UK

Stories from the United Kingdom

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

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

1

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

6
Image for story Dartford Wibbler's and Wobbler's

Dartford Wibbler's and Wobbler's

We go from strength to strength with more enthusiastic ladies wanting to get back to riding. Today we had a successful cycle around the local park for the "Wibbler's" not quite ready for the longer... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

1

E-bike brings in new cyclist

You never know what influence you have over friends and acquaintances. An acquaintance from my yoga class excitedly told me she'd brought an e-bike during lockdown. I've now been out riding with he... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

3
Image for story Dartford Wobblers

Dartford Wobblers

Today we started a new ladies cycling group "The Dartford Wobblers" to encourage individuals to get back in the saddle and gain confidence. Even though 8 initially signed up for the ride we ended u... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

1
3
Image for story It's not just about the destination

It's not just about the destination

Today, I had to leave an hour earlier... at 1pm to cycle to my meeting at 2pm. I was riding from Browns Wood to Newton Longville. Obviously, a car would be easier. I would have less commute ti... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

3

Breast Cancer Biker

I was a cyclist before being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2018 and always totally loved it. After 2 operations, chemotherapy and radiotherapy I felt so physically reduced I couldn’t imagine myse... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

5
Image for story #ExploreByBike..'it doesn't matter how you travel!'

#ExploreByBike.."it doesn't matter how you travel!"

My husband Rob and I love going for a cycle 'explore' on our bikes. We use adapted bikes because I have a disability which means that I cannot use a standard bike. This never limits what we do alth... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

13
Image for story Bristol to ...... along the Avon & Kennet canal

Bristol to ...... along the Avon & Kennet canal

Really enjoyable ride along the canal. We started out from just west of Bristol and took the cycle path to Bath and joined the canal tow path and just kept going... The path is poor in places (espe... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

7

I can do this .

My husband sadley passed away 3weeks ago . I belong to breeze riding group on let's ride Bury .Cycling and the support of the group is helping me with my grief and wellbeing. Bury clarion group p... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

3
Image for story CYCALL Adapted Cycling

CYCALL Adapted Cycling

We can't wait to get people out on our adapted bikes again in Worthing, West Sussex! [address removed]

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

5
Image for story IWD 2020 Campaign | Why we cycle - Eloise Thatcher

IWD 2020 Campaign | Why we cycle - Eloise Thatcher

Where are you based and what do you do? I live in Derby, I work at Rolls-Royce in Sinfin and I cycle to work every day. I am an aeronautical engineer and I am the Assistant Chief Design Engineer... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

2
8
Image for story My 50th Birthday Charity Fund Raiser

My 50th Birthday Charity Fund Raiser

Well here I go again, though I've told My better half this will be the last one! My 50th this March, I'd thought for some years about doing the Lakesman this particular year. An Iron Man distance ... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

2
7

Back to cycling after cancer

I struggled to exercise after cancer treatment as I would suddenly get tired and had to stop quickly. A Brompton bike was suggested so that I could just fold it up and get on a bus, in a taxi or on... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

8
Image for story From non Cyclist 4 years ago to Champ Badge

From non Cyclist 4 years ago to Champ Badge

Four years ago I had not been on a bike for 30+ years and never thought I would ever be on one again. However a posting to Paris saw me looking for a cheaper option to monthly metro tickets. Tem... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

10

Riding in the rain

This will be my second year cycling to work. Until this morning I would jump on the train if it rained, but I decided this morning would be different, I didn't think about it, got dressed and cycle... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

3
8
Image for story London to Paris

London to Paris

After taking on the challenge in 24 hours for the last two years, I decided to mix things up a bit and invite my non-cyclist friends along. I was apprehensive that someone would give up halfway but... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

4

The beauty of cycling

I am 62 years old and have rheumatoid arthritis and recently my walking has become very painful, so I asked the nurse what would help me to still get exercise and she recommended cycling. I had a ... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

3
6
Image for story Biking Buddies

Biking Buddies

Myself and fellow Research Nurse Janine started riding with each other for light relief from our slave driving partners. However with a little help from our friend Strava we have become competitive... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

10

Cycle Commuting ..... and Me

Frustrated by public transport I started cycling to work in 1980 at the age of 33. At the time this amounted to a 25 mile daily round trip between the outskirts of London and the West End. Sadly fo... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

2

best times up hills

I have been training hard over the past few weeks and dragging others up hills . In the last week I have achieved pb's up a couple of the hills . So good for my friends and good for me

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

1

Avoiding school run stress

Travelling to work and doing the school can be stressful. So we ditched the car and got our helmets on and started cycling to school. Luckily I can ride to work and get to watch the swans on the Ri... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

3

L2P

Ever thought of riding London to Paris? I've just done this twice in the last few weeks. The 1st time was in 24hrs, after one of those "how do you fancy..." conversations, & the second time wa... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

1
Image for story Simple Cycling Commuter Hacks

Simple Cycling Commuter Hacks

Little things make life simple, my top 5 are: 1) carry oil in a little sushi plastic bottle, it will get rid of those annoying dry chain! 2) a chain that you can carry easily that wont lose you y... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

Stress Free Stay Well

I have been commuting for a good few years now come rain or shine. Although it can be a bit miserable at times with poor weather, I find it very therapeutic. If the work day is stressful the journe... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

1

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

3

Arthritus won't stop me riding

Since retiring in 2012 and ditching the car in 2013 I have enjoyed cycling, the past three years on my Scott Hybrid but this year the arthritis in my knees has made cycling uncomfortable so against... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

2
Image for story Afternoon ride out with my wife

Afternoon ride out with my wife

During a fabulous 9 day break in Northumberland I manged to encourage my wife out on several rides around Bambrugh. On 1 occasion we even rode to Holy Island and back. The cycling helped make ou... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

4
Image for story Empty the tank Ride

Empty the tank Ride

Back in May we decided to do a 60 miler, but ended up been a 9 & half hours in the saddle for fun!

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

2
Image for story Family tandems!

Family tandems!

Childback tandems are a perfect way to get the kids about safely and quickly, my tandem has a child seat in front of me for my youngest so he is safely between my arms, and my 7 year old sits behin... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

1
4
Image for story Bristol Family Cycling Centre

Bristol Family Cycling Centre

I had a fantastic day yesterday helping out at the Bristol Family Cycling Centre in Hengrove, and still can't believe how many people turned up to the sessions despite the torrential downpour! If ... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

2
7
Image for story Pill to Bristol Cycle Path

Pill to Bristol Cycle Path

I am very fortunate to work/support young people. Today I was able to encourage and support a young person to join me on a ‘Social Distancing’ cycle ride along the Cycle path which runs along The ... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

7

Back in the saddle

I am sharing my back in the saddle journey to encourage and tempt others to give it a go. The Covid-19 virus had made me think about new ways to get keep fit and get out whilst socially distancin... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

2

Wandering aloud

During lockdown I decided I wanted to get fitter on my bike. So initially I got out my bike, set myself a challenge then I set off at full pelt everywhere......until I remembered why I love cycling... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

Cycle in my dresses to and from work

A colleague of mine wrote to me last week - she had ventured out on her bike and tried the home to work commute from Stretford to the city centre - using the pop up Chester Rd cycle lane. She'd be... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

7
Image for story Boardman goes on

Boardman goes on

About 10 years ago I bought a Boardman Hybrid to commute to work. I've never looked back. Saved a fortune in petrol , parking fees. Been environmentally friendly. I've kept for any kept on riding t... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

1
3
Image for story International Women's Day 2020

International Women's Day 2020

International Women's Day 2020 For International Women's Day 2020, I decided to set up a campaign to encourage more girls and women to cycle after the Love to Ride Cycle September statistics showe... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

3

Dislocated shoulder

On the 22 November I had an accident and ended up falling off my bike and seriously dislocating my Shoulder, I was amazed at how many people stopped to help me, cyclist, car drivers and pedestrians... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

5

Fun on a tandem

Sent an email last week encouraging colleagues to have a go. Volunteered to bring in my tandem if anyone wanted to have a try on the back. So glad Peter took me up on it! Only 10 minutes round the... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

Ride and Stride? Charity Mate. Charity....

What a day! 2 bridges loop. Chepstow to Coleford to Parkend to Cinderford... To Gloucester to Berkley Castle to Chepstow. Via some absolutely beautiful countryside and fuelled by peerless WI cak... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

Image for story Ride London: Barbara’s story

Ride London: Barbara’s story

[address removed]

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

2
2
Image for story Mind Your Mood

Mind Your Mood

Students in higher education are at an age vulnerable to mental illness as 75% of mental health difficulties develop before the age of 25. 16-25 is the key age group to target with preventative &am... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

2

My daughter the cyclist.

My daughter started to cycle again at the end of last summer, which she hadn't done since she was at primary school (she's now post-University). This summer she's taken it a lot more seriously, and... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

1
Image for story Me and my boy

Me and my boy

I started cycling (after a 25+ year break!) after retiring from rugby about 3 years ago. Now I commute 18 miles a day, 3 days a week and really love it. The best part of this is teaching my eld... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

6
Image for story Ride London following cancer.

Ride London following cancer.

Having been a keen cyclist for several years I applied for the Ride London last August, only to find out 4 day's later I had breast cancer. Active treatment finshed in November. February this year ... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

Community loop

On the 8th of August it was cycled to work day with help from let’s ride and colleagues at work we organised a lunchtime ride out. The weather was good no wind nice warm weather, short ride about... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

1
Image for story Company ride to work

Company ride to work

As part of cycle to work day I really wanted to get the whole company out on their bikes and enjoying the great outdoors in the form of a 100km ride between our two offices. 12 brave souls took ... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

Lots of small steps

I've been commuting into London by bike 1-3 times per week for 3 years now and it seems the most obvious and normal thing to do. But it took a while and I've realised it was lots of small steps....... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

You get used to it

This is what a cycle commuter friend of mine told me after I had commuted in a few times with my new bike a couple of years back and I reported being freaked out by the traffic. It seems daunting a... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

1
Image for story 13 stone weight loss with a lot of help from Cycling

13 stone weight loss with a lot of help from Cycling

Just over a year ago weighing 27 stone I finally decided to do something about my weight. I started with the diet but set myself 3 goals which I wanted to hit with the weight loss. 1) Start cycling... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

3
5