Some love stories begin with a glance across a crowded room. Others start with a shared passion for adventure, the thrill of exploring new places, and the joy of riding side by side. Whether it’s bonding over weekend rides, supporting each other in races, or simply escaping into nature together, cycling has a unique way of bringing people closer.
We’re celebrating stories of romance - because what better way to fall in love than through the shared experience of discovery, challenge, and freedom?
Christine Nelson and Dave Jones
For Kendal Cycle Club (KCC) members Christine and Dave, meeting wasn’t a fairy-tale moment, it was a hard-earned connection forged through grit, determination, and the joy of cycling. Their story began in May 2016, during a gruelling 100-mile KCC ride around the Trough of Bowland. Climbing a total of 7,516 feet under the scorching sun, Christine found herself struggling to keep going. “I kept telling the others on the ride, including Dave, to go ahead, but they stayed with me,” she recalls “It was an incredibly tough ride”, so hot that she drank so much water she had to stop at a house to use their outdoor tap. By the time they were halfway through, exhaustion had set in. But Dave saw something in her - determination, resilience, and a fierce spirit that refused to give up.
After the epic ride, Christine took the initiative to meet Dave for coffee. “He was so lovely and easy-going, and I really liked his company,” she says. What followed was a series of local rides, sportives, and camping trips - though still “just friends” at the time. With busy lives and established routines, neither was actively looking for love. But cycling had brought them together in a way nothing else could.
Now, nearly nine years later, their relationship has flourished alongside their shared passion for adventure. Their journeys have taken them across the UK and beyond, from long-distance sportives to off-road adventures. They’ve tackled the Badger Divide, the Jenn Ride, Pedars Way in Norfolk, and bikepacking routes through Mallorca, Ibiza, and Spain. A month-long van road trip in 2023 saw them riding gravel trails in France, Croatia, Slovenia, and Germany, making unforgettable memories along the way.
Their love for cycling isn’t purely about adventure - it’s also about community. Dave, a retired bike mechanic, now volunteers at Kendal’s Wheels for All, helping maintain adapted bikes for riders of all abilities. Both lead rides for Kendal Cycle Club and Christine is an original member of and ride leader with Lakes Gravel Gang.
Looking ahead, the couple has even bigger plans. Their dream is to embark on longer bikepacking trips, exploring new routes and experiencing the world together from the saddle. “Biking means so much to me,” says Christine. “It’s my space to be happy and free. We have met new friends and made new contacts globally. I’m so lucky to have met Dave when I did - my life is so much richer because of it.”
Aneela and Andy McKenna
For Aneela, mountain biking is more than just a sport - it’s been a source of strength, healing, and love. When she met her husband Andy at university, he was already passionate about mountain biking, she however, was not. Andy convinced Aneela to try out ‘this thing called Mountain Biking’ on their first date. This turned out to be a test of courage, with Aneela on a bike that was too large and with a helmet that barely fit.
Their love for each other - and for cycling - has only grown over the last 30 years. They still go on ride dates, proving that cycling is a bond that has carried them through life’s ups and downs. “What’s beautiful about our relationship is that as we have evolved, our biking has evolved too,” Aneela shares. Andy’s diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis in 2008 was a pivotal moment, changing the way they ride together but never taking away their shared passion. Though they no longer tackle the same extreme trails, they still make the most of every ride, adjusting to Andy’s condition while continuing to find joy in cycling on e-bikes and on their local trails.
Aneela believes that relationships, like cycling, require effort and commitment. “Riding fixes everything. We might be having a bad day - one of us is stressed with work, there’s been family matters to attend to - but making the time to be together outside in the fresh air brings us back to each other.”
Their advice for couples who want to ride together? Aneela emphasises patience and encouragement: “If your partner doesn’t ride, don’t make the first experience a ride down a steep, gnarly trail! Help them develop their skills and build confidence.” Andy’s advice is simple but profound: “It doesn’t really matter what you ride, just make sure you get out and ride together. Life can easily pull you in different directions, but getting on your bike and up a hill gives you the perspective to find your way in life and love.”
Through love, resilience, and a shared passion for the outdoors, Aneela and Andy’s story proves that cycling isn’t just about the miles - it’s about the journey, the people you ride with, and the strength you find along the way.
Maddy Nutt and Courtney Buchner
Some couples meet at coffee shops. Others on dating apps. Maddy and Courtney? They met on a remote island in the Maldives, arriving in style via seaplane for a tutoring job at a kid’s club.
As soon as they landed, they were given two bikes - one an e-bike, one a standard push bike. “I was pretty enthusiastic about trying out an e-bike, but didn't quite appreciate that Courtney had very little cycling experience.” Maddy says “To this day, she still teases that I got the e-bike even though I definitely did not need it!”. At the time, Maddy was deep into triathlon training, squeezing in gym sessions before and after work and swimming in the sea. Courtney thought she was completely bonkers. Despite this, by the end of the trip, they couldn’t deny the chemistry between them. When they got back home, conveniently living just a short ride through Richmond Park apart, things fell into place. Courtney quickly became Maddy’s biggest cheerleader driving her to local races, screaming “Zoom zoom!”.
Over the years, Maddy’s cycling career skyrocketed. From amateur triathlete to domestic racer to professional gravel cyclist, her passion became her profession. While Courtney hasn’t caught the racing bug, she’s fully embraced her role as the ultimate support crew. As Maddy’s cycling career took off, so did their understanding of each other. “Bikes are a huge part of my life, but they’re not part of our relationship - and I actually think that’s really healthy for me,” Maddy shares. “Now that cycling is my job, I spend my time surrounded by bikes and bike people, so when I come home, it’s important to switch off and just be me.”
Courtney is still Maddy’s biggest supporter - she even knows what unit power is measured in! But don't ask her about tyre PSI. “She’s always there when it counts, whether that’s cheering at the finish line or being a very enthusiastic soigneur when I need one,” Maddy laughs. “But the best thing is, after a tough race, she’s the one who says, ‘I don’t care how it went - let’s go get some good food and relax.’”
And that’s the balance they’ve found. Maddy chases her dreams on two wheels, with Courtney cheering her on - loudly, lovingly, and with absolutely no concern for aerodynamics. It might not be the traditional cycling love story, but for them, it’s perfect.
Cycling has a way of connecting people, not just through the miles covered but through the experiences shared along the way. From chance encounters to lifelong partnerships, these stories remind us that sometimes, the journey is just as important as the destination. So, here’s to the relationships that keep us pedalling forward - both in life and on the road.
