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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!

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Image for story Cycle to the Sunset

Cycle to the Sunset

I've got back into the habit of cycling, and really enjoy going out to Turf and back. Last week, I went a little bit further, near Powderham, and watched the sunset. It was a lovely way to spend a ... read more

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

3
Image for story Mad as a box of frogs

Mad as a box of frogs

As I'm a young spring chicken (58 this year), riding with the grand kids (start them young) is full of laughter and memories to cherish. Toasted tea cakes and hot chocolate, half way stop off. They... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

2

Building energy for biking

I would love to say before I contracted Covid I was an avid cyclist. But, I don't lie and neither would my bike if you saw it.
Cycling to work a few times a week, weather permitting of course(a... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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Image for story Cann Ladies Ride MTB

Cann Ladies Ride MTB

I love riding trails and DH on my bike, but what I’ve really enjoyed recently is showing other ladies this love of MTB in Cann Woods. We have a Devon Ladies MTB group on FB where we arrange rides.

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

4
Image for story First ever 100km Ride

First ever 100km Ride

As the British summer seems to have vanished temporarily I wanted to share my ride from two weeks ago when the sun was shining!

First time I'd ever cycled 100km after starting cycling last... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

1
Image for story early morning ride

early morning ride

A firm favourite of mine is to get up at 5am (yes 5am) and ride over to Todmorden and back home. The roads are lovely and quiet, I know where all the pot holes are (to avoid) and this is a perfect ... read more

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

8

Winding down after a day at work

My job is quite stressful and often I end the day with a long to-do list, lots of questions and some frustration. Jumping on the bike is a great opportunity to sort my head out, get some clarity an... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

2
Image for story The things we do

The things we do

My other half is absolutely cycling mad. As a result we now shuttle between Sheffield and Nottingham. It’s a lovely trip, especially in the sunshine of an early summer evening. If you’re ever looki... read more

Topic: My Bicycle Romance

4
Image for story To keep my heart healthy

To keep my heart healthy

I have loved my bike through out lock down. I am the proud owner of a pace maker and have had a few cardiac problems. It has been my bike that has kept me going and healthy . It’s been brilliant t... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story Closed to cars but not to bikes!

Closed to cars but not to bikes!

My work commute started with a perfect weather morning, cruising down Falls Road while it’s closed off to cars, but bikes can get through. I stopped to admire the wildflowers along the Jones Falls.... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

6
Image for story The art of the working lunch!

The art of the working lunch!

I ride because bicycles give me freedom.
I’m Ben, and I work for Trafford Council.
I came into the Town Hall today, and for lunch I fancied a bit of a change. I grabbed my sandwiches, hoppe... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

6

The Outlaw

Most of 1st lockdown I must of cycled and average of 5 hours a day for fun and exercise. The fun was being out the house, the Mother-in -law was isolating with us for 12 whole long weeks, the exerc... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

2
Image for story Riding the French Riviera (1975)

Riding the French Riviera (1975)

One of our first ports-of-call in the spring of 1975 was Toulon on the French Riviera between Marseilles and Cannes. USS William H. Standley (CG-32), a guided missile cruiser homeported in Charlest... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

3

Endomondo and Map My Ride experience

Cool. As you may be aware, UnderArmor killed Endomondo last year. That was my app of choice for recording my rides. The new app that UnderArmor is marketing is MapMyRide. I promptly switched ove... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

1
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New job, new (active) routine

So I started my new job in January, working from home initially like so many other people during covid.

Easing of the restrictions in April meant I could start my job properly, by going in... read more

Topic: Other

7

Attack of the Canada Geese

As I continue my mission to cycle the entire Birmingham Canal Navigation system I headed out along the Grand Union towards East Birmingham. I navigated the skunk smokers in Small Heath, survived an... read more

Topic: Other

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Image for story The 'voucher' difference.

The 'voucher' difference.

I'm one of those people who would say that they never win anything and it's largely true, so it was all the more surprising when Love to Ride got in touch to let me know that I'd won a £50 voucher.... read more

Topic: Other

1
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Image for story Lunch hour cycle

Lunch hour cycle

Doing my favourite cycle in my lunch break ☀️

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

2

Just as good as a car or better

I find I can get to work and back home for lunch and end of day in the same time as a car! With the increase of traffic and road maintenance a bike can slip through it all. Choosing the country t... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

1
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Image for story My challenge

My challenge

I completed my first ever sportive yesterday. 65 miles, with an average speed of 12.5 mph. Three years ago, I thought 10-15 miles was a good ride. My next challenge is to become as confident on a r... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

5
Image for story Mickleson Trail Deadwood

Mickleson Trail Deadwood

There is a trail in the Black Hills called the Mickleson Trail. It winds through densely wooded forests, through tunnels, and over numerous bridges. It challenges one to go beyond the everyday ri... read more

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

4

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

4

Trialling a new route

I’m starting a course tomorrow. I thought I’d take my bicycle there. My usual commute is under four miles but this is between eight and ten depending on the route. I thought I’d try a road route th... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

1
4

Riverwalk Detroit

After not riding since December 17 2020 I was anxious to get back on my schedule (4-6 days per week). I had an incidence of basal cell carcinoma on my forehead in February and couldn't ride till it... read more

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

6
Image for story Cycle to the estuary

Cycle to the estuary

On World Bicycle Day, we cycled along the glorious Exe Estuary Cycle Path to Lympstone. With our son in the trailer (alongside his bucket and spade) - we ditched the busy Exeter roads and opted for... read more

Topic: Carbon Crushers

4
Image for story When on holiday hire a bike

When on holiday hire a bike

Fantastic bike ride along the water's edge by Titanic on a hire bike as on holiday, June 21.

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

1
Image for story Over the hills and far away

Over the hills and far away

The end of a big challenge.
Completed the Dartmoor Classic Medio ride not far off a Silver Medal time.
Only started cycling again about 4 years ago, because the work car park was shut!

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

3
Image for story Charity challenge

Charity challenge

I'm a keen runner, taking on marathons dressed as 'Scissorman' to raise funds for the Little Princess Trust. When the charity launched a London to Paris ride, that sounded just right for my next ch... read more

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

5
Image for story Doing it for Breast Cancer

Doing it for Breast Cancer

Signed up to do 300km in the Month of July for the Charity . . Looking forward to the challenge and getting my partner involved too 🤞💝🌈

Topic: Other

1
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Image for story Mental Health and cycling

Mental Health and cycling

Covid-19 lockdown affected me in a way that I never thought it would. It brought back memories of being in isolation and made my depression and anxiety much worse. I started cycling to help clear m... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

5
Image for story Bike motivation

Bike motivation

Always love the outdoors and riding my bike makes me feel so good with enjoying the outdoors fresh air.Never really been into long bike rides only short ones with my bike being my vehicle to gettin... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

4

Betancuria

Before the dark days of Covid - I used to take regular holidays to Fuerteventura, where my favorite ride was to the highest point of the island Betancuria.

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

2
Image for story Manchester Gravel #MCRGRVL

Manchester Gravel #MCRGRVL

Most have re-discovered the benefits of cycling. One element has been taking things a step further and joining a local club. A cycling buddy of mine set up Manchester Gravel MCRGRVL on Facebook, ... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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story

story

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

1

Just explore.

Until lockdown I did most of my cycling commuting to work. After lockdown I was working from home and used my bike more for exercise. I have found loads of local, and not so local, routes from my f... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

1
Image for story GAPC&O Ride -345 miles

GAPC&O Ride -345 miles

In June 2021, I rode my bike (345 miles) from Pittsburgh to DC in 4.5 days with camping all along the trail. It's a beautiful trail with no motor vehicles. Every mile of this trail is full of natur... read more

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

9

The Road is Safer

I'm biking form home (Monton) to Tameside hospital. I've gone various routes across Manchester....I've got to say the safest fastest route has been into MC town centre and up Hyde Road...however do... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Image for story Bike packing the South Downs Way

Bike packing the South Downs Way

Having been a keen cyclist for years for commuting, in a work based road club, and mtb trail riding with friends. With the lock down easing I decided to try a new challenge with my mtb friends. We ... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

4

Just for fun.....NOT! :)

When I formed our team, my thought wasn't to be competitive. I just wanted to participate, encourage some friends to ride, and be in the running for some of the cool prizes during the Challenge. On... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

4

A bike ride to Cyprus

In 2008 me and my husband cycled 2000 miles from Lincolnshire to Cyprus. I wasn’t what you’d call a cyclist and was very overweight when we set out. Over the course of 3 months we cycled down to Po... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

1
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A couple & their bike(s)...

I hadn't ridden since I was a kid. But since my husband & I were working on our health/weight, it seemed like an easy way to get more exercise without killing my knees. And by buying reconditio... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story So much easier in the Sunshine

So much easier in the Sunshine

I love riding my bike to work and do so all year round and in all weathers! it wakes the mind and gets the blood pumping ready for the day...but It is oh so much better when the sun is shining :)

Topic: My commute by bike

3
Image for story Ditching the Car

Ditching the Car

I am going to be moving out on my own soon so I've been stepping up my bike game to try and get by without needing a car. There are plenty of cycle routes around my new place and I will be able to... read more

Topic: My Bicycle Romance

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Who would have thought?

[address removed]

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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Image for story Cargo bike

Cargo bike

Having bought a cargo bike, it's enabled my commute via nursery to be a quicker and easier journey. I love the fact we can also do a food shop on the way home or pop to the park with bits ready for... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Not a 2-way street

Envy, always an issue for me, when I see people with typical work days and a set work place. Why? The ability to bike to work. Having worked hotel shifts of random hours and having to drop off and ... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

4

New riders passion

I bought a bike for transportation only because my daughter got her driver's license & needed my car. This began my passion for biking. Now I ride on bike paths, I learned the road ways & e... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

3
Image for story Home Home Out out

Home Home Out out

Come visit for lunch. The folks invited. So with decent weather and coincidentally #Worldbicycleday off I set. 166km round trip and a lovely lunch with the parents. I will take a rain check for a ... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

3
Image for story Cycling for transport, exercise and fun!

Cycling for transport, exercise and fun!

I started cycling during lockdown and now ride most days to work, the shops or to see friends! I'm loving it and have started riding in the evenings to enjoy the sunset.

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

5

Local Bike Shop is very busy

So having mainly used a road bike for commuting and leisure for the last 10 years, I have had to switch to my trusty 28 year old mountain bike this week. My road bike needs essential maintenance, t... read more

Topic: My Bicycle Romance

1