Let’s Talk About Cycling — talking about hobbies and interests in English

Introduction

Cycling is more than just a way to get from one place to another — it’s one of the healthiest and most enjoyable hobbies around the world.

In this lesson, we meet Nathan, a young man who discovered cycling by accident and quickly fell in love with it.

Through his story, you’ll learn useful English expressions about hobbies, fitness, and motivation — and share your own experiences too.

Story: Nathan Loves Cycling

Read the story below about Nathan and his love for cycling. And answer the questions below each section.

1. How It Started

Nathan used to take the bus to work every day.

He often felt tired and stressed, sitting in traffic for nearly an hour each morning.

One weekend, his friend offered to lend him an old bike. Nathan wasn’t sure at first, but he decided to try it.

That Sunday, he went for a short ride around the park. The wind on his face and the sound of the wheels on the road made him feel free and alive.

From that moment, he was hooked.

He bought his own bicycle a few weeks later and started riding almost every day.

Reading Comprehension Questions

1. How did Nathan usually travel to work before he started cycling?

2. How did he get his first bike?

3. Where did Nathan go for his first ride?

4. What did Nathan enjoy about cycling for the first time?

5. What did he decide to do after his first ride?

2. The Challenge

A few months later, Nathan joined a group of cyclists for a long weekend ride to a lake outside the city.

At first, everything went smoothly. The weather was perfect, and the road was quiet.

But halfway there, Nathan’s back tyre went flat.

He didn’t know what to do.

Luckily, an older cyclist in the group stopped to help. Together, they fixed the tyre and the man taught Nathan how to change an inner tube.

From that day on, Nathan always carried a small repair kit with him.

He learned that cyclists must be prepared for anything.

Reading Comprehension Questions

1. Where were Nathan and his friends going on their ride?

2. What problem did Nathan have on the way?

3. Who helped Nathan fix the problem?

4. What did Nathan learn from this experience?

5. What did he start doing differently after that day?

3. Why He Loves It

Now cycling is a big part of Nathan’s life.

He rides to work most days and goes for long rides at the weekend.

He says cycling helps him relax, stay fit, and explore new places.

Sometimes he rides with friends, but he also enjoys going alone when he needs to clear his head.

Cycling has taught him patience, discipline, and the joy of simple things — like a quiet road, a cool breeze, or a beautiful view.

For Nathan, cycling isn’t just a hobby.

It’s a way of life.

Reading Comprehension Questions

1. How often does Nathan go cycling now?

2. Why does he enjoy cycling?

3. What are some of the lessons he has learned from cycling?

4. Does Nathan prefer to cycle alone or with friends? Why?

5. What does Nathan mean when he says cycling is a “way of life”?

Vocabulary

Vocabulary Exercises

Try to complete all the exercises below based on the vocabulary from the story above.

A. Matching

Match each word to its meaning.

1. inner tube

2. patience

3. hooked

4. repair kit

5. explore
   
   

a) very interested in something
b) tools used to fix something
c) calm attitude that helps you not give up
d) travel to new places to learn about them
e) part inside a tyre that holds air

B. Fill in the blanks

1. I bought a small _______ to fix my bike if something goes wrong.

2. After my first lesson, I was completely _______ on yoga.

3. It takes _______ to cycle long distances.

4. The _______ burst, so I had to walk my bike home.

5. At the weekend, we like to _______ small towns near the city.
   
   

C. Personal Practice

Write two sentences about your own hobby using words from the table.

Useful Expressions

1. I got into cycling a few years ago.

2. It helps me stay fit and clear my mind.

3. I always carry water and a small repair kit.

4. The best part is feeling the wind on my face.

5. Sometimes I ride alone, sometimes with friends.

6. Going uphill is hard, but it’s great exercise.

7. Cycling makes me feel free and alive.

8. Once you start, it’s easy to get hooked.

Expressions Practice

Now do the exercises below based on the expressions above.

A. Complete the sentences

1. I got into _______ after I moved to a new city.

2. _______ helps me stay fit and relaxed.

3. The best part is _______.

4. Going _______ is hard, but it’s worth it.

5. Once you start, it’s easy to get _______.
   
   

B. Speaking Practice

Work with a partner.

Take turns using at least two of the expressions above to talk about your favourite hobby.

Example:

A: I got into painting last year. It helps me relax after work.

B: Nice! I feel the same way about cycling. Once you start, it’s easy to get hooked.

Language Focus

1. Verbs with “cycling” and “bike”

Common verbs

• go cycling

• ride a bike / ride to work / ride with friends

• get into cycling (start and enjoy it)

• be hooked on cycling
  

Practice A – Make sentences

Use each of the verbs above to write your own sentence.

Example: I go cycling every weekend with my friends.

Practice B – Speaking challenge

Ask and answer with a partner:

• How often do you go cycling?

• Who do you ride with?

• When did you first get into cycling?

• Why are you hooked on it?

2. Common Collocations

Useful word pairs

• a flat tyre

• a quiet road

• a long ride

• a cool breeze

• stay fit

• explore new places
  
  
  

Practice A – Match and complete

1. a flat _______

2. a quiet _______

3. a long _______

4. a cool _______

5. stay _______

6. explore new _______
   
   

a) breeze  b) places  c) road  d) ride  e) fit  f) tyre

Practice B – Make it personal

Use at least three of the collocations to write your own sentences.

Example:

I love cycling on a quiet road near my house.

I want to explore new places next summer.

3. Grammar Point: “Used to”

Nathan used to take the bus to work every day.

Use used to for habits or situations in the past that are not true now.

Examples

• I used to watch TV every night, but now I read books.
  
  

• She used to live in London.

Practice A – Write it out

Write two sentences about something you used to do but don’t do anymore.

Practice B – Pair discussion

Ask a partner about their past habits.

• What did you use to do after school when you were a child?

• What hobbies did you use to have?

Discussion

1. How did Nathan first discover cycling?

2. Have you ever learned something from a mistake or accident?

3. What do you think is the best thing about cycling?

4. Do people in your country enjoy cycling? Why or why not?

5. What hobby makes you feel relaxed or happy?

6. What do you usually do to stay healthy or active?

7. If you could learn a new outdoor hobby, what would it be?