I have not done much cycling over the last two years as my road bike is broken. I made up my mind to try doing my 7.2 miles commute on my mountain bike. I was feeling the difference not cycling was... read more

Having tipped past 47 years old this time I was keen to make more of an effort to get back into cycling. I joined cycling September challenge, which not entirely successful due to illness did see m... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

5

A cheap but effective way to be seen at night, especially from the sides, which often gets overlooked, is to aim a clip/strap light on to your water bottles on your frame. It really lights up the b... read more

Topic: Other

I used to drive my car to the gym to walk on the treadmill.
I would go macdonalds for a big mac on the way home.
Now I ride my bike from home for a workout and pick something up to eat from... read more

Topic: Carbon Crushers

1

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Barny Barnes Great story and inspiration ;-)

Great story and inspiration ;-)

I started cycling between my home in Morecambe and Lancaster train station when Northern trains were on strike. I enjoyed it so much I thought I would carry on for the summer. Two years later after... read more

CHALLENGE COMPLETE!!!!!
Today I have completed my ‘100 for Guide Dogs’ cycle challenge. I have cycled for 100 hours and covered 1683 miles. I had to finish of course in beautiful Morecambe Bay... read more

Topic: Other

4

I haven't been out Mountain Biking proper for 20 years since I was a student. Three of us decided to go out this weekend to Clapham and ride an old favourite route. A little nervous to begin with... read more

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

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Early one morning whilst out for an early morning pootle along Morecambe Prom (deservedly popular with all types of cyclists), I spotted that even our Eric Morecambe statue was sporting some PPE. W... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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100 for Guide Dogs is a challenge where the participant can choose to Run100, Cycle100 or Swim100 between 1 July and 30 November. For the cycling event the individual can choose how they want to co... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

4

Whilst on furlough during lockdown, I joined an amazing Facebook group called "Sloth Cycling Team". As the group name suggests, speed and distance are irrelevant and the main ethos of the group is ... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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#NoCarbon
I found a route that keeps me away from the traffic with a short off road section too! And so far my bike is 7lb lighter than when i started riding it...!
Happy cycling!

This has made a lot of car drivers/passengers smile 👌❤️
Attach colourful pipe cleaners and feathers to the rear of your helmet.

Topic: My commute by bike

2

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Silvia Lopez What a wonderful idea!! I will do that! Thanks for sharing ☺

What a wonderful idea!! I will do that! Thanks for sharing ☺

Carvel Lonsdale No problem ❤️ Enjoy! Post your picture too 😃

No problem ❤️ Enjoy! Post your picture too 😃

Love riding both my mtb and road bike. Rivington and Darwen for most of my local mtb rides. Gisburn and Lakes if going further afield.
Enjoy rides to Southport , Blackpool and Garstang on the ... read more

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

12

I've been in a car and been waved through by cyclists and I have to say it can seem a bit passive aggressive or, at its worst, downright rude.
As a cyclist I've developed a non threatening offe... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

2

4

Alan Garner I like the underarm scoop and use a similar over exaggerated thumbs up technique. Each to their own. As you were.....

I like the underarm scoop and use a similar over exaggerated thumbs up technique. Each to their own. As you were.....

Carvel Lonsdale Thumbs are great 👍 especially opposable ones- because we’re not monkeys 🐵❤️

Thumbs are great 👍 especially opposable ones- because we’re not monkeys 🐵❤️

First a CONFESSION! I've never liked bells on bikes. In fact I'd go as far as saying I hated them- you know, the aesthetic bike fascist kind of hate.
BUT, my wife bought me a bell this Saturday... read more

Topic: Other

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Christian L Hi Carvel, you got me converted! The Knog bells look fantastic in their understated elegance - would be great to have one f... read more

Hi Carvel, you got me converted! The Knog bells look fantastic in their understated elegance - would be great to have one for the morning commute :)

Carvel Lonsdale Awsome! Hope its ringing : )

Awsome! Hope its ringing : )

Prior to cycling I would have gone out running with only an illuminace jacket on. However on the bike it is so important people see you and you can see them. This week I got my girls out on their b... read more

I am 71 years old, a type 1 diabetic on 4 insulin injections a day, asthmatic, waiting for a knee replacement and had a double heart bypass So why am I cycling? Simply because I love it! I haven... read more

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

5

I thought I'd join in by borrowing a set of wheels to help my team to the top of the table and also in the hope that I could actually win my own set of wheels!

Will do it again next year..... read more

Helen Fairhurst You have to be in it to win it! Well done, good luck for next time! Helen

You have to be in it to win it! Well done, good luck for next time! Helen

Having had numerous holidays cancelled, social distancing heightened we began to consider our options. Stay safe and keep fit. When sister and husband offered to drive our camper van for an adventu... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

3

In January I started a new job which allowed me to cycle 12 miles to and from work. My previous job was 30 miles and 3 motorways away so cycling wasn’t an option. I decided to sell my car and put s... read more

When truck drivers make a massive effort by losing their momentum on a hill, by dropping into a low gear and crawl up behind you to keep you safe, make a big show of how hard you are trying to get ... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

8

Gradually working my way through the various "100 Cycling Climbs " challenges on Strava/Veloviewer. I'm not that fast but I am quite stubborn (!) and often end up wheeling my bike up the steeper gr... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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The Covid-19 situation has been the only reason I have ended up finding a new and picturesque route between Helmshore in Rossendale and Stubbins near Ramsbottom. I have since found out that it is ... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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I ride fairly regularly-3 or 4 times a week. I thought l knew my local area.l used to set out on a known route looking to improve my time. Coronovirus lockdown meant events were cancelled. I start... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

3

I bumped into so peeps I had not seen for years at a Birthday party who told me they were mountain bikers and I started to ride with them, at this point I was super unfit. After riding with them fo... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

7

Just a thought for those who are safety conscious about burglary and stalking.
If you use Strava go to your privacy settings and create a privacy zone around your home location- this will keep... read more

Topic: Other

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Tom Darville I agree and always horrified when people show events on Strava when on holiday basically telling everyone your house is emp... read more

I agree and always horrified when people show events on Strava when on holiday basically telling everyone your house is empty for a week or more.

Carvel Lonsdale Excellent point Tom!

Excellent point Tom!

Mozelle Langford Thank you for the great advice! Be safe out there!

Thank you for the great advice! Be safe out there!

Chris Wiffen Thanks for the tip, I've heard it mentioned just wasn't sure quite where to look for the setting.

Thanks for the tip, I've heard it mentioned just wasn't sure quite where to look for the setting.

Show 2 more comments

Having a lot of positives from acknowledging drivers at junctions/roundabouts and give way chicanes with this hand signal combined with a big smile.
Fist tap your heart three times- point direc... read more

Topic: Other

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I now feel more confident back on my bike I have stopped using the cycle route to work and now use the roads. This saves me just under three miles. It a dam shame that the car free route is so much... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

7

I wave a lot at cars on my commute. Just started trying the thumbs up, reverse wave- works a treat for cars that are hanging back and being patient.
Simply take your arm behind your back, as if... read more

Topic: Other

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Wave at every car that gives you any room.
When you get angry about poor driving just remove your approval wave.
See? You got angry but didn't enter into a negative dialogue : )
Happy c... read more

Tarun Shome Great advice, and something I have been doing for the last year. My theory is that when you're commuting, it's pretty much ... read more

Great advice, and something I have been doing for the last year. My theory is that when you're commuting, it's pretty much the same people overtaking you every day. When they see you giving recognition to a safe pass, they learn from that. I have genuinely noticed a reduction in close passes in the time I have been thanking safe passes on my commute.

Carvel Lonsdale Brilliant Tarun!

Brilliant Tarun!