A few years ago, I set out on a mission to do 120 km in one day, for the Strava Gran Fondo challenge. It was a grey day, a bit rainy, but at least it was warm. I stopped for lunch in Chester, and l... read more
Topic: A happy riding memory
Every day I cycle along Newcastle / Gateshead Quayside to and from work. The views are great, including: Robert Stephenson's High Level Bridge (1849) - the world's first double decker bridge (tra... read more
As we enter the back end of the year the winter riding challenge comes at just the right moment. I have set myself a challenge of getting 2,500 miles in in 2020 and have give or take 422 to go whi... read more
Topic: Other
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
To celebrate my husband's 80th birthday last month, the family helped us buy two new e-bikes. We've both ridden ordinary hybrid bikes for years and managed 25 miles fairly comfortably even in hilly... read more
Topic: Carbon Crushers
I almost miss a suprise downpour on the way to work. Almost.
Topic: My commute by bike
I live in WSM. Not commuting right now as I'm WFH, but I head out for a 'virtual commute' ride or walk at the start/ end of work to break up the day. This is Brean Down, seen from Weston's wide, tr... read more
It's that time of year when the days are shorter, but I try my hardest to keep cycling as much as I can. Obviously my activities are reduced as along with the darker nights comes the rain. I'm a dr... read more
Topic: My commute by bike
I commute to work by bike, so in autumn and winter I ride in darkness almost daily. Over the years I have gradually made my bike more visible – it now sports reflective strips, dynamo lights and a ... read more
Topic: My commute by bike
#Light The Night, Inspired me to dig out the lights and get them recharged, then head for the wonder that is Canada Wood Trails, Callendar Estate, Falkirk. Not only was it dark, it was foggy too. ... read more
Topic: Encouraging others to ride
#LightTheNight If you go down in the woods tonight ... you might find me! For me the best thing about having a great set of lights means I can still commute on the exact same route of back lanes, b... read more
Topic: My commute by bike
I’m a disabled cyclist and have to ride a recumbent hand cycle, knowing the winter months were upon us and dark mornings were also approaching fast, I needed to think fast to be bright and to be se... read more
Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era
The New Year started well with a lovely wedding of our son and his passing out as an Officer in the Royal Marines. Then came a choice one morning, wear the part reflective part blue cycling jacket ... read more
Topic: My commute by bike
To keep cycling all year round have added a few things to keep me safe. A 500 lumen rechargeable front light. The one I have has a power meter on top so I know has plenty of power reserve. Option... read more
Topic: Encouraging others to ride
Carry a small headtorch in your jersey pocket, just in case you need to fix a puncture or have a mechanical in the dark.
Topic: Other
I’m a Breeze Champion and for the last 2 or 3 years I’ve led a Thursday night, hilly ride which has proved popular with a core group of die hard riders. We motivate each other and our fitness has g... read more
Topic: Encouraging others to ride
I have been commuting to work for years. My morning commute is quite an early start, especially now we have moved further from our place of work. I try to be on the bike before 5.30am for the 19.5 ... read more
Topic: Other
Following my partner being admitted to hospital earlier this year, I found myself valuing cycling even more than before. I began to almost look at my bike as an old friend who transported me across... read more
I have a new love. My husband knows and approves. It means I am at home less, gives him a little 'me' time as we are both working from home in these strange times. I tried a similar relationship ma... read more
I got away 3/4 hour before sunset but cloud meant it was already very dull. Although I wasn't prepared for night time riding at least I'd remembered a couple of lights for emergencies so I set my l... read more
My cycle commute is 12 miles each way on bridleways and country lanes and I leave home at 05:30, which means a dark cycle at this time of year and definitely a case of Light the Night! I have over ... read more
Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge
I decided to write this not for any keen bikers who would know all about lighting already, but for the sake of any other riders who have recently started or restarted cycling: I live in the countr... read more
Topic: Other
Back in 2018 , through no fault of my own I was hit by a large vehicle and suffered a dislocated collar bone, among other injuries. I was off my bike for over 6 months and it was a long painful roa... read more
Topic: Encouraging others to ride
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
Commuting to work all year round for 20 years meant that good lights were essential. A couple of powerful rechargeable cateye lights on the front and several rear lights attached to my back were a ... read more
Topic: Other
Cycling is so good for mental health. I am a patchy lazy cyclist who suffered during lockdown as I made bugger all effort to do anything (vicious lockdown mental health circle). I have now been ... read more
Topic: My commute by bike
I always loved bikes and specifically cross-country (XC) which I trialed frequently back in Portugal where I come from, but XC is an expensive hobby, so mountain biking was my first option as a uni... read more
Topic: My first time on a bike in years
We had had an unexpected visitor drop by for a cup of tea so we were very late starting our ride. However it was dry and we wanted some exercise. It was getting towards dusk and I wondered how ... read more
I started riding again earlier this year to get fit and it worked! So much so i signed up for my first CX race on Halloween however like the rest of this year it took a turn for the worse and i fra... read more
Topic: Other
Makes you appreciate the warmth of your heating when you get back home a huge amount!
Topic: My favourite place/route to ride
“The Bicycle is Man’s Most Perfect Invention. The bicycle offers an unsurpassed combination of benefits including recreation, mental and physical health, stress relief, reduced traffic congestion, ... read more
Topic: Other
It’s been rare to cycle after dark recently, especially under lockdown. When things were open I was able to swim each evening; a perfect way to complement my cycling exercise. That’s not possible j... read more
Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era
I have over 30 years cycling experience and a keen member of a local club. Unfortunately cycling in the dark commuting and similar carries additional risks. Purchase as powerful a rear light... read more
All my cycling has been in the dark recently so I was highly delighted to receive a pair of Proviz Reflect 360 cycling gloves in the post this lunchtime, courtesy of Cycle September! Perfect for si... read more
Topic: Other
Dear all, I have tried to cycle the round trip to school 3 times a week for the past 8 years. ( 20 miles round trip) I started out on an electric bike in 2012- but quickly upgraded to Dawson toure... read more
Starting my shift at Pilgrim Hospital, Boston at 6am means I am cycling to work in the dark since the clocks went back. Coming the other way down a narrow unlit street I have been dismayed to see a... read more
Topic: Other
I never meant to stop cycling, it just happened. After cycling to and from work during my gap year, then around university during my undergraduate and postgraduate years, I stopped when I got a job... read more
So, here we are locked down, again.... In our urban environment, there are many busy roads, some do contain traffic shared cycle lanes. However, going for it, we can via these and judicious use o... read more
I have been struggling to complete a virtual triathlon due to various issues. My friend persuaded me to finish it on Sunday and I rode out with her on her 30 year old Raleigh bike! We had a lot o... read more
Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era
I have a dynamo hub with front and rear lights as my basic lighting package and supplement this with a high powered Exposure light and rear lezyne light for cycling on those dark country lanes. I... read more
Topic: Other
I loved how peaceful the world became during the first lockdown. Beautiful blue skies, empty roads. It was perfect for cycling and I didn't own a bike. Living in a flat it just seemed like a nightm... read more
Topic: My first time on a bike in years
Before Covid I use to enjoying commuting to and from work on my bike and stopping at the gym on the way home, and the dark winter nights didn't put me off at all. Tips 1. High visibility jack... read more
I started commuting by bike to work about 5 years ago when I first moved to the UK. I got given a very old purple mountain bike by one of our regulars in the pub where I worked. It was a very espec... read more
Topic: Encouraging others to ride
After a miserable day on Saturday where it rained all day we decided to brave the rain on Sunday morning and go for a bike ride from Woodbury to Topsham, a 4+ mile journey mostly on cycle paths. ... read more
Topic: Encouraging others to ride
In my younger years I was always a keen cyclist, used to ride both mountain bike and BMX, as I grew older I graduated to road bikes and started cycling to work daily, over a period of about 10 year... read more
Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era
I used to cycle a lot, during my industrial training during my degree course I cycle from Porchester to Gosport each day there and back, daily total of 15 miles. I loved riding then then life chang... read more
Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era
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
Since putting the bike away a few years ago with growing family responsibilities, I've now begun taking my daughter by bike to School. We both have a great time and have had to make the route longe... read more
Topic: My first time on a bike in years
As a rider for both leisure and occasional commuting all year round, I know it is vital to be lit up like a Christmas tree in both the poor weather and the dark. Lets face it, if the four wheel b... read more
Topic: Other
Well to day managed to complete another ride this time I did 40 miles so it goes to show the right equipment you can go further. Now going to push for 60 mile ride before the weather breaks.
Topic: My first time on a bike in years
