I have been riding a bike since I was knee-high to a grasshopper, or as far back as I can remember. I grew-up in a small rural town where, to get-about, a bicycle was the best form of transport.... read more
Topic: Encouraging others to ride
Sunny day 33 degrees today, finished work and rode along the Grand Union canal towpath past the Old Galleon pub festival and cycled along watching the canal barges going along and hottest day and s... read more
On October 31st, 2017 on a crisp bright morning, while commuting to work by bicycle, I was struck head on by an oncoming car. The driver said he didn't see me, which is a small comfort; as I would ... read more
Topic: Encouraging others to ride
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
My life changed when I was introduced to riding with Breeze network, not many miles but with encouragement from leaders and cycling buddies, I soon got the bug and enjoyed cycling into the wolds an... read more
Topic: Other
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
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
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
We've cycled through the seasonal summer without the ice,
And at rare times the sunshine which was nice,
Getting up extra early to cycle by the deer,
Or the birds of prey swooping pa... read more
Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge
Part of my commute home used to be by Sarehole Mill (part of the inspiration for Lord of the Rings) in Moseley Birmingham. There is a short cut around the back that either goes through the ford, if... read more
Topic: My commute by bike
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
Topic: My first time on a bike in years
As a commuter, I often have problems with punctures and with overall bike maintenance. My ambition is to be able to carry out simple maintenance tasks myself, without having to take the bike into ... read more
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
Topic: My first time on a bike in years
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
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
Maybe like me, your work is desk-based. Sometimes my cycle commute is the only exercise I get during the working day.
It’s partly because of being office-bound that I like to spend time outdoo... read more
I stared riding my bike 7 years ago thanks to my husband, I have since then ridden the Northumberland coast to coast both ways over 4 days, I have ridden my first 200K audax ( up the downs) I have ... read more
Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge
For those with children and a '9-5' office job, it's difficult to make 'me' time, let alone motivate yourself to use the time to exercise. For me the balance came by ditching the car and commuting ... read more
I am not a cyclist, but I do want to be. I try to make sure I ride when I can around town. I just got a "beach cruiser" in addition to my now dusty hybrid. I am loving it so far. It's a great yello... read more
Topic: My Bicycle Romance
As I were younger I did a lot of riding, mostly mountain biking but also road or trials riding.. Life takes over and the kids grow, now its time to get back on the bike. It's been road bikes for th... read more
Topic: My Bicycle Romance
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 started riding to work 2 years ago with the aim to get fit and now as a 50 year old with 4 bikes and my second Ride London under my belt and plans to do the Fred Whitton Challenge next year I don... read more
I turn 40 this year. To celebrate, I'm setting off tomorrow to ride from Brighton to Paris. I've always wanted to complete the Avenue Verte route - and I've done the London - Newhaven section, so i... read more
I put off commuting by bike as I thought it would be just a little too far to do both before and after work. Ive done it a few times now and even the first ride wasn't as bad as I thought it would ... read more
As human beings, our health is not compartmental. If we experience illness or a lack of health mentally or physically or emotionally/spiritually, it does affect our overall health. It is all interc... read more
Topic: Encouraging others to ride
Not such a successful ride today......yesterdays little trip was nice, wanted to push myself a bit more today!
There's a local beauty spot I've wanted to visit for ages but never seem to get a... read more
Topic: Other
I took a Holiday in Sorrento last year with a friend of mine I have known for 34 years. She has not been on a bike for many years yet I am a keen cyclist. I asked her would she fancy hiring an el... read more
Topic: A happy riding memory
… but the Love to Ride UK and the Cyclescheme 7 week challenge has made me appreciate how many others are taking up cycling (or cycle to work already). An online community such as this helps to r... read more
Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge
A few weeks ago I was coming home in the evening with two mates in time trial mode. It was dark but we had good lights. I was second and a naughty badger managed to run between me and the lead ride... read more
Topic: Other
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
Topic: My first time on a bike in years
I didn't learn to cycle as a kid. I tried, but I didn't get on with it and gave up instead. Then in 2010 I got a new job at the hospital in Leicester. I gleefully turned up on my first day and disc... read more
I have been cycling to work for over 6 years. Taking a car was never an option, for cost, car availability, ecology reasons, and I’ve never regularly commuted by motorised individual traffic all my... read more
Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge
I've been cycling to work regularly for the last 3 years, and over that time have managed to get the 15 mile route down to what I thoug was a fairly respectable 40 minute ride.
As part of ... read more
Once upon a time, I swam 2 miles, twice per week at speed. I thought this chlorine in the pool is a bit much! I thought, I wonder if its feasible to cycle the 25 miles each way to work and back. So... read more
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
Topic: My first time on a bike in years
I started cycling as a way to save money on travel costs in London and to help burn some calories. I stopped when I took a job closer to home. Since being involved in the 7 week challenge ot has re... read more
Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge
Challenging cycle in especially with my panniers that act like sails of a boat! Still mild enough for t-shirt though. Wind is tough to cycle in but still enjoying being outside exercising in summer... read more
I recently got my first road bike on cycle to work and I am commuting 7 km across central Edinburgh to work. My commute starts with a lovely big hill out of the Dean Village. The first time I did i... read more
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
After coming off my bike 4 weeks ago and having 3 weeks of treatment and an X-ray, I finally rode my bike again yesterday and managed 17 miles around the hill.
Such a good feeling to be back cy... read more
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 ... read more
Topic: Encouraging others to ride
I started with a small section of my commute by bike due to a foot injury. After being initially terrified of rising in a city, I quickly enjoyed the freedom. After treating myself to a second hand... read more
Topic: Other
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
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
Topic: My first time on a bike in years
I was happy to change jobs in 2018 meaning I could cycle 20 miles a day to work and back. Helping me stay stress free, fit and help the environment. Even through winter I set myself a personal goal... read more
Topic: My commute by bike
I started riding just of 14 years ago - a short 1/2 day cycle hire with a mate in Sardinia. In 2006 I managed to ride a total of 1,000 miles & I was absolutely delighted with myself!
E... read more
Topic: A happy riding memory
