Stories from Brisbane

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

Image for story My E-Bike Experience

My E-Bike Experience

When I turned 80 I found riding with my younger mates it was becoming more difficult to keep up particularly on hilly rides. After considerably research I decided to add an e-bike (Orbea Gain M20 ... read more

Topic: Other

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Riding around the world..a virtual ride around the equator

GOAL reached! Today I reached my goal of riding the equivalent of around the world at the equator. Total distance = 40075 Klm (24902 miles). I started riding in January 2018, and during the period... read more

Topic: Other

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Image for story Live Life Now.

Live Life Now.

I've always loved cycling. All my life. I cycled to and from school. I've cycled for charity. I've cycled for fun and fitness. As I got older and recreational time seemed to get shorter, I cycled l... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Riding around the Equator

My father passed on a genetic disease (CMT) which is a motor neuron disease that attacks tendons and mustcle in ankles and wrists. For the first 40 years it simply slowed my running and walking, bu... read more

Topic: Other

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Riding for Fun

I have never ridden a bicycle before, I tired learning in 2016 but I fell off the bicycle and broke my ligament and I had to do an ACL operation. Since then I have not sat on a bicycle again but wh... read more

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

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Image for story My Adult Tricycle

My Adult Tricycle

Just a short story of how I got my Tricycle and how it got its name! I everytime went on a bike ride and I just couldn't stay stable and I got really upset thinking I'd never feel somewhat safe rid... read more

Topic: Other

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Image for story Chasing my Dad

Chasing my Dad

I've been chasing my 83 year old Father's mileage right from the start of this challenge. After doing 120kms last Sunday, I was still 15kms in arrears. I went out early yesterday and did a 53km... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Image for story Ready for Spring

Ready for Spring

After a brief, scary encounter with a magpie last year, we are prepared this year.

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story Give it a try.

Give it a try.

Today's bike-ride took me through lush green rice-fields & forests. It was an exhilarating experience, and one I would encourage others to do. My ride was one of my 'no plan, getting lost' r... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story My life of two-wheels.

My life of two-wheels.

I have been riding a bike since I was knee-high to a grasshopper, or as far back as I can remember. I grew-up in a small rural town where, to get-about, a bicycle was the best form of transport.... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Dodging a magpie

Each year as we get closer to Spring I begin to keep a lookout for a particular magpie along a particular stretch of my commute. I couldn't possibly count the number of magpies that I get along wit... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Image for story My New Tricycle

My New Tricycle

This is my new Trike-bike Tricycle, my old Tricycle got into a bit of a bad shape and this new one was an early Christmas gift so I can continue riding around/shopping! Really helpful as I need it ... read more

Topic: Other

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Image for story Some surprising things can be seen riding bikes

Some surprising things can be seen riding bikes

I ride for fitness so I ride similar routes each ride. I was surprised a few weeks ago to see a wild Peacock in the front lawn of the houses. A few days latter I saw the same peacock, and then the... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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I just love riding my bike!

I decided to buy a bike for my birthday in April. I turned 46 and I think the last time I rode a bike may have been when I was 12!! But I was determined!! I wanted to ride for exercise and to im... read more

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

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Image for story Brisbane Valley Rail Trail ride 01/08/2020

Brisbane Valley Rail Trail ride 01/08/2020

2 years ago, when I was a lot fitter and 20kg lighter, my riding buddies and I completed a 3 day 160km+ ride from Yarraman to Wulkuraka. It was a funtastic 3 days, so when an opportunity recently c... read more

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

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Image for story My 'Goal' for 2019.

My 'Goal' for 2019.

On the 1st January 2019 I set myself a goal, to complete 150-rides over the next 52-weeks - based on three rides per week. Today, 8th October, 40-weeks to the day after commencing this challenge... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story Bicycle Touring Adventure

Bicycle Touring Adventure

It has been 12 months since my bicycle tour in New Zealand so I decided to go out for a few days pedalling down to the Scenic Rim and into Northern New South Wales. I woke early on the Sunday morn... read more

Topic: Other

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Image for story The Big Ride, Brisbane to Byron Bay

The Big Ride, Brisbane to Byron Bay

On the weekend of 30th August-1st September 2019 thirty of us rode the BIg Ride from Brisbane to Brunswick heads to raise money for permaculture projects in the besieged West Bank and Gaza of Pales... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Image for story Getting ready for cyclocross

Getting ready for cyclocross

This Sunday is round three of the SE QLD cyclocross series and the clouds are looming. Is it weird that I'm hoping for rain so there will be mud?

Topic: My Bicycle Romance

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It took me almost 28 years to ride a bike…

I vividly remember the dreaded day mum took the training wheels off my bike and took me and my brother down to a park in Brookfield to ride without the stability and reliance of those extra two whe... read more

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

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Stories from around the world

Image for story Race Day!

Race Day!

Completed my first duathlon on Sunday to celebrate St Patricks Day! 2.5km run, 12.3km bike ride and then another 2.5km run. Nasty weather on the cycle down there but cleared up nicely for the rac... read more

Topic: Other

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Image for story Why I Love to Ride

Why I Love to Ride

I moved to Cambridge in 1999 as a young adult, and after commuting by bus for a while I switched to cycling, and have been a transport cyclist ever since. When I had a baby I stopped cycling for a ... read more

Topic: My Bicycle Romance

Image for story Joining the Fold!!

Joining the Fold!!

I work in the Centre of Cambridge, 8am- 4pm Monday to Friday. I used to drive everyday from my home in Haverhill to my work. Leaving work at 4pm it used to take me 25 minutes to cover 2.8 miles thr... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Image for story The bridge to nowhere

The bridge to nowhere

Visited the famous bridge to nowhere in Bristol on a sunny Sunday after just having snowed the day before :)

Topic: Other

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Image for story Not UK, sorry, now in Seville!

Not UK, sorry, now in Seville!

We hired bikes for 24 hours and discovered this great place in the best way. Only the very crowded tourist heart better on foot, otherwise there is a fantastic network of paths all over the city. A... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Image for story Pitch in for a new bike track for Forfar Nursery and Preschool

Pitch in for a new bike track for Forfar Nursery and Preschool

Our not-for-profit community preschool is running its annual Trike-a-Thon this Saturday. We are fundraising for a new bike track with better drainage, so the track is accessible to our Tamariki all... read more

Topic: Ride with kids

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Power of the Pedal

Loving the fact I can travel to work faster by bike than by taking the car! I feel very satisfied as I zoom past the stationery traffic stuck in the morning and evening traffic jams. All viwed from... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Port Hills fires

Again being an ebike commuter paid dividends when the Port Hills were ablaze again. All Motor vehicles were stopped from getting into the Suburb but my trusty ebike took me thru to the cordon wher... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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The cycle of life

There are many moments in our own 'journey' with cycling. I remember learning to do without stabilisers in our back garden when I was young, riding no hands, doing a paper round, riding to school..... read more

Topic: Ride with kids

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Image for story In Madrid, not UK, sorry!

In Madrid, not UK, sorry!

We hired bikes and discovered the lovely Casa de Campo then the very impressive new infrastructure along the Rio Manzanares. And the weather was fantastic too!

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Image for story The team at Great South are clocking up the KMs 🚲

The team at Great South are clocking up the KMs 🚲

“For me riding a bicycle helps me to become aware of the elements and landscapes around me. It’s a form of mobile meditation and a test of endurance when it its rainy and windy”. - Paula López

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Newtown is Awesome

Very rarely do I ride through Newtown to get to Mahi. What a cool experience! So many friendly cyclists, lovely chats while we waited for the green light. I love the Wellington cycling community x

Topic: My commute by bike

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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 Kotahi Rau Kiromita

Kotahi Rau Kiromita

Kia ora! Kua takoto te mānuka o te Aotearoa Bike Challenge, nō reira i whakatau au ki te eke kotahi rau kiromita i kotahi te rā, e mau ana tōku tīhate "Toitū Te Tiriti", kia kitea ai ia e te mare... read more

Topic: Other

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Image for story Riding in Snow

Riding in Snow

It was a Sunday the local Cycling UK (CTC) ride day. The weather was cold, but I decided to go to the ride start point. At the start point there were only three riders out of an average of 12-16 ri... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Image for story 20,000 miles

20,000 miles

This is Robert. Robert cycles several times a week with us at simplycycling. Since he started his journey he has recorded every mile in a hand written journal. We had a little presentation to celeb... read more

Topic: Other

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Image for story What a wonderful way to start the week!

What a wonderful way to start the week!

I took my beautiful daughter to the child minder for the first time today. We rode in the cargo bike and what a wonderful start to the week it was! The sun is shining. The sky is blue and people co... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Image for story Finally got out there

Finally got out there

I realised that my commute to work In Hamilton (usually about 14 minutes by car) could be totally different by bike, as I could make use of the amazing Waikato River Te Awa trail. The Aotearoa Bik... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Alps to Ocean

Most amazing cycle trail -- spectacular scenery and lots of fun physical challenges -- although best part by far was meeting golden-oldies were totally kicking it -- So, so inspiring -- If you ever... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Toddler and music

Somehow having a toddler on the back gives a perfectly valid excuse to blast some tunes on the bike... From Disney bangers to fat freddys, bring on the day!

Topic: My commute by bike

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Image for story My happy places x 2

My happy places x 2

So, I booked a weekend in Christchurch with goal of finding 'the bike'. I walked Sumner/Redcliffs pathway (Happy place no. 1 the beach)Then returned the next day to 'christen' my new bike on the sa... read more

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

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Image for story What to do with unused pavement chalks

What to do with unused pavement chalks

I saw my neighbours outside with their wee one on his little balance bike. I looked at my box of unused pavement chalk sitting around and knew what needed to happen. Some time and a combined effo... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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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 Our 'Bike Bus'

Our 'Bike Bus'

I've started taking the kids to school by bike this year and love how excited they get! On bike days they are out of the door in record time, eager to get pedalling. We're enjoying it so much, we'v... read more

Topic: Ride with kids

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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 Love Taupo - I can bike to work

Love Taupo - I can bike to work

I biked to work today, the first time since last years Bike Challenge. To say I am proud of myself is an understatement, plus I encouraged my work colleague "M" to bike to work today too. I must a... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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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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Image for story 💖 Riding’s better done together 💖

💖 Riding’s better done together 💖

My boss Wendy and I took the Active Southland E-Bikes for a spin on Valentine’s Day! Our first 1:1 catch up on wheels.

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story Bikepacking in Patagonia Chile

Bikepacking in Patagonia Chile

First time bikepacking and it was the Carretera Austral in Patagonia Chile.. wet and steep as. Fuelled by empanadas, I biked 600km through towns sadly impacted by a volcanic eruption, a flash fl... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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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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