UK

Stories from the United Kingdom

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

Reconnecting with my bikes

I promised myself I would use the extra time over the pandemic to get fitter. I have done lots of walking and have spent loads more time with the family which is a positive. However, my bikes hav... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Image for story Riding in the cold and rain!

Riding in the cold and rain!

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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Image for story Matching lights #LightTheNight

Matching lights #LightTheNight

These two, feeling grown up riding in the dark. The rear bike light is a bit low so clip running lights on their jackets hoods

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Finding my love of cycling and maintenance

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

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Image for story After-work ride to fly the flag for Walk the Plank

After-work ride to fly the flag for Walk the Plank

With just one last opportunity to get in a few miles I took the chance of working from home this afternoon so that I could also get in one last ride for the arts company I work for, Salford-based W... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Image for story A challenge with a catch!

A challenge with a catch!

On Cycling UK's 'World's Biggest Bike Ride' day 2020 I set out to meet a longish-standing personal challenge. A few years ago when approaching retirement, I determined to use my bike more and my... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Image for story New Discovery ‘The Dramway’

New Discovery ‘The Dramway’

Cycle September has encouraged me to get out on my bike and to explore further afield to clock up the miles. Sunday decided to cycle Fir the first time the section of The Dramway from the Bristol ... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Image for story #ExploreByBike

#ExploreByBike

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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Image for story #ExploreByBike

#ExploreByBike

Without much I thought I agreed to do a bike ride that would be different and a challenge. My birthday was just a few weeks away and it would be the beginning of a new decade for me 😟 The ride st... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Image for story Raising Awareness of Modern Slavery

Raising Awareness of Modern Slavery

It was warm last night even at 8pm. Fab ride out to Wythall and Alvechurch via Weatheroak Hill. Originally the plans were to cycling from home in South Birmingham to Llanberis in Snowdonia natio... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Image for story Indoor lands end to john O'groats

Indoor lands end to john O'groats

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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Getting back on a bike at "58"

As part of "Team Speyside" within Moray Council I have thoroughly enjoyed the September cycling challenge. Before the challenge I was an occasional cyclist. Paul, my husband, and I bought bikes 3... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Achy ribs!

Ribs still ache from my cycling accident on Friday, but not enough to discourage me from completing the September challenge. Beware of dogs while cycling..... my advice of the day!

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

My inspiration

I read of a guy who ran a marathon every day for a year,that and Steve Abrahams attempting 80,000 miles in a single year,since then I have ridden nearly 40 mile a day for almost four years without ... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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I was already a convert to cycle commuting...

… but the Love to Ride UK and the Cyclescheme 7 week challenge has made me appreciate how many others are taking up cycling (or cycle to work already). An online community such as this helps to r... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

Thoroughly beaten on the commute

I've been cycling to work regularly for the last 3 years, and over that time have managed to get the 15 mile route down to what I thoug was a fairly respectable 40 minute ride. As part of the cy... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

7 week challenge

I started cycling as a way to save money on travel costs in London and to help burn some calories. I stopped when I took a job closer to home. Since being involved in the 7 week challenge ot has re... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

My cycling Story

With cycling to work scheme i got an opportunity to have a good bike and started to commute to work and other places as well as have some social cycling as well as training. It has been a slow clim... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

inspired

well i thought if I was going to do bike to work day I would do the full summer so far I have only driven a car 3 times since june and also lost half a stone so well worth it. 1 hit and Run later b... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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loosing weight feeling fit loving my bike

I reluctantly started a Weight Watchers group, I knew I had to do something and reaching a milestone birthday gave me the push, I plodded on for several weeks and starting loosing really well, I ha... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

Image for story 2019 Prudential RideLondon 100

2019 Prudential RideLondon 100

4th August - Getting warmed up with for the Prudential RideLondon 100 Bike ride at the start line with some London Underground mates.

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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The hills of Arran

Every year, my partner and I head to Holland to go on a cycling holiday using the "Vrienden op de fiets" scheme which gives us the opportunity to stay with local cyclists and travel to unusual loca... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Triple Crown

Ride the RNLI #threeshires ride. The triple crown is 100km, followed by 35km and finally 6km to complete the set. All for to raise funds for the great work the RNLI do.

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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No looking back

After treatment for breast cancer I wanted a challenge, so I signed up for ride the night. But hubby pointed out that I didn’t really ride a bike without hitting things or falling off. So I joined ... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Image for story Riding in the cold and rain!

Riding in the cold and rain!

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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Image for story #LighttheNight

#LighttheNight

Yes! It is getting darker so to carry on cycling through the winter I replaced my old lights with new light weight rechargeable LED ones. I loved them ~#lightthenight

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Image for story first 100 miler

first 100 miler

on the 5 th September (after commuting 16 miles a day back and fore to work on my E-bike for the last two years), my son in law and I on our new road bikes decided to take the 100 mile in a day cha... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Car Free Day?

Funny that on car free day as I cycled to work...the roads haven't been this busy in the last 6 months! Tail backs of cars the whole journey...think I was the fastest thing moving!

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Image for story Virtual London to Paris 300 mile Challenge for Blood Cancer UK

Virtual London to Paris 300 mile Challenge for Blood Cancer UK

I was diagnosed with Chronic Lymphatic Leukaemia (CLL) in March 2018, since then I have watched my blood results and seen my white cell count steadily increase. I’ve had pneumonia 4 times Every tim... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Chocolate Shop Bike Ride

The 3rd day of the bike challenge and I had a few badges but wanted more. Looking at the options I saw the ride to the shops one and thought yes I could go get something for lunch from the local sh... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Image for story #ExploreByBike

#ExploreByBike

The dark and stormy skies of Dunwich.

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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St. Michael's

Rode out to St. Michael's Church and along the public footpath. Good to be out in the fresh air and no one else around.

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Image for story Bike Challenge and the Coronavirus

Bike Challenge and the Coronavirus

I try and commute on my bike at least once a week, not only for the environmental #NoCarbon impact, but also for how it helps my mental and physical well-being. That honestly hasn’t been truer this... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Image for story Early Season Miles...

Early Season Miles...

I'm not a big fan of riding in the cold/wet of winter, but invariably the early miles allow fitness to flow later in the year and enjoyment of riding in the summer months. This year, the early mile... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Image for story Lands End to John O'Groats

Lands End to John O'Groats

From 7-15 Sep 19, I took part in the Deloitte Ride Across Britain cycling 980 miles in 9 days. It was the hardest thing I have ever done but it was an incredible experience which I would highly rec... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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avec plaisir

petite ballade sous un magnifique soleil .... c'est là que le vélo est vraiment top !!

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Image for story Cycling South Downs Way

Cycling South Downs Way

In a few weeks time I will be cycling the 100 miles of the South Downs Way in 3 days to raise money for Raleigh International. This is tough off road with lots of hills. Trying to fit in training b... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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More of the same, but with tracking...

I have been cycling to work for over 6 years. Taking a car was never an option, for cost, car availability, ecology reasons, and I’ve never regularly commuted by motorised individual traffic all my... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

Image for story A bonny wee time on the bike

A bonny wee time on the bike

We've cycled through the seasonal summer without the ice, And at rare times the sunshine which was nice, Getting up extra early to cycle by the deer, Or the birds of prey swooping past my ear... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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My challenge did not go quite to plan

I stared riding my bike 7 years ago thanks to my husband, I have since then ridden the Northumberland coast to coast both ways over 4 days, I have ridden my first 200K audax ( up the downs) I have ... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Riding it out

Cycling to raise money for Bloodwise so that I can help them help others.

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Decided to get brave

OK so I have been commuting to and from work a fair bit in the past few weeks and the weather has been kind. On Thursday I had to work in Bristol (57 miles away). Being bike to work day I thought... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

Image for story LEJOG

LEJOG

just completed LEJOG unsupported raising funds for PoppyScotland and the Brain Tumour Charity

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

Image for story RideLondon 100 Pre ride training

RideLondon 100 Pre ride training

17th July - A 100+ mile ride 'London - Luton - London with Michael Parkes in preparation for the RideLondon 100. We stopped for tea and cakes at Wheathampstead, a small town near St. Albans.

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Snowdon to Brighton

After recently getting my new ride via the cycle to work scheme, I've talked myself into a 'bit of a challenge'. I'm climbing Mt Snowdon in aid of Cancer research, and then cycling back home to su... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Stories from around the world

Image for story Balancing the bike and gym

Balancing the bike and gym

Took on a challenge for myself this year to keep up with the gym (35 day challenge) and getting out for rides on my bike, whilst increasing how often I bike to work and home. Been a successful few ... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Image for story I'm 50k from home and now I have to get home

I'm 50k from home and now I have to get home

I'm definitely going to get that 100 badge today as I have no other options. Set off just before 7am this morning to try and beat the heat and wind, but it's already 25 degrees. Beautiful day for t... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Check that your rides get logged.

You’ve got the Love to Ride app connected - you rock! Now’s a great time to go for a test ride, check your app, and make sure your rides are pulling across onto your profile. If you ever spot a rid... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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From Small Beginnings ....

I joined the Bike Challenge last year as a new rider and was the only one riding from work. I enjoyed it so much I kept riding and have convinced my work colleagues to join me this year. I have a... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Image for story Bike Breakfast 2024

Bike Breakfast 2024

Spokes will once again be hosting the great Dunedin Bike Breakfast. Now in it’s 10th year, Spokes are happy to welcome all those bike bound travellers to the Dunedin Railway Station on Wednesday ... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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