UK

Stories from the United Kingdom

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

Virtual Triathlon completed finally

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

Lighting the night

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. read more

Topic: Other

Cycling preseved my mental wellbeing

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

Topic: My commute by bike

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Image for story Hill? What hill?

Hill? What hill?

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

Topic: My Bicycle Romance

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Cycle lights

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

Topic: Other

Image for story The cycling bug

The cycling bug

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

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Image for story Swapping the School Run for a School Ride

Swapping the School Run for a School Ride

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

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#Light the Night

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 whee... read more

Topic: Other

After getting a new e-bike.

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

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Save the Planet!

I started cycle commuting in 1984, at the age of 22. I was fed up of waiting in the cold for a bus, and a friend offered to lend me her bike whilst she wasn't using it. I had the luxury of five gea... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Image for story lightthenight

lightthenight

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 th... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Turning to the dark side

Well actually, just riding in the dark...

Before the pandemic, I cycled to and from the train station every day, all year, in all weather.

So what lighting do I recommend?
read more

Topic: Other

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#LightTheNight #StaySafe

My commute almost seems like a distant memory, mostly working from my back room rather than cycling the Milton Keynes redways into the office.

It's that time of year, light going out in th... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Image for story Hadrian’s Wall

Hadrian’s Wall

Just got this cheeky little cycling 🚴‍♀️ route in before lockdown. We stayed at Twice Brewed and cycled along the Hadrian’s wall route into Chollerford one day then into Greenhead, To Haltwhistle s... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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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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Image for story 14 lessons I learnt from 50 days of riding my bicycle (part 1)

14 lessons I learnt from 50 days of riding my bicycle (part 1)

I did it! Woohoo!

50 days of riding!
This is how this challenge came about. I decided to take part in the [address removed] #CycleSeptember challenge. I only really awoke to the idea o... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story Shopping by recumbent bike

Shopping by recumbent bike

As i had been very much enjoying the cleaner lockdown air, i thought i'd do my bit to help keep it that way. I adapted a regular bike trailer to fit the back of my Kingcycle recumbent bike, and did... read more

Topic: Carbon Crushers

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Going back to move forward!

24 years ago I left MK. Cycling was difficult and unpleasant in my new area. In the last 5 years, none at all.

Soon to be moving back to MK - with a bit of luck and a following wind! ... read more

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

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Massive Miles = Massive Benefits!

About 7 years ago after too many miles run on the roads my knees finally told me enough... as did the physio. I'd always enjoyed cycling for fun but decided to combine cycling as my main form of fi... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Cycle September Musing

Great News Love to Ride Cycle September
Always good to get people out cycling
Activity keeps you much healthier
I’m out three, four times a week, not working
Set a goal, twelve hu... read more

Topic: Carbon Crushers

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Image for story Saturday morning carbon crushing

Saturday morning carbon crushing

Rushing to meet some friends for a road ride on Saturday I noticed the headset was loose. I grabbed the Allen keys and got adjusting keeping one eye on the clock. In my haste, I overtightened the b... read more

Topic: Carbon Crushers

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Blood Doning by Bike

I gave blood the other day, and used my bike (it's allowed! …. as long as you don't push too hard after donating). Donor sessions are always busy and it's often difficult to park your car - cyclin... read more

Topic: Carbon Crushers

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A better place

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

Topic: Carbon Crushers

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Bike not bus

My car needed to go to the garage so instead of getting a lift or the bus back home, I threw (very gently) my bike into the back of the car so that I could cycle home after dropping it off. Saving... read more

Topic: Carbon Crushers

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Image for story Crushing carbon

Crushing carbon

I used to drive my car to the gym to walk on the treadmill.
I would go macdonalds for a big mac on the way home.
Now I ride my bike from home for a workout and pick something up to eat from... read more

Topic: Carbon Crushers

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Image for story Quick Tip

Quick Tip

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

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Image for story Hilly Blasters

Hilly Blasters

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

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Image for story Sharing my passion

Sharing my passion

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

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Image for story It maybe raining where you are but somewhere it is sunny!

It maybe raining where you are but somewhere it is sunny!

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

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Image for story Rediscovered joy

Rediscovered joy

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

After my accident

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

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#LighttheNight

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

Image for story Riding in the dark

Riding in the dark

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

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Image for story Mother and daughter

Mother and daughter

Encouraged by my daughter to get back cycling. This photo shows us both out today on the Carrington Moss Estate. This is a beautiful place to get outdoors and take in the Natural beauty that surr... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story Motivation for the Nation

Motivation for the Nation

Cycling UK Stevenage have loved using Love to Ride, its really motivated us to keep cycling and to do a few more miles in these last few months (including Cycle September). We are now doing a Novem... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Starting a Trend

Ive been cycling for a while.
When my boyfriends' housmate was furloughed, his housemate brought a bike, and started cycling around Manchester. This was great news, and after borrowing the bike... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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My favourite way to move

Before lockdown and Cycle September I did most of my travelling around the city by bus or Uber.
Now I cycle everywhere! I really enjoy it, it minimises unnecessary contact on public transport a... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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Image for story Hadrian’s Wall

Hadrian’s Wall

Just got this cheeky little cycling 🚴‍♀️ route in before lockdown. We stayed at Twice Brewed and cycled along the Hadrian’s wall route into Chollerford one day then into Greenhead, To Haltwhistle s... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Cuckoo Trail at dusk!

We live in Brighton and my daughter goes to the orthodontist in Hailsham. In the past we drove as there isn’t a train station in Hailsham. Since making the family decision to ditch the car during l... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story 14 lessons I learnt from 50 days of riding my bicycle (part 2):

14 lessons I learnt from 50 days of riding my bicycle (part 2):

8 WEAR A HELMET, ALWAYS
Please, please wear a helmet! There is no excuse to not be wearing one. One doesn’t wear them for fashion. They’re there to protect your head. (There are some horrific i... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Delivering Leaflets

Great way to get round our town to deliver newsletters. Quicker than walking and better than driving. Efficient and good for me.

Topic: Other

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Image for story Feeling Pumped After Puncture Paralysis

Feeling Pumped After Puncture Paralysis

My cycling adventures have been stalled by a classic issue; a puncture.

Last weekend’s cricket practice was an ideal time for me to cycle the couple of miles to the nets, but the slow pun... read more

Topic: Other

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Nice to feel the breeze as I hurtled downhill at speed!

I thought I'd join in by borrowing a set of wheels to help my team to the top of the table and also in the hope that I could actually win my own set of wheels!

Will do it again next year..... read more

Topic: Other

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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... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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My husband was right for once!

I live in Brighton and work between Brighton and Hayward’s Heath hospitals and have traditionally always cycled to Brighton and driven to Hayward’s Heath. My husband, a keen environmentalist and pa... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Meeting old friends

I took the opportunity of Cycle September to arrange to see my mates from University. We had not met up for 10 years and it was great to get together on a cycle ride on the Tissington Trail in Derb... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Old Trafford to Pennington Warf

The cycle from Pennington Warf > Old Trafford back is such a nice way to unwind after a tough working week. I always find the people on the route to be respectful and friendly. There are some gr... read more

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

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Cycle to Gym

After prompting from my Love to Ride 'Team Leader' I started cycling to and from the gym during the love to ride month to pick up 'Day' points. Since the end of love to ride month I have cont... read more

Topic: Carbon Crushers

Ex-traffic slave

During my first year working in Derby I thought I had no choice but to use my car to commute. Was constantly stressed about rush hours and finding new ways to beat the traffic. Inspired by a friend... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Quick and clean

Commuting in Grantham is a mind numbing experience. I had to travel 3 miles across town to reach work and it could take as long as 45 minutes some days.
So, I decided to break out the old trus... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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