Stories from New Zealand

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

Image for story Little River runner

Little River runner

This red bike has been my favourite and stopping in at the old train station the colours were too hard not to photograph. I have aero bars (not sure why) and so my aeroe handlbar harness kept slidi... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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From Small Beginnings ....

I joined the Bike Challenge last year as a new rider and was the only one riding from work. I enjoyed it so much I kept riding and have convinced my work colleagues to join me this year. I have a... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Image for story Bike Breakfast 2024

Bike Breakfast 2024

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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Check that your rides get logged.

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

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Lessons re-learnt

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

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Image for story Wow it’s February already?!?

Wow it’s February already?!?

It was only today that I remember that it was February and that it is Bike Challenge month! The start of the year has already gone by so quickly!

So today I committed to riding to and fro... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Riding to work +

My work is only 4.5 km from home so it's an easy bike ride. Are there days when I drive instead of bike?
Of course!
Most of them are valid, like the kids need dropping off somewhere that's ... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Biking to work

I have a trike - its nicknamed Big Red. - its not an e bike
I ride it to work with my e-legs
I was riding to work on the car free day with my music playing and swaying back and forth side ... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Image for story 25km in one day!

25km in one day!

Very happy with this badge!

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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We're here, and we're not going away

Had a great ride to the shops yesterday, and not just because of the light Sunday traffic. The footpaths on High St were crowded with pedestrians, there were a few motorbikes cruising along (and on... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Image for story Family fun on the Puketapu Loop, Hawkes Bay

Family fun on the Puketapu Loop, Hawkes Bay

We're on holiday in the Hawkes and it's been great biking around, the cafes and sights. Today's adventure was a sixteen kilometre ride along the Puketapu Loop to the Puketapu Hotel for lunch and th... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Motiviation

Aotearoa Bike challenge giving me motivation to explore my new region by bike :D

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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3 Things I learnt while riding in Christchurch

1: Learning the bike routes to work, but cant go both back home, the same way, Tuam and St Asaph are only one way, I wonded why I didnt get any bike traffic lights.

2: Glass, I need to tak... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Full month ahead

Will try to go for a ride everyday come sun or rain. I hope the bike holds!

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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10 minutes a day

This February, I have been inspired to ride every day. I normally travel everywhere on my bike, but now there's more reasons to bike on my days off. Even a 10 minute ride does wonders for my feelin... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Image for story NZ Gran Fondo

NZ Gran Fondo

I had a great day out in Cambridge and the mighty Waikato as a participant of the NZ cycling festival on Saturday (13th Feb 2021), that also hosted a number of national championship races and $50k ... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

Image for story Up For the Challenge

Up For the Challenge

http://www.gisborneherald.co.nz/environment/20210202/up-for-the-challenge-5/

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Image for story Bike Breakfast 2021

Bike Breakfast 2021

If you're in Dunedin and looking for motivation to get on your bike during the Aotearoa Bike Challenge, Spokes Dunedin is hosting it's 7th annual Bike Breakfast for anyone who turns up on a bike!read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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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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A Big WIN all round!

The fabulous E bike that Ian Lancaster (Wellington) won in 2018'sAotearoa Bike Challenge has been put to great use. Ian very kindly gifted the bike to me (his wife) and very patiently encouraged a... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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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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Image for story I'm 50k from home and now I have to get home

I'm 50k from home and now I have to get home

I'm definitely going to get that 100 badge today as I have no other options. Set off just before 7am this morning to try and beat the heat and wind, but it's already 25 degrees. Beautiful day for t... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Image for story NZ Tour — In Memory of Mike

NZ Tour — In Memory of Mike

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

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Image for story Just do it 🚲

Just do it 🚲

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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4 year old says - no we won't drive let's go on our bikes!

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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Heatwave

It's been around 33 degrees here in ChCh but I'm still getting out on the bike. This bike challenge has been a fantastic motivator to get me on my bike more regularly and for longer distances. I've... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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cutting down my commute time

On day 1 of the challenge my Boss sent me a link to his location. We raced to work, me from Edgeware and him from Parklands. He caught me at Hagley Park for a quick chat before he was off again. ... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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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 In adversity finding your centre

In adversity finding your centre

I have done the challenge before but never took it seriously and never really set any goals to achieve, I was merely participating. This year about to become jobless and homeless all at the same ti... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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The whole family are feeling inspired this month

When our office moved into the city centre and there was no longer free parking, I figured my only option was to commute by bus. The Aotearoa Bike Challenge reminded me that actually biking to work... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Image for story TIA

TIA

A couple of weeks ago I suffered what they call a TIA ( or mini brain stroke). I am 68 and had just cycled 80 kms the day before plus 40 kms a day on my commute. Also did the 900 mile Lands End to ... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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From there to here...

So last year as the 2021 Aotearoa Bike challenge began, I had bought myself a new bike to commute on (40km/ each way). I was super prepared for the what I thought was going to be a fun month of cyc... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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More fun riding with others

This morning I rode with my daughter to her high school and the journey seemed way shorter than the first time I biked. Then I had the rest of the journey by myself, or so I thought. I banged int... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Image for story Rabbit Island

Rabbit Island

What better way to kick off the Aotearoa bike challenge than catching the ferry from Mapua to Rabbit Island. Lovely flat trails meant my first ride on a non-ebike for about 4 years was a breeze . G... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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fitness gains

I like competing in triathlons, but I'm a weak runner, so I normally over-train on running and skip the cycling as I'm a stronger cyclist. This month I've done almost 200km on the bike, and just h... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Oops...

Just did me first ride on my recovered free bike i picked up last year and spent january getting ready. On the way home after biking 7km I changed gear and somehow wrapped the rear derailleur aroun... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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PNCC Group ride

Good effort Palmerston North City Council Infrastructure staff - 20 of us on a 10km lunchtime ride to the eel feeding platform on the first day of the 2021 Aotearoa Bike Challenge.

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Image for story Maybe things do happen for a reason ?

Maybe things do happen for a reason ?

A colleague invited me to join the challenge early in the month. I thought about it and did nothing. On the night of the 17th someone broken into my car, with the intention of stealing it. The d... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Image for story Tour Aotearoa 2020

Tour Aotearoa 2020

I'm setting off on this event, on 19 February, 3000km, Cape Reinga to Bluff. Self-supported. Hope to complete in 30 days. It's a personal challenge, as I was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease 8 ... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Stories from around the world

Beauty of bicycle riding

My bicycle riding, the taste,the flavor let it be, heart pumping blood circulating the air whizzing the birds singing, the sun shining, the fog reeling in the salty ocean feeling, the magic of the... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Image for story My colleagues ride annually in Europe

My colleagues ride annually in Europe

This year rode (was supposed to be from Trafalgar Square but changed due to unrest) from 22nd September (early morning until late afternoon in torrential rain!)

We started in Letchworth 6... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Image for story Isobel's Cycling Journey

Isobel's Cycling Journey

I’m a 57 year old community worker who started cycling around 2.5 years ago after seeing an advertisement for the Great North Bike ride and decided to enter it to motivate myself to get fit. My fri... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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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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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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Image for story Freedom comes on two wheels !

Freedom comes on two wheels !

I’m Fatima, I moved to Blackpool after I qualified as a doctor but I’m originally from
Pakistan. I’ve been cycling since I was a child of around 3 or 4. I was tiny and the
bicycle that my f... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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test

test

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

Image for story Age is no barrier

Age is no barrier

I am Ian Shaw from Balloch West Dunbartonshire.
I found out about LTR in my then work place Glasgow Clyde College and I'm now retired.
I have been cycling for about 40 years now as well a... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Image for story Faster than a car!

Faster than a car!

I work as a P.E teacher in Kilmarnock and I first heard about Love to Ride from the East Ayrshire Council website. I've been a recreational cyclist since I was a boy but got my Boardman road bike f... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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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 previ... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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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. ... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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