Greater Manchester

Stories from Greater Manchester

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

Image for story The art of the working lunch!

The art of the working lunch!

I ride because bicycles give me freedom.
I’m Ben, and I work for Trafford Council.
I came into the Town Hall today, and for lunch I fancied a bit of a change. I grabbed my sandwiches, hoppe... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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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... 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. C... 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 (... 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?
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 ... 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

6

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 distan... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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The Outlaw

Most of 1st lockdown I must of cycled and average of 5 hours a day for fun and exercise. The fun was being out the house, the Mother-in -law was isolating with us for 12 whole long weeks, the exerc... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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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,... 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... 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 a... 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

Image for story Ride with a friend in Teanau

Ride with a friend in Teanau

Stopped here for pic lots of giggles forgot we had helmets on n couldn't fit in it

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

Image for story Coastal ride along the bays

Coastal ride along the bays

For rookie riders like me, well-marked cycle lanes are a lifesaver—because let’s be real, learning to pedal in the chaos of Wellington traffic is basically an extreme sport 😂 This route? A beginner... read more

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

Image for story Zoom Zoom

Zoom Zoom

Ditto Day at the Lab for a Sunday Funday with my beloved. Wore out the pocket rocket with an extended ride and me making her take the lead, but a fortuitous Southerly change gave her a nice tailwin... read more

Topic: Other

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Image for story Some place different - Otaki

Some place different - Otaki

Was in the area of Otaki and went for a quick bike around. Found the river trail and explored that from one end to the other. Great easy ride and the locals have done well with making the trail be... read more

Topic: Other

Image for story Beach fun with my buddy

Beach fun with my buddy

My friend Zara came to visit and we did an epic ride in Christchurch, along the river to the beach.... well was going epically until we got a puncture. We foolishly had no pump, so chained up the b... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

Someone stole my seat post and all!

I bike to work year round and I have done so for about 8 years. I have had a locked bike stolen from a bike rack while at work.
I felt shocked and couldn't think what to do at first, but insura... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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The essence of prosperity

The dormant trees, the fallen leaves, the sun piercing through the winter sky oh the energy. The feeling we share electrifying the light in me to Avalon. My bicycle has taken me the Virtuous feelin... read more

Topic: My Bicycle Romance

My commute is my mental health support

Exercise is great for my mental health. When I am having particular difficult days, taking the scenic route back home (i.e. from the CBD around the bays and Miramar Peninsula to the south coast) is... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

Niall's Cycling Journey

I’m Niall, originally from Ireland, but I’ve been living in East Renfrewshire for the past 14 years. I’ve always enjoyed being active, and cycling has become a big part of my routine—whether it's f... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story Glorious Commute!

Glorious Commute!

So lucky to be spoiled with cycle paths. My whole glorious commute this morning was on designated cycle track. What a fabulous way to start the day.

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Image for story A long held dream (almost) fulfilled

A long held dream (almost) fulfilled

When I was a kid I would watch out the car window on the boring trip from home in Central Otago to Dunedin, reckoning that I could ride my bike to town instead. So much better.

Nowadays th... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Image for story On not looking 'like a cyclist'

On not looking "like a cyclist"

Isn't it interesting that, in sports-mad New Zealand, many people think it's absurd to get on a bike and ride three blocks to the dairy, when you could just drive? I mean, who would do that?!
<... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Nepenthe and me

I woke up this morning and what did I see the clouds of winter smiling at me beckoning me come ride before I cry and this rain squeezes out of me the adrenaline pumping through me the chemicals in ... read more

Topic: My Bicycle Romance