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

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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 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 The Konik Pony that Chewed on my Handlebar tape

The Konik Pony that Chewed on my Handlebar tape

I was cycling towards Ely. I passed by Wicken Fen. It was late winter, a sunny day, the highland cattle were in the horizon. The Konik ponies were standing still in a Zen-like state of meditation o... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

Image for story Try a Better Commute in West Houston!

Try a Better Commute in West Houston!

Let’s face it, if you don’t have a bike, it’s hard to give bike commuting a try.

We’ve got a fix for that!

In west Houston’s Energy Corridor, you can borrow a full bike commuting ... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story Bamboo is Best

Bamboo is Best

As a disabled cyclist, hand building my Bamboo Gravel bike has been a great achievement.
With just the use of my left hand, the whittling and glueing took some thought process but the finished... read more

Topic: Carbon Crushers

🚴‍♀️☕ Weely Good Wednesdays 💥

We’re a small but mighty crew who love to ride and we’re inviting YOU to join the fun! Every Wednesday, we roll out from Holland Park along the V1, picking up legends along the way. 🚴‍♂️💨

... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story Taking Love to Ride to our Eco-estival

Taking Love to Ride to our Eco-estival

Logan's biggest eco event is on Sunday 1 June 2025!
This free, family-friendly festival is all about environmental conservation, sustainability, and the wonder of nature.
Don’t miss your ... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story You're Never Too Old

You're Never Too Old

Our company co-founder, 91-year old Bob Crafton, joined us for an office group ride on a beautiful day in May 2025. Bob brought his e-trike and rode the whole route with us. He proves that keepin... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Image for story Bikes and Bars

Bikes and Bars

A lovely day in New Orleans!

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Image for story Cycling through Cancer Treatment

Cycling through Cancer Treatment

Ever woken up unable to to feel your legs? Well this year I did.

It was the 19th of May and I had just underwent 13 hours of surgery to remove a cancer and reconstruct my facial nerves usi... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

Image for story Weight loss, new bike, and the 4th of July.

Weight loss, new bike, and the 4th of July.

Recently the spouse and I purchased 2 identical AKEZ S1 ebikes. They came in days before the 4th of July. Got them put together and waited till the following day to test them out. I have been on a ... read more

Topic: My Bicycle Romance

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Image for story Something to Appreciate

Something to Appreciate

During my Sunday bike ride, I came across a vibrant variety of flowers. Given their diversity, I suspect they were intentionally planted. It’s a thoughtful gesture that one I might have overlooked ... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Image for story Exploring South Sacramento Trails

Exploring South Sacramento Trails

Decided to explore new trails today. As I set out I thought I might do 25 miles. First time for me on Del Rio Trail and these sections of the Sacramento River Trail. It's a shame these trails aren'... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Fruitful Farmers Market Ride :)

We decided to ride to the Farmers Market. It turned out to be a beautiful day there. We bought honey, hot sauce, and found tulips that I really wanted. It was a wonderful ride. Riding bikes with th... read more

Topic: Ride with kids

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Image for story ITS POSSIBLE AFTER HIP SURGERY

ITS POSSIBLE AFTER HIP SURGERY

I had a hip replacement on 07/03/25 that is 11 weeks 1 day ago. Today I went out on my new bike and enjoyed it so much.
At Christmas I was on crutches and had been for over a year, I could bar... read more

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

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