Greater Manchester

Stories from Greater Manchester

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

The Road is Safer

I'm biking form home (Monton) to Tameside hospital. I've gone various routes across Manchester....I've got to say the safest fastest route has been into MC town centre and up Hyde Road...however do... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Image for story Cycling for transport, exercise and fun!

Cycling for transport, exercise and fun!

I started cycling during lockdown and now ride most days to work, the shops or to see friends! I'm loving it and have started riding in the evenings to enjoy the sunset.

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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Up Holme Moss & over the tops back to Glossop

I have recently purchased a few bikes, mainly to help me into my flexible retirement, but mostly as a way to enjoy the fact that despite the pandemic, life can still bring rewards. So with that in... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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Image for story Airport Orbital and Stop at Jolly Sailor

Airport Orbital and Stop at Jolly Sailor

Me and 4 friends have got together to lose weight, keep fit and cycle around our local area. We like the Manchester Airport Orbital Route and the new A555 Bypass too. We have started cycling most ... read more

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

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Life on my Own

Riding can sometimes be a solo experience...no one there to see you flying over the handle, bars, walking home with a flat tyre, spiking your shin on the peddles, p*** wet through! cryin to yoursel... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story To Hull and back

To Hull and back

Zeeland, well what an adventure. It all began with a 'thinking aloud' post on Facebook. Wouldn't it be good if…. Now lots of people said it would be and there it sat. We all did nothing. Club ru... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Image for story Fabulous views, free commute and free exercise

Fabulous views, free commute and free exercise

Every day I cycle along Newcastle / Gateshead Quayside to and from work. The views are great, including: Robert Stephenson's High Level Bridge (1849) - the world's first double decker bridge (tra... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Image for story Sharing my passion

Sharing my passion

I started commuting by bike to work about 5 years ago when I first moved to the UK. I got given a very old purple mountain bike by one of our regulars in the pub where I worked. It was a very espec... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Save the Planet!

I started cycle commuting in 1984, at the age of 22. I was fed up of waiting in the cold for a bus, and a friend offered to lend me her bike whilst she wasn't using it. I had the luxury of five gea... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Turning to the dark side

Well actually, just riding in the dark... Before the pandemic, I cycled to and from the train station every day, all year, in all weather. So what lighting do I recommend? Flashing lights... read more

Topic: Other

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Meeting old friends

I took the opportunity of Cycle September to arrange to see my mates from University. We had not met up for 10 years and it was great to get together on a cycle ride on the Tissington Trail in Derb... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Wheelie excited to be back on my bike!

After a fall a few years ago I never worked up the courage to get back on my bike, until being inspired by Cycle September. Since then I've loved riding my bike to work or to the shops, come rain (... read more

Topic: Carbon Crushers

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Image for story MGTYouth Bike rides

MGTYouth Bike rides

Manchester’s Got Talent is a Youth group set up during Covid Lockdown to respond to the local needs of teenagers and parents and fill the gap left where many charities shut down or sent staff on ... read more

Topic: Other

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4 year old loving the tag along

Our 4 year old learned to ride a bike about 6 months ago, but she's still a bit young for longer family trips, and getting too heavy for the bike seat! Buying a second hand tag along has been the b... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Image for story A cracking climb to see the best view in the country

A cracking climb to see the best view in the country

The great thing about the Ribble Valley (30 miles north of Manchester) is that sooner of later you bump into a hill. Getting fit on a bike happens quicker when you're up against the force of an up... read more

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

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Trans Pennine Trail: Altrincham-Warrington

You will find me on bike rides along the Trans Pennine Trail from Altrincham to Warrington. It is a safe and long straight route for a pleasant ride. A shared path with walkers, horse riders and ... read more

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

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Cycle in my dresses to and from work

A colleague of mine wrote to me last week - she had ventured out on her bike and tried the home to work commute from Stretford to the city centre - using the pop up Chester Rd cycle lane. She'd be... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story My 50th Birthday Charity Fund Raiser

My 50th Birthday Charity Fund Raiser

Well here I go again, though I've told My better half this will be the last one! My 50th this March, I'd thought for some years about doing the Lakesman this particular year. An Iron Man distance ... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story Cargo bike

Cargo bike

Having bought a cargo bike, it's enabled my commute via nursery to be a quicker and easier journey. I love the fact we can also do a food shop on the way home or pop to the park with bits ready for... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Image for story Trans-Pennine Trail, Fallowfield Loop, Peak Forest Canal

Trans-Pennine Trail, Fallowfield Loop, Peak Forest Canal

Hi There, I'd like to share this circular route, as lots of people in Manchester and Stockport will love it. It takes in part of the Trans-Pennine Trail, Fallowfield loop and Peak Forest Canal, is... read more

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

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Image for story Slow cycling

Slow cycling

I have almost never been a fast cycler. Even when I was going full tilt, there were always other people going faster. I no longer have any bikes with drop handlebars. I like to sit up and look at t... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Working at hospital

I am very happy to use my bicycle to get to Stepping Hill Hospital from Sale. Using my bicycle takes my to my workplace and keeps me fit. Stretching my legs after the shift standing up! Great for m... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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Image for story Me and the lads

Me and the lads

Motivated my mates for a ride beyond their limits on an early Sunday morning. From Oldham to Bury. To local authority areas in less than 3 hours there and back.

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story The time I accidentally went to Wales

The time I accidentally went to Wales

A few years ago, I set out on a mission to do 120 km in one day, for the Strava Gran Fondo challenge. It was a grey day, a bit rainy, but at least it was warm. I stopped for lunch in Chester, and l... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Image for story Hilly Blasters

Hilly Blasters

I’m a Breeze Champion and for the last 2 or 3 years I’ve led a Thursday night, hilly ride which has proved popular with a core group of die hard riders. We motivate each other and our fitness has g... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story Mother and daughter

Mother and daughter

Encouraged by my daughter to get back cycling. This photo shows us both out today on the Carrington Moss Estate. This is a beautiful place to get outdoors and take in the Natural beauty that surr... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Starting a Trend

Ive been cycling for a while. When my boyfriends' housmate was furloughed, his housemate brought a bike, and started cycling around Manchester. This was great news, and after borrowing the bike a ... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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My favourite way to move

Before lockdown and Cycle September I did most of my travelling around the city by bus or Uber. Now I cycle everywhere! I really enjoy it, it minimises unnecessary contact on public transport and ... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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Old Trafford to Pennington Warf

The cycle from Pennington Warf > Old Trafford back is such a nice way to unwind after a tough working week. I always find the people on the route to be respectful and friendly. There are some gr... read more

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

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Image for story A forced break from riding my bike

A forced break from riding my bike

Just a short story to say I was in target to hit 8000 miles this year and loving life on my bike, which includes my first camping bike packing experience. Unfortunately I freak incident knocked me ... read more

Topic: Other

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Cycling again!

I like to cycle and in the past I used to cycle a lot. After the knee surgery I was unable to cycle all the way to my workplace and than cycle to carry out inspections around Manchester. Cycle Se... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Image for story After-work ride to fly the flag for Walk the Plank

After-work ride to fly the flag for Walk the Plank

With just one last opportunity to get in a few miles I took the chance of working from home this afternoon so that I could also get in one last ride for the arts company I work for, Salford-based W... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Whale of a time

Having not rode a bike in years I bought a bike and cycled to and from work. Found it in Invigorating, fresh, although a little tiring. Will continue to ride, ride, ride.

Topic: My commute by bike

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Image for story Physical and Mental Health

Physical and Mental Health

As a Registered Nurse and mother of extremely vulnerable daughter. Cycling has kept us fit and healthy during the Coronavirus Era. Cycling on the beautiful country side of Carrington Moss.

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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Image for story Carrington Moss

Carrington Moss

Being a Nurse needed to spend this Era looking after my physical and mental health. Have lived in the area for many years and never have taken the time out to cycle this beautiful green space. It... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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Stories from around the world

This was crazy...

At a cycle park, well, me and my brother managed to race against each other, but then we heard screaming. We realised it was our sister rushing behind us... Thankfully, with our bikes, we managed t... read more

Topic: Other

Image for story The rainbow at the end of the storm

The rainbow at the end of the storm

The last 2 years I have been riding for the young man pictured in the attachment below. He has fought the fight with everything he had to offer. Through his courage and a community committed to hi... read more

Topic: Other

Image for story What a wonderful way to start the week!

What a wonderful way to start the week!

I took my beautiful daughter to the child minder for the first time today. We rode in the cargo bike and what a wonderful start to the week it was! The sun is shining. The sky is blue and people co... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Image for story Finally got out there

Finally got out there

I realised that my commute to work In Hamilton (usually about 14 minutes by car) could be totally different by bike, as I could make use of the amazing Waikato River Te Awa trail. The Aotearoa Bik... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Alps to Ocean

Most amazing cycle trail -- spectacular scenery and lots of fun physical challenges -- although best part by far was meeting golden-oldies were totally kicking it -- So, so inspiring -- If you ever... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Toddler and music

Somehow having a toddler on the back gives a perfectly valid excuse to blast some tunes on the bike... From Disney bangers to fat freddys, bring on the day!

Topic: My commute by bike

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Image for story My happy places x 2

My happy places x 2

So, I booked a weekend in Christchurch with goal of finding 'the bike'. I walked Sumner/Redcliffs pathway (Happy place no. 1 the beach)Then returned the next day to 'christen' my new bike on the sa... read more

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

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Image for story What to do with unused pavement chalks

What to do with unused pavement chalks

I saw my neighbours outside with their wee one on his little balance bike. I looked at my box of unused pavement chalk sitting around and knew what needed to happen. Some time and a combined effo... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Cycling can be addictive!

I've previously mentioned how circumstances got me back on the bike last year. Since buying my ebike in August last year, I've ridden almost 4500 km on it. I love the bike and the riding experien... read more

Topic: My Bicycle Romance

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Image for story Why I Love to Ride

Why I Love to Ride

I moved to Cambridge in 1999 as a young adult, and after commuting by bus for a while I switched to cycling, and have been a transport cyclist ever since. When I had a baby I stopped cycling for a ... read more

Topic: My Bicycle Romance

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Image for story Joining the Fold!!

Joining the Fold!!

I work in the Centre of Cambridge, 8am- 4pm Monday to Friday. I used to drive everyday from my home in Haverhill to my work. Leaving work at 4pm it used to take me 25 minutes to cover 2.8 miles thr... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Image for story The bridge to nowhere

The bridge to nowhere

Visited the famous bridge to nowhere in Bristol on a sunny Sunday after just having snowed the day before :)

Topic: Other

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Image for story Not UK, sorry, now in Seville!

Not UK, sorry, now in Seville!

We hired bikes for 24 hours and discovered this great place in the best way. Only the very crowded tourist heart better on foot, otherwise there is a fantastic network of paths all over the city. A... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Image for story Pitch in for a new bike track for Forfar Nursery and Preschool

Pitch in for a new bike track for Forfar Nursery and Preschool

Our not-for-profit community preschool is running its annual Trike-a-Thon this Saturday. We are fundraising for a new bike track with better drainage, so the track is accessible to our Tamariki all... read more

Topic: Ride with kids

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Power of the Pedal

Loving the fact I can travel to work faster by bike than by taking the car! I feel very satisfied as I zoom past the stationery traffic stuck in the morning and evening traffic jams. All viwed from... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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