Essex

Stories from Essex

Read stories and get inspired! Share a cycling story and inspire others to get out and ride!

Image for story Cycling for covid recovery reignited my love for mtb

Cycling for covid recovery reignited my love for mtb

I caught covid the end of 2020 in December and then suffered with long Covid. I went from going to the gym lifting heavy and doing hiit sessions 4/5 days a week, to struggling to walk upstairs with... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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Image for story Leith to Leigh on Sea April 2024

Leith to Leigh on Sea April 2024

I just completed on 21st April 2024, 480 Mile 7 day bike ride from Leith to Leigh on Sea in memory of my son Archie aged 5, who sadly passed away from DIPG in January 2023. Raising money for severa... read more

Topic: Other

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ESSEX PEDAL POWER

would like to thanks Essex pedal power for giving me the chance to get back on a bike

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

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Image for story Life as the founder of leos rides and being a cycle leader

Life as the founder of leos rides and being a cycle leader

Hi I run leos rides I take donated bikes and rebuild them and gift them to any one needing a bike to get to work or just for fun and fitness. I am Allso a fully trained advanced bike Macanic and fu... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story Cycling and chemo

Cycling and chemo

Cancer came back to visit me this year. I decided that Cancer Research needed more money to find ways to get rid of that unwanted visitor. So I gave myself the challenge of 1000 miles in 100 days... read more

Topic: Other

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Image for story 100 miles

100 miles

2017 overweight and told pre-diabetic so had to lose weight. I lost my weight on treadmill (stick with me lol ) I have always loved cycling be it Chipper,Grifter ,M/bike or Road Bike . 2019 my ... read more

Topic: My Bicycle Romance

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Image for story Never to old to peddle and roll.

Never to old to peddle and roll.

Five years ago I got a bike to get out, have some fun and maybe loss weight. 18 months later I had loss 6 Stone, I now own four mountain bikes and at the young age of 57 will be going to Bike Park ... read more

Topic: Other

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Image for story Solstice Ride

Solstice Ride

Usually we try to arrange a ride around the Summer Solstice, last year we couldn't do it due to the restrictions. So, this year we got up before the crack of dawn, met in time for the drab and grey... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Image for story Taste of freedom!

Taste of freedom!

Yesterday we were officially allowed to meet up with one other household outdoors, so we jumped on our tandem (Child 1 on crossbar seat in front of me and Child 2 pedalling at the back) for a 10 mi... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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Image for story Hyde Hall without a car #Ridefree

Hyde Hall without a car #Ridefree

Over lockdown I've done one too many local walks, so it was exciting to make a plan with my new ebike to go further afield. We had driven to Hyde Hall in Essex but it looked manageable by ebike fro... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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No looking back

After treatment for breast cancer I wanted a challenge, so I signed up for ride the night. But hubby pointed out that I didn’t really ride a bike without hitting things or falling off. So I joined ... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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It’s time for change.

As many now use a car I think they forget that we that do not drive have to breath in all the fumes from cars and we have no choice to do so unless we want to live our life’s wearing a mask. The ... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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After my accident

Back in 2018 , through no fault of my own I was hit by a large vehicle and suffered a dislocated collar bone, among other injuries. I was off my bike for over 6 months and it was a long painful roa... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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cycle commute

I live just over 2 miles from my place of work and understand that it's not doing myself or the environment any good by taking the car to work. I am now cycling to work Monday to Friday and hope i... read more

Topic: Carbon Crushers

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Image for story Ferry ride

Ferry ride

My friend Steve and me had a nice ride for brekkie then a ferry ride to carry on cycling

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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Image for story Our little pack of OAP’s

Our little pack of OAP’s

The three of us love our days out and to catch up with each other........ and also a little cake with cup of coffee.

Topic: My Bicycle Romance

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Image for story love biking

love biking

only started this month as got a secondhand bike and want to get health and fit me and my son are trying to do at least 50 miles a week to start with but my bike not that good :( but i am trying a... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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Image for story Group ride

Group ride

I enjoy getting as many people to ride as much as possible

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Rhod confidence

I completed my Rhod confidence course on the 6th April thru learn to ride and ECC instructors. I would recommend anyone who has just started cycling again to take this course the instructors we... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story 75 km and Bike + Rider = 127 years

75 km and Bike + Rider = 127 years

This year I'm upping my game and putting myself outside my comfort zone. I'm not going to climb Monte Zoncolan or Alpe d'Huez but I am going to ride more organised rides instead of just heading out... read more

Topic: Other

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Cycling in France

Wherever I go on holiday I try to cycle as the infrastructure in many places is so much more conducive, than in the UK. I've just added some new memories with plenty of bike rides on the quiet road... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Image for story What goes around, comes around…

What goes around, comes around…

I own a 1980s Raleigh Sirocco that comes with bit of a story. My love for this bike started when I was a toddler. My Dad owned one and I have very fond early memories of trying to climb onto it... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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A bike ride a day keeps the doctor away

I decided to ride my rickety old Kona mountain bike every day of June as a personal challenge. So far I'm on day 22 and have been out everyday and ridden 188 miles, the most in one day is 20 miles ... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Commute #womenwhoride

Biking to work each day (32miles round trip) was a lot when I started doing it. But the benefits are amazing. Not only have I saved money, and improved my fitness, it is also a shorter commute (1 h... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Commuting

Commuting to / from work daily a total of about 22miles - even when the weather is bad, always makes me feel as though I have achieved something. The worst bit is trying to keep my bike clean!! I s... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Image for story Bike touring in own back yard (literarlly)

Bike touring in own back yard (literarlly)

I had lots of adventure plans for last year which sadly did not happen. Was feeling a bit low with the lockdown. So packed up my bike with my new lightweight camping gear, which was feeling sad at ... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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Image for story Expanding Horizons

Expanding Horizons

I've been "working from home" for almost a year now. There are many real benefits to it, and it's been the right thing to do, but there are times when the same 4 walls feel a bit oppressive: that's... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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My happy place

Before lockdown 1 I would regularly commute the 20 km to and from work either along the seafront or through Prittlebrook Greenway. Cycling through lockdown gave me space to breathe and forget the p... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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Image for story Lessons by hard knocks.

Lessons by hard knocks.

The New Year started well with a lovely wedding of our son and his passing out as an Officer in the Royal Marines. Then came a choice one morning, wear the part reflective part blue cycling jacket ... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Delivering Leaflets

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

Topic: Other

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Image for story 1000 Miles

1000 Miles

I started the Swap-Stop-Go challenge on the 1st of August and over the next 56 days I completed 86 rides and cycled a total of 1001.7 miles. Being in the office still, I cycled to work every we... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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Image for story Family tandems!

Family tandems!

Childback tandems are a perfect way to get the kids about safely and quickly, my tandem has a child seat in front of me for my youngest so he is safely between my arms, and my 7 year old sits behin... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story Socially isolating

Socially isolating

Only managed to get out on my bike once during the week to pick up a neighbours medication. By kept up the skills with YouTube indoor cycling through Spain and NZ and no Jet lag.

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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Image for story Getting back in the saddle

Getting back in the saddle

As a child I rode my bike everywhere and this continued into my twenties when I decided to sell my car and cycle instead to save money, improve fitness and be environmentally friendly. However, I ... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Stories from around the world

Is something broke?

Where have all my rides gone that were down the left hand side of the screen? Can't see anyone else's either...

Topic: Other

Image for story My colleagues ride annually in Europe

My colleagues ride annually in Europe

This year rode (was supposed to be from Trafalgar Square but changed due to unrest) from 22nd September (early morning until late afternoon in torrential rain!) We started in Letchworth 60 mile... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Bikes for sale

Hey anyone know any recommendations for long distance for bikes? Or have one for sale

Topic: Other

Image for story 15 years - 100,000km

15 years - 100,000km

I've been commuting to work for 15 years with at least one ride on the weekends. All up I have clocked over 100,000 km. Here are some comparative guesimates of savings over that time: Financial: ... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Image for story Commuting Carbon Neutral

Commuting Carbon Neutral

I drive an electric car but as everyone knows it still takes fossil fuels to operate. Luckily, even with everything factored in, it has less than 1/3 the carbon footprint of gas cars. I discovered ... read more

Topic: Carbon Crushers

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Ride to school

Each day I ride to school while most people rock up in cars. I ride because it's healthy (and I don't like to walk) and gets me to school in under 10 minutes. I love riding and I home that more stu... read more

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

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Image for story Isobel's Cycling Journey

Isobel's Cycling Journey

I’m a 57 year old community worker who started cycling around 2.5 years ago after seeing an advertisement for the Great North Bike ride and decided to enter it to motivate myself to get fit. My fri... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Image for story Looking Back

Looking Back

It's a certainty; if you ride long enough, you will crash. I sometimes let myself entertain the idea that cars and other things, coming up from behind, are uncontrol able random threats. In try... read more

Topic: Other

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Image for story En selle pour le 48hrs vélo Make-A-Wish

En selle pour le 48hrs vélo Make-A-Wish

Récemment pationné de vélo, je décide de me lancer et de formé une équipe de 6 afin de participé à l événement. Cyclistes occasionnels tout comme débutants, qui se magasinaient un vélo encore 6 sem... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

My Best Friend and Me

I met Annie when we were kids. We bonded over riding our bikes together. Ever since then, we have done many bike trips together, the longest being a 3 day rail trail we did earlier this year. I hav... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Image for story Age is no barrier

Age is no barrier

I am Ian Shaw from Balloch West Dunbartonshire. I found out about LTR in my then work place Glasgow Clyde College and I'm now retired. I have been cycling for about 40 years now as well as a ke... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Image for story The zen of the ride

The zen of the ride

Most days, my spouse will ask where I want to ride. I suggest a route, he suggests something else, and I say okay. I’m not really a pushover. The feel of riding, the movement, the act of being in t... read more

Topic: Other

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Bike Around the Bay

Bike around the bay 2024

Topic: Other

Image for story Houston's Multi-modal Trip

Houston's Multi-modal Trip

Visiting Miller Outdoor Theater, seeing Big Boy at Amtrak station, or going to BikeHouston's events from Katy can be achieved easily with bike + express bus. Those are trips that otherwise too far ... read more

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

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Image for story A Mixed-Ability Cycling Adventure from Barry Island to Sharpness!

A Mixed-Ability Cycling Adventure from Barry Island to Sharpness!

On Friday, October 11th, we embarked on a 92-mile cycling adventure from Barry Island Station to Sharpness, united by a common cause – to support the Save Tall Ship Tenacious campaign and inspire i... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story Faster than a car!

Faster than a car!

I work as a P.E teacher in Kilmarnock and I first heard about Love to Ride from the East Ayrshire Council website. I've been a recreational cyclist since I was a boy but got my Boardman road bike f... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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