Stories from the United Kingdom

Always find getting out on the bike and taking in an awesome sunset does wonders for the mind.

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first_540710 last_540710 That looks amazing.

That looks amazing.

first_344514 last_344514 Thanks :-)

Thanks :-)

Watching someone go from sofa to 50miles a week! #Awesome

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Looked like the sunniest day we'll have for a while and hubby had the day off so we packed gifted cakes, bought coffee and went for a leisurely bimble to Royal Victoria Country Park and back. Lovel... read more

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first_540710 last_540710 Love Victoria Park one of my fav places, its great for a night ride with your lights.. Very scary

Love Victoria Park one of my fav places, its great for a night ride with your lights.. Very scary

first_350654 last_350654 Not quite experienced enough for that yet but I've recently bought some decent lights for when I feel confident enough!

Not quite experienced enough for that yet but I've recently bought some decent lights for when I feel confident enough!

first_540710 last_540710 Its a bit scary at night but well worth a trip

Its a bit scary at night but well worth a trip

first_357643 last_357643 It can get too dark particularly on early morning in the depth of winter

It can get too dark particularly on early morning in the depth of winter

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In 2020, I achieved my target of cycling every bridleway in Brighton and Hove.

This year I've set myself the glamorous target of visiting every branch of Greggs in Sussex, for a vegan sau... read more

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first_540710 last_540710 Living the dream!!! Sounds amazing.

Living the dream!!! Sounds amazing.

first_36622 last_36622 Honestly, this is my favourite story ever!!!! I love a GVSR so much and on a bike ride even more. My nearest Greggs has bee... read more

Honestly, this is my favourite story ever!!!! I love a GVSR so much and on a bike ride even more. My nearest Greggs has been out of the the last two times I've been and I've had to make do with a vegan steak bake instead... But at least there is an option!! Good luck in hitting your target!

I grew up in rural Aotearoa/New Zealand, where learning to ride and getting your first bike are rights of passage for kids - I can still remember my first attempt and the thrill of "getting it". I ... read more

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After a day confined to the house, well the tropical fish did need cleaning and it was wet, I went for a 24 mile ride in the misty wet of the morning, the joy of getting on my bike after a week was... read more

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I knew the ride today would be a little muddy but it was a whole lot worse than I expected. As soon as I set off I felt the first splashed on my legs and I do have mudguards on my bike but on this ... read more

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first_500296 last_500296 That was us yesterday, but our bikes are a lot cleaner now too after I hosed them down and dried them!

That was us yesterday, but our bikes are a lot cleaner now too after I hosed them down and dried them!

first_428869 last_428869 Yeah its a good idea to keep them clean especially the chain... clean and re-oil after a few rides

Yeah its a good idea to keep them clean especially the chain... clean and re-oil after a few rides

Is #LightTheNight still running?! If so ... I was taking the cycle track home this evening. At one point it emerges from woodland to run alongside the railway embankment. Tonight there was a headwi... read more

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first_380994 last_380994 I had an encounter with a Barn owl today and a few days ago whilst cycling before sunrise. It’s certainly an amazing sight

I had an encounter with a Barn owl today and a few days ago whilst cycling before sunrise. It’s certainly an amazing sight

first_508159 last_508159 It's great when a bird appears to fly beside us as we ride,barn owls,rooks and occasionally buzzard's seem to follow you fo... read more

It's great when a bird appears to fly beside us as we ride,barn owls,rooks and occasionally buzzard's seem to follow you for several hundred metres without being spooked by us. It's always a wonderful experience!

Prior to cycling I would have gone out running with only an illuminace jacket on. However on the bike it is so important people see you and you can see them. This week I got my girls out on their b... read more

As we enter the back end of the year the winter riding challenge comes at just the right moment. I have set myself a challenge of getting 2,500 miles in in 2020 and have give or take 422 to go whi... read more

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All my cycling has been in the dark recently so I was highly delighted to receive a pair of Proviz Reflect 360 cycling gloves in the post this lunchtime, courtesy of Cycle September! Perfect for si... read more

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Carry a small headtorch in your jersey pocket, just in case you need to fix a puncture or have a mechanical in the dark.

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first_527780 last_527780 A very useful tip.

A very useful tip.

I got away 3/4 hour before sunset but cloud meant it was already very dull. Although I wasn't prepared for night time riding at least I'd remembered a couple of lights for emergencies so I set my l... read more

As a rider for both leisure and occasional commuting all year round, I know it is vital to be lit up like a Christmas tree in both the poor weather and the dark.
Lets face it, if the four whee... read more

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Well actually, just riding in the dark...

Before the pandemic, I cycled to and from the train station every day, all year, in all weather.

So what lighting do I recommend?
read more

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first_494167 last_494167 Well said Martyn safe cycling

Well said Martyn safe cycling

first_504668 last_504668 Has anyone seen the LED string lights (like christmas twinkle lights) that you wrap around your frame? I have only seen the... read more

Has anyone seen the LED string lights (like christmas twinkle lights) that you wrap around your frame? I have only seen them for sale in the USA. I usto have tyres which were slightly reflective. My current lights are too dim for winter weather, so thanks for LED advice and help.

first_290791 last_290791 Some good points Martyn. I tend to use the hyper flash setting in the day as well. The flash attracts attention whilst the ... read more

Some good points Martyn. I tend to use the hyper flash setting in the day as well. The flash attracts attention whilst the steady beam provides your location. You are right about lights that are overly bright. They simply blind other road users who then can't really tell where you are.

first_255916 last_255916 Very true Martyn, especially regarding the hi-power stobe lights.. Congratulations, Langton Wildman, Midas Eyewear.

Very true Martyn, especially regarding the hi-power stobe lights.. Congratulations, Langton Wildman, Midas Eyewear.

first_36692 last_36692 To Cherri - I have just fitted some LED tube lights that fit into the tyre valves. I have put them on in my #LightTheNight ... read more

To Cherri - I have just fitted some LED tube lights that fit into the tyre valves. I have put them on in my #LightTheNight photo, but the front wheel one looks dim. The rear one appears to be illuminating the road, but it actually had 3 colours. Can't remember where I got them.

first_493241 last_493241 Spot on. Essential to have a constant light source, if you have a flashing light on top of that, that's great, but drivers ... read more

Spot on. Essential to have a constant light source, if you have a flashing light on top of that, that's great, but drivers just glance briefly sometimes before pulling out, and if they happen to glance when your light is in the 'off' part of the cycle...

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Great way to get round our town to deliver newsletters. Quicker than walking and better than driving. Efficient and good for me.

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I thought I'd join in by borrowing a set of wheels to help my team to the top of the table and also in the hope that I could actually win my own set of wheels!

Will do it again next year..... read more

first_327109 last_327109 You have to be in it to win it! Well done, good luck for next time! Helen

You have to be in it to win it! Well done, good luck for next time! Helen

Manchester’s Got Talent is a Youth group set up during Covid Lockdown to respond to the local needs of teenagers and parents and fill the gap left where many charities shut down or sent staff ... read more

first_380994 last_380994 fabulous. You and what you do is amazing!

fabulous. You and what you do is amazing!

This year has been an incredible challenge to keep cycling. In March we went into lockdown and we’re encouraged to stay in our areas, in July I was taken out by a van driver who opened his door wit... read more

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CHALLENGE COMPLETE!!!!!
Today I have completed my ‘100 for Guide Dogs’ cycle challenge. I have cycled for 100 hours and covered 1683 miles. I had to finish of course in beautiful Morecambe Bay... read more

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(I wrote a little poem, maybe cheesy, maybe not)

You go round and round below me
Upon this seat, I take in the view beside me
For as far, as the eye can see
My heart is happy, ... read more

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Been cycling for 42 years just enjoy cycling. What else is there to say

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first_487043 last_487043 Nice one !!!

Nice one !!!

first_419560 last_419560 Fabulous photo

Fabulous photo

We're a group of six nearly or already 60+ ladies who have upped our cycling distance since lockdown. Yesterday was the EPIC fifty miler from my home in Crowthorne to Woolhampton for lunch, via Son... read more

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I'm a member of a group that organises walks, bike rides etc. and they advertised a Liverpool to Leeds canal bike ride. As I live not too far from the canal and use it often I thought it would be ... read more

Coming back from an appointment at The Paintworks on Bath Rd to Bedminster I discovered I could get straight onto St Philips Greenway and ride alongside the River Avon for half the journey. A very... read more

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first_420661 last_420661 I did the same recently and enjoyed using this path as well. Took us to the ‘bridges to nowhere’ at the Arena Island site.

I did the same recently and enjoyed using this path as well. Took us to the ‘bridges to nowhere’ at the Arena Island site.

Taking my own breakfast and detouring off my usual beaten track. Gradually gaining more confidence :-)

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first_540710 last_540710 I do this a lot, nothing like a breakfast or lunch sat next to your bike so mewhere. Have fun

I do this a lot, nothing like a breakfast or lunch sat next to your bike so mewhere. Have fun

first_494167 last_494167 I agree nothing like a snack with nature I take binoculars to look at the birds too.

I agree nothing like a snack with nature I take binoculars to look at the birds too.

first_213759 last_213759 I always take a bring and snack if feels like a proper outing then!

I always take a bring and snack if feels like a proper outing then!

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It is an almost balmy afternoon as I leave the busy road and join the quiet country road to West Marton on the edge of the Yorkshire Dale's. I Pedal sedately and drink in the surroundings. The tre... read more

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So. 10 miles minimum every day for 365 days. Whilst writing, I have just completed day 200.
I don't have a smart phone, just joined today and have a lot of data input!!!
Charity fundraiser... read more

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I lost my husband at the beginning of April/Lockdown (not covid) so last years cycling was very rare and far between. Lets hope I can get out a bit more often and get back into shape :-)

first_90036 last_90036 All the best Kaele.

All the best Kaele.

There is no other way to go
Over the mountains
Through the snow
Between the valleys
And the glens.
Round the lakes
And back again -

Scenic routes
Are made by ... read more

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Beryl are one of the main sponsors for Love To Ride and I received a #winterwheelers discount code, so went ahead and purchased a pixel 2 in 1 light. On my first outing the light got knocked off ... read more

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I commute from Colden Common to Bishops Waltham 2-3 times a week. Good lights are essential as the Winchester Road between the two places is unlit, although, now some of the farm houses and buildin... read more

For the last 2 weeks, I have been in self isolation.
I was desperate to get out.
I had the perfect idea for #LightTheNight
And so, today the 30th (i am hoping I made the deadline?)
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It was my first day of 2 annual leave days where I opted for a random ride rather than just keep painting the fence 'Autumn Gold'. My usual riding mate could not join in due to work, so I planned r... read more

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“The Bicycle is Man’s Most Perfect Invention. The bicycle offers an unsurpassed combination of benefits including recreation, mental and physical health, stress relief, reduced traffic congestion, ... read more

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Starting my shift at Pilgrim Hospital, Boston at 6am means I am cycling to work in the dark since the clocks went back. Coming the other way down a narrow unlit street I have been dismayed to see a... read more

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I have a dynamo hub with front and rear lights as my basic lighting package and supplement this with a high powered Exposure light and rear lezyne light for cycling on those dark country lanes. read more

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A cheap but effective way to be seen at night, especially from the sides, which often gets overlooked, is to aim a clip/strap light on to your water bottles on your frame. It really lights up the b... read more

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Commuting to work all year round for 20 years meant that good lights were essential. A couple of powerful rechargeable cateye lights on the front and several rear lights attached to my back were a ... read more

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I'll never forget how I felt when I was racing along an unlit country lane and my front light went out. I think the batteries died suddenly, and so did my confidence... it was terrifying. I freewhe... read more

My cycling adventures have been stalled by a classic issue; a puncture.

Last weekend’s cricket practice was an ideal time for me to cycle the couple of miles to the nets, but the slow pun... read more

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Just a short story to say I was in target to hit 8000 miles this year and loving life on my bike, which includes my first camping bike packing experience. Unfortunately I freak incident knocked me ... read more

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For those of you that don't know me I am 74 in October and on 7th March I decided to cycle 2020 miles from the 1st January to the 31st December. I have chosen to raise money for the Keech Hospice.... read more

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I was really enjoying cycle september, cycling every day. Stupidly, I have never worn a helmet, mainly due to looks, the discomfort and the fact it is anothor bit of bagage to consider. During Sept... read more

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first_249087 last_249087 What a terrible thing to have happened I wish you a speedy recovery. It is the driver who should be learning the lesson (or... read more

What a terrible thing to have happened I wish you a speedy recovery. It is the driver who should be learning the lesson (or perhaps getting some more lessons...). We shouldn't have to wear PPE to mitigate the risk that others impose on us while cycling.

first_174835 last_174835 I do hope you are feeling better now, sending best wishes for a speedy recovery

I do hope you are feeling better now, sending best wishes for a speedy recovery

first_501677 last_501677 Thanks very much Shirley and John. Recovering well but still got concussion. The police gave the drive a warning for drivin... read more

Thanks very much Shirley and John. Recovering well but still got concussion. The police gave the drive a warning for driving without due care and attention so she has hopefully learned her lesson. Happy cycling and thanks again for tye lovely messages

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Jay's cycles is a local friendly bike repair and servicing company based a few miles from Brighton with easy parking. We cover everything from small puncture fixes to full services and rebuilds! W... read more

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Taking our 6year old on her first ride off road at Hicks Lodge. It's great place to start any little ones journey, the routes are very family friendly and the cafe serves delicious ice cream.

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first_479919 last_479919 It's brilliant there. Well done to both of you.

It's brilliant there. Well done to both of you.

Okay it's not a cycle story but I have a passion for long-distance skateboarding across countries and where possible, ticking a new one off the list. My two-week annual adventure typically starts j... read more

During the early weeks of Covid, a 9 hilly mile round trip for me was to Middle Farm at Manston in north Dorset where I cycle into the farmyard and buy milk bottled and chilled that morning with c... read more

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love cycling in London, my favourite route is from Kew bridge to Walton on Thames on the Towpath. Perfect escape from London busy roads :)

My 6 year old has started coming out with me on his bike because he "needs to work his skating legs" (he plays roller and ice hockey). He has got the cycling bug now but being a little sportsman, ... read more

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