Stories from XTesting

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

Stories from around the world

Joy of towpath

Bit of a chill this morning but made up by the sight of a heron in full flight over the still canal waters.

Topic: My commute by bike

School holidays bliss

Another great ride in, no traffic on the roads until I hit the road works - where I bumped into my cycling buddy I've not seen in a while. I've achieved so many PB's on Strava, but bumping into fri... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

New job

Starting a new job last month has meant starting to commute to work by bike. I'm really enjoying getting on the bike and taking time to relax before and after work every day.

Topic: My commute by bike

My bike is fixed!

Had a nice ride to work today with my back breaks mended and my tyres pumped!

Topic: My commute by bike

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Image for story Me and my Donkey

Me and my Donkey

It's really easy these days to get cought up in the latest tech and bike trends. My sturdy commuter bike is an old Giant OCR alloy road bike converted to a hybrid. Brought up to date about 4 year... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

New commute

Loving my new commute via a folding bike and the train. Takes a little bit longer but a lot more enjoyable!

Topic: My commute by bike

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A fabulous start to the day

My cycle ride in to work is along the beautiful River Exe - I pass wildlife along the way - often glimpsing a kingfisher or a heron as I pass. The cycle ride is invigorating, a fabulous way to star... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

Image for story Broken toe!

Broken toe!

I broke my toe three weeks ago and walking & driving are painful. However, I’m so happy that cycling causes me no pain at all so I’ve been using pedal power to get to work and even when this to... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Got new tyres

Was getting a lot of punctures so Changed my tyres... fingers crossed.

Topic: My commute by bike

They can pass me, I don't care

I'm a fair weather cyclist, but with the excellent weather over the past couple of years, I am regularly cycling to and from work, 20 miles in total each day. The number varies, but I am likely to ... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Skint!!

I was skint!! I only had a short commute so I decided I could use my bike. At first I struggled but I worked out how much it cost to drive (we also went from 2 rubbish fuel guzzling cars to 1 newe... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Image for story Trying a new routes so need the MTB

Trying a new routes so need the MTB

Trying some new routes to work and back. Lots to choose from for any riding style. Today is MTB dirt track

Topic: My commute by bike

Image for story The Union Canal in Edinburgh

The Union Canal in Edinburgh

It's now over 10 years since I rediscovered cycling as an adult, quickly becoming a regular cycle commuter on the Union Canal in Edinburgh as a means to save time, stress and money, and act more su... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Traded the long car commute for a healthy cycle commute

For years I did commutes by car of over 100miles a day. It made me unfit, unhappy and stressed. When an opportunity came up for a new role closer to home - the first thing I did was research the co... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

First time on a new route. The devil's in the detail!

I'm trying to get out on my bike more, as I've signed up for a 96K charity ride, which is happening next week!
I'm a National Account Manager for a food company, I'm based in Stockport, HQ is ... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

Back on the road

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

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The Scoop.

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

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Image for story Life's little pleasures

Life's little pleasures

Rarely do I commute to work (logistics really) but make an effort on hashtags days, #BikeWeek for example. It makes it such a pleasure when you see something like a majestic swan gliding down the r... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Morning Glory Story

This morning (5/30/2019) was a glorious ride into work along the Spring Water Corridor. Saw at least eight deer, Canada geese with babies, a coyote tossing a mole around on the path, and then retr... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Overcoming school day morning madness

Today I FINALLY got to put in a good commute for my team. Between work travel and kid complexity, I've had ironclad excuses every morning this month until today. I'm so glad I knocked over the resi... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Portland to Weymouth Commute

I started off in January 2018 after two months without work, then got a job locally. My only option was to walk or get on a bike. My wifes old bike was in the garage and I decided to get on it and ... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Image for story Zen and the Art of Bicycle Maintenance

Zen and the Art of Bicycle Maintenance

I CAN SEE BY MY WATCH, WITHOUT TAKING MY HAND FROM THE left grip on my handlebar, that it is 8:30 in the morning. A light headwind is rolling off the Columbia River, tugging at my contact lenses. I... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Image for story Physiotherapists on wheels

Physiotherapists on wheels

I'm a physio in a stroke rehab unit and have the pleasure of cycling to work. Most of the other physios there do aswell and we've encouraged one of the speech therapists to get on her bike too!
read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Image for story Last of the Stockwood Park Daffodils

Last of the Stockwood Park Daffodils

My commute to work is very short but I like it as I take it as a hill training session to get me to love not loathe them. The last bit of my ride is through the lovely Stockwood Park and yesterday ... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Indignation is your enemy.

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

Topic: My commute by bike

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Surprises galore!

So I cycle to work most days,I arrive at work at 5.30am (yes that time does actually exist!). As part of my route I cycle through Cannon Hill Park in Edgbaston opposite the The cricket place.. One ... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Back on the bike

Having been commuting by train to Stirling for a couple of years, it was a delight to be back in the saddle following a change in job meaning I could cycle to work again. Rolling down cycle paths a... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Image for story Lucky Escape!

Lucky Escape!

If it hadn't been for Cycle To Work day, I would have fallen into my regular car commute and spent an hour or longer avoiding the closed M5 (my usual route). I noticed a lot of cars overtaking me o... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

Sheffield Cycle Commute

Cycling is by far the fastest, cheapest and healthiest way to get to work in Sheffield. I have ridden to work (almost) every day since I started my job. Through wind, rain and cold.

Topic: My commute by bike

Commuting to the railway station

My route to my local train station takes me through a beautiful park where, if I'm lucky, I occasionally catch sight of resident deer. The interest continues as I cycle along the waterfront and dre... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

To the shops with my daughter

Great ride with my daughter to get a few groceries on a Sunday morning. Marvelous to spend time together in the fresh air and avoid using the car.

Topic: My commute by bike

Image for story Love to Ride - cycle to work

Love to Ride - cycle to work

Natural Resources Wales, commuter cyclists love the countryside, the hills, the weather, to get to work feeling alive and invigorated. The office provides cycle storage, day and night and showers ... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Image for story Hilly moors and narrow lanes

Hilly moors and narrow lanes

We're having building work at our house during August, so we've been staying with my mum. It's the house where I grew up, and it happens to be a lot closer to work (11 miles rather than 25). Having... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Snake's alive!

Whilst cycling past Gatwick Airport heading home on Thursday 18th July I had to swerve to avoid a grass snake that was trying its best to cross a 10ft wide strip of tarmac without being run over by... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Image for story Not your usual commute

Not your usual commute

Well as far as commutes go, last Friday's had to be one of the most extraordinary ones I've ever done.
It started off with some persistent showers for the first few miles, with a distant threa... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Image for story Is it along way?

Is it along way?

I first started commuting by bike around 9 years ago, My second boy was about one year old and just didn't like sleeping, so riding to work was my time away to be alone. The thing about my commute ... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

Image for story A longer day at work than planned!

A longer day at work than planned!

It was boiling hot when I cycled to my office at Heriot Watt Research Park this morning, and I was overheating. Perfect cycling conditions you might say! Unfortunately things have now modified in t... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

Image for story Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

I've been commuting by car for almost all of my career, partly due to laziness and mainly due to some rather long and steep hills between work and home. I've been keeping an eye on the growing e-bi... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

Enjoying my daily commute

The bright sunny mornings have really been helping my enjoyment of my rides into work. So much so that I've started to add loops on to my ride home so I can enjoy the weather and the Great British ... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

Honolulu Adventures in Commuting

I have recently been surprised, humbled, and honored to be the subject of a Civil Beat "Wayfinding" segment. I haven't had the courage to read it myself yet, but hope that sharing it will encourage... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Image for story The Broughton-Roe Express

The Broughton-Roe Express

We bought our cargo bike second-hand from e-Bay for £300 around this time last year.

I’d been looking at them for a while as we were expecting our third child. Up until that point I’d ... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Twin bikes

I am from a rural area close to the hilly area in Maastricht. Instead of commuting with a foldable bike I opted for twin bikes - one bike in my shed in the garden and one at the roof top of Council... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Put away your phone!

Normally my commute is awesome. Last week I had a different experience. I call my parents once or twice a week on my morning bike ride as I'm 6 hours behind on them, so it is really the only time f... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Image for story Kids and Commuting

Kids and Commuting

I work with a non-profit (Bike Walk Cleveland-Tennessee) and we work to promote walking and cycling to destinations within 2 miles of your home or work. I was super excited to get a community donat... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Image for story THE PEDALING PILGRIM'S PROGRESS

THE PEDALING PILGRIM'S PROGRESS

AS I ground my way through the wilderness of upper Mission Ridge trail, I lighted on a certain place where was a den. I know what lives in the wilderness of the Squilchuck drainage, so I avoided th... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Image for story Doña Quixote of Wenatchee

Doña Quixote of Wenatchee

In the village of Wenatchee, the name of which I have no desire to call to mind, there lived not long since one of those women that keeps not one, but three bikes hanging on her back porch wall, as... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Never stop

I've spent years cycle commuting. Anything from 2 to 32 miles each way. I have never driven a car didn't interest me for lots of reasons.
I used to work promoting cycling, now i plan custom-b... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Trojan Horse

I have been riding to work every day weather permitting for 10 year now and in that time have only had to change /make redundant 3 x bikes hence the title Trojan horse. im unsure how much money i h... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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The ever so beautiful Leeds to Liverpool canal

Every morning it’s a crispy chilly ride along this beautiful canal. You could ride this a thousand times and you’d still think it was your first!
I can’t wait to get saddled up and off. Then c... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Safe passing distance

Ride to Work started off well for me by *not* being knocked off my bike by a delivery truck today. Why don't professional drivers realise that if they are going to drive in the opposite lane, they ... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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