Stories from West Midlands

I was not keen on the GPS recording gadgets at first, but now, having just this minute clocked up my first recorded 1000 Km on a second-hand refurbished MTB, I just have to say I wish I had purchas... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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I have been helping out (Assisting) with a few community parks here in the West Midlands. I was approached to lead a project which looked after the Learn to Ride beginners (cycling). Here, I intr... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Birmingham!!! Join us for a #Xmas social #ride & snowman trail #walk on Tuesday 21st Dec, Group Ride - meet Hamdsworth park 1pm or make your own way into City Centre and meet us at Snowhi... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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At the weekend I had a fab time riding with Joyful Bellas & Fellas 🚲😀 Weather you are new to cycling or just struggling to get out on those colder days riding with a group can help! We’re so lu... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Using the old canal and railway sidings here in Willenhall. Please follow link to see our journey(s) [address removed]

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Colin Bird Follow Willenhall memorial Park to see our adventures Cycling Uk

Follow Willenhall memorial Park to see our adventures Cycling Uk

When lockdown was announced in March 2020 my first thought was how am I going to exercise with gyms being closed? And so I dusted off my bike in the garage and started to explore the local area. Mo... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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Colin Bird You should be very proud, well done you .

You should be very proud, well done you .

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 into my ... read more

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

Colin Bird Cycle routes (on roads) need more thought my friend.

Cycle routes (on roads) need more thought my friend.

I had an urgent package that needed to be in Liverpool that day. I contemplated a courier service and then my inherent reluctance to spend money kicked in. I am a Black Country Mon and we don't par... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Rosemary Lehan Good work! It is these mad ideas that make life interesting!

Good work! It is these mad ideas that make life interesting!

David Jones I can vouch for the rock slides near Market Drayton. Some lovely stretches of countryside here.

I can vouch for the rock slides near Market Drayton. Some lovely stretches of countryside here.

In order to avoid the madding crowds and to give my family respite from my increasing grumpiness I have set myself the goal of exploring the Canal Network of the West Midlands. Birmingham, Solihull... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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David Jones At least a few weeks ago the towpath was impassable south of Market Drayton/north of Cheswardine due to a mudslide.

At least a few weeks ago the towpath was impassable south of Market Drayton/north of Cheswardine due to a mudslide.

Marie Shipley There are plans to improve the canal network round Solihull and for Commonwealth Games [address removed]

There are plans to improve the canal network round Solihull and for Commonwealth Games [address removed]

i when i was a kid my dad used to tell me about his days in the saddle also my brother would ride also learned me to ride. when i was in my teens did loads of bmx riding then discovered girls them... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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During the pandemic my mental health has been improved by getting out on my bike. My favourite place has been Sandwell Valley. So many different trails for all abilities. I've been able to expl... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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I’m a disabled cyclist and have to ride a recumbent hand cycle, knowing the winter months were upon us and dark mornings were also approaching fast, I needed to think fast to be bright and to be se... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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Clive Sheldon I follow you on Strava, you get some great rides in on that machine of yours'-well done!

I follow you on Strava, you get some great rides in on that machine of yours'-well done!

Laurence Boon Amazing organisation and a fantastic story. Thank you so much for sharing! Report back and let us know whether all the enha... read more

Amazing organisation and a fantastic story. Thank you so much for sharing! Report back and let us know whether all the enhancements and clothing additions results in smooth runnings. Wishing you a BRIGHT and safe winter of riding :)

Colin Bird Great story, I'm impressed, well done.

Great story, I'm impressed, well done.

Show 1 more comments

My cycle commute is 12 miles each way on bridleways and country lanes and I leave home at 05:30, which means a dark cycle at this time of year and definitely a case of Light the Night! I have over ... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Dan Dennehy #lightthenight

#lightthenight

RB BB 👍 I enjoy lights out riding ,it's great to catch the wildlife in action! Plush with moonlight , its easier on the eyes!

👍 I enjoy lights out riding ,it's great to catch the wildlife in action! Plush with moonlight , its easier on the eyes!

Lockdown has been a strange time for all of us, some have really suffered with the restrictions however i cannot say i am one of those people, thanks to the amazing invention that is.. a bicycle! B... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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From the 15th of September, during #CycleSeptember, I decided I would cycle every day of the month. But I wish I did start at the beginning of the month. However, I decided I would still cycle fo... read more

Topic: Carbon Crushers

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With the nights drawing in and the 🍁 rain debris on the road I have switched from a road bike to a Giant Revolt Gravel bike and I love it 😻 just need the mudguards fitting as I hate being dirty ...... read more

Wednesdays are now my day in the office, which means I also take my son to school - we have got into a great routine of going by bike. Then I carry on to the office on my bike. Then the same journ... read more

I had to deliver a copy of my sons cd (The Roke), local leaflets and a wet suit around Linlithgow. Usually I wouldn't think twice about jumping into the car and whizzing round to drop them off. ... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Today, for Clean Air Day, we (my 4 year old daughter and I) rode our bikes to school instead of driving. She came off her stabilisers in the summer and is growing in confidence every ride. Her li... read more

My friend hasn’t cycled in 30 years. She was given a bike but it was in need of repair. I booked her in to a local Dr Bike session and she was able to ride it home. I’ve been taking her out on litt... read more

Topic: Carbon Crushers

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Decided that rather than go somewhere to enjoy a bit of downtime we could use our bikes to make the journey a bit of a memorable family experience instead. Cycled up some very large hills (!), stop... read more

I loved cycle September, it gave me my cycling mojo back and now I’m hooked! I’m fitter, happier and I’m learning new skills. I fitted a new set up mudguards on my bike today (something I’d have pr... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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I’m a disabled 61 year old man, I’ve always enjoyed cycling, I purchased a semi recumbent hand trike so that I could get out of my wheel chair and go cycling, I found it quite difficult at first an... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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Hersha Mistry Inspirational!

Inspirational!

Claire Sharpe Nice work!

Nice work!

WWMI is an off road cycling group. Why not join us for a ride this September WWMI Saturday Morning Rides 1st Saturday of the month 5th Sept Clayhanger 2nd Saturday of the month 12th Sept Wal... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Birmingham - SAVE THE DATE - Sunday 9th January - Free cycling event @ Attic Brew Co. Including free bike checks, led ride, route finding and bike maintenance session 🚲😜🍻

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Claire Sharpe LOVE THIS. If I didn't already have a ride planned I'd be heading your way. Good luck with it.

LOVE THIS. If I didn't already have a ride planned I'd be heading your way. Good luck with it.

Wanting a couple of MTB bicycle frames, I ventured down to the Walsall Bike Project workshop. Once there, I shared of my Led Ride Leader Qualifications and earned a position with Cycling UK. Afte... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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A soggy, but fun #TreeByBike this year. It's now officially Christmas!

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Hi folks, Recovering from a head injury, unable to drive, I was challenged with a 'very' different task to enable me to get my child there and back to school. So, I made a bicycle hitch which ena... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Being part of the solution by biking to work using NCN route 5 through Stafford

Topic: My commute by bike

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We flew to the Outer Hebrides from Glasgow airport on a little plane with propellers! The bikes were waiting for us at Barra airport - the only beach airport in the world, so I'd definitely recomme... read more

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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Clive Sheldon I ride past them with consideration for their space but if they look aggressive I usually wave my hand about a bit in a sor... read more

I ride past them with consideration for their space but if they look aggressive I usually wave my hand about a bit in a sort of "get down" gesture. It often does enough to confuse them giving me time to get past. have to be honest, in all my years and miles of cycling on the canal system I've only ever had them have a proper go at me on 2 occasions. Let's not forget that they are warning us off to protect their young.

Fed up of my 55 mile commute from Shropshire to Birmingham Business Park, I looked in to getting an e-bike on the cycle to work scheme. It took a while to choose and I eventually found the biggest... read more

David Jones Well its been nearly 2 years and sadly I have only been on this route a few times. I really miss cycling to work (but not t... read more

Well its been nearly 2 years and sadly I have only been on this route a few times. I really miss cycling to work (but not the drive to West Brom). However I get my canal cycling fix up here in Shropshire regularly. Here's hoping 2022 is better for all.

we have a new dog and it’s been great to head out with her on our bikes to exercise and share the spring sun in Birmingham. Loving the blue cycle lane in Bristol rd Birmingham and canal paths

I set a goal of riding 70miles by Christmas Eve on my fat tyre bike I have joint problems and weight issues so I’m hoping this goal will help me lose weight and if I can get this one done I will se... read more

Had my first outdoor ride in over 50 days. Really enjoyed it, but hadn't dressed for the weather. I only had on trainers and 1 pair of socks feet felt like blocks of ice. Been out today and had on ... read more

Topic: My Bicycle Romance

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Stuart Hickie T-shirt and shorts all year round lol

T-shirt and shorts all year round lol

Hi, I started mountain biking in September 2019 at the age of 48! I was pretty rubbish so decided to book myself on to a course, which was great fun. What I didn’t bank on happening was lockdown, 2... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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Colin Bird Brilliant, great story, keep on cycling now.

Brilliant, great story, keep on cycling now.

I loved how peaceful the world became during the first lockdown. Beautiful blue skies, empty roads. It was perfect for cycling and I didn't own a bike. Living in a flat it just seemed like a nightm... read more

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

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I had all but given up cycling , due to various issues , but then I purchased an electric bike in February , and picked it up in March. This has given me a new lease of life to my cycling enjoyment... read more

Troy Gelinas Great to hear from a fellow e-biker. It really does make a world of difference, doesn't it?

Great to hear from a fellow e-biker. It really does make a world of difference, doesn't it?

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 needed to pick a few things up from the local shopping centre about 5 miles from home. Usually I would jump in the car but yesterday decided to donn cycling gear! Felt really good except for the ... read more

Topic: Carbon Crushers

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Penny Schenkel Well done on the shopping trip. I hate taking the car to the shops and try to use my bike all the time. Sometimes, I try to... read more

Well done on the shopping trip. I hate taking the car to the shops and try to use my bike all the time. Sometimes, I try to get too many things on the bike but generally it works out ok.

Through COVID I switched to cycling to work on at least two of four days a week, this has increased and I now cycle almost every day I am working. This has reduced my car useage, improved my fitn... read more

Topic: Carbon Crushers

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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

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

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Hi Team. Regarding the questions you have ask. Firstly I must Thank, Graig Harrison for introducing me to the Love to Ride app. It all came about when I was on a Lancashire Adult Learning cours... read more

I have been gradually increasing my lunchtime cycle ride, started out doing a 2 mile circuit around Spondon about 2 months ago. I yesterday managed a 10 mile ride, using an old Cycle Derby Map (sad... read more

We plan the route two days before it is an easy ride with a stop at the end for lunch. we start our ride blissfully unaware we have downloaded two different rides so we use Nics garmin to follow t... read more

I've started back at work delivering face to face rather than online for the new academic year. My place of work has changed too, and a little closer to home than before, so I have changing to cyc... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Having not seen my daughter since lockdown started I thought I would enjoy the relaxation of the rules, or what sense I could make out them, and cycle to see her. She lives in Liverpool, I live in ... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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Shirley Foster oh dear, that did make me laugh

oh dear, that did make me laugh

I was asked to look after 6 chickens and a kitten for someone whilst they went on holiday so me and my friend loaded our bikes into the back of my car and off we went to Northampton. She'd only st... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Introduced a work colleague to cycle to work scheme now he is cycling everyday saving transport money and keeping fit

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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