It’s not just a bike. It’s YOUR bike. The “It’s Not Just a Bike” campaign is our way of celebrating the deep connection people have with their bikes. It’s also an invitation for everyone to share their stories, journeys, or special experiences they’ve had on two wheels. Whether you’re a seasoned cyclist or just enjoy the occasional ride, your bike is not just a bike. It’s so much more.
We’ve had so many entries in last month’s competition, and have loved hearing your stories about what your bike means to you.
After much deliberation, the selected winner for August is Carol and her story of Tallulah the Tandem. What a lovely story!
“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.
Tallulah symbolises Carol and Jim’s partnership, bringing so much fun and adventures into their lives. Whilst we can only select one winner each month, here are a few more stories we wanted to share. It’s not just a bike. It’s YOUR bike.
“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.
“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.
“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.
“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.
Now, it’s your turn.
We know, the relationship with your bike runs deep. Whether it’s achieving goals, overcoming life changes or making memories. It’s not just a bike.
What does your bike mean to you? How has cycling impacted your life? Share your story for the chance to win a £250 Hiplok gift voucher in September’s competition.
IT’S NOT JUST A BIKE.
IT’S YOUR BIKE.
IT’S NOT JUST A BIKE.
IT’S YOUR BIKE.
