Greater Manchester

Stories from Greater Manchester

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

Stories from around the world

Image for story What a wonderful tonic!

What a wonderful tonic!

I started cycling more regularly (rather than quick commutes and around town) when I signed up for a charity challenge in Kenya for a unique and amazing small charity.
Getting started was a bi... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

4

Well-being on wheels

I started riding recently with three other women. I knew one of them already. We have all become friends now and we use our weekly ride as therapy! We talk about everything. From children, to diffi... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

3
Image for story Cycling the Hebridean Way

Cycling the Hebridean Way

We flew to the Outer Hebrides from Glasgow airport on a little plane with propellers! The bikes were waiting for us at Barra airport - the only beach airport in the world, so I'd definitely recomme... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Image for story #WomenWhoRide

#WomenWhoRide

A couple of hours happily getting lost in the Levels (Somerset!) Whilst it's important for the media to call out harassment of women doing their thing out and about, let's make sure it doesn't crea... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

7

my kids are motivating me

My 10yo has his 'bikability' sessions this week at primary school and he wanted to cycle to school. I wasn't happy letting him go alone, so dusted off my own trusty bicycle and we took off early on... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

1

Making Time

Spare time is somewhat of a luxury when you have a 5 year old, 3 year old and 5 week old. Finding enough time to get out on a bike ride has proven to be challenging these last few weeks but with th... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

1

Returning to Cycling with a New Attitude

Cycling used to be my main mode of transport - less effort than walking, easy to 'park' and accessible for any route; then I developed various chronic symptoms and over the course of a couple of de... read more

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

4
Image for story The Yorkshire Beast

The Yorkshire Beast

5:01 AM on Saturday, June 19, 2021 Hambleton, England

A feast for all.
The Main course is ready. Hors d’oeuvres out of the way and the beef suitably rested.
Well, The Yorkshire Bea... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

2
Image for story Sunshine, smiles and a few miles

Sunshine, smiles and a few miles

For many years I rode my bike as hard as I could whenever I could. However the last 18 months have brought a big change to my riding, various reasons, mostly non-pandemic related.
Now my focus... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

2
Image for story Pedalling west...

Pedalling west...

During the dark months of the latest lockdown I conceived a ridiculous plan to cycle solo from the Chalice Well at Glastonbury to Penzance Lido.

I've allowed myself right days for this ta... read more

Topic: My Bicycle Romance

1
Image for story Cycle to the Sunset

Cycle to the Sunset

I've got back into the habit of cycling, and really enjoy going out to Turf and back. Last week, I went a little bit further, near Powderham, and watched the sunset. It was a lovely way to spend a ... read more

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

3
Image for story Gravel adventure

Gravel adventure

Wanting a change from 1000's of road miles and still been able to commute to work in the winter, I invested in Gravel bike this year.
Amazing peice if kit. My most adventurous ride so far was a... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

5
Image for story Mad as a box of frogs

Mad as a box of frogs

As I'm a young spring chicken (58 this year), riding with the grand kids (start them young) is full of laughter and memories to cherish. Toasted tea cakes and hot chocolate, half way stop off. They... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

2
Image for story Over the hills and far away

Over the hills and far away

The end of a big challenge.
Completed the Dartmoor Classic Medio ride not far off a Silver Medal time.
Only started cycling again about 4 years ago, because the work car park was shut!

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

3

Bridgewater canal

I started to take on cycling in 2018 when my car broke down and bought a bike (Brompton) to cycle to work, while I tried to buy another car. I have never looked back since. During the Spring and Su... read more

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

2
Image for story Cann Ladies Ride MTB

Cann Ladies Ride MTB

I love riding trails and DH on my bike, but what I’ve really enjoyed recently is showing other ladies this love of MTB in Cann Woods. We have a Devon Ladies MTB group on FB where we arrange rides.

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

4
Image for story On the mend

On the mend

Great to get out and jog a short distance today. As someone who comes from a family with a history of biking, I never really understood the appeal of running. Firstly, cycling thighs aren't really ... read more

Topic: Other

1
Image for story Why I decided to get moving #womenwhoride

Why I decided to get moving #womenwhoride

Lockdown one hit me hard- I developed anxiety and depression through a mix of teacher and mum guilt. This left me both a mental and physical wreck. I was prescribed fluoxetine and it helped however... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

6
Image for story The early bird catches the Ram!

The early bird catches the Ram!

Last week I got on my bike for the first time this year in order to join in with the Great Get Together Ride for Refugee Week. I haven’t worn a watch since lockdown last March so a quick glance at ... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

4

Gaining confidence with every ride!

I hadn't ridden regularly for years until lockdown in 2020, the weather was amazing and we got out on our bikes as a family a few times during each week as many others did. Its dropped off a bit no... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

1
3
Image for story Bike motivation

Bike motivation

Always love the outdoors and riding my bike makes me feel so good with enjoying the outdoors fresh air.Never really been into long bike rides only short ones with my bike being my vehicle to gettin... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

4
Image for story Feels like Faith

Feels like Faith

I used to be a happy cycler as a young person, I'd cycle to visit my grandparents during the week and take a break from schoolwork. I'd also cycle many kms every Saturday just to hang around the ne... read more

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

2

Commuting

Commuting to / from work daily a total of about 22miles - even when the weather is bad, always makes me feel as though I have achieved something. The worst bit is trying to keep my bike clean!! I s... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

4

Rain, rain, rain, but didn't get any wetter than driving.

I cycled my toddler to nursery in the pouring rain, but thanks to my waterproofs and the fact I could park right outside the door, I didn't get any wetter than if I'd driven and had to walk from wh... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

Encouraging others

Got my bro on bike after about 25years...
'it's changed my life'
'I'm loving it'
'I've met a new group of friends'
'I'm so much fitter'
'I'm a better role model for the kids'<... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

1
Image for story No-one told me about Lincoln being so hilly!

No-one told me about Lincoln being so hilly!

After many years feeling like a bit of a social outcast cycling round Cardiff to many different universities, offices, schools, pubs, cinemas and so on, this year I was happy to be offered a dream ... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

2
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Image for story Cycling can be a little wooden....

Cycling can be a little wooden....

I am so excited about this! I felt 5 years old again!! 🪵 🌲 🚴

Is it bamboo? No

Is it heavy? No

Is it nice to ride? Hell yes! 🤩

Built from wood here in Hampshire i... read more

Topic: My Bicycle Romance

12
Image for story Return to cycling

Return to cycling

I have always had a bike since I was a child. I would ride all the time with friends or on my own not so much to get places but more for the enjoyment of cycling.

However like with a lot ... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

2
Image for story The South Downs and Beyond

The South Downs and Beyond

I live in Brighton on the south coast and am very lucky to have the sea and the South Downs on either side of this City. There is nothing bettwer than cycling along the coast through Shoreham Harbo... read more

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

2

Take the frst step

Sold the car in late april, cycling to work since. Best may ever weather wise. Someone is trying to tell us something.

Topic: My commute by bike

1

Getting back on the bike

Around 7 years ago I had a nasty accident on a bike ride with my dad, nearly flying over a road barrier and off a cliff. I hadn't touched a bike since. Until this month. My partner has never learnt... read more

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

3
Image for story The commuter

The commuter

I've always enjoyed cycling since been really young and and I've always cycle to work. Recently I cycled about 3 miles to work and back everyday and thought that was amazing and it was at the time.... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

9
Image for story Tandems in the Trossachs!!

Tandems in the Trossachs!!

Kim, Rachael, Mike and myself are just back from a splendid 5-day tandem ride from Balloch to Nairn. We followed SUSTRANS cycle route 7 for most of the way.

We drove up to Balloch, at the... read more

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

3

Love to commute!

I love my commute, for me nothing beats getting up early to ride to work, 12miles of pedalling away waking me up ready for the day. I also ride to get fitter for my attempt of LEJOG before I’m 35! ... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

1
Image for story Way of the Roses

Way of the Roses

After three years planning and lock downs we completed the way this June. Setting off from Whalley we rode to Morecambe, took the usual start photo and cycled to Lancaster for our first nights stay... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

1
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From prog rock to the New Forest

Pandemics are not good things I know. However the prospect of being locked in last March, with no prospect of exercise prompted me to put some effort in. From running up and down the drive listenin... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

5
Image for story When on holiday hire a bike

When on holiday hire a bike

Fantastic bike ride along the water's edge by Titanic on a hire bike as on holiday, June 21.

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

1
Image for story Northern Ireland alternative for Covid Era bike tour

Northern Ireland alternative for Covid Era bike tour

If your planned trip to sunnier climes has been cancelled or deferred because of covid travel restrictions. I can recommend Northern Ireland.
Quiet roads, lovely scenery, respectful drivers an... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

2
Image for story The New Forest

The New Forest

As part of cycle June I have also been taking part cycling 100 miles for dementia during June. With this in mind I mounted my Cycle on the back of the car and headed with my husband to the New For... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

2

Building a bike

Not quite a riding story but the story of how I built my bike and what that means to me.

While I was at university, I helped a friend out moving house and, as a result of him downsizing, h... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

2
Image for story E-bike makes national park more accessible

E-bike makes national park more accessible

Hired 2 e-bikes in the Lake District. Allows a beginner to enjoy massive mountain passes and keep up with an experienced rider. Allows for far more exploring than driving and walking...

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

1
Image for story First ever 100km Ride

First ever 100km Ride

As the British summer seems to have vanished temporarily I wanted to share my ride from two weeks ago when the sun was shining!

First time I'd ever cycled 100km after starting cycling last... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

1
Image for story Solstice Ride

Solstice Ride

Usually we try to arrange a ride around the Summer Solstice, last year we couldn't do it due to the restrictions. So, this year we got up before the crack of dawn, met in time for the drab and grey... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

5

I ❤️ my bike!

Many years ago I said goodbye to my rickety, heavy, hand me down bike the night before my driving test. Over confidence of youth! But I did pass my test and never wanted to cycle again. Forty years... read more

Topic: Other

3
Image for story Steve's 41 club Dementia UK 706 mile challenge.

Steve's 41 club Dementia UK 706 mile challenge.

I work at Johnson Matthey at Clitheroe and a lot of colleges have seen me coming into or leaving work in bright coloured lycra. Instead of my bright car.

And you have wondered why …
read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

5

Getting the wind up

My wife and I aren't used to longer rides but last year we decided to cycle across the New Forest to avoid public transport. We had booked a short stay in Fordingbridge and we took the most direct ... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

4

Betancuria

Before the dark days of Covid - I used to take regular holidays to Fuerteventura, where my favorite ride was to the highest point of the island Betancuria.

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

2
Image for story The things we do

The things we do

My other half is absolutely cycling mad. As a result we now shuttle between Sheffield and Nottingham. It’s a lovely trip, especially in the sunshine of an early summer evening. If you’re ever looki... read more

Topic: My Bicycle Romance

4
Image for story Developing riding skills

Developing riding skills

Watching your child develop there riding skills is a wonderful experience apart from the occasional fall!!! So on to the new challenge of taking your hand off the handle bars in preparation for sig... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

1
Image for story Take time to ride each day

Take time to ride each day

I wasn’t looking forward to returning to work in London this month but the warm weather and being back on my bike really helped.
London is a fabulous city to ride in. Just ride safely and res... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

3