Stories from Solent

Completed my first duathlon on Sunday to celebrate St Patricks Day! 2.5km run, 12.3km bike ride and then another 2.5km run. Nasty weather on the cycle down there but cleared up nicely for the rac... read more

A bit chilly this morning, hard frost on everything. Even though my face was crying with the cold, the rest of me was toasty. I have a waterproof helmet cover and that really keeps my head warm,... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Laurence Boon Wow - good effort Alan! I’ve not cycled in weather that cold for some time. Respect!✊

Wow - good effort Alan! I’ve not cycled in weather that cold for some time. Respect!✊

The weather looks good and I’ve a picnic packed. Where shall I head? I fancied being by the sea and hit on the idea of using a ferry. There are a number to choose from around here, but today I fanc... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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I got back on the bike this weekend by cycling around Portland in Dorset with my parents. Lots of greenery and cliffs along this cycle route - a bit different to a daily commute! Still not brave en... read more

New eBike day. Oooh the hills are so easy now

Topic: My Bicycle Romance

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After all this time, I am still working from home. Usually I go out on my bike or for a walk every day around lunch time to make sure I see some daylight and to get my exercise. To mix it up a bit,... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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Only a short story but I switched over to cycling after a running injury. Currently waiting on knee surgery. I used running as it improved my mental health. when I got injured I knew I couldn't jus... read more

Topic: My Bicycle Romance

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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 is my new BEAMZ Trust CIC... read more

Topic: My Bicycle Romance

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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

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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 respec... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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This might be an unpopular opinion, but for me, lockdown had its beauty. Especially when it comes to cycling. Usually when out on the street, I have to face the anger of "car-people" that cut you o... read more

Always find getting out on the bike and taking in an awesome sunset does wonders for the mind.

Topic: Other

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Scott Manley That looks amazing.

That looks amazing.

satpal hans Thanks :-)

Thanks :-)

There once was a man named Phil, Who cargo-biked up a ruddy big hill, He had no e-assist, But you’ll get the gist, He nearly blacked out while the kids in the front were so chill.

Topic: My commute by bike

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Looked like the sunniest day we'll have for a while and hubby had the day off so we packed gifted cakes, bought coffee and went for a leisurely bimble to Royal Victoria Country Park and back. Lovel... read more

Topic: Other

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Scott Manley Love Victoria Park one of my fav places, its great for a night ride with your lights.. Very scary

Love Victoria Park one of my fav places, its great for a night ride with your lights.. Very scary

Kim Ireland Not quite experienced enough for that yet but I've recently bought some decent lights for when I feel confident enough!

Not quite experienced enough for that yet but I've recently bought some decent lights for when I feel confident enough!

Scott Manley Its a bit scary at night but well worth a trip

Its a bit scary at night but well worth a trip

Nadia Frerichs It can get too dark particularly on early morning in the depth of winter

It can get too dark particularly on early morning in the depth of winter

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Well it certainly been a challenging month. Back on furlough! Dodging puddles, trying to stay upright on the ice, fixing punctures following the multitude of hedge cutters out this month. Still... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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This year will be simple. 1. continue my 5 mile commute at 5am to the station with my 3st rucksack. 2. Cycle 1000 miles at weekends over a year, before my wife wakes up at 9am, dressed as a knigh... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Claire Sharpe Love this!

Love this!

I commute 3hrs each way to work most days. And whats the best bit the 5 mile cycle to the station at 5am and home by 7pm Even better is when it's dark.. then you can add all the lights you... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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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

Since lockdown started, I've managed to almost completely switch to commuting by bicycle! The quiet roads and pop up cycle lanes have made me feel happy enough to get myself to work via pedal powe... read more

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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Great weather to #ExploreByBike, first ride down the southern coast, and #ExploreByBike beautiful towns and villages.

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Meeting midway is about visiting more distant friends safely. We get social again, planning to meet-up & picnic in unfamiliar territory. Our two brothers travel by bike to meet for the first ti... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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David Overton Hmm, it loses a certain "je ne sais quoi" when the you tube reference is removed! Search SplashMaps on YouTube and look for... read more

Hmm, it loses a certain "je ne sais quoi" when the you tube reference is removed! Search SplashMaps on YouTube and look for "From your Doorstep". There you'll find us :-)

I'm using my time off work due to all this madness to ride my turbo trainer using real footage or routes from around the world on rouvy to raise money for mind, mental health charity. As I sure wit... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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I started commuting by bike about two years ago. I love it! You get to work feeling alert and ready for the day, there's no tedious traffic to get stuck in and I've saved to much money and CO2. I'v... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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So today was the day I got back on a bike after many years! I took part in a cycling event held at Southampton (letsride) it was perfect to get me back into cycling. I train quite a bit at the gym,... read more

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

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That was a chilly little commute this morning! Took a slightly different route to stay within the the houses rather than out on the exposed coast and found out it's all uphill!! Glad I've ordered... read more

Today was a perfect cycle commute. It looked like rain but it didn't happen. The traffic was appalling, with new added roadworks, and extra traffic lights on St. Denys rd. I like best, the days... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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When I want inspiration to head out on a solo ride I choose somewhere I would like to have a picnic. I check the map, plan a route using quiet lanes, pack some food and head out on a mini adventure.

Topic: Other

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Hi, I just finished my first ride around Southampton (28 miles). I'm so tired but very happy.

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

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Last month I was cycling and slipped on a slippery wooden bridge on an icy day and busted some ribs, hurt my leg but otherwise my bike broke my fall and itself. So I've been bicycle shopping again... read more

Topic: Other

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I have only owned a car once when I was at college for a total of two years. I'm now 32 so that is a long time without driving! I used to get public transportation everywhere and walk everywhere. I... read more

I have been riding my bike every day since 1.1.15 when I decided this would be my bike challenge. I say every day but I crashed my bike that September and had to be brought home in an ambulance and... read more

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

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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

One benefit to last year was the lack of cars on the road so with that and the great weather we had it gave me a chance to really get into cycling I managed to do 3000 miles for the year which was ... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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I was reading about riding safety in the dark, and lots of people said that we are very good a recognising and seeing faces, so I thought I would combine this idea with reflective details. With ... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Alison Smith what a great idea :)

what a great idea :)

Taking my own breakfast and detouring off my usual beaten track. Gradually gaining more confidence :-)

Topic: Other

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Scott Manley I do this a lot, nothing like a breakfast or lunch sat next to your bike so mewhere. Have fun

I do this a lot, nothing like a breakfast or lunch sat next to your bike so mewhere. Have fun

Susan Cullen I agree nothing like a snack with nature I take binoculars to look at the birds too.

I agree nothing like a snack with nature I take binoculars to look at the birds too.

Alison Smith I always take a bring and snack if feels like a proper outing then!

I always take a bring and snack if feels like a proper outing then!

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Night riding is fast becoming, thanks to Covid my favorite time to get out on my bike. There is no one about and you have most places to yourself. At night your senses become more alert and you hea... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Took the mtb into the forest today. Needed a to get out. Especially after the football result last night. 😭☺ didn't set no time. Didn't set no distance. Just enjoyed the scenery and fresh air. Took... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Well it certainly been a challenging month. Back on furlough! Dodging puddles, trying to stay upright on the ice, fixing punctures following the multitude of hedge cutters out this month. Still... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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I commute from Colden Common to Bishops Waltham 2-3 times a week. Good lights are essential as the Winchester Road between the two places is unlit, although, now some of the farm houses and buildin... read more

I'll never forget how I felt when I was racing along an unlit country lane and my front light went out. I think the batteries died suddenly, and so did my confidence... it was terrifying. I freewhe... read more

When the unthinkable happened and the roads fell quiet, it was a unique glimpse of what is possible, of the world we could have. The birds sounded louder, the air tasted sweeter and cycling was saf... read more

I have been riding since I was a child and my partner is the opposite I managed to convince her to ride to work and to the shop and we take both are kids out all on bikes for the day. Better for ar... read more

Topic: Carbon Crushers

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#ExploreByBike So over lockdown I start exploring so new route on my mountain bike and f oik and found myself riding around the foot paths around marwel zoo. I never realised there were paths tha... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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After a bad day or a stressful week, An escape on my bike, I must seek! Off I head, before it gets dark, To the Royal Victoria Country Park. On the way, there are hills so steep - Sometimes I ... read more

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

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Peter Dargie Love that Jayne, you must do a similar route to us (Woolson stench) ;-)

Love that Jayne, you must do a similar route to us (Woolson stench) ;-)

Lizzie Eyres This is what I do on alternate days after work (which will maybe be in my lunchbreak now that winter darkness is arriving!)

This is what I do on alternate days after work (which will maybe be in my lunchbreak now that winter darkness is arriving!)

At the start off lockdown I chose to keep heading out each morning and get in the mileage I would have cycled to work. As time went by I persuaded my partner that we should head out on the weekend... read more

Sean Cooper i quite agree that the avenue needs a cycle lane of sorts and the current situation is great. i would not want to go back ... read more

i quite agree that the avenue needs a cycle lane of sorts and the current situation is great. i would not want to go back to two lanes of gridlocked traffic instead of one and a free cycle lane. traffic fills roads. half of the avenue is two lanes but the lower half is not, but is treated as it is with idiot drivers overtaking leaving and approaching burgess road lights. there has been a bottleneck as it turns into a single lane at the turning into the common, this has just been moved back 1.5 miles. don't be too quick to give road space to cars as currently us cyclists are safe and free flowing. people sat in cars keep dry and travel most of their journeys in ease. if they have to wait a little because there are too many of them in city centres then they could stagger their journeys, catch a bus, join us in cycling or put up with this little inconvenience.

For the first time in a long time I had intended to cycle in and out of work everyday this week but with the office closed for the foreseeable I've swapped my commute for an early morning ride, lov... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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So last July I changed my commute from Southampton to London from using the company car to cycling the 5 miles to the station and training it in... I even now cycle the occassional 15 miles to P... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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William Roberts #NoCarbon

#NoCarbon

William Porth Trigger it!!!

Trigger it!!!

I started cycling 4years ago this week. My hybrid bike's first outing was to SkyRide 2015 and this year will be my 5th event(now Let's Ride), and my third working it in some capacity. It has been 4... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Scott Manley loved the Skyride!!!

loved the Skyride!!!