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Stories from Scotland

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Breaking the bonds

I used to ride daily to the office and back. A journey of about 8 miles. Not a lot, but enough to keep me fit and the pounds off my waistline. Then Lockdown happened and the need to cycle was g... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

4

LeJog

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
Image for story From IronMan to COVID-19

From IronMan to COVID-19

3 years ago I was a 275 pound man at a dwindling 5’8 stature. I was unmotivated and unhealthy. Which was not ideal for a firefighter. I didn’t exercise and I was exhausted all the time. But then... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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Image for story Technically riding to / from work

Technically riding to / from work

Normally it is a big challenge to ride to work i.e. 17 miles up 12% climbs so now I’m having work from home I get up early and ride 6 miles out then back to work at home - feel so invigorated when ... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

8

Pointless but enjoyable

Having not seen my daughter since lockdown started I thought I would enjoy the relaxation of the rules, or what sense I could make out them, and cycle to see her. She lives in Liverpool, I live in ... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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Image for story 1000 Miles

1000 Miles

I started the Swap-Stop-Go challenge on the 1st of August and over the next 56 days I completed 86 rides and cycled a total of 1001.7 miles. Being in the office still, I cycled to work every we... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

5
Image for story TandeMadness

TandeMadness

All of September I am participating in the Great Cycle Challenge. It's a fund raiser to raise awareness and funds for children's cancer research. It's my 4th time doing it. I love it and I feel GR... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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Image for story Ferry ride

Ferry ride

My friend Steve and me had a nice ride for brekkie then a ferry ride to carry on cycling

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

7
Image for story It is What it is

It is What it is

I love to cycle for exercise and overall emotional health. I biked with my kids on a 5-day trip in Colorado, sponsored by the Adventure Cycling Association, in 2013, and we covered over 150 miles. ... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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Image for story #BikeFoodDrive

#BikeFoodDrive

Thanks to everyone who is donating to the #PedalForGood Cycle September Food Drive! We picked up the first round of donations this week at Wheel & Sprocket Middleton (pic), The Cargo Bike Shop,... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

4
Image for story Proper equipment keeps you safer

Proper equipment keeps you safer

There is no bad weather just bad clothing choices. When it rains, use fenders and rain gear, when it snows, wear layers. When it is smokey, wear a mask with a good filter. Everyone stay safe out th... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

5

Scavenger hunt fun!

This is our second round and we love it!

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

2

Much needed outdoor/exercise time

Since we've been largely trapped at home since March, biking has been a great way for my family to enjoy outdoor time while getting exercise. We've all spruced up our bikes (and gotten two new one... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

3
Image for story Cycling with Masks

Cycling with Masks

It isn’t easy but it feels good to be responsible, and the views on the Redmond Connector Trail are great! #TourDeRedmond

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

4
Image for story Whoops! I forgot to remove my mask.

Whoops! I forgot to remove my mask.

Masks must be worn at the school gate. So I found myself cycling in my mask on the congested road home. Actually this keeps out the car fumes. Also on a slightly chilly autumnal morn it also warms ... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

3

Visit to the Belge cafe

As I live near Stony Stratford one of the things I like to do is find a nice place to stop and have a nice slice of cake, homemade of course. Recently we heard about the Belge cafe near Nash, so we... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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Reminder of my childhood

I associate riding bikes to my childhood. It’s funny to think that I never associated it to anything else. During covid and with desperation to be active and be outside, I decided to wipe off a bik... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

1

Heather from Newmarket shared her story

The Covid-19 virus had made me think about new ways to get keep fit and get out whilst socially distancing. My thoughts turned to my old bike which was last used when my children were younger. The ... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

13

Scavenger hunt

Have really enjoyed the #betterbybike scavenger hunt as great way to spend the warm evenings while providing distractions from the upcoming distance learning. (Team Kucharskijeff)

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

2

No Bike to Work Day :(

I realized there would be no Bike to Work day this year. I have done it the last three years. My commute is about 18miles and I have to get up early, but it feels so much better than sitting in tra... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

5

I would have lost my mind

Glad to have biking it's been a sold way to get outside the house and keep my sanity. #betterbybike team Bench

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

1
Image for story Prenending the road bike is a gravel bike

Prenending the road bike is a gravel bike

hi, I have a serious back injury with a spinal cord stimulator fitted. I have implants consisting of computers and batteries sewn inside my spine to relieve pain. Cycling and spinning my legs seems... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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Image for story Eastside

Eastside

Took the fam to explore some of the Eastside trails (starting at Quanah Parker Park). Oldest son gave Gateway MTB trails a try- first of many, I’m sure!

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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Image for story Fraser-Granby Trail

Fraser-Granby Trail

COVID threw off a lot of our plans this summer, but we decided to go through with our trip to Colorado. It's easy to socially isolate in the mountains...just don't forget to bring your bike! #Distr... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

5

Mamhead Hill Training Ride (The Climb) - A Correction

This isn't a correction about my performance on the ride I completed the other day, as recorded under the substantive title above; and all the stats shown therein are accurate. But, although no o... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

1

Keeps me off the pavements

I've not been biking so much in recent years. But it is a useful tool in the arsenal now, in keep some social distance. Rather than weaving around on foot, you can quite easily keep plenty of dista... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

3

Getting out there...

It's rather funny really, during the last few months, which have been so strange, my physical fitness has improved greatly. I seem to find more time to run, and was inspired over the summer to dust... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

Keeping going

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

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

3
Image for story #wagesnotclaps

#wagesnotclaps

As a carer, I have been caring full time for two adult sons suffering from depression and anxiety throughout lockdown. I used to work as a cycle instructor! But caring during COVID has affected tha... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

4

Back to work

I work in a local school and have spent lockdown teaching down the camera online. We started back for a new academic year with the children back in school, vowing to keep the school open as much as... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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Image for story Corona(s) All round

Corona(s) All round

Sorry not talking about the beer in bottles! Normally a cycle commuter (11 mile round trip) along Canal Tow paths and river trails with a small skirmish with busy roads. I am fortunate that I love... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

2

Discovering new parks: Glacier Crossing Park

Harald's park story has inspired me! When I was signing up for Democracy in the Park, I was looking for a park that I could easily bike to. I didn't end up choosing this one, but it sure fits that ... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

Last Day of Summer

Wiltshire: Wylye Valley (Nat Cycling Network - NCN 24). Limited-stop training ride: Warminster and Wilton only. Start and finish: Wylye village, off A303. The Wylye valley in Wiltshire is one of ... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

1

Choose!

“Choose Life. Choose a job. Choose a career. Choose a family. Choose a big television, choose washing machines, cars, compact disc players and electrical tin openers. Choose good health, low chole... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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Image for story Cycling to Try and Help

Cycling to Try and Help

Since I was 16 I have cycled everywhere and taken my bike with me to all the cities I have lived in: Liverpool, Leeds and London. Its helped me stay in shape and save on all my commutes to univers... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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13

Super_ratliffs coming in hot!

Loving the #ibactive scavenger hunt!

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

1

A New Route in West Devon for a Training Ride

For some time I had wanted to ride the 'old' A30 between Whiddon Down and Okehampton, via the village of Sticklepath, a distance of 14.2 miles return. Over the summer I had been visiting the are... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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Image for story Short but Fun Ride

Short but Fun Ride

Rode on the Redmond Connector Trail for the first time and it was a great ride on a day with beautiful weather (shortly before the smoke came!) #TourDeRedmond

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

3

Cruising Seacoast Covid-style

Early on during the pandemic, biking to the end of Seacoast Drive was my little slice of heaven. Although I was masked up, the freedom of leaving the house and feeling the wind on my face was amazi... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

2
Image for story New nearby rides

New nearby rides

When I started working from home during COVID, my weekday commute cycling went completely to zero. After getting a bit stir-crazy, I started looking for good, ~ 1-1.5 hour rides I could take from ... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

5
Image for story March 2020 - September 2020 (-32kg)

March 2020 - September 2020 (-32kg)

Hi, My name is Steve, a dad of three, happily married, approaching 50yrs! Thanks for stopping by to read my story...……….. Ok well for all my adult life I have been overweight, and at times have ... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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Reminder of my childhood

I associate riding bikes to my childhood. It’s funny to think that I never associated it to anything else. During covid and with desperation to be active and be outside, I decided to wipe off a bik... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

2
Image for story Suffolk's Free Cycling Session

Suffolk's Free Cycling Session

We had a great time on our Free Cycle Session. We now know the best route to get to my children’s school. We can also navigate the busy junctions which had previously put me off cycling in the town... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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Ride in the forest

My 8-year old son went on his longest ride ever—11.1 miles. It was in the forest and he says you had to go up a bunch of hills. It was tiring but he says he kept getting energy whenever he went dow... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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Bike the Bay - not this year...

Today should have been Bike the Bay. Missing that a lot. I usually ride with about a dozen friends under the Uptown Bicycles team name. We do the ride and then have a wonderful lunch and drink wine... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

2

No Better Time to get Faster

The coronavirus has led to one good thing. An almost consistent training schedule. I’m not riding 100 miles a week and am the fastest I’ve ever been. I look forward to starting to race once the wor... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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Image for story Reivers Route & return on C2C

Reivers Route & return on C2C

I started cycling during the lockdown in March 2020. One day for some reason I decided to go on a short early morning ride. After the ride I felt great, so motivated and energised. So I thought the... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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Image for story Anxiety and Biking During a Pandemic

Anxiety and Biking During a Pandemic

It took me a while to want to leave my house at all during the pandemic. I did not show up well for myself in the beginning and my mind got the best of me for longer than I would like to admit. I h... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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Image for story Socially distanced cycling

Socially distanced cycling

Managed a first socially distanced meet up with my family and took the youngest two grandaughters 3 and 5 for a ride along Tiverton canal. Can't post video on here so if you want to see it head ac... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

3

Lock Down Rides

I started cycling again about 3 years as I was training for a sprint triathlon which included 10km ride. At 55 I hadn't cycled much since I was 18! Found I enjoyed being out and about again even on... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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