I got into cycling 20 years ago from a running background. Once I got into my 50s and my times were getting slower I swapped to cycling and never looked back, I love it. Now retired and in my 70s this summer I had my eyes on a 70 mile bike ride but a week after turning 70 I got knocked off my bike by a car so basically lost the best part of the summer of cycling now I'm back and trying to build fitness. The accident was when I was riding slow on a roundabout the car pulled into me from a standstill so he was slow as well but my injuries were not good BUT my helmet saved me from a lot worse. I don't remember much of what happened but I do recall my head hitting the road and my helmet breaking under the impact. That helmet saved me, I had a bleed on my brain ( not good) broken wrist and other injuries at such a slow speed it's unbelievable. What I'm trying to say is I'm riding today because of that helmet, please use a helmet it saved me it could you as well one day. And the driver did not stop it was the public who got me the ambulance so I got prompt attention that probably saved me from a lot worse.
Appreciate the comment, Brian. A nasty accident there and I can't believe the driver didn't stop. I had a motorcycle accident years back and similarly it was passers by that rallied round, made sure I was okay and made arrangements to get me to A&E. Here's to a 71 miler next summer! 🙂
Hi Martin - In my early days cycling wasn't a hobby it was a necessity - I cycled two miles to school on an old sit up and beg bike that belonged to my aunt - no yummy mummies to take you to school in those days. I started work when I was 15 - by that time I had a Claud Butler 'racing bike' - twenty five mile a day to work and further with night school. I those days the 50/60s every town and even some villages had cycling clubs and I joined my local club for Sunday club runs. One thing you didn't mention was the YHA - I went on several cycling holidays to North Wales, The Peak District, The Isle of White even a tour of Island on a tandem. Once I got a car and got married cycling was forgotten for a few years till I brought a secondhand Mercian - this brought back the memories but not the distances I used to travel. It wasn't till covid and a succession of other bikes that I got my present obsession with going out every day. So I suppose you could say that cycling was in my blood from childhood - never been up to your climbing and descending standard though! Thanks for the videos.
I always cycled from a young age and through into my 20s, on passing my driving test at 25 I drifted away a bit but never lost interest. I started again when my children were born and it just grew from there. I enjoy the health benefits and the psychological well being it gives me and as best I can I try to plan traffic free and off road routes as it doesn’t matter how conscientious or ‘safe’ you consider your cycling to be you cannot factor out other Road users. A bit like today’s episode I like to make use of canals as green routes out into the countryside and be surrounded by landscape and nature at which point I am in my element. Wherever possible I also like to take my bike with me when I travel and at present I am in Glasgow and took the opportunity today to take the train out to Garelochhead and cycle back via Glen Fruin, Loch Lomond and then the NCR through Clydebank and almost all of it traffic free👍 Keep up the good work I’m sure you are inspiring many😉
Reading the comments it seems I'm not the only one coming back to riding a bike. My early cycling days were in the late 40's and 50's. First a Hercules and when I was 13 Dad bought me a used Raleigh Lenton Sports that was too big for me (I was told I'd grow into it😄). It was my transport until my 20's when it got stolen. I used public transport for a while and then bought a car. Along came marriage and children so free time was short and all thoughts of cycling had gone. I was lent a friend's Mountain bike and loved it. Multiple gears and brakes that worked. It rekindled my love affair with cycling. Many years later it's the one hobby that I've kept up and intend to continue until I 'fall off the saddle' so to speak. When I'm not cycling I'm enjoying videos, like yours, of other peoples cycle rides. Love the canal scenery.
I was born in 1960 and as far back as I can remember I’ve always had a bike. I’m a fair weather cyclist now but love getting out. We live hectic lives but cycling makes me slow down and just enjoy it. Don’t think I’ll ever stop 😊😊
I had a racing bike as a teenager and we used to go out for long Sunday rides. That was in the mid 80s. I didn't ride a bike for 20+ years, but always remembered those days. I got back into at about 40 years old, 15 years ago, and haven't really looked back. I love being fit and particularly enjoy the fair weather rides. I have never done bicycle touring but am thinking about getting into it in the summer.
Thanks for the comment, Paul. It's interesting, swinging back into cycling after a couple of decades I guess might not happen as much with later generations that didn't have those formative analogue years knocking about on bikes. Fair weather touring is a joy, although you might try it and think 'nope, not for me!'. Only one way to find out! 😉
Ah yes, caught the bug during lockdown. The warm summer months and traffic free roads prompted the missus and I to dust off a couple of old hybrids and venture outside. We now own two road bikes each and continue to learn more about cycling each day. Channels like yours are of tremendous help to us. Being born in the 60s we have to be realistic about our expectations but I think there is still a fair bit we can achieve in the years ahead 🤞🏽👍🏽
Definitely lots to look forward to and achieve! Great hearing about your cycling journey, Sheetal. That daily exercise window in lockdown threw up some quite surreal cycling experiences, didn't it? Roads that were never quiet or safe to ride on near me ended up completely deserted and cycle friendly.
Same here. Now I'm into bike packing. Or catching a train somewhere and risking home. My PB is about 55 miles. Also got into bike packing. Can't think of anything better than loading my bike up going out for the day. With food, camping stove for coffees and being out in the wilds
@@grumpy-dad3701 Good for you fella. Our PBs are similar to yours, circa 60 miles. We’ve done the London to Brighton ride for a couple of years now and looking to see if we can work our way up to 100 miles in a day. Never tried bike-packing but you never know 👍🏽
@sheetalshah2327 bike packing is great if you like camping and biking. I've spelt in a couple of woods. A field of fresh cut hay - really comfy night sleep. I count it as a yearly pilgrimage to as many laces as I can get. Shame train fares are so much.
I got back into biking during covid. Just to get to and from work. Which them lead to me riding 10 or 20 miles at the weekend. Now its a full blown hobby. Getting out at 5am and going on a 50 mile ride and now bike packing when i can. I do need to get out in the autumn and winter. But gove me spring and summer. Already planning next years 3 day bike packing trip for my 50th
Another pandemic nudge back onto two wheels, really interesting. Great to have something planned for next year already. Looks like we're both hitting 50 in 2025! Yikes! 🙂
Got into cycling after my knees started complaining, age 50, having done 25+ years of fell running. Found that cycling (low impact compared to running) had no detrimental effect on my knees. In fact, I'd go so far to say it was beneficial, and not only for the knees. Wish I'd taken it up much earlier.
You must be a similar age to me. My first bike was a Raleigh Boxer, then the Grifter, and then on to the legendary Raleigh Chopper and Raleigh burner. Amazing bikes we had back then as kids. 😂 Pretty much gave up cycling when I started driving and got into motocross bikes. Then, I got back into cycling a few years ago, only because of bikepacking. That's how I found your channel, when you first uploaded the NC500 video.
Thanks for the comment, Dal. Can't believe my next birthday will be the big five-oh! I remember the Grifter well, had one then a string of BMX bikes then on to early rigid mountain bikes for years (Specialised and Gary Fishers mainly). We used to build ramps out of scrap wood and milk crates and practice jumping over each other, mini Evil Knievel style! Sneaking brooms out of houses for bike jousting was good fun too! Cycling these days is a bit more relaxed in comparison. 🙂
@onemorecyclist Hehe yeah, not to mention putting a piece of cardboard in the spokes held on by a clothes peg to sound like a motorbike. I always got told off because the pegs kept disappearing 🤣
I was just out of the U.S. Army in 1970, and bought a new Schwinn Collegiate. I don't remember why but the Bike Bug insanity grew, and still grows today.
Buying that first bike always goes in the 'good life decisions' category. Have you still got the Schwinn, Frank? I wish I'd managed to keep hold of many of my old bikes, rather than selling them on for peanuts. You live and learn! 🙂
I sadly have let some beautiful bikes get away. One was a new Raleigh Pro with Campy including brakes. But the one I most regret selling was a rare Raleigh RRA white and yellow, with Nervex lugs and full Stronglight 99, the best Simplex. Reynolds 531. Raleigh paintjobs and pin striping in the 1970s were true works of art, hand done. Keep up the terrific work on your channel. Oh... I use Schazam to identify some of your music and have built myself a playlist where half of it is from your videos. I work on bikes in the garage and relive your travels. Thanks.
I was in to cycling as a teenager, but not racing... touring (or bike packing as it's called these days now it's been "discovered" 😂). So all over the Lakes, Northumberland, south west etc Lost it for many years when I was in the forces, mainly running at that time. But when I left my knees were shot so no running, I needed exercise so broke the bike back out. Full circle then, back into touring 😊. I do it for the fitness but mainly it's just good for the soul out on the bike on a sunny day. Love it
Couldn't agree more with those motivations, Brian. Definitely good for the soul. When I first went 'cycle touring' I don't think we actually knew what it was called. We had fell walking and back packing and beyond that ... not a clue! Good fn though! 🙂
I've got the cycling bug big time too. Born in the early 60s when the only way to get around was by bike, ride to work and a member of the local cycle touring club. Hoping to ride around UK and Europe next year now retired. Funny how when you watch cycling youtubers in UK the weather is quite nice on the day but they say how bad it's been.., I might have have to pack a really good raincoat.
Yes a waterproof jacket is usually a must round these parts. A UK and Europe tour sounds amazing, Randel. Do you have a particular Eurovelo route in mind, or start and finish point? I've got some longer tours I'd love to do but in reality it will be a few years yet before those sorts of time windows open up. Great to have cycle touring as an option in retirement! 🙂
@onemorecyclist I love history, so I'd like to visit may places and link them up with safer cycling routes. Some folks love to cycle as far as they can everyday, I'm more a smell the roses and savour the moment cyclist.
Hi mate I’ve a got a route where I want to use that canal path from littleborough up to Hebden bridge, is it all bike friendly will probably be on my gravel bike 😊
Yes, all good for a gravel bike. It can get a bit wet and muddy after heavy rain but really nice easy riding for you on that section! There's a tiny stretch before Todmorden (just after Walsden) where I always jump on the road into Tod for a minute or two as it's quite rough/cobbled.🙂
I got into cycling 20 years ago from a running background. Once I got into my 50s and my times were getting slower I swapped to cycling and never looked back, I love it. Now retired and in my 70s this summer I had my eyes on a 70 mile bike ride but a week after turning 70 I got knocked off my bike by a car so basically lost the best part of the summer of cycling now I'm back and trying to build fitness. The accident was when I was riding slow on a roundabout the car pulled into me from a standstill so he was slow as well but my injuries were not good BUT my helmet saved me from a lot worse. I don't remember much of what happened but I do recall my head hitting the road and my helmet breaking under the impact. That helmet saved me, I had a bleed on my brain ( not good) broken wrist and other injuries at such a slow speed it's unbelievable. What I'm trying to say is I'm riding today because of that helmet, please use a helmet it saved me it could you as well one day. And the driver did not stop it was the public who got me the ambulance so I got prompt attention that probably saved me from a lot worse.
Appreciate the comment, Brian. A nasty accident there and I can't believe the driver didn't stop. I had a motorcycle accident years back and similarly it was passers by that rallied round, made sure I was okay and made arrangements to get me to A&E. Here's to a 71 miler next summer! 🙂
Hi Martin - In my early days cycling wasn't a hobby it was a necessity - I cycled two miles to school on an old sit up and beg bike that belonged to my aunt - no yummy mummies to take you to school in those days. I started work when I was 15 - by that time I had a Claud Butler 'racing bike' - twenty five mile a day to work and further with night school. I those days the 50/60s every town and even some villages had cycling clubs and I joined my local club for Sunday club runs. One thing you didn't mention was the YHA - I went on several cycling holidays to North Wales, The Peak District, The Isle of White even a tour of Island on a tandem. Once I got a car and got married cycling was forgotten for a few years till I brought a secondhand Mercian - this brought back the memories but not the distances I used to travel. It wasn't till covid and a succession of other bikes that I got my present obsession with going out every day. So I suppose you could say that cycling was in my blood from childhood - never been up to your climbing and descending standard though! Thanks for the videos.
Brilliant 'origin story' Brian. Love it! 🙂
I always cycled from a young age and through into my 20s, on passing my driving test at 25 I drifted away a bit but never lost interest. I started again when my children were born and it just grew from there. I enjoy the health benefits and the psychological well being it gives me and as best I can I try to plan traffic free and off road routes as it doesn’t matter how conscientious or ‘safe’ you consider your cycling to be you cannot factor out other Road users. A bit like today’s episode I like to make use of canals as green routes out into the countryside and be surrounded by landscape and nature at which point I am in my element. Wherever possible I also like to take my bike with me when I travel and at present I am in Glasgow and took the opportunity today to take the train out to Garelochhead and cycle back via Glen Fruin, Loch Lomond and then the NCR through Clydebank and almost all of it traffic free👍
Keep up the good work I’m sure you are inspiring many😉
Thanks for the comment and so much of that really resonates! Sounds like a cracking ride back into Glasgow there. Happy cycling!
Reading the comments it seems I'm not the only one coming back to riding a bike.
My early cycling days were in the late 40's and 50's. First a Hercules and when I was 13 Dad bought me a used Raleigh Lenton Sports that was too big for me (I was told I'd grow into it😄). It was my transport until my 20's when it got stolen. I used public transport for a while and then bought a car. Along came marriage and children so free time was short and all thoughts of cycling had gone.
I was lent a friend's Mountain bike and loved it. Multiple gears and brakes that worked. It rekindled my love affair with cycling.
Many years later it's the one hobby that I've kept up and intend to continue until I 'fall off the saddle' so to speak.
When I'm not cycling I'm enjoying videos, like yours, of other peoples cycle rides.
Love the canal scenery.
Thanks, Colin. I've had to 'grow into' a few bikes too over the years! All good fun. 🙂
I was born in 1960 and as far back as I can remember I’ve always had a bike. I’m a fair weather cyclist now but love getting out. We live hectic lives but cycling makes me slow down and just enjoy it. Don’t think I’ll ever stop 😊😊
Thanks for the comment, Paul. I think I'm a 'lifer' too with the cycling now.
I had a racing bike as a teenager and we used to go out for long Sunday rides. That was in the mid 80s. I didn't ride a bike for 20+ years, but always remembered those days. I got back into at about 40 years old, 15 years ago, and haven't really looked back. I love being fit and particularly enjoy the fair weather rides. I have never done bicycle touring but am thinking about getting into it in the summer.
Thanks for the comment, Paul. It's interesting, swinging back into cycling after a couple of decades I guess might not happen as much with later generations that didn't have those formative analogue years knocking about on bikes. Fair weather touring is a joy, although you might try it and think 'nope, not for me!'. Only one way to find out! 😉
Ah yes, caught the bug during lockdown. The warm summer months and traffic free roads prompted the missus and I to dust off a couple of old hybrids and venture outside. We now own two road bikes each and continue to learn more about cycling each day. Channels like yours are of tremendous help to us. Being born in the 60s we have to be realistic about our expectations but I think there is still a fair bit we can achieve in the years ahead 🤞🏽👍🏽
Definitely lots to look forward to and achieve! Great hearing about your cycling journey, Sheetal. That daily exercise window in lockdown threw up some quite surreal cycling experiences, didn't it? Roads that were never quiet or safe to ride on near me ended up completely deserted and cycle friendly.
Same here. Now I'm into bike packing. Or catching a train somewhere and risking home.
My PB is about 55 miles.
Also got into bike packing.
Can't think of anything better than loading my bike up going out for the day. With food, camping stove for coffees and being out in the wilds
@@onemorecyclist very surreal fella, central London was like a ghost town!
@@grumpy-dad3701 Good for you fella. Our PBs are similar to yours, circa 60 miles. We’ve done the London to Brighton ride for a couple of years now and looking to see if we can work our way up to 100 miles in a day. Never tried bike-packing but you never know 👍🏽
@sheetalshah2327 bike packing is great if you like camping and biking.
I've spelt in a couple of woods. A field of fresh cut hay - really comfy night sleep.
I count it as a yearly pilgrimage to as many laces as I can get.
Shame train fares are so much.
I got back into biking during covid. Just to get to and from work. Which them lead to me riding 10 or 20 miles at the weekend.
Now its a full blown hobby. Getting out at 5am and going on a 50 mile ride and now bike packing when i can.
I do need to get out in the autumn and winter. But gove me spring and summer.
Already planning next years 3 day bike packing trip for my 50th
Another pandemic nudge back onto two wheels, really interesting. Great to have something planned for next year already. Looks like we're both hitting 50 in 2025! Yikes! 🙂
Got into cycling after my knees started complaining, age 50, having done 25+ years of fell running. Found that cycling (low impact compared to running) had no detrimental effect on my knees. In fact, I'd go so far to say it was beneficial, and not only for the knees. Wish I'd taken it up much earlier.
You must be a similar age to me. My first bike was a Raleigh Boxer, then the Grifter, and then on to the legendary Raleigh Chopper and Raleigh burner. Amazing bikes we had back then as kids. 😂
Pretty much gave up cycling when I started driving and got into motocross bikes. Then, I got back into cycling a few years ago, only because of bikepacking. That's how I found your channel, when you first uploaded the NC500 video.
Thanks for the comment, Dal. Can't believe my next birthday will be the big five-oh! I remember the Grifter well, had one then a string of BMX bikes then on to early rigid mountain bikes for years (Specialised and Gary Fishers mainly). We used to build ramps out of scrap wood and milk crates and practice jumping over each other, mini Evil Knievel style! Sneaking brooms out of houses for bike jousting was good fun too! Cycling these days is a bit more relaxed in comparison. 🙂
@onemorecyclist Hehe yeah, not to mention putting a piece of cardboard in the spokes held on by a clothes peg to sound like a motorbike. I always got told off because the pegs kept disappearing 🤣
i started cycling when i was 52 now 63 got rid of the car and cycle everywhere now best thing i did retired now so plenty of time now.
I'm sure a fair few people thought you were crazy to go carless. I can really see the appeal! Happy cycling!
I was just out of the U.S. Army in 1970, and bought a new Schwinn Collegiate.
I don't remember why but the Bike Bug insanity grew, and still grows today.
Buying that first bike always goes in the 'good life decisions' category. Have you still got the Schwinn, Frank? I wish I'd managed to keep hold of many of my old bikes, rather than selling them on for peanuts. You live and learn! 🙂
I sadly have let some beautiful bikes get away.
One was a new Raleigh Pro with Campy including brakes. But the one I most regret selling was a rare Raleigh RRA white and yellow, with Nervex lugs and full Stronglight 99, the best Simplex. Reynolds 531.
Raleigh paintjobs and pin striping in the 1970s were true works of art, hand done.
Keep up the terrific work on your channel.
Oh... I use Schazam to identify some of your music and have built myself a playlist where half of it is from your videos. I work on bikes in the garage and relive your travels.
Thanks.
I was in to cycling as a teenager, but not racing... touring (or bike packing as it's called these days now it's been "discovered" 😂). So all over the Lakes, Northumberland, south west etc
Lost it for many years when I was in the forces, mainly running at that time. But when I left my knees were shot so no running, I needed exercise so broke the bike back out.
Full circle then, back into touring 😊.
I do it for the fitness but mainly it's just good for the soul out on the bike on a sunny day. Love it
Couldn't agree more with those motivations, Brian. Definitely good for the soul. When I first went 'cycle touring' I don't think we actually knew what it was called. We had fell walking and back packing and beyond that ... not a clue! Good fn though! 🙂
I've got the cycling bug big time too. Born in the early 60s when the only way to get around was by bike, ride to work and a member of the local cycle touring club. Hoping to ride around UK and Europe next year now retired. Funny how when you watch cycling youtubers in UK the weather is quite nice on the day but they say how bad it's been.., I might have have to pack a really good raincoat.
Yes a waterproof jacket is usually a must round these parts. A UK and Europe tour sounds amazing, Randel. Do you have a particular Eurovelo route in mind, or start and finish point? I've got some longer tours I'd love to do but in reality it will be a few years yet before those sorts of time windows open up. Great to have cycle touring as an option in retirement! 🙂
@onemorecyclist I love history, so I'd like to visit may places and link them up with safer cycling routes. Some folks love to cycle as far as they can everyday, I'm more a smell the roses and savour the moment cyclist.
How did I first catch the cycling bug? Answer: born in Belgium 😆
Love it. Nuff said! 🙂
Hi mate I’ve a got a route where I want to use that canal path from littleborough up to Hebden bridge, is it all bike friendly will probably be on my gravel bike 😊
Yes, all good for a gravel bike. It can get a bit wet and muddy after heavy rain but really nice easy riding for you on that section! There's a tiny stretch before Todmorden (just after Walsden) where I always jump on the road into Tod for a minute or two as it's quite rough/cobbled.🙂
@ cheers for info 😊
I got in to cycling to taxi my kids about on cross bar..
Haha, I hope not up too many hills as they got older! 🙂