Stories from Bay of Plenty

Read stories and get inspired! Share a cycling story and inspire others to get out and ride!

Image for story Balancing the bike and gym

Balancing the bike and gym

Took on a challenge for myself this year to keep up with the gym (35 day challenge) and getting out for rides on my bike, whilst increasing how often I bike to work and home. Been a successful few ... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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CONNECTION and INSPIRATION

Planning on visiting my grandchildren on the weekend, I was looking forward to catching up with them. Having a lunch time meet up was a good idea, as it gave the modern generation time to get o... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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New lease of life!!

After 30 odd years of not having owned or even got on a bike... bought my first bike and joined the challenge, it is quite a challenge with all the gears and getting used to what works when LOL. Th... read more

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

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Image for story Timber trail fun

Timber trail fun

One of the great rides in New Zealand, and one of the best days I've had on my bike. A little bit of planning, and you can see some of NZ's rail history, and our great wild environment.

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Cycling through post cyclone

A colleague and I were brave enough to venture out the day after cyclone Gabrielle had battered the Bay of Plenty on our journey to work. I was probably foolish enough to think that everything wo... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Image for story Riding with a Shredder

Riding with a Shredder

My favourite Mountain Bike Riding Buddy is my 8 year old son. The only problem I'm having is that in the next 18 - 24 months I'm not sure I'm going to be able to keep up... and he likes to remind m... read more

Topic: Other

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Scared by my own shadow!!

What a weird sensation, riding in the early morning , just before dawn and I sensed something passing me on the inside line. WTF was that? Nothing , just my shadow passing me due to weird lighting ... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Image for story Why i ride

Why i ride

We started this adventure when our whanau of four kids left no time for me to exercise or do anything much for myself. As a survivor of an aggressive cancer that messed with my body as much as my h... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story Walking the talk

Walking the talk

One of the goals I set for myself when I started my new job at TCC was to bike to work. My role is Corporate Sustainability Lead, so biking makes sense for a lot of reasons. Fitness, wellbeing, env... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Image for story Team Christmas Ride

Team Christmas Ride

The Safe and Sustainable Journeys team took a Christmas Ride to end our 2019 work year. All 6 of us rode the Ngongotaha cycleway and then the newly built Linton Park cycleway :)

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Out and about

The Aotearoa Bike Challenge has got not just me but my husband out and about biking on the weekends. It is amazing how many individuals, couples and families are out enjoying a bit of free air and ... read more

Topic: Other

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Image for story Moerangi MTB track. A steep but rewarding challenge.

Moerangi MTB track. A steep but rewarding challenge.

I love riding deep into the native forest. I recently rode the Moerangi MTB track in the Whirinaki Forest. We rode from Okahu Road to the summit and back again the same way. No e-bikes to be seen... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Image for story Putting the Mountain in MTB

Putting the Mountain in MTB

Effort-rewarding views from Mt Moerangi in the Whakarewarewa Forest this morning

Topic: Other

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Image for story Building Confidence

Building Confidence

Our 8 year old has always been a bit nervous on her bike. Growing up, I was the same so can sympathize with her feelings. During this challenge we've gone on a number family bike rides, and today ... read more

Topic: Ride with kids

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Personal goal

I am really happy to have logged my rides during the Aotearoa Bike challenge. Never knew that I've been riding about 200 km per month mainly to commute. And it is saving me money, avoiding traffic ... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Image for story CANCELLED - New goal acquired - new soul food

CANCELLED - New goal acquired - new soul food

With my glass back pummelled back into shape and my snapped saddle replaced (winter weight gain?) the training could start in earnest again. December saw the km's getting racked up, lots of flattie... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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Image for story Feel the fear and do it anyway!

Feel the fear and do it anyway!

Tūwhitia te hopo, mairangatia te angitū! Feel the fear and do it anyway! My name is Jill Walters and I am the Organisational Development Lead at Toi Moana Bay of Plenty Regional Council. I live ... read more

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

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Image for story SH2 Chaos

SH2 Chaos

Started driving my daughter to school from Brookfield to Bethlehem on Friday. Traveled a short distance before witnessing a heavy traffic on Millers Road as far as the eye could see. Knowing that S... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Family business

My grandparents owned a bike shop in the UK so I have always loved bikes. Their bike shop was famous in the local area and everyone got their bike from Renhams. I used to love the smell of the sho... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Stories from around the world

Image for story Looking Back

Looking Back

It's a certainty that if you ride long enough, you will have a crash. I sometimes let myself entertain the idea that cars and other things, coming up from behind me, are merely random threats. ... read more

Topic: Other

UCLA

i bike on the UCLA campus because there is less car traffic, making it safer for fitness/exercise.

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

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Bike maintenance

Just replaced my chain and rear cassette. A big shout out to Andy at bike space, and Evo cycles on Vivian, for help, advice and parts. It's now running sweet for my daily commute.

Topic: Other

Image for story Cycling and working

Cycling and working

I am 75 and have been cycling since I was 7yrs. I am now employed as a community caregiver, cycling to all my clients. It is a great ice-breaker as all those of my generation and older had to cycle... read more

Topic: Other

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A gratitude post!

I’ve thoroughly enjoyed cycle September and was heading out in an extra ride yesterday when I realised I had a flat tire. Turned round, pushed the bike home and pumped it up, within seconds it was ... read more

Topic: Other

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Image for story Made to Bruges!

Made to Bruges!

I love this picture. it's my friend and I in Bruges in Belgium. Earlier on in the year, I invited him to join me early Sept to go on a bike adventure. Over 4 days, we'd cycle in France and Belgi... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Image for story Love To Ride goody bag winners

Love To Ride goody bag winners

These two amazing people won the goody bag today at a Love To Ride cycling event. Wheely Active CIC helped them to get their bikes road worthy and sized correctly. Having previously cycled... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Dusting off the bike for my Cycle September Commute

It's been quite some time since I've commuted to work by bike (certainly over a couple of years), but as I had arranged a workplace Dr Bike for colleagues as part of Cycle September I set myself a ... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Image for story Coast to coast in 2024

Coast to coast in 2024

My daughter wanted to complete a cycling challenge before going to university this autumn, so she planned the route between 3 youth hostels and we cycled together for four days in fantastic weather... read more

Topic: Ride with kids

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Image for story Sunday bike ride.

Sunday bike ride.

A Sunday bike ride with the view of the Pacific Ocean.

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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The Sacramento River Trail

My favorite place to ride in Redding, California is the Sacramento River Trail. There are several places to start, all of which have their own perks. Most recently I've been favoring the Turtle Bay... read more

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

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Image for story Rail & Ride

Rail & Ride

It’s a damp grey start this morning for a commute to Beverley from Seamer. Did you know there is no need to book your cycle on a Northern train (there is a limit though) So if you fancy an advent... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Image for story Ride the lights

Ride the lights

Pouring rain we left the airport area and did the whole ride!

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story Noosa Trailblazers Mountain Bike Club Skills Coaching Program

Noosa Trailblazers Mountain Bike Club Skills Coaching Program

In conjunction with Noosa Trailblazers, I have been teaching 20 women the fundamental mountain bike skills to encourage them to ride more frequently with more confidence. It's awesome to see pa... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story Cycle tour to Norfolk

Cycle tour to Norfolk

My husband and I gave up our car last October. We now commute 5 miles to work and back four days a week. At the moment we are on a cycling and camping tour to Norfolk. Today we arrived in Ely. 73 ... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Wolds Way Cycle Route in a Day 146 Miles

I am 71 years old and recently completed the above challenge. It has been on my bucket list for some time. Riding time was 10.5 hours averaging 14 mph. It may sound daunting to some of you, but it... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Image for story The joy of riding my bike

The joy of riding my bike

I love riding my bike, my first ride was when i was around six, I remember jumping on my older sister's new bike. we lived in a court and my Mum let us ride to the halfway point, of course this bik... read more

Topic: My Bicycle Romance

Image for story Why I ride and choose not to own a car?

Why I ride and choose not to own a car?

If you know me, you’d probably know that I’ve become an avid cyclist over the years and my work involves looking at ways to encourage people to consider the daily choices they make around transport... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Image for story Night ride at long last

Night ride at long last

My first night ride since before my long lay up after surgery. I didn't realise how much I missed it, 15 miles of bliss.

Topic: Other

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Image for story 3, 2., 1 - GO!

3, 2., 1 - GO!

Biketober is off! The outside racks were packed all day at Council House 2!

Topic: My commute by bike

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Image for story Catching the bike bug.

Catching the bike bug.

I turned 50 in December. Had a bad skiing accident in February where I was unable to do a lot of exercise. I put on a few pounds and my fitness deteriorated during recovery. Started to get stronger... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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My Bike Made My Disabilities Easier

Over the last 5 years, I have been diagnosed with several disabilities which cause chronic fatigue, excessive daytime sleepiness, and chronic pain. I struggled to work 8 hours, walk less than a blo... read more

Topic: My Bicycle Romance

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Image for story Rain or shine - the only way to commute!

Rain or shine - the only way to commute!

Just a quick one, but surely arriving at work (or anywhere to be fair) by bike is the best way to start the day?! I wake up excited to ride, and look forward to the ride home. Even during the hideo... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Image for story Ciclorecreovía - Santiago

Ciclorecreovía - Santiago

Every morning sunday, the city streets are available for cycling, running, skaters, etc. It's a great opportunity for enjoy sports with family and friends!

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story Coffee ride

Coffee ride

Cycling from southampton to Lyndhurst New forest. Have a Coffee the woods cyclery bike shop. [address removed]

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

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Image for story Women's Group Ride from Southampton to the New Forest!

Women's Group Ride from Southampton to the New Forest!

I wanted to encourage more members of my team to ride for Cycle September as well as build up my own miles. I cycle small distances for transport but haven't been out on a longer ride for ages. We... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story Loving the Chocolate Path

Loving the Chocolate Path

The Chocolate Path follows the river Avon for a good part of my commute to Bower Ashton and is a beautiful part of the ride. It was closed for 6 years after part of it collapsed into the river, for... read more

Topic: Other

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Image for story National Trust Cafe Ravenscar

National Trust Cafe Ravenscar

Recommend a stop at this lovely cafe on Stage 1 of the Moors to Sea Cycle Route in Ravenscar. Outstanding food and service from staff, and the views from beyond the cafe are spectacular. Chec... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Image for story Riding with Lael Wilcox

Riding with Lael Wilcox

Lael Wilcox is an elite ultra long distance cyclist who has just completed a world record ride around the world, finishing in 108 days, 12 minutes and 12 seconds! I rode with Lael from Riddles C... read more

Topic: Other

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Moving Through Anxiety

I used to ride my bike every day during 2020, when the roadways were quiet and the sun was shining. It was amazing seeing spiders flying overhead with silk parachutes and hearing birds singing - so... read more

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

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Image for story Lancs to Leeds

Lancs to Leeds

Started commuting to work via train. 2 hour journey 3 days a week so don’t want to have to walk at the other end. Bought an old fold up bike for £25 to give it a go. Doing me good so far!

Topic: My commute by bike

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