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

6

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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3

Mark Karlisle ...the fun is riding down hill home YEY

...the fun is riding down hill home YEY

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

5

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

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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Dave Burgess Loving the A555, opens up so much, believe there are improvements in the pipeline too

Loving the A555, opens up so much, believe there are improvements in the pipeline too

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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3

John Kershaw well done.

well done.

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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Rosemary Lehan Wow, an epic tale! Cutting it close was almost literal! Great achievement everyone. Hope your next adventure runs smoothly!

Wow, an epic tale! Cutting it close was almost literal! Great achievement everyone. Hope your next adventure runs smoothly!

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

1

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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Rosemary Lehan Inspiring account! Muy Bueno

Inspiring account! Muy Bueno

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

7

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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Susan Cullen Well said Martyn safe cycling

Well said Martyn safe cycling

Cherri Farren Has anyone seen the LED string lights (like christmas twinkle lights) that you wrap around your frame? I have only seen the... read more

Has anyone seen the LED string lights (like christmas twinkle lights) that you wrap around your frame? I have only seen them for sale in the USA. I usto have tyres which were slightly reflective. My current lights are too dim for winter weather, so thanks for LED advice and help.

Paul Newell Some good points Martyn. I tend to use the hyper flash setting in the day as well. The flash attracts attention whilst the ... read more

Some good points Martyn. I tend to use the hyper flash setting in the day as well. The flash attracts attention whilst the steady beam provides your location. You are right about lights that are overly bright. They simply blind other road users who then can't really tell where you are.

Langton Wildman Very true Martyn, especially regarding the hi-power stobe lights.. Congratulations, Langton Wildman, Midas Eyewear.

Very true Martyn, especially regarding the hi-power stobe lights.. Congratulations, Langton Wildman, Midas Eyewear.

David Jenks To Cherri - I have just fitted some LED tube lights that fit into the tyre valves. I have put them on in my #LightTheNight ... read more

To Cherri - I have just fitted some LED tube lights that fit into the tyre valves. I have put them on in my #LightTheNight photo, but the front wheel one looks dim. The rear one appears to be illuminating the road, but it actually had 3 colours. Can't remember where I got them.

Andy Plowright Spot on. Essential to have a constant light source, if you have a flashing light on top of that, that's great, but drivers ... read more

Spot on. Essential to have a constant light source, if you have a flashing light on top of that, that's great, but drivers just glance briefly sometimes before pulling out, and if they happen to glance when your light is in the 'off' part of the cycle...

Show 4 more comments

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

4

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

3

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

Adrian Lewis fabulous. You and what you do is amazing!

fabulous. You and what you do is amazing!

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

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

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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5

Sustrans Manchester It's so important to know where the tasty cafe stops are, sounds heavenly

It's so important to know where the tasty cafe stops are, sounds heavenly

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

7

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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Andy Green Please donate to: [address removed] .

Please donate to: [address removed] .

Andy Green Wont let me leave link! Find me on Facebook :(

Wont let me leave link! Find me on Facebook :(

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

2

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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Ian Ball Cargo bikes are cool

Cargo bikes are cool

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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Luke Rider Hello, any chance you can send me the website link? Thanks

Hello, any chance you can send me the website link? Thanks

Anthony Picot Hi Luke I didn't find it on a web site, but put it together by looking at maps. It may be tricky to see some of the joining... read more

Hi Luke I didn't find it on a web site, but put it together by looking at maps. It may be tricky to see some of the joining lefts and rights between the main three parts. Give me a shout if you have any questions. Happy riding!

Martin Morris Unfortunately i dont seem to be able to expand the map big enough to read it on my pc. I dont suppose you have it as a GPX ... read more

Unfortunately i dont seem to be able to expand the map big enough to read it on my pc. I dont suppose you have it as a GPX file do you Anthony?

Anthony Picot Hi Martin! Yes I do. How can I get it to you? BW Tony

Hi Martin! Yes I do. How can I get it to you? BW Tony

Show 2 more comments

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

Lee General I give up the diesel van to spend time riding now I am retired I go slow too and now ride hybrid for same reasons as your s... read more

I give up the diesel van to spend time riding now I am retired I go slow too and now ride hybrid for same reasons as your self enjoy the view and ride

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

3

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.

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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Ivan Lafayette Loved your story :DDDDDDD

Loved your story :DDDDDDD

RB BB The best rides are ones where we get lost...I mean explore!! 🚴🧭

The best rides are ones where we get lost...I mean explore!! 🚴🧭

Geoff Field Entertaining story, thanx!

Entertaining story, thanx!

Show 1 more comments

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

5

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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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

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

4

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

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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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

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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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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Sustrans Manchester This is great to hear...I definitely feel more creative if I ride my bike

This is great to hear...I definitely feel more creative if I ride my bike

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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Sustrans Manchester That's great to hear you are able to get out, enjoy the sunsine!

That's great to hear you are able to get out, enjoy the sunsine!

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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Jane Leicester Snap! Important to protect this green space

Snap! Important to protect this green space