Stories from Christchurch

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

Getting Boostered!

Was planning to drive 3km up the road to get my booster shot but - it is Aotearoa Bike Challenge month so - why not cycle, I thought!

Went swimmingly. In fact it was really nice to cycle ... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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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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Downhill biking

Tried downhill mountain biking for the first time last week. Made it all the way to the bottom in one piece, hurrah!

Topic: My Bicycle Romance

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Bike life

My first bike was a Christmas present after I turned 5 years old. I was so excited, that I sneaked into the garage (where I was told NOT to go) to ride it. It was red, with a large front wheel and ... read more

Topic: Other

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Back in the saddle

After a bit of a tough year in 2020 change in job, change in house a new commute ride to work is getting the head and body heading back in a good direction.

Topic: My commute by bike

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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 I believe the children are our future...

I believe the children are our future...

I think that my eight year old son sums it up with this quote which he put on a poster which he made for his classroom recently.

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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School's Cool!

Due to the latest Level 2 alert for ChCh and working from home for the next 3 days, I decided to take my daughter to school by bike this morning.
She is still small enough (just..) to fit on th... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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Image for story carrying bikes on  a bike

carrying bikes on a bike

I am involved in the Aranui Bike Fixup which receives old bikes which we restore and pass on to locals in Aranui who need them. I had six collected up and had to transport them 6km to the workshop,... read more

Topic: Carbon Crushers

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Silly old fart.

Hi all, I was told of this event by a friend at work and so far I am loving it. I had been thinking of riding the old bike again for some time but was put of by the traffic on the narrow county roa... read more

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

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Image for story Riding tandem with Telzey

Riding tandem with Telzey

The thing is, I live and work in a small town,so I don't really need a car. The main reason I have one is to get my cat to the vet. What to do? Find a bike-compatible, cat-friendly pet carrier of c... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story Taking a moment in the bush

Taking a moment in the bush

When I drive I rarely take the time to enjoy the city I live in but with biking I an so easily stop, hop off and have a wee explore. Yesterday I decided to visit a piece of remnant bush in Christch... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Image for story A20 Alps to Ocean

A20 Alps to Ocean

On 5 Feb we cycled from Tekapo to Twizel passed canals, lake Tekapo, Ohau and Pukaki; scenery to die for. 6 Feb we biked to Ohau Lodge with a side trip to Ohau weir which was closed but very pictur... read more

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

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Image for story The bike proposal

The bike proposal

My partner and I love to bike, and when camping at my favourite family spot, he took me on a bike ride to Mystery Lake - about a three hour climb! Half way the the wind was howling and I was pretty... read more

Topic: My Bicycle Romance

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Image for story Three Crashes & Love

Three Crashes & Love

Hubby and I met June 2015 and he was aware I loved to exercise alot, so we naturally went on a ride for one of our first dates.
I over estimated his biking fitness and he got cramp and was ve... read more

Topic: My Bicycle Romance

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Image for story A false start, then up from there!

A false start, then up from there!

About 15 years ago I was on holiday in Europe with my boyfriend at the time. I hadn't been on a bike in many years, but we went for a ride on bikes that came free with our accommodation. I was a bi... read more

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

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Biking with the ONE I LOVE

My husband is so romantic and came for 3 evening bike ride dates in a row. It was so special and I appreciate my husband biking with me. When I have been out biking and he sees me through the win... read more

Topic: My Bicycle Romance

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Image for story Beat the traffic - encourage others along for the ride

Beat the traffic - encourage others along for the ride

Leave the car at home, stay away from the petrol station for a month or more. 25mins to work in car, 29mins on the bike on the best day. Powered by craft beer and pizza!

More bikes at wo... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Image for story Poetry in motion

Poetry in motion

How staunch a cyclist are you?
Do you bike in rain or snow?
Do you own a fluoro jacket?
Have your cheeks a healthy glow?

Perhaps you are a ā€˜wannaŹ¼
Wanna travel urban styl... read more

Topic: Other

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I'm just out riding my bike!

When a serious faced road cyclist has a slow day they call it 'recovery'. A commuter just calls it Friday.

Topic: Other

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Best and worst road on my commute

Blenheim Road is both awesome and awful for commuting. Minimal parking means there's far less risk of dooring, and the traffic tends to create a nice draught regardless of the wind.

So ma... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Wildlife incounters on night ride

During lock down to maintain shift separation I had to do night shift. On my ride home over a week I encountered two possum and was confronted by a rat that decided he had more rights to the path I... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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Image for story Creating Memories

Creating Memories

Here we all are, ready to make some memories on a recent family trip to Hanmer.

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Image for story Child hood memories to be created

Child hood memories to be created

I have my memories of riding to school. And now i want my kid to make those memories. When i was walking along his biking then either i was dictating and my boy was thinking i am biking so only i ... read more

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

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Image for story Nostalgia Bike Gang

Nostalgia Bike Gang

It's getting to be quite the institution, the annual "Bike gang" ride from various parts of Christchurch to the Nostalgia Festival at Ferrymead. Today was my first time going to the festival and of... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story Youā€™re doing really well

Youā€™re doing really well

So after a big crash on my bike, I was getting back on the proverbial horse. Cardrona on Saturday, Skyline Gondola Sunday and Glendhu Bay on Sunday. At Cardrona, I rode a track that I refused to ri... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Northern Corridor cycleway is awesome

I took advantage of Saturday afternoons open day for the new Christchurch Northern Corridor. Headed from Edgeware Rd, joined at the Cranford St roundabout, then all the way north up the cycleway, a... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story Another office picnic ride in Hagley Park

Another office picnic ride in Hagley Park

For the second year, GHD Christchurch arranged a lunchtime picnic ride to encourage staff to ride a bike. Today we had a beautiful day warm day to go for the relaxed 3.5km ride off road. We had ano... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story Carpe diem-seize the day-grip the handlebars-commandeer the towball

Carpe diem-seize the day-grip the handlebars-commandeer the towball

For the last several years I have been wanting to bike part of the way to work. Problem: itā€™s 56km between home and Christchurch!! If I could just bike some of it I would be happy. Well happier tha... read more

Topic: Other

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Image for story Cargo Bike Thrills

Cargo Bike Thrills

I have been a bicycle nut for years and always try to ride everywhere (better for the planet, and better for my fitness and stress levels). Last year I decided to buy a cargo bike to take the next ... read more

Topic: Other

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Riding into the sunset

When I first met my now husband I knew that he loved mountain bike riding, yet I had not been on a bike since I out grew my childhood bike.
Yet (with my permission) he purchased me a cross cou... read more

Topic: My Bicycle Romance

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Good Luck

I will not be taking part in the Aotearoa Bike Challenge this year, and as I am the only one from my work place taking part, I withdraw from this event. I was made redundant from my job this mornin... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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How I met my wife and later proposed

I was riding with my sister in Riverhead Forrest Auckland in 1995 and met some friends and a group of their friends, one of whom caught my eye. After a number of fun filled years including regular ... read more

Topic: My Bicycle Romance

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Image for story Baby on board

Baby on board

My husband and I met on a Friday night at after-work drinks - which weā€™d both quite naturally biked to. Many of our subsequent dates, leisure and general life together involved biking. I wasnā€™t z... read more

Topic: My Bicycle Romance

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Stories from around the world

Simplicity Of Singlespeed

Whilst the trend for folks of a certain age, my age, is to go e-bike. Iā€™ve gone the other way, I have reverted to being seven year old and thrashing around the streets on a Singlespeed bikeā€¦ thatā€™s... read more

Topic: My Bicycle Romance

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Image for story Dunston!

Dunston!

Great time finally exploring this place.

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

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Image for story A ride to Port Chalmers

A ride to Port Chalmers

My daughter was ready to ride and with the promise of sushi she was super keen. We even took a detour and went around the peninsula road and up past the port. A great ride had by all!

Topic: Ride with kids

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Image for story Breakfast with the rabbits

Breakfast with the rabbits

Enjoying breakfast with the rabbits.
Sunrise @ Tiger Hill on the Central Otago Rail Trail - part of my 80km ride Clyde to Lauder return -

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Image for story Ride with a friend in Teanau

Ride with a friend in Teanau

Stopped here for pic lots of giggles forgot we had helmets on n couldn't fit in it

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Image for story Coastal ride along the bays

Coastal ride along the bays

For rookie riders like me, well-marked cycle lanes are a lifesaverā€”because letā€™s be real, learning to pedal in the chaos of Wellington traffic is basically an extreme sport šŸ˜‚ This route? A beginner... read more

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

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Image for story Glorious Commute!

Glorious Commute!

So lucky to be spoiled with cycle paths. My whole glorious commute this morning was on designated cycle track. What a fabulous way to start the day.

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Image for story A long held dream (almost) fulfilled

A long held dream (almost) fulfilled

When I was a kid I would watch out the car window on the boring trip from home in Central Otago to Dunedin, reckoning that I could ride my bike to town instead. So much better.

Nowadays th... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Rossendale Commute

Hi,

Not so much a story but a plea. Is there anywhere good near rawtensall bus station to lock your bike?

Thanks in advance.

Stephen

Topic: My commute by bike

Image for story Secret Trails of Ventura

Secret Trails of Ventura

Are you interested in discovering some of our less known bike paths and trails within the City of Ventura? On the morning of December 14, 2018, I rode 15 miles within the City, exploring of these t... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Image for story šŸŒ§ļørain Ride

šŸŒ§ļørain Ride

Finally get to do a ride in all weather .nice refreshing ride tonight we need the rain as very dry in Southland /waihopai

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Image for story Arthurs Point Bike Bus LAUNCHES!!

Arthurs Point Bike Bus LAUNCHES!!

Reporting live from the Arthurs Point Bike Bus inaugural ride... 15 energetic kids, six adults and one amazing Bike Bus Leader travelled in two-wheeled style this morning. From Arthurs Point to Que... read more

Topic: Ride with kids

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My commute is my mental health support

Exercise is great for my mental health. When I am having particular difficult days, taking the scenic route back home (i.e. from the CBD around the bays and Miramar Peninsula to the south coast) is... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

Niall's Cycling Journey

Iā€™m Niall, originally from Ireland, but Iā€™ve been living in East Renfrewshire for the past 14 years. Iā€™ve always enjoyed being active, and cycling has become a big part of my routineā€”whether it's f... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story Some place different - Otaki

Some place different - Otaki

Was in the area of Otaki and went for a quick bike around. Found the river trail and explored that from one end to the other. Great easy ride and the locals have done well with making the trail be... read more

Topic: Other

Image for story On not looking 'like a cyclist'

On not looking "like a cyclist"

Isn't it interesting that, in sports-mad New Zealand, many people think it's absurd to get on a bike and ride three blocks to the dairy, when you could just drive? I mean, who would do that?!
<... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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