Stories from the United Kingdom

Reading all these stories about people taking to bikes in lockdown makes me feel bad. I cycled every day to work, and never missed, apart from extreme ice and snow, and those are rare in Bristol. ... read more

Covid changed everything, not least of which is people’s travel habits. I avoided buses and trains even once restrictions lifted because I was worried that, even with reduced public transport capac... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

I've been "working from home" for almost a year now. There are many real benefits to it, and it's been the right thing to do, but there are times when the same 4 walls feel a bit oppressive: that's... read more

Martyn Beaton I love the wildlife you can see when out cycling, I too have seen a Barn owl when out on the bike.... fantastic 😁

I love the wildlife you can see when out cycling, I too have seen a Barn owl when out on the bike.... fantastic 😁

John Riley Several times I have been joined by Barn Owls for my ride. I think they use the bike to spook their prey but never have the... read more

Several times I have been joined by Barn Owls for my ride. I think they use the bike to spook their prey but never have they swooped to catch it, so perhaps they are just sociable.

Been on my ordinary and ebike since the first lockdown, when the roads emptied. Amazing how many places don’t actually need a car, especially if you have HUGE panniers for doing the shopping. Feel... read more

A chilly morning but what a wonderful way to start the day! Staying local during lockdown hasn't been to bad when a ride to Cleethorpes sees beauty on my doorstep! Beautiful sunrise, lovely views... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

4

It’s been hell in cycling terms no Sportive’s no group rides very alone. Hopefully light is starting to shine with vacation over 65 waiting for first jab Keep safe , started riding in 2015 after ... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

As a key worker cycling is my transport as well as my sport in the last two weeks I contracted covid due to my front line work was in bed for days and unable to cycle now that I have recovered cycl... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

5

After being in a roundabout road collision years ago; I became very shy about riding the road bike stored in the back of the shed. I have always cruise around town on my hybrid and take the mountai... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

2

The past few months have been tough for everyone, but coronavirus has hit those affected by dementia the hardest and continues to disrupt lives. So that's why I'm getting on my bike and taking on C... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

3

While my Son has been living with us, we have replaced his London commute for Quantock hills sunrise rides. Stop and watch the sunrise with a flask of coffee is a great way to start the day.

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

1

Sometimes I struggle to motivate myself to ride before work. It's early and dark and cold outside and my bed is warm. BUT, when I do make the effort it feels so good. I can't help but smile whilst ... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

5

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

1

2

Graham Matthews Hello I like your ideas of being seen which I also use but all cyclists should a hi viz jacket of some kind in day light wi... read more

Hello I like your ideas of being seen which I also use but all cyclists should a hi viz jacket of some kind in day light with lights as we are not seen easily by some traffic.

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

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 and ... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

4

Having had numerous holidays cancelled, social distancing heightened we began to consider our options. Stay safe and keep fit. When sister and husband offered to drive our camper van for an adventu... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

3

I started cycling between my home in Morecambe and Lancaster train station when Northern trains were on strike. I enjoyed it so much I thought I would carry on for the summer. Two years later after... read more

As a carer, I have been caring full time for two adult sons suffering from depression and anxiety throughout lockdown. I used to work as a cycle instructor! But caring during COVID has affected tha... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

4

I started the Swap-Stop-Go challenge on the 1st of August and over the next 56 days I completed 86 rides and cycled a total of 1001.7 miles. Being in the office still, I cycled to work every we... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

5

My friend Steve and me had a nice ride for brekkie then a ferry ride to carry on cycling

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

7

Since I was 16 I have cycled everywhere and taken my bike with me to all the cities I have lived in: Liverpool, Leeds and London. Its helped me stay in shape and save on all my commutes to univers... read more

Mad Gibbo keep it up!!

keep it up!!

Hi, My name is Steve, a dad of three, happily married, approaching 50yrs! Thanks for stopping by to read my story...……….. Ok well for all my adult life I have been overweight, and at times have ... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

7

19

Anthony Preston Brill story that Steve. PS. Anymore players to pass on? Tony (LFC Fan) :-)

Brill story that Steve. PS. Anymore players to pass on? Tony (LFC Fan) :-)

Lyndsey Henderson Great read and best tip. Cycle until you can go no further then you have to cycle home! I use that for running. I also cycl... read more

Great read and best tip. Cycle until you can go no further then you have to cycle home! I use that for running. I also cycle down the hill and therefore have to cycle back up. Makes me think what other cycle tips I have picked up over the years...

Adrian Burton Nice one Steve, especially the ride to The Villans

Nice one Steve, especially the ride to The Villans

Louise Falk That's brilliant!

That's brilliant!

Andrea Powell Well done, Steve! Keep up the great work (from a RFC fan!)

Well done, Steve! Keep up the great work (from a RFC fan!)

Derek Bryson Well done, great story and inspirational to anybody who may struggle with weight loss. You should be very proud👍

Well done, great story and inspirational to anybody who may struggle with weight loss. You should be very proud👍

Keith Shuttler Ride on Steve 👍👍👍👍👍

Ride on Steve 👍👍👍👍👍

Show 5 more comments

I started cycling during the lockdown in March 2020. One day for some reason I decided to go on a short early morning ride. After the ride I felt great, so motivated and energised. So I thought the... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

3

19

Steve Clayton Fantastic! Well done you. Very inspirational story.

Fantastic! Well done you. Very inspirational story.

Kirsty Bushell Awesome! brilliant effort

Awesome! brilliant effort

Scott Watson They're both very challenging routes. Well done!

They're both very challenging routes. Well done!

Show 1 more comments

Great to be save distance riding with my club members, didn’t realise how much I’d missed them

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

1

We recently took delivery of Jeremy Hilary Boob, as we have called him. A big yellow cargo bike, or "sports utility bike" (SUB). I've wanted one for many years. During the Coronavirus lockdown I ... read more

So over lockdown I start exploring so new route on my mountain bike and f oik and found myself riding around the foot paths around marwel zoo. I never realised there were paths that could get to c... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

I have recently purchased a few bikes, mainly to help me into my flexible retirement, but mostly as a way to enjoy the fact that despite the pandemic, life can still bring rewards. So with that in... read more

Cycled to the vaccination centre today to receive jab number 1. It's been over 12 months of turmoil, but today ai felt a personal sense of one step closer to getting freedom of movement back. Fr... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

4

My family have been partaking in what we call the Ham Hill lockdown challenge for fitness and fun. As we are all different abilities and ages we work at our pace and stop where needed and always ro... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

2

Having enjoyed road cycling for quite a few years,last October I suffered a stroke caused by a blocked artery,the Doctors gave me the ok to carry on exercising,It is taking some time to regain fit... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

2

I am very happy to use my bicycle to get to Stepping Hill Hospital from Sale. Using my bicycle takes my to my workplace and keeps me fit. Stretching my legs after the shift standing up! Great for m... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

3

On 23 march 2020 my life changed as I began working from home (wfh) instead of my daily 25 mi commute to and from my office in Central London. Nearly a year later I am still working from home. I... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

3

Before lockdown 1 I would regularly commute the 20 km to and from work either along the seafront or through Prittlebrook Greenway. Cycling through lockdown gave me space to breathe and forget the p... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

1

2

John wood I have been mainly wfh for a year now. I really miss my cycling commute

I have been mainly wfh for a year now. I really miss my cycling commute

Back in the day (15 years ago or so) I used to make sure that at least I managed the London to Brighton event, although I didn’t do much other cycling apart from training for that event. I love me... read more

So as Boris says we have to 'Stay Local' for our exercise to in the spirit of 'Staying Local' I decided to cycle the streets of Harehills Leeds which is where I live, This gave me quite an insight ... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

5

I used to cycle ten miles and back to my workplace at Newcastle University. I have been working from home since the first lockdown, in March 2020. I didn't commute at all the first month, which (ad... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

1

25

Simon Severn What a great idea

What a great idea

Since lockdown back in March Cycling has been my crutch. Done loads of miles & visited some amazing places

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

5

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

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 a ... read more

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 was g... read more

It's rather funny really, during the last few months, which have been so strange, my physical fitness has improved greatly. I seem to find more time to run, and was inspired over the summer to dust... read more

Normally it is a big challenge to ride to work i.e. 17 miles up 12% climbs so now I’m having work from home I get up early and ride 6 miles out then back to work at home - feel so invigorated when ... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

8

I work in a local school and have spent lockdown teaching down the camera online. We started back for a new academic year with the children back in school, vowing to keep the school open as much as... read more

Shirley Foster how lovely to be able to see the sea on your ride

how lovely to be able to see the sea on your ride

Sorry not talking about the beer in bottles! Normally a cycle commuter (11 mile round trip) along Canal Tow paths and river trails with a small skirmish with busy roads. I am fortunate that I love... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

2

“Choose Life. Choose a job. Choose a career. Choose a family. Choose a big television, choose washing machines, cars, compact disc players and electrical tin openers. Choose good health, low chole... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

3

7

Fleur Ammerlaan Love it!

Love it!

Tom Darville I should have title it bikespotting!

I should have title it bikespotting!

Mad Gibbo ace film!

ace film!

Show 1 more comments

Masks must be worn at the school gate. So I found myself cycling in my mask on the congested road home. Actually this keeps out the car fumes. Also on a slightly chilly autumnal morn it also warms ... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

3

hi, I have a serious back injury with a spinal cord stimulator fitted. I have implants consisting of computers and batteries sewn inside my spine to relieve pain. Cycling and spinning my legs seems... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

1

14

Jayson Taylor So pleased you were able to find an exercise that not only helps with your injury, but also your mental health! 👍🏻🚴‍♂️

So pleased you were able to find an exercise that not only helps with your injury, but also your mental health! 👍🏻🚴‍♂️

I started cycling again about 3 years as I was training for a sprint triathlon which included 10km ride. At 55 I hadn't cycled much since I was 18! Found I enjoyed being out and about again even on... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

5

Usually cycle to work a couple of times per week but working from home has stopped that. Needing some sort of inspiration and along came a post from RAF Museum about the #hurricane80kchallenge (#2 ... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

1

#ExploreByBike So over lockdown I start exploring so new route on my mountain bike and f oik and found myself riding around the foot paths around marwel zoo. I never realised there were paths tha... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

6

As a Registered Nurse and mother of extremely vulnerable daughter. Cycling has kept us fit and healthy during the Coronavirus Era. Cycling on the beautiful country side of Carrington Moss.

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

1

7

Sustrans Manchester That's great to hear you are able to get out, enjoy the sunsine!

That's great to hear you are able to get out, enjoy the sunsine!