I bit the bullet and bought a bike! Second hand from a lovely chap who didn't need it anymore. 5 miles from my house. Bus there. Bike back. I hadn't been on a bike in probably 12 years! Didn't real... read more

I have ridden in all the places we have lived. Now the girls are independent riders and are very interested, so time to get the show on the road!

I eventually made my first bike ride in nearly 40 years. After getting over my nervousness and a few rides round the garden to see if I stayed on the bike I went early last Sunday morning so as to ... read more

The night ended with the last few moments of twilight.

Those 2.59 miles felt good. It may not seem far to some, but to my son and I, grinning widely as he pulled off his helmet, these few... read more

Steffanie Gates I got goosebumps. You could be a writer!!!

I got goosebumps. You could be a writer!!!

Our wonderful champion at Network Rail, Garry Ball, recently shared the story of his partner Kelly.

After many years of him gently encouraging her to get on a bike, she has really taken t... read more

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

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Rajesh Dadia Well done 👍

Well done 👍

I loved riding around my village and woods as a teenager and recently made a decision to become healthier and improve my mood after my Dad passed away last year, combined with relocating to the Lak... read more

Like many fifty something year olds I had not ridden a bike since school days so when my husband (a keen rider) and I stumbled upon a second hand Batribike (electric bike) perfect for me (I have mo... read more

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Paula Hallett Such a positive story, well done on re-disovering cycling.

Such a positive story, well done on re-disovering cycling.

Throughout my working career I have never had the opportunity to ride to work until now.. Working at the University Of Southampton Science Park, I have always felt the want to travel by bike to inc... read more

I have taken up riding my after 57 years I threw away my bike after I passed my driving test because it was the only mode of transport I had as I lived in open hilly country side with no near nabou... read more

Geoffrey Grabham My first time on a bike in 57 years

My first time on a bike in 57 years

James Walker Great news, getting you healthy and out and about

Great news, getting you healthy and out and about

Really enjoyed my first ride out on a bike for a really long time!

Borrowed a bike from the local business and Wow! they sure make some amazing bikes to ride these days don't they!
<... read more

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

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Rob Cant Great business that offers loan bikes. Keep it up.

Great business that offers loan bikes. Keep it up.

It’s been many years since I have rode my bike... so long that it had cobwebs on it. I took it to the bike shop for a checkup and 6 days into the challenge I went for my first ride on Waitangi Day.... read more

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David Sweeney Well done. I can say that the ride TO Paeroa is surprisingly easier than the opposite direction. Having ridden from Paeroa ... read more

Well done. I can say that the ride TO Paeroa is surprisingly easier than the opposite direction. Having ridden from Paeroa on a family ride some years ago, our then 7 and 8 yr olds complained of being tired. So they did the return leg in the car with Grandma... and we all found out how much easier, as we coasted much of the way, where we had been steadily pedalling in the opposite direction! 😀😂🤣

About 15 years ago I was on holiday in Europe with my boyfriend at the time. I hadn't been on a bike in many years, but we went for a ride on bikes that came free with our accommodation. I was a bi... read more

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

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We finally got the bike seat attached to the bike! Usually Blake and I just play at home while my husband goes for a run. Now that we have a bike seat- running/ biking is now a fun family activity.... read more

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Jen Harries Thanks Denise for your story! Blake and you have won a Let's Go prize. Enjoy your family outings!

Thanks Denise for your story! Blake and you have won a Let's Go prize. Enjoy your family outings!

My lungs are shot - after 40 years of chest infections, and asthma attacks, I got an e-bike. I've not been on a bike seriously for many many years, mostly because I can't breathe properly. The ex... read more

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

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Back to riding after ten years or so mainly thanks to all the share bike schemes around...
Got my first ever brommie through cycle scheme and loving it!

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

After a serious illness a few years ago, I put on a bit of weight and my fitness suffered because of damage to my lungs. I've been walking to work occasionally, but I finally decided to get a new b... read more

Mark is the reason I took up cycling after 30 years. When he calmly announced to the office he had a couple of months to live, we all asked what we could do. Laughing his head off he said “cycle fr... read more

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Clare Cassidy That's a lovely thing to have done, well done.

That's a lovely thing to have done, well done.

My first memory of cycling as a boy was when I was doing a sprint and braked too quickly when I managed to do a somersault holding on to the handlebars and still landed the bike square on the pavem... read more

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

I guess like a lot of folks, I rode a bike as a youngster mainly to get around and go further afield. Dabbled with a mountain bike when kids were younger (usually one on the back in his seat). 4 ye... read more

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Mark Hurst PS I'm almost 52

PS I'm almost 52

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

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 Cyc... read more

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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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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 w... read more

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

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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

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Having not been on a bike of any kind for over 25 years over the Covid period I noticed a lot more people cycling, I started to think about my old Giant MTB from the late 80s and decided to look on... read more

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I have never ridden a bicycle before, I tired learning in 2016 but I fell off the bicycle and broke my ligament and I had to do an ACL operation. Since then I have not sat on a bicycle again but wh... read more

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I haven't been out Mountain Biking proper for 20 years since I was a student. Three of us decided to go out this weekend to Clapham and ride an old favourite route. A little nervous to begin with... read more

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At the start of the year I decided to get more active improve my fitness and lose some weight I started with eating healthier then cleared the garage and put in some exercise machines I had but had... read more

Lottie Price Good luck to you, Michael! A new bike always feels a bit odd at first, but you'll get used to it after a few rides. And co... read more

Good luck to you, Michael! A new bike always feels a bit odd at first, but you'll get used to it after a few rides. And congratulations on your 17km walk! That's awesome.

John Kershaw Good luck Michael

Good luck Michael

Julie Bailey Good luck! I was in the same place as you in March, recently I reached 500 miles, I feel better than I have in many many y... read more

Good luck! I was in the same place as you in March, recently I reached 500 miles, I feel better than I have in many many years, good luck!

Debora Moritz Hi Michael, I'm in a similar situation. I'm 38 years old and learning to ride an old bike in London for the first time. I'v... read more

Hi Michael, I'm in a similar situation. I'm 38 years old and learning to ride an old bike in London for the first time. I've been doing it in parks for 10 minutes every other day. It's challenging, but I know that with practice it will get better and enjoy the rides. I wish you luck enjoying cycling around your beautiful Country. :)

Rob Fox Go for it my friend - take it steady, you'll soon find your confidence. You'll look back and wonder why you were ever nervo... read more

Go for it my friend - take it steady, you'll soon find your confidence. You'll look back and wonder why you were ever nervous. Good luck

Ron Dixon Best of luck Michael, it can be very daunting at first, just aim for getting off your drive and going to the end of your st... read more

Best of luck Michael, it can be very daunting at first, just aim for getting off your drive and going to the end of your street and back, fingers crossed for you

Kayla Mc Gowan good luck firstly.pick a nice flat pavement route to make your first ride easier.If youve a friend who has a bike get them ... read more

good luck firstly.pick a nice flat pavement route to make your first ride easier.If youve a friend who has a bike get them to go with you or a family member or one of the kids in your family.that might help take your mind off your nervousness. Plus youl be chatting as you ride so not be worrying as much hopefully.start off short flat ride to build your confidence and fitness up.good luck and dont give up.x

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So, I haven't ridden a bicycle in roughly 10 years. The love to ride guys helped me pick and choose the bike and my boyfriend is an experienced cyclist. I took the plunge, he has terrible sense of... read more

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

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When it became necessary to avoid the gym & Pilates studio last spring, I need something to stay healthy. I should point out that I am 66 years old & several years ago had bilateral knee re... read more

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Hi all it's me fohat just ordered my bike have not been on a bike for wow 12 years am 62 can't wait to get it I got 1 e bike I'm in to drones and have caravan up in Callander so many cycle tracks ... read more

Kathy Tier Hey James. Good for you. I'm a mere whippersnapper at 58, but I got an e-bike at 50 &amp; we've done about 5,000 miles toge... read more

Hey James. Good for you. I'm a mere whippersnapper at 58, but I got an e-bike at 50 &amp; we've done about 5,000 miles together. I hope you love your new bike &amp; have a great time exploring :)

In the spring of 1973, I was in my second year of college but struggling financially, as my student loan funds hadn't come through. Spring term was well underway when the money at last arrived, and... read more

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scottr@graylineinc.com Radandt Great to hear of others who love their vintage bikes. I too am still riding my 1972 Schwinn Sprint. The paint is in bad s... read more

Great to hear of others who love their vintage bikes. I too am still riding my 1972 Schwinn Sprint. The paint is in bad shape. I've replaced many parts over the years. I know that a new bike would be much improved mechanically but I just can't part with a trusted old friend. Happy riding.

Thanks to GSK I have fulfilled one of my dreams – learning how to cycle!.

Years ago, at GSK House, we were encouraged to cycle, and were offered free cycling lessons of which I took adva... read more

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Jack Windle This is amazing, thanks for sharing!

This is amazing, thanks for sharing!

On 5 Feb we cycled from Tekapo to Twizel passed canals, lake Tekapo, Ohau and Pukaki; scenery to die for. 6 Feb we biked to Ohau Lodge with a side trip to Ohau weir which was closed but very pictur... read more

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Sharon Lea I too have done this ride and its spectacular. I'll never get sick of the scenery down south. Well done.

I too have done this ride and its spectacular. I'll never get sick of the scenery down south. Well done.

I've not taken a bike for several years, but the challenge now got me to try it again and it's really strange to ride on the wrong side of the road here in NZ, but I'll get used to it :)

Brendon Melville Best off Luck

Best off Luck

Rob Leinwand It is not the "wrong"side of the road here!

It is not the "wrong"side of the road here!

About fifteen years ago, I left my work at the Arclight Cinema at close to midnight. On my way home on Sunset Blvd. I was riding my bike and ended up getting hit by a car. It was pretty bad that ... read more

I bought a bike around 10 years ago and rode it for a while but it has been sitting in my shed gathering dust. It is a great bike, light weight and was easy to ride when I bought it. I have had k... read more

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Jillian Woolmer Bike is better and I rode it around 35km again without a problem. Wonderful the difference a riser to raise your handle ba... read more

Bike is better and I rode it around 35km again without a problem. Wonderful the difference a riser to raise your handle bar makes.

My colleagues encouraged me to get back on the road today! I dusted my bike down, pumped up the completely flat tyres and joined them on a lunchtime bike ride. Managed 9.7 miles not to shabby and l... read more

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From the title, it sounds more than madness. Well, it is true, but more than exaggerated :P

I started commuting to and fro place when I was in uni. Before I went to university I always wan... read more

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I started riding a bike regularly last year after our car was written off. I pulled the old beater mountain bike out the shed and gave it a go. I quickly upgraded to an inherited hybrid I found mys... read more

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I vividly remember the dreaded day mum took the training wheels off my bike and took me and my brother down to a park in Brookfield to ride without the stability and reliance of those extra two whe... read more

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Today I rode just over 15 miles to Newcastle and back home again, my bum hurts like no tomorrow but I actually loved it the cycle route is right next to the river tyne its also so diverse I've ridd... read more

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

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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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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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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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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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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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 abo... read more

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

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

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