 45 - Cainscross (Stroud)-Woodchester-Nailsworth, and back

Route 45 - Cainscross (Stroud)-Woodchester-Nailsworth, and back

First ride for Bike Month was a family one. 44yF 41yM 8yF 7yM, hooking up 2 Cube bikes and 2 kids bikes onto our secondhand towbar rack. Literally bought this this morning from marketplace and it's... read more

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

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Image for story Our team ride for Ride Anywhere Week in Gloucester

Our team ride for Ride Anywhere Week in Gloucester

It was great to get out and enjoy the wonderful Gloucester Quays not far from the Thinktravel offices. We invited our newest member of the team and all enjoyed a cycle using the pool bikes we have ... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Image for story Returning to the Office but by Bike (for now)

Returning to the Office but by Bike (for now)

Despite cycling a lot in the last 10 years, I've never lived close enough for the commute to work to be practicable by bike. Since joining the council in January I've been working from home but ... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Churchdown Family Cycle Ride (NCN41)

Wanted to share a traffic-free route on the National Cycle Network (NCN41) for families with young children from Churchdown Parish Council/Playground/Park/Skatepark/BMX track to Gloucestershire Air... read more

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

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Image for story My daughters' love for their bikes

My daughters' love for their bikes

The start of university meant a bike in tow for all three daughters, one of whom is now fully grown up and cycling through London to work. I love this picture captured on a leisurely cycle ride by ... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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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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Get on Your Bike!

I severe lack of cash resulted in missing insurance payments on my car and the policy cancelled! Luckily I had three bicycles in the shed all in various states of disrepair. Selecting the best of... read more

Topic: Other

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Image for story An E-bike has enabled me to cycle to work

An E-bike has enabled me to cycle to work

I used to cycle to work in my previous job just before the pandemic but with a change of workplace and a further and longer commute of around 5 miles which would have involved 2 buses and up to an ... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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69 nearly 70

Hi So here is my story. I have riden a bike before as a 14 year old I used to ride the 3 miles across Cheltenham to school at least twice a day. But then as a teen riding a bike wasn't cool.. Fas... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story Stopping is as important as keep going!

Stopping is as important as keep going!

I had such a lovely day of biking around the district yesterday. I covered around 30 miles on three separate outings and visited Brimbscombe, Nailsworth, Randwick & Ebley, bumping into friends ... read more

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

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Back on my bike again

Six months after becoming very poorly with covid I am back on my bike. I have had to switch to an e-bike to help manage my loss of fitness and ongoing covid recovery. Was so lovely to get out on it... read more

Topic: Other

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Image for story Reason to be cheerful 1, 2, 30

Reason to be cheerful 1, 2, 30

Today I counted thirty reasons why I was right to sell the car and get a bicycle. Four o’clock. Nearly rush hour, and the roads are starting to get busy. Those who can get away before five do so... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Cycling anyway

I was a bit nervous when I signed up to a local Ladies only cycle - a 10 mile route round Cheltenham but I was determined to give it a go. When I turned up, there was another lady there so we got c... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Bike to school week

The weather has been, sunny, torrential rain and windy this week but my daughter, son and I have all managed to rise to the challenge of riding and enjoyed it 😃💖 Today was our greatest achievement ... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story Gloucester Quays in the Sunshine

Gloucester Quays in the Sunshine

The quays on one of the hottest days of the year created a fantastic backdrop for a bike ride with colleagues from Thinktravel on a Tuesday in September! With lots to do to help make it easier for ... read more

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

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Image for story My Favourite? Well, certainly one of my favourites....

My Favourite? Well, certainly one of my favourites....

South East Wales anyone? Now, apologies to anyone living in or near Cwmbran but it is not the first place to think of when you want to go for bike ride.... Wrong! There is a gem that threads it's... read more

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

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Get out there and ride!

#WomenWhoRide As a 50 something woman, who has a failing transplant and isn't in the best of shape, riding bikes gives me the headspace to deal with my daily stresses. While out on the bike I am e... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Stories from around the world

Image for story Commuting Carbon Neutral

Commuting Carbon Neutral

I drive an electric car but as everyone knows it still takes fossil fuels to operate. Luckily, even with everything factored in, it has less than 1/3 the carbon footprint of gas cars. I discovered ... read more

Topic: Carbon Crushers

Ride to school

Each day I ride to school while most people rock up in cars. I ride because it's healthy (and I don't like to walk) and gets me to school in under 10 minutes. I love riding and I home that more stu... read more

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

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Image for story Isobel's Cycling Journey

Isobel's Cycling Journey

I’m a 57 year old community worker who started cycling around 2.5 years ago after seeing an advertisement for the Great North Bike ride and decided to enter it to motivate myself to get fit. My fri... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Image for story Looking Back

Looking Back

It's a certainty; if you ride long enough, you will crash. I sometimes let myself entertain the idea that cars and other things, coming up from behind, are uncontrol able random threats. In try... read more

Topic: Other

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Image for story Inclusive adventures for all

Inclusive adventures for all

92 miles DONE! 🎉 What a weekend with an incredible mixed ability team! 🚴‍♀️🚴‍♂️ We cycled all the way from Barry Island to Gloucester and even managed to squeeze in an interview with Mike Griffi... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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UCLA

i bike on the UCLA campus because there is less car traffic, making it safer for fitness/exercise.

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

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Bike maintenance

Just replaced my chain and rear cassette. A big shout out to Andy at bike space, and Evo cycles on Vivian, for help, advice and parts. It's now running sweet for my daily commute.

Topic: Other

Image for story Cycling and working

Cycling and working

I am 75 and have been cycling since I was 7yrs. I am now employed as a community caregiver, cycling to all my clients. It is a great ice-breaker as all those of my generation and older had to cycle... read more

Topic: Other

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A gratitude post!

I’ve thoroughly enjoyed cycle September and was heading out in an extra ride yesterday when I realised I had a flat tire. Turned round, pushed the bike home and pumped it up, within seconds it was ... read more

Topic: Other

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Image for story Made to Bruges!

Made to Bruges!

I love this picture. it's my friend and I in Bruges in Belgium. Earlier on in the year, I invited him to join me early Sept to go on a bike adventure. Over 4 days, we'd cycle in France and Belgi... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Image for story Love To Ride goody bag winners

Love To Ride goody bag winners

These two amazing people won the goody bag today at a Love To Ride cycling event. Wheely Active CIC helped them to get their bikes road worthy and sized correctly. Having previously cycled... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Dusting off the bike for my Cycle September Commute

It's been quite some time since I've commuted to work by bike (certainly over a couple of years), but as I had arranged a workplace Dr Bike for colleagues as part of Cycle September I set myself a ... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Image for story Coffee ride

Coffee ride

Cycling from southampton to Lyndhurst New forest. Have a Coffee the woods cyclery bike shop. [address removed]

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

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Image for story Women's Group Ride from Southampton to the New Forest!

Women's Group Ride from Southampton to the New Forest!

I wanted to encourage more members of my team to ride for Cycle September as well as build up my own miles. I cycle small distances for transport but haven't been out on a longer ride for ages. We... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story Loving the Chocolate Path

Loving the Chocolate Path

The Chocolate Path follows the river Avon for a good part of my commute to Bower Ashton and is a beautiful part of the ride. It was closed for 6 years after part of it collapsed into the river, for... read more

Topic: Other

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Bike Around the Bay

Bike around the bay 2024

Topic: Other

Image for story Houston's Multi-modal Trip

Houston's Multi-modal Trip

Visiting Miller Outdoor Theater, seeing Big Boy at Amtrak station, or going to BikeHouston's events from Katy can be achieved easily with bike + express bus. Those are trips that otherwise too far ... read more

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

Image for story A Mixed-Ability Cycling Adventure from Barry Island to Sharpness!

A Mixed-Ability Cycling Adventure from Barry Island to Sharpness!

On Friday, October 11th, we embarked on a 92-mile cycling adventure from Barry Island Station to Sharpness, united by a common cause – to support the Save Tall Ship Tenacious campaign and inspire i... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story Faster than a car!

Faster than a car!

I work as a P.E teacher in Kilmarnock and I first heard about Love to Ride from the East Ayrshire Council website. I've been a recreational cyclist since I was a boy but got my Boardman road bike f... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Image for story The joy of riding my bike

The joy of riding my bike

I love riding my bike, my first ride was when i was around six, I remember jumping on my older sister's new bike. we lived in a court and my Mum let us ride to the halfway point, of course this bik... read more

Topic: My Bicycle Romance

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Image for story Why I ride and choose not to own a car?

Why I ride and choose not to own a car?

If you know me, you’d probably know that I’ve become an avid cyclist over the years and my work involves looking at ways to encourage people to consider the daily choices they make around transport... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Image for story Night ride at long last

Night ride at long last

My first night ride since before my long lay up after surgery. I didn't realise how much I missed it, 15 miles of bliss.

Topic: Other

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Image for story 3, 2., 1 - GO!

3, 2., 1 - GO!

Biketober is off! The outside racks were packed all day at Council House 2!

Topic: My commute by bike

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Image for story Catching the bike bug.

Catching the bike bug.

I turned 50 in December. Had a bad skiing accident in February where I was unable to do a lot of exercise. I put on a few pounds and my fitness deteriorated during recovery. Started to get stronger... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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My Bike Made My Disabilities Easier

Over the last 5 years, I have been diagnosed with several disabilities which cause chronic fatigue, excessive daytime sleepiness, and chronic pain. I struggled to work 8 hours, walk less than a blo... read more

Topic: My Bicycle Romance

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Image for story Rain or shine - the only way to commute!

Rain or shine - the only way to commute!

Just a quick one, but surely arriving at work (or anywhere to be fair) by bike is the best way to start the day?! I wake up excited to ride, and look forward to the ride home. Even during the hideo... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Image for story CiclorecreovĂ­a - Santiago

CiclorecreovĂ­a - Santiago

Every morning sunday, the city streets are available for cycling, running, skaters, etc. It's a great opportunity for enjoy sports with family and friends!

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story Sunday bike ride.

Sunday bike ride.

A Sunday bike ride with the view of the Pacific Ocean.

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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The Sacramento River Trail

My favorite place to ride in Redding, California is the Sacramento River Trail. There are several places to start, all of which have their own perks. Most recently I've been favoring the Turtle Bay... read more

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

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