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Cycling, do any of you own a pedal bike, do you use it often(obviously not at the mo)

(104 Posts)
bikergran Tue 07-Apr-20 09:20:29

Gave up my Motorcycle a few years ago and bought a car(so I could help dd with grandsons etc)

I then bought second hand mountain bike which was ok,.
But have not progressed to a ladies Treck tourer bike.

Has anyone else got a pedal bike?
Do you go on any adventures smile

My friend and I took our bikes on the train to Lytham St Annes last year and cycled way up the prom for miles, it was lovely cycling along with the sea on one side. We took a packed lunch e.tc

Looking forward to getting back out on it.Im not a racing cyclist lol just purely for pleasure.

tickingbird Tue 07-Apr-20 09:34:34

Yes I cycle. I have a hybrid and graduated to a road bike. It’s great exercise and one’s fitness increases tremendously. Keep at it.

Toadinthehole Tue 07-Apr-20 09:38:37

Yes, we cycle, great exercise. At the moment, a lot of cycle paths are busy with people walking/ running, but the roads are great... nice and empty. Would definitely recommend.

JackyB Tue 07-Apr-20 09:41:30

I cycle everywhere. I would do now if I had anywhere to go. We often see people out on their bikes when we go for our walks. I prefer not to go for a ride without having anywhere to go, but DH went with a group of friends every week before the restrictions were imposed. He went on his own the other day because I had a pain in my leg and couldn't walk far but he wanted to get some air.

tickingbird Tue 07-Apr-20 09:43:42

Just to echo another poster. At present the roads are very quiet so it’s a great time to cycle on your own in safety.

bikergran Tue 07-Apr-20 09:58:55

I must admit I do like off road cycling(no not mountain biking down terrifying dirt track lol) but along the canal and traffic free areas.

ticking bird yes its great at the mo for cycling on the road, trouble is knowing my luck I would get stopped with the "Cycling police" hello hello helloo and where might you! be going.

My bikes over at my dads garage at the mo, about 4 miles away,I could cycle over with my old bike and retrieve my other one, but apparently the canal tow path is now choca with walkers and cyclists,love the canal route as its all flat.

Not sure where everyone lives but has anyone done the
"PRESTON GUILD WHEEL"?

Guineagirl Tue 07-Apr-20 10:16:34

I drive but cycle everywhere, to make your riding easier for you look for lightweight bikes. I had a road bike but my nether regions got damaged so sold it. I have a aluminium hybrid and a carbon mountain bike. I’ve cycled around lochs, reservoirs and lots of
Sustans train lines. If you google Sustrans they are labelled A to Z for the country. Obviously when this is all over. My next trip is Carsington reservoir when I’m able to go when we all get the go ahead from government. I go very early before the crowds.

BlueBelle Tue 07-Apr-20 10:22:21

I cycle nearly every day and of course it is allow as your daily exercise so I will be getting on mine very soon and cycle to the cemetery where the blossom trees are gorgeous and then back home about half an hour in the fresh air and totally alone doubtful if I ll meet anyone

M0nica Tue 07-Apr-20 10:33:02

I used to cycle, I would love to cycle now, but I had to face the facts that my poor sense of balance made me a liability on the road, I have driven behind cyclists like me, and it is terrifying, not wobbling but clearly having to concentrate 110% to keep their balance, and totally loosing balance in an emergency.

Plus when I started cycling to and from work, the hip ache I developed, which I still had 10 years after stopping cyling.

I still look at those effortless cyclists, whizzing past me with ease and wish I was one of them.

BBbevan Tue 07-Apr-20 11:07:17

Yes I have a pale turquoise Victoria Pendleton bike with a wicker basket at the front. I only restarted cycling 2 years ago . I cycled everywhere in my teens and loved it, Nearly 60 years later it was a bit “feel the fear but do it anyway”, and I was really surprised how easy it was .

vampirequeen Tue 07-Apr-20 11:12:38

We used to cycle a lot then DH was told to stop. He was given the all clear about three months ago so we're now rebuilding our stamina and my sense of balance. Today we cycled to Morrisons and back. DH had the Burley Travoy attached to his bike to carry the shopping It's quite a hilly ride but I only stopped twice. Once because I messed up my gears and once because we came to a hill that is more like a cliff. This was our longest ride to date. 6 miles in all but felt a lot more because of the hills grin. Cycling is brilliant exercise even if atm I find it more challenging than walking.

bikergran Tue 07-Apr-20 12:48:59

Lovely to hear of all your cycling adventures long or short, Im now itching to get out build up my stamina for cycling.

BBbevan have seen your kind of cycle, very nice traditional.

I seem to still struggle with the 18 gears can never get the combination right, maybe along ride with different gradients would help. keep the lgs going ladies smile

HurdyGurdy Tue 07-Apr-20 12:57:26

I have a lovely Dawes Duchess bike - so pretty with purple flowers on a creamy yellow frame and a basket on the front. I love it. But I am far too unfit to ride it now blush.

I "upgraded" to an electric assisted bike, which I love. When the weather is good, I cycle to and from work - only 2.5 miles each way - which is 95% off road. I am really nervous in traffic.

My aim is to build up my fitness with the electric assist one, so I can use my pretty one again

Baggs Tue 07-Apr-20 13:06:10

Why wouldn't I use my bike at the moment if I didn't have a just healed broken shoulder to consider? Cycle rides are a permitted form of exercise.

Barmeyoldbat Tue 07-Apr-20 13:08:47

I cycle, I have two bikes my old trusting Claude Butler a sit up and beg bike that is like a comfy armchair but its so heavy so last year I treated myself to a new one a Cube (german make) road bike with straight handlebars. Just love it and now use it all the time as its so light and I can lift it on and off the bike rack on the car.
I cycle about three times a, usually over in Wales which is like a great big playground for cycling with loads of tracks along the former train tracks. I am not a fast cyclist but do around 20 miles a ride with stops for coffee and food. I started cycling when I was about 40, my husband would run a marathon and I would cycle it. Even Snowdonia twice but couldn't do it now.
We also go on cycling holidays in Holland, stay in one place, hire a bike and then just explore.
You get fitter the more you do it and its great at not putting stress on your joints.

BBbevan Tue 07-Apr-20 13:50:52

bikergran I was never very good with gears and stuff, My bike that I rode to school didn’t have them. My present bike has 4, more than enough for me .

BlueBelle Tue 07-Apr-20 13:55:04

Mines just an ordinary generic cycle but gets me from a to b

Hetty58 Tue 07-Apr-20 14:43:57

I'm cycling more at present with the roads being clear. It's a perfectly valid form of daily exercise.

Barmeyoldbat Tue 07-Apr-20 15:49:54

Forgot to say if sustain do an excellent map of all the cycle routes inn the country, you can go online and buy it. Well worth reading

Also when we use to winter in SE Asia we use to hire bikes but they had o gears and the brakes never worked which made interesting cycling. Ended up buy two bikes which we kept out there.

ninathenana Tue 07-Apr-20 17:36:27

Isn't cycling one of the current recommended forms of exercise ?

Poppy77 Tue 07-Apr-20 17:47:51

We go on Cycling holidays as well so 60 miles is the norm for us . At the moment We tend to cycle 30 mins in one direction and then 30 back so as to be out too long and not to far from home and the lack of traffic certainly helps .

Hetty58 Tue 07-Apr-20 17:58:00

Yes ninathenana - I don't know what '(obviously not at the mo)' is about.

BlueBelle Tue 07-Apr-20 18:02:30

I was wondering that hatty we are allowed to cycle for short periods

bikergran Tue 07-Apr-20 18:18:03

Yes my Treck bike is quite heavy, Im hoping to buy a cycle rack to fit on my hatchback, then I don't have to keep taking the wheel off to put it in the car, I can see me doing my back in.hmm

Great to hear about Gnetters getting out and about on 2 wheels or maybe three if any one has a Tricycle, I love those as well, very stable.

Scentia Tue 07-Apr-20 18:59:59

I too gave up my motorcycle last year due to the birth of my first DGS and wanting go to give my spare time to him! There were other reasons too but it seemed like the right time!!

I bike or walk everywhere, I have recently bought an attachment for my bike to take my dog along with me too and we are both loving it.
I want to take her on a cycling holiday next spring and cycle the Llangollen Canal Path. I need to research it first as I am not sure if it is cyclable (that isn’t even a word!!) the whole length.