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Stories from the United Kingdom

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

Feeling fitter everyday

I have only just recently bought a bike after years of thinking I should be cycling to work. I had ruptured two ligaments in my ankle in a footballing injury at the beginning of last year and have ... read more

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

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Image for story New lease of life

New lease of life

I had been looking for something I could do on my own to help with my fitness, I had tried the gym which was so boring and even bought new trainers thinking running would be my new thing but that w... read more

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

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Image for story No matter the Weather - Glad to be back

No matter the Weather - Glad to be back

After a number of years off my mountain bike (Kids happen) I am really enjoying getting back out on 2 wheels, including the switch to something a little racier through the Cyclescheme, I am lucky e... read more

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

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Image for story returning and loving it

returning and loving it

Really bad car smash last year and revoked driving licence. Decided fitness needs a boot up the backside and can't keep using the excuse of " not fit enough yet" !! invested in a new Pedal Assist b... read more

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

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Image for story Hard to get back on

Hard to get back on

Used to commute to work everyday 20 miles but 2 accidents, a broken back, have made me rethink. Still trying but more social now so enjoying the cake stops. Happy rides😎

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

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Image for story Twenty Wasted Years!

Twenty Wasted Years!

When I was a younger man - unfortunately rather a long time ago, I used to cycle a lot. I commuted by bike from Beckenham in SE London to Kensington every day (c. 24 miles return). In about 198... read more

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

Started cycling!

I'd been commuting from Glasgow to Edinburgh for 9 years, putting on 5 stone as a side effect. Following a house move, I started cycling to work in April 2019. Although on the first day, I was so u... read more

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

3

Back to cycle commuting

I stopped cycling years ago when the dog gave me a pitiful look if I dared go for a ride rather than take him for a walk, and then children got in the way. As for commuting, a big hill and a relat... read more

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

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Image for story Eroica and a 1979 Puch Prima renewed my life

Eroica and a 1979 Puch Prima renewed my life

In 2014 I had a minor car accident. Left me without transport to work and a need to get my body mobile. I was 52 and not ridden a bike in may years. Watching TV late one night, I saw "The Cyclin... read more

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

3
Image for story returning and loving it

returning and loving it

Really bad car smash last year and revoked driving licence. Decided fitness needs a boot up the backside and can't keep using the excuse of " not fit enough yet" !! invested in a new Pedal Assist b... read more

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

1

Did I just do that?

So, I recently started a new job, about 5 miles from where I live (Leeds), previous to that I had spent the last 6 months working about 25miles away from home. On starting the new job I was tol... read more

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

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Image for story Commuting to work (off road) in memory of my dad

Commuting to work (off road) in memory of my dad

Many years ago I used to cycle to work 16 miles each way and loved it. Until one day a driver thought he could be quicker than me and pulled out in front of me and I went through his windscreen. L... read more

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

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Image for story Let’s ride!! 🚲

Let’s ride!! 🚲

So today was the day I got back on a bike after many years! I took part in a cycling event held at Southampton (letsride) it was perfect to get me back into cycling. I train quite a bit at the gym,... read more

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

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Image for story Return to cycling

Return to cycling

Always used to bike everywhere as a kid then life happened and it all got put to one side until a few years ago. My friend convinced me it would be a good idea to take up mountain biking! I went ou... read more

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

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Stories from around the world

Ages

About a month or so ago i suddenly realised how unfit I was due to not doing a lot with the kids and always being out of breath when I did. So I decided to buy a bike and start biking to work. Well... read more

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

3

Getting back into it

When Covid struck I lost my need, and likely desire, to ride to work. I therefore did not ride for several years. Post Covid I found I had developed an issue with my knee and thought exercise was d... read more

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

2

It's been over 30 years

At 62, I just bought a bike and I'm wondering WHY it took me so long. Honestly, it's been since high school when I rode daily so I'm still getting used to the feeling but I love it! Aside from a co... read more

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

10

I was so scared!

I hadn't ridden a bike since the 80s, when I was a teenager! I was so scared - it wasn't "like riding a bike" at all! But I found a local Adult First Ride class and dove in. After that class, and a... read more

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

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Ca fesait 2 ans

Ça fesait 2 ans que je n'avais pas fait de vélo pour aller a la job. J'ai fait une mise au point de mon vélo de ville et j'y suis aller et revenu et j'ai vraimentt bien dormi cette nuit la!

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

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Image for story New old aches

New old aches

Last time I was on a bike was 18 years ago. I sold it after a scare with traffic and relocating from the South to the North Island. I have borrowed a bike to compete in this challenge. The improvem... read more

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

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Image for story Peachtree Creek Greenway - PART ONE - December, 2018

Peachtree Creek Greenway - PART ONE - December, 2018

After years of grassroots work by local cyclists and bicyclists, the ground-breaking ceremony for the first section of the Peachtree Creek Greenway took place on December 19, 2018. The Greenway loc... read more

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

4

Cheeky

Did a 40k ride not going to lie i loved it but my cheeks didnt 🤣

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

6

I biked the Otago Rail Trail

Apart from an occasional bike ride - as a family when my daughter was young, Covid lockdown rides. We decided to do the Otago rail trail in February. An event to remember next to my daughter start... read more

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

4

jelly legs

Friday was my first ride on my bike for a long time, actually since my heroic bike challenge of 7km last year. After finally fixing a slow leaking tyre, installing a side mirror and purchasing a o... read more

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

1
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Image for story Too easy

Too easy

I haven't biked in 4 years due to my push-bike being stolen. Now that this challenge is on, I decided to purchase a cheap and used push-bike (for $80! 😉) just to tackle this challenge. I'm very com... read more

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

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Image for story Back on a bike after 35 years

Back on a bike after 35 years

I haven't been on a bike since my early teens, when I had a bad accident with a car and nearly killed myself, I've also never had to learn to drive, a car. but with the passing of my wife in 2020, ... read more

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

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Image for story Discovering again

Discovering again

It's probably been over a decade since I've been on a bike, let alone ridden one regularly. I do remember how much I used to enjoy it when I was quite a bit younger though. Now that I am north of... read more

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

1
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Image for story Getting back on the horse...or bike after a fall

Getting back on the horse...or bike after a fall

This past Saturday I went on my very first mountain bike ride. It was very hard, but very fun because of the challenges that the ozark trails present. While I did end up crashing my bike on some ve... read more

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

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Image for story Cracked my helmet!

Cracked my helmet!

I was trying to get back into cycling but it’s not “like riding a bike!” I was not very balanced and had a couple of minor spills but it wasn’t the blast I remembered. Then I had a freak accident i... read more

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

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Image for story From pillar to post.

From pillar to post.

My first memory is crashing into my mom's washing line post, learning to ride my first bike. Once I'd found my legs though, that was it. I was usually zooming around the street then the estate or c... read more

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

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Getting back on the bike

Around 7 years ago I had a nasty accident on a bike ride with my dad, nearly flying over a road barrier and off a cliff. I hadn't touched a bike since. Until this month. My partner has never learnt... read more

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

3
Image for story Feels like Faith

Feels like Faith

I used to be a happy cycler as a young person, I'd cycle to visit my grandparents during the week and take a break from schoolwork. I'd also cycle many kms every Saturday just to hang around the ne... read more

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

2

New lease of life!!

After 30 odd years of not having owned or even got on a bike... bought my first bike and joined the challenge, it is quite a challenge with all the gears and getting used to what works when LOL. Th... read more

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

1
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Image for story Steep stairs no longer a barrier to riding.

Steep stairs no longer a barrier to riding.

At around 74, I got back on my bike and found my office-sitting career that I started in my 50's meant I could no longer safely balance on a bike or my old 2-wheel recumbent. On & off I spe... read more

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

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Relearning But Gaining Confidence!

I bought my first bike as an adult in October 2021! My last childhood bike was 20 some years ago but I barely used it. I had bad biking experiences in the past so I was obviously very nervous relea... read more

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

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Image for story Hit my first 100 miles

Hit my first 100 miles

Prior to May 2023, the last time I had gotten on a bike was probably 15 years ago. A bike share program at work motivated me to try to ride a bike to work. I started commuting to work on Wednesdays... read more

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

4
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Reunion with an old friend.

I grew up riding my bike. I would zip around my small town on and off road. With friends and on my own. My bike and I were inseparable. When I was on my bike, I knew joy. A joy I haven't felt in y... read more

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

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Enjoying the great outdoors

I just discovered Ebikes and it got me excited to ride again. I also live near a greenway that has a path connecting it to my neighborhood. We now have 3 generations riding!

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

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Image for story 25 years after spinal fusions I got back on a bike

25 years after spinal fusions I got back on a bike

Back on a bike after 25 years! 'Excited' to ride a bike again doesn't come close to expressing how I am feeling as tears of joy stream down my face, thrilling, freeing, and hopeful.... a life long ... read more

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

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Biking for fitness and freedom

50 years ago I had a bike accident losing brakes down a steep hill and ended up in the hospital! Biked with friends in high school then never biked again till now. February 2022 has changed my lif... read more

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

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Image for story OVERCOMING FEAR OF RIDING A BIKE ON THE ROAD

OVERCOMING FEAR OF RIDING A BIKE ON THE ROAD

Late Sept 2018, I was riding my bike to work when a large came dangerously close to me on the side of the road that I had to hop onto the footpath. Didn't make it tho, I hit the curb so hard I was ... read more

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

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Image for story A Rail Trail tale

A Rail Trail tale

I have just completed 5 days on the Otago Rail Trail, on a push bike, and I was elated to reach Middlemarch in one piece, albeit with a few bruises and wobbly bits along the way. I am in my early 6... read more

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

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Image for story Feel the fear and do it anyway!

Feel the fear and do it anyway!

Tūwhitia te hopo, mairangatia te angitū! Feel the fear and do it anyway! My name is Jill Walters and I am the Organisational Development Lead at Toi Moana Bay of Plenty Regional Council. I live ... read more

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

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Khurram Wadee

I bought my current bike almost exactly eight years ago. I hadn't ridden one for over thirty years but I remember vividly the feeling of exhilaration and freedom I got when I first got back on the... read more

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

5

I just love riding my bike!

I decided to buy a bike for my birthday in April. I turned 46 and I think the last time I rode a bike may have been when I was 12!! But I was determined!! I wanted to ride for exercise and to im... read more

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

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Image for story 100 mile summer

100 mile summer

I got my bike in July having wanted one for ages and not ridden since before uni. I decided to give myself a goal of 100 miles by my birthday (4 Sept). This was a big challenge for me so I signed u... read more

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

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Image for story Working can be fun

Working can be fun

I had not ridden a bike in years; mainly because I don’t own one. I was fortunate enough to get a job working with the city of Detroit’s Safe Routes Ambassador Program, spreading information about... read more

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

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Bike ride

This is the first time in years that I have had my own bike and been able to get out on my bike with friends and support staff from where I live in Hatfield near Doncaster I am enjoying going out o... read more

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

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Returning to Cycling with a New Attitude

Cycling used to be my main mode of transport - less effort than walking, easy to 'park' and accessible for any route; then I developed various chronic symptoms and over the course of a couple of de... read more

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

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Living on a hill

I am so happy to have participated in this challenge even if it was just for one day. Ever since I moved to Makakilo, it's been so hard to bike. There are no bike lanes and very narrow sidewalks. I... read more

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

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