Solent

Stories from Solent

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

Image for story Race Day!

Race Day!

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 t... read more

Topic: Other

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Image for story Picnicking

Picnicking

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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Riding everyday

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

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Image for story Ride Free

Ride Free

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

Topic: Other

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lightthenight

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

Brrrrr

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 o... read more

Topic: Other

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Ice Cycle

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 ag... read more

Topic: Other

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Image for story Stress reliever

Stress reliever

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

Topic: Other

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Image for story Ride Relaxed

Ride Relaxed

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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LightTheNight

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

Topic: Other

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Stories from around the world

Image for story Quinn Moody Artist creates bike poster

Quinn Moody Artist creates bike poster

I commissioned my artist daughter Quinn Moody to create a bike poster that people can use to promote biking. So far is is being used in Oregon and Washington. If you want the same poster with your ... read more

Topic: Other

Image for story Etape Loch Ness 2025

Etape Loch Ness 2025

Trip to Inverness to take part in the Etape Loch Ness 2025 and raise funds for PAPYRUS Prevention of Young Suicide.

Topic: Other

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Image for story Celebrating 46 years of grocery shopping by bicycle!

Celebrating 46 years of grocery shopping by bicycle!

I started biking to grocery shop in 1979 when I moved to Santa Cruz. I've since shopped by pedal power and electric power first to the Westside Coop, then Community Foods, New Leaf and finally Staf... read more

Topic: Other

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Image for story Bungee Cords: The Good and How the Bad can be Ugly

Bungee Cords: The Good and How the Bad can be Ugly

I use elastic cords to secure loads. When I popped over the the grocery store with a short list, but got a longer list called in from headquarters, I was able to scrounge packaging and use my bung... read more

Topic: Other

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Image for story Some place different - Otaki

Some place different - Otaki

Was in the area of Otaki and went for a quick bike around. Found the river trail and explored that from one end to the other. Great easy ride and the locals have done well with making the trail be... read more

Topic: Other

Image for story Keep the smiles coming

Keep the smiles coming

I cycle commute as much as I ever can...
Outside those usual times I wear silly costumes as I have been doing for 4 years now, everything from a Stormtrooper, a 100k race on my single speed dre... read more

Topic: Other

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Image for story Accessible Cycling

Accessible Cycling

My workplace (charity Vision 21) was lucky enough to get a grant through GCC Think Travel to have access to an accessible folding trike. This has enabled me to learn how to ride for the first time ... read more

Topic: Other

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Bikes for sale

Hey anyone know any recommendations for long distance for bikes? Or have one for sale

Topic: Other

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Bike Around the Bay

Bike around the bay 2024

Topic: Other

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Bike maintenance

Just replaced my chain and rear cassette. A big shout out to Andy at bike space, and Evo cycles on Vivian, for help, advice and parts. It's now running sweet for my daily commute.

Topic: Other

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Image for story Cycling and working

Cycling and working

I am 75 and have been cycling since I was 7yrs. I am now employed as a community caregiver, cycling to all my clients. It is a great ice-breaker as all those of my generation and older had to cycle... read more

Topic: Other

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Image for story Loving the Chocolate Path

Loving the Chocolate Path

The Chocolate Path follows the river Avon for a good part of my commute to Bower Ashton and is a beautiful part of the ride. It was closed for 6 years after part of it collapsed into the river, for... read more

Topic: Other

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Image for story Railway Track from Cloughton   to Staintondale

Railway Track from Cloughton to Staintondale

This morning we cycling to Staintondale from Scarborough and back to seafront.

Old railway track is very popular track with cyclists/walkers from Scarborough to Whitby.

Railway tr... read more

Topic: Other

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Image for story Don't Ignore the Symptoms...

Don't Ignore the Symptoms...

Yesterday I hopped on my sport-about for a quick errand and soon noticed a recurring bump in the rear wheel. After moving from concrete to asphalt, it was still there so I pulled over and sure eno... read more

Topic: Other

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Image for story Frank Brinkerhoff Century ride

Frank Brinkerhoff Century ride

I was with siouxland cyclists on Sunday 7/7/24 we started at craves parking lot at Sioux City Iowa at 6:30 in the morning. We traveled 3 states on bicycle by the time I got home I rode 110.45 miles.

Topic: Other

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Image for story Tour De Coffee Culture done and dusted for '24

Tour De Coffee Culture done and dusted for '24

Better late than never, but was good to do. 129km in a day.

Topic: Other

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Image for story Activism

Activism

I live in Philly, where most bicyclists commute by bike, and many of the drivers park in or drive down bike lanes. I was tired of seeing cars drive down the bidirectional lanes on Market Street, so... read more

Topic: Other

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Image for story River Trail Today

River Trail Today

I just love the comfort of the River Trail and on a day like today, it is so beautiful. So grateful for good paths that highlight the natural beauty of our community!

Topic: Other

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My company bought me an ebike

My company bought me an e-bike. They wanted to reduce mileage claims, be more environmentally aware, and give me an incentive to be healthier - and around longer. Not that I was ill, but I was on a... read more

Topic: Other

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This was crazy...

At a cycle park, well, me and my brother managed to race against each other, but then we heard screaming. We realised it was our sister rushing behind us... Thankfully, with our bikes, we managed t... read more

Topic: Other

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Image for story Quinn Moody Artist creates bike poster

Quinn Moody Artist creates bike poster

I commissioned my artist daughter Quinn Moody to create a bike poster that people can use to promote biking. So far is is being used in Oregon and Washington. If you want the same poster with you... read more

Topic: Other

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Image for story Out-n-about

Out-n-about

I know there is a trail here somewhere...

Topic: Other

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Image for story Prize purchase

Prize purchase

I was able to get some puncture resistant tyres and a new inner tube with the $100 prize for doing the bike challenge survey. The puncture resistant tyres are a must with urban riding.

Topic: Other

Image for story Zoom Zoom

Zoom Zoom

Ditto Day at the Lab for a Sunday Funday with my beloved. Wore out the pocket rocket with an extended ride and me making her take the lead, but a fortuitous Southerly change gave her a nice tailwin... read more

Topic: Other

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Stolen while swimming

My green Scott 21’ frame just was taken today outside Colchester leisure world between 1-:30-3pm while I was at work, please keep an eye out it is registered with police and I had brand new lights ... read more

Topic: Other

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Image for story Use your bike to meet people!

Use your bike to meet people!

An unusual bicycle gets attention and starts conversations. Back in 1997, I needed a bike, as mine kept getting stolen, even though they were all second-hand and not fancy. I'd recently read M... read more

Topic: Other

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Is something broke?

Where have all my rides gone that were down the left hand side of the screen? Can't see anyone else's either...

Topic: Other

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Image for story The zen of the ride

The zen of the ride

Most days, my spouse will ask where I want to ride. I suggest a route, he suggests something else, and I say okay. I’m not really a pushover. The feel of riding, the movement, the act of being in t... read more

Topic: Other

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Image for story Looking Back

Looking Back

It's a certainty; if you ride long enough, you will crash.

I sometimes let myself entertain the idea that cars and other things, coming up from behind, are uncontrol able random threats. ... read more

Topic: Other

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Image for story Night ride at long last

Night ride at long last

My first night ride since before my long lay up after surgery.
I didn't realise how much I missed it, 15 miles of bliss.

Topic: Other

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A gratitude post!

I’ve thoroughly enjoyed cycle September and was heading out in an extra ride yesterday when I realised I had a flat tire. Turned round, pushed the bike home and pumped it up, within seconds it was ... read more

Topic: Other

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Image for story Riding with Lael Wilcox

Riding with Lael Wilcox

Lael Wilcox is an elite ultra long distance cyclist who has just completed a world record ride around the world, finishing in 108 days, 12 minutes and 12 seconds!

I rode with Lael from Rid... read more

Topic: Other

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Image for story Thorn in my side you know that's all you ever were. (Eurythmics).

Thorn in my side you know that's all you ever were. (Eurythmics).

First time off road since my Hip revision surgery and it was tested by them god damm thorns. 2 to be procise in my front tyre.
It was still a very nice day and a very nice ride out.
There w... read more

Topic: Other

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Image for story Enjoyed a nice riding to Beverley

Enjoyed a nice riding to Beverley

Finally had some nice weather so I take a nice bike riding to Beverley it was about 18-22km round trip. Can’t wait for my next adventure

Topic: Other

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Image for story Cycling holiday with public transport

Cycling holiday with public transport

We decided to cycle The Hebridean Way this year and use public transport to get to and from the start.
We had pre-booked the train from Dyce to Oban and 18 tickets to proof it (for 2 of us)!read more

Topic: Other

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Image for story FINALLY saw the RR tunnel at silver comet trail

FINALLY saw the RR tunnel at silver comet trail

It's been a few years since I first saw the insane rail road tunnel online for the first time and I thought that'd be so cool to go there some time but at the same time it felt so far away. For the... read more

Topic: Other

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Overcoming weather

I used to live in Cambodia and rode a simple acoustic bike everywhere. The weather there had two seasons, wet and dry. Wet season was very wet. Monsoons. I commuted by bike through monsoons and roa... read more

Topic: Other

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Riding down to Toad Hall and around the bike trail to Old wharf road.

Great ride down through
thorps bush and then old wharf road to high street to Toad Hall.
Russell and I had brunch there today. There was a breeze but not too windy.
After that we went ... read more

Topic: Other

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Image for story Leith to Leigh on Sea April 2024

Leith to Leigh on Sea April 2024

I just completed on 21st April 2024, 480 Mile 7 day bike ride from Leith to Leigh on Sea in memory of my son Archie aged 5, who sadly passed away from DIPG in January 2023. Raising money for severa... read more

Topic: Other

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Image for story The rainbow at the end of the storm

The rainbow at the end of the storm

The last 2 years I have been riding for the young man pictured in the attachment below. He has fought the fight with everything he had to offer. Through his courage and a community committed to hi... read more

Topic: Other

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