Stories from New Zealand

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

Debbie Paardekooper Awesome mahi Lynda!

Awesome mahi Lynda!

Spokes will once again be hosting the great Dunedin Bike Breakfast.
Now in it’s 10th year, Spokes are happy to welcome all those bike bound travellers to the Dunedin Railway Station on Wednesd... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Caro Timms Bit of confusion with the chalk signage this morning on my commute (near the waste transfer station) as to where this is (s... read more

Bit of confusion with the chalk signage this morning on my commute (near the waste transfer station) as to where this is (signs showing Octogon)

Craig McGeady Yes, we are a bit confused as to why that was happening, but the Railway station it is. Hopefully we'll see you there.

Yes, we are a bit confused as to why that was happening, but the Railway station it is. Hopefully we'll see you there.

Davina Hunt confused on the way in from the peninsula chalk said ‘tomorrow’ and ‘wed’ but no date ? As a non regular commuter wasn’t su... read more

confused on the way in from the peninsula chalk said ‘tomorrow’ and ‘wed’ but no date ? As a non regular commuter wasn’t sure if it was last week or the first week of Feb … date next time please 😂 also didn’t have a cup or bowl on me so didn’t go and check … maybe easier next time?

Caro Timms Great turnout this morning! Thanks for organising it.

Great turnout this morning! Thanks for organising it.

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More than 50 cyclists gathered in Queenstown and Wanaka for barista coffees and pain au chocolate, croissants and muffins to fuel their ride to work. Braving the light drizzle, but celebrating the ... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Over the weekend, hubby and I met in with his brother in Hamilton. We all have e-bikes, although he has not ridden far from home (he is worried his battery won't last long enough for a lengthy ride... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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We’re using the Bike Challenge month to train for a special Tour. We’re riding the length of NZ in memory of the marvellous Mike Doig, who sadly passed away a year ago.

Mike was one of our... read more

Richard Blaikie Search Give-a-Little for “Memory of Mike” for the donation page

Search Give-a-Little for “Memory of Mike” for the donation page

One bonus of biking to school rather than driving is that you can stop at a few places along the road to pick blackberries. Yum!

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

Topic: Other

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I cycle for everything and in 2021 I discovered a virtual cycling app which I began with riding along the Berlin Wall. I was given information, history and updates along the journey and photos of t... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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As a new ebike owner(!), I couldn't wait to start cycling to work. However, just after 2 weeks of riding, in November 2023 I managed to get myself into an accident involving my bike and a parked ca... read more

The last few years we've been bike touring over Christmas. Bike touring with kids always brings to mind Desmond Tutu's famous statement, "there's one way to eat an elephant: a bite at a time". Wit... read more

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

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🚴🏻‍♀️ A place for fixing, refurbishing, adapting & donating bikes, and a learning space for those in need.

’It’s a hand-up, not a hand-out’. 🚴🏼

My name is Chris Foggin and I... read more

Topic: Other

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Craig McGeady It's heartwarming knowing there are good people out there putting in the mahi so others might reap the rewards.

It's heartwarming knowing there are good people out there putting in the mahi so others might reap the rewards.

Brigid Spiers I have a bike I'd like to donate but I'm in Hamilton. Is there an organisation like yours up this way?

I have a bike I'd like to donate but I'm in Hamilton. Is there an organisation like yours up this way?

Craig McGeady I can reach out to HCC and find one for you..

I can reach out to HCC and find one for you..

Craig McGeady Bikes can be donated in Hamilton to the Go Eco Bike Hub ...They fix up bikes if possible and give them out to members of th... read more

Bikes can be donated in Hamilton to the Go Eco Bike Hub ...They fix up bikes if possible and give them out to members of the community, or break the bikes down for useable parts.

Anke Fronius Great initiative, wishing you the best for it, I am sure you are changing many many lives!

Great initiative, wishing you the best for it, I am sure you are changing many many lives!

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You’ve got the Love to Ride app connected - you rock! Now’s a great time to go for a test ride, check your app, and make sure your rides are pulling across onto your profile. If you ever spot a rid... read more

Hey everyone,
My best friend showed me this awesome bike path around Frankley in New Plymouth. We biked up the road and into the bushes and it so beautiful! There is even a swing halfway throu... read more

Fifteen of us in our family, including our daughters, their partners and our grandchildren, so coordinating a big day out took a bit or organising. Thankfully we got nice weather, took picnic food ... read more

Topic: Ride with kids

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Connecting with activities. Lunch breaks spending with biking + lessons how to ride 😍 happy to help

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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My daughter started school last year. We live about 1.5km away from school. So for me, especially being from Dutch descend, it comes naturally to bike to work and drop Ana off at school on the way.... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Tim Galea You know it is more than $0.95 / km? So that is $855 saved!

You know it is more than $0.95 / km? So that is $855 saved!

Hang my Kona inside with light🔥🚴‍♀️😎

Topic: Other

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Despite foul weather to start, had an excellent day riding with a great group of ladies, taking turns riding the 4km course, encouraging and challenging eachother to go hard it give it our all for ... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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This year I’d planned to ride from Feb 1st, however was away for Waitangi weekend, then moved house, so my Aotearoa Bike Challenge started on the 15th of Feb.

At the beginning of November... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Hi there, I moved to Auckland almost 5 months ago from central Europe ad I commute by bike every day. I want improve my strength for hiking, clear my mind and save money for traveling with 🚴 instea... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Leo Dottridge I own a wardrobe for cycling in Auckland. On wet rainy days I wear a Giro Chrono Expert jacket. In the winter, I add warm l... read more

I own a wardrobe for cycling in Auckland. On wet rainy days I wear a Giro Chrono Expert jacket. In the winter, I add warm layers under this & in summer just my jersey. On my feet I wear cycling shoes with booties (shoe covers). I have a selection from windproof (thinner) to mid-winter neoprene (thick & warm). I wear gloves that range from fingerless (summer) to wind & waterproof (winter). I have a selection of arm, knee, leg, ear & head warmers to cover all seasons of wetter/colder weather from Autumn through to Spring. Unfortunately there’s no other option than to have a collection of cycling clothing, however this then sets you up to cover all conditions. I carry my rain jacket everyday, as living in Auckland you never know when it’ll rain!

Leo Dottridge I’m both a bike hero & bike lover; been riding for over 30 years & work at My Ride Grey Lynn, running the workshop ... read more

I’m both a bike hero & bike lover; been riding for over 30 years & work at My Ride Grey Lynn, running the workshop & overseeing the store. **fortunately Auckland doesn’t get too cold in Winter, compared to Central Europe 🤠

Martina Valachova Thanks a lot Leo. It looks like you have more than 1 wardrobe. Thanks for the inspiration, I have to google it and improve ... read more

Thanks a lot Leo. It looks like you have more than 1 wardrobe. Thanks for the inspiration, I have to google it and improve my cyclo wardrobe 😉

Jake Humphreys Easy and cheap options like dry-fit wicking sports gear from K-mart or Warehouse. Rubberized elasticated work gloves from ... read more

Easy and cheap options like dry-fit wicking sports gear from K-mart or Warehouse. Rubberized elasticated work gloves from Bunnings or Mitre10 under $10. A light, breathable rain jacket from your hiking gear and maybe a light fleece on those rare days it drops below 10 centigrade. Leo is right about mudguards, I'd add a luggage rack and panniers to keep your back clear and breathable.

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My dogs love the New Plymouth Mangamahoe Bike park as much as I do. The border collie knows that at the end of the track is a river and he loves to bath in that river to cool down. It’s his happy ... read more

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

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I was loving being part of " Love to ride" but Cyclone Gabrielle has put a temporary stop to riding. The utter destruction and loss of power has been challenging and we are the lucky ones. Kia kaha

Topic: Other

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Sarah Wills Thinking of you all!

Thinking of you all!

Tanja S. Ka aroha! Thinking of you!

Ka aroha! Thinking of you!

This is a lovely easy track that takes you out or from the beautiful Onerahi foreshore..it connects with the cycle trail from the town basin/ Hatea Loop at Te Matau a Pohe and its safe and scenic -... read more

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

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My challenge to myself this year was to bike everyday in February. So far I have managed it even with 34°C heat and the rain from the tail end of Cyclone Gabrielle (thankfully very minor compared t... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Peter Daly I'm rocking my motorcycle wet weather gear, and my council gumboots, on the wet days. It's turned out to be not as bad as p... read more

I'm rocking my motorcycle wet weather gear, and my council gumboots, on the wet days. It's turned out to be not as bad as people would think.

Veronica McKinnon Take care cycling in 30+ degrees severe dehydration can happen as it did to me. I cycled from Burwood to Belfast and many s... read more

Take care cycling in 30+ degrees severe dehydration can happen as it did to me. I cycled from Burwood to Belfast and many stops wherever I found shade drink water and help my heart stop racing. Vowed never to do it again, put my health in trouble lucky to make it home.

We don't have any children but we have a little dog that is blind now but still loves his bike rides. I can't open the garage without him coming to see if we're going for a ride. Sometimes just sho... read more

Topic: Ride with kids

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Peter Daly That's beautiful

That's beautiful

I am a freelance photographer in Hamilton and have never owned a car and for the last 50 years have been cycling everywhere. I have never had an interest in getting a licence. “Everything I needed ... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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I always complained that I wasn’t getting any exercise and I said to my husband, I wish I could ride a bike again like when I was a teenager 😂 I actually had not ridden a bike since then. Anyway to... read more

Topic: My Bicycle Romance

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I have upgraded my bike and I had a spare bike for our our youngest son 15yo to ride across town on Sunday. We travelled from Birkenhead to see Family in three kings. Along the way we stopped at ... read more

Topic: Ride with kids

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I finally had the guts to start my biking challenge yesterday with my hubby and son. So fun.. today I rode to work. Small accomplishments, makes me happy 😊. See you around bikers!

Anke Fronius Congratulations to getting started! That’s always the hardest bit and you have done it! Enjoy!!!

Congratulations to getting started! That’s always the hardest bit and you have done it! Enjoy!!!

I rarely cycle for fun. It is generally just to get around. It's quite enjoyable just travelling from place to place via bicycle. It turns what would generally be a stressful activity to an enjoyab... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Kate Bevin Amazing how much fun you can have while commuting!

Amazing how much fun you can have while commuting!

In lockdown in stage 4 it was so boring but in stage 2 we were back riding

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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WOOHOO Priya and I loved wearing QR codes and spreading the ABC love <3

Emily Clarke You go girls!! Mana wāhine!!

You go girls!! Mana wāhine!!

I cycled up to the local shops to return a faulty product. No parking problems plus the mall I visit offers safe bike parking which is very helpful.
When I was completing my transaction a gent... read more

Topic: Carbon Crushers

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During COVID we were allowed to exercise. I took the bicycle and cycle from home. Not long there after found myself on the State Highway.
Didn't see any cars. Dead quite.
Was very funny to ... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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Kids are more resilient than we give them credit for. These kids, aged 8 to 13, just biked from Hamilton to Christchurch!
26 days of cycling, usually around 50-60km per day, the biggest day was... read more

Topic: Ride with kids

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Taupo Craters MTB Park was closed due to the devastation of Cyclone Gabrielle, we waited and waited for it to open again. Bike Taupo did an amazing job, of clearing the trails and rebuilding. We ... read more

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

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Rob Holmes Fantastic news - this is a favourite place to ride for us too!

Fantastic news - this is a favourite place to ride for us too!

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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Karen Hunn We rode it at New Year, agree fabulous trail.

We rode it at New Year, agree fabulous trail.

Russell and I went down Harbour road which is a road in between the two area of a Golf Course in Motueka. We then went down a bike track beside the sea to bike past the Saltwater baths and down to... read more

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

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Hi my name is Liam Carter, I'm the founder of a group called ride your trike which was started when i got mad at drivers and overtime turned into a advocate group who loves seeing others complete t... read more

The last time I rode over 100 klms was almost 50 years ago when I didn`t want to go to school so packed my duffel bag with what I thought I would need, along with the money from my after school job... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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I'm loving the motivation Ride and Shine has given me to get out on my bike! Such a great way to start and end the working day and making memories on the weekend with the family for a bike ride aro... read more

I started riding my bike to get fit, I then started taking my 11yr old to teach him some road sense and then started riding with my dog to get fit (and burn some energy!). My partner then thought h... read more

Topic: Ride with kids

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Kate Bevin Well done! It's so awesome to hear you've found a hobby that you can all do together.

Well done! It&#39;s so awesome to hear you&#39;ve found a hobby that you can all do together.

Veronica McKinnon Family fun day 🥰

Family fun day 🥰

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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I’ve been a regular cyclist for over 25 years, and today, on my first ever 100km bike, I made a handful of lazy choices that dampened the occasion. So, I’ll be doing the following religiously in fu... read more

Kate Bevin Great work! Always lessons to learn on longer rides. Well done on not giving up!

Great work! Always lessons to learn on longer rides. Well done on not giving up!

Well, I try thought after a few wet days in Christchurch I would be good to ride again today. Sadly, I was caught out in the rain, on the bike home. The outcome... I didn't melt, I did find traffic... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Peter Daly Remarkably few cases of melting humans over the years. We voluntarily get wet in the bath or shower, but fear melting when ... read more

Remarkably few cases of melting humans over the years. We voluntarily get wet in the bath or shower, but fear melting when it rains. Go figure.

Kate Bevin What Pete said! And well done for just getting out and giving it a go rain or shine!

What Pete said! And well done for just getting out and giving it a go rain or shine!

I live in Rolleston and commute 27km to my office in Christchurch by bicycle and bus.
I #lovetoride so cycle to the bus stop in Rolleston and from the Hospital stop in Christchurch to my offic... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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This morning I went on a CCC organised bike ride along bike paths in Christchurch, with my son joining in riding his electric unicycle. A range of ages riding a diverse range of bikes. Great day fo... read more

Topic: Other

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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

Marilyn Kenworthy My work colleague came off his bike while riding in slipping on some wet leaves on the ground.

My work colleague came off his bike while riding in slipping on some wet leaves on the ground.

The Bike challenge has our whole family getting on our 2 wheels more and more and more.

And this week it was our 4 year old's idea to add some weekend kms - not just to and from work and ... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Decided to try out some of the Wharfedale Track with friends. Can't say I've tried riding a DoC track before, or that my bike has been hugged by ferns. A bit of technical uphill and then a fun ride... read more

Brendan Van den Bosch I rode that myself a few weeks ago. Unfortunately after the saddle, it gets a bit hectic with continued slips and fallen tr... read more

I rode that myself a few weeks ago. Unfortunately after the saddle, it gets a bit hectic with continued slips and fallen trees on the way to the hut. Still doable but that trail needs some love.