“Mountain bikes are much more than just riding…Creating memories along the way”

As a Mountain Biker, my bike is much more than a bike. It’s one with me, and it’s like a well-known companion who’s there for you when you don’t believe yourself when others do. Ready to catch you when you push yourself a little harder than last time and the time before, which is what it’s all about. Mountain bikes are much more than just riding. It’s good for the soul and the body. Creating memories along the way. And having that stolen from would be a nightmare.

“My bike means everything to me”

My bike means everything to me, and I don’t say that lightly. Fifteen years ago, I had a serious life altering accident. After four years of intensive rehabilitative physio, and unable to drive a car, I was slowly getting bored of just walking around aimlessly. I knew I needed something in my life to give me drive. I wanted to ride a bike like back when I was a kid. I was a teenager when the first mountain bikes came out, but over the years somehow lost touch with biking because, you know, boring adult responsibilities and various life obstacles. But the call to ride returned stronger than ever. So, I got myself a cute little hardtail and rode whatever trails I could find. I put a basket on the back and my bike took me grocery shopping, to the lake, to the forest. It took me to places of peace and serenity.

Like a gateway drug, I knew I needed more. I dreamed of a full suspension and zooming downhill at breathtaking speeds. It wasn’t until 5 years later that I realized that dream. A Rocky Mountain Thunderbolt. Not a long travel bike by any means, but for me, it was like riding a lightning bolt. Then, for my 40th birthday, I finally had the opportunity to go downhill biking in a real bike park. A day that I’ll never forget! I only managed a few laps, but my heart and my soul were full. Since then, my bike has shown me that it is possible to learn to new things at an older age. That it’s possible to overcome adversity and fear and everything that’s holding you back. My bike devours my stress, my insecurity and worries, and when I’m on the trail my mind is clear and focused. There’s nothing but the emotion and thrill of riding- riding free. I will always be thankful for the freedom and hope my bikes have given me, and I have kept both of them to this day.

“Tallulah is the closest thing we have to a wedding ring”

This is me with Tallulah the tandem. Riding a bike is fun…. riding a tandem is double the fun! I share Tallullah with my partner, Jim. We have been together for about 13 years now, but don’t live together. We’d both been married before and realised that neither of us is cut out for sharing living space with another human being – and our cats (Nigel and Rupert) don’t want to live together either! We’re both retired and money is tight. We had been gifted a tandem a few years ago which was great to get used to tandeming on, but it was old and battered. We decided that we would love to have a new, better quality one and decided on a Thorn…. but they’re not cheap. Before we made the investment we had to have a slightly awkward conversation along the lines of ‘are we going to stay together??’. We decided that we will – probably forever. So, Tallulah is the closest thing we have to a wedding ring. The thought of her being stolen would break our hearts so we always use Hiploks to secure her.

“My bike is called Trikie, and he allows me to continue cycling”

My bike is called Trikie, and he allows me to continue cycling. I started on a trike, then was given a big boy trike and now at the age of 79 I have just acquired an e-mountain trike. Over the years I have had two wheeled bikes, both standard and mountain, but I was beginning to find the going getting tougher, that, and the fact that today’s traffic is not what it used to be! I considered moving to e-bikes, but they still had 2 wheels. In was of great interest when I met a fellow cyclist on an e-mountain trike. I was very impressed when I had a test “drive” and bought one.

“It’s an embodiment of freedom to me”

I grew up in Brazil, a country where cycling is just not common, neither for commuting nor for sports. So, I grew up and never learned how to ride a bike. It was a major source of embarrassment for me once I moved to Europe. I finally learned here and decided to buy my own bike, a vintage road Peugeot. It’s perfect in itself for me and there is so much sentimental value attached to it. It’s an embodiment of freedom to me, and now it’s the only way I go around, be it for groceries or for 100km summer rides. I love this bike.

“Charles’s passport to freedom in the outdoors”

I am a British Cycling Guided Ride Leader and regularly lead this inspirational pair on their tandem over ever increasing distances. Charles started to lose his sight at 7 years of age and can now only differentiate light and shade. While he makes an effective stoker, his fearless 12 year old daughter, Emily, acts as pilot. The bond between father and daughter is very special to witness as she talks him through road conditions and the special places we visit on rides. If this wins the prize, it will go to Charles and Emily to enhance their enjoyment of cycling, which is Charles’s passport to freedom in the outdoors.

“My bike is more like a friend, always able to turn to it and get out to help with problems”

My bike is more like a friend, always able to turn to it and get out to help with problems! I’m 2013 I had a brain tumour removed, previous to that I had 8 years of epileptic fit stopping me driving. I ride to and from work for seven years until I wasn’t able to work any longer. Brain tumour removed, I went back to work but still rode. I have two years ago had a Ebike. This has made things a lot easier and now ride with a local group, the cycling oldies. We meet once a week, and ride all mtb. Rain shine summer winter starting at 18:30, so is dark to start in the winter. Cold wet I’ve snow we still go. With a pint at the end. There years ago we had all the families bikes burgled from our home! Mtg down hill and trail mtb give in all. So we started again building our collection, but still get out there! Moral don’t let them get you down!

“It’s a way of life”

Its not just a bike, it’s a weekend away with friends. It’s a time out from life. It’s a way to connect with family. It’s a means of bonding with my son like no other. It’s my escape. It’s a hobby which brings so much joy. It’s a way to extend life through fitness and experiences. It’s a way to get to work and leave the car at home. It’s a way of life.

“My road bike is not just a bike, it is literally a life saver for me”

My road bike is not just a bike, it is literally a life saver for me. I have Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) Stage 3B, which puts me at higher risk of high blood pressure and other heart problems, so having a regular robust exercise regime is crucial to staying healthy. I am 60 years old and retired and I have cycled over 5000 miles per annum for the last 4 years, which has helped to keep my CKD stable. My bike and cycling are also my hobby and regular rides out with friends is a great social activity. My bike is so precious to me and that is why I secure it at home with Hiplok AirLok and use a Ziplok at cafe stops (ensuring I can always see my bike at the cafe).

“My bike made me remember how good it is to be alive”

Riding my Harley Davidson VRod motorbike after my husband passed away gave me time to think, reflect, be myself and mostly to remind me it’s a wonderful world, to feel wind on my face, enjoy hedgerow scents, see birds soaring above me and wildlife in the fields, to smell pinewoods and may blossom and hear the sea crashing onto our beautiful Norfolk beaches but most of all riding my bike made me remember how good it is to be alive. I’ve since remarried and my new husband and I enjoy our shared passion touring both the UK and Europe, sharing laughter and love. This is what my bike means to me.

“It’s my whole life”

My bike is a lifestyle choice it’s a statement it’s the one thing in my life that shows everyone else what I’m about. It’s my hobby it’s my passion it’s my means to get about. My greatest adventures are with my friends when I’m riding my bike it’s part of me it’s who I am its not just a bike it’s my whole life.

“My bike gives me such a sense of achievement”

I am obsessed with my bike! I have only had my licence 3 years and already taken it on so many adventures including Romania, Portugal and France. Next year I want to get to Asia! My bike gives me such a sense of achievement and I thrive in the challenges and resilience when I need to dig deep! I was in a car accident many years ago and the injuries I sustained will effect me for life. I was lucky to survive. My bike (Betty. Yes she has a name, sorry!) makes me feel alive! It makes me appreciate how lucky I was to be given a second chance and it allows me to see the world from the path less traveled. It’s a real physical challenge for me after my accident but I get such a buzz from riding. I feel immensley proud of myself and what I have achieved so far. Thanks Betty for taking me on all the wonderful and crazy adventures. You have been a dream! Here’s to many more adventures and memories…

"It is my escape from the stresses of everyday life"

It is my escape from the stresses of everyday life, a calming therapeutic instrument and a thing of beauty.

"Thank you, Bike. I owe you!"

It's not just a bike, it's a life saver. After COVID, it's been hard to re-activate a sense of community. Cycling has unlocked a path for me to meet like minded people, who value nature, who love being outdoors, getting together and grabbing a good croissant at the end of a ride ;) thank you, Bike. I owe you!

"I love my bike"

Cycling is the only active thing I do that I enjoy. My bike is an anti-depressant, health tonic, hobby and exotic vacation rolled into one. It was also the bike that I rode the Tour De Lavender with my best friend on. It's the reason I went on adventures when I would have stayed home. I love my bike.

"My bike is everything to me"

My bike is everything to me, it's my daily commute to family, shopping, work
My bike got stolen Aug 2021, I was really upset, had d locks on bike but the thieves cut through them like nothing, after police got involved they weren't helpful, I got recommended by friend who rides also about Hiplok products and purchased D1000 lock, since purchasing this product, I feel at ease, I carry this lock everywhere and honestly best buy EVER.

"I could have done it all without my trusty Whyte"

My hardtail Whyte has done me so proud since 2012 since I got back into off road riding. In the last 3 years it has also been my trusty companion while I have been training a new generation of kids from primary schools to take on the challenge of learning to ride on the roads and tracks around Wiltshire. I could have done it all without my trusty Whyte 801.