Stories from Christchurch

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

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

6

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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Utility Cyclist

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

7

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 My Public Private Partnership

My Public Private Partnership

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 office a... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Image for story My Dog loves a bike ride

My Dog loves a bike ride

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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Love getting out with my grandson

My passion is getting out for a ride at McLeans Island and I really enjoy taking my 8 year old grand son out for a ride with me

Topic: Ride with kids

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What's up with traffic lights not sensing my bike haiku

Stopped on the daimonds I patiently wait my turn The bike light stays red

Topic: Other

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Image for story New old aches

New old aches

Last time I was on a bike was 18 years ago. I sold it after a scare with traffic and relocating from the South to the North Island. I have borrowed a bike to compete in this challenge. The improvem... read more

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

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Image for story Hard yards

Hard yards

I don’t particularly like biking - it’s always too hard ! as I seem to always push myself too hard! And I’ve made many excuses in the past. But this is a great challenge for me - I am trying no... read more

Topic: My Bicycle Romance

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7

Car free day

Every day. What's the big deal.

Topic: Other

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9

From Broken back to pain free cycling

Hey all 🙋‍♀️ As the title says 5 years ago I broke my back, through wear and tear over the years. I couldn't walk without pain and worse I couldn't cycle. I thought I'd never ride again 😔 Started... read more

Topic: Other

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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

7

Getting my man out riding!

My partner is not a huuuuge fan of exercise. He knows it's good for him, he's just not super keen on doing it all the time due to having various aches and previous injuries. I have been biking for... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story Big Red

Big Red

Taking a minute to express my love for my Surly. Bridgeclub. One of those really solid, reliable mates. Me and big red came together as a result of some more unfortunate circumstances. Having b... read more

Topic: My Bicycle Romance

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Image for story Port Hills Christchurch

Port Hills Christchurch

Had an excellent ride up the Port Hills today. Blue skies and good vibes up Arapaho, along the single track to VIC Park and home via Cap. Great say.

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

8

Centaurus Road/Barrington Street/Whiteleigh Ave

This commute is usually pretty busy as going in peak hours. Centaurus Road is usually fine in the morning and Barrington Street can be busy leading up to the Milton Street junction. If going close ... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

3

First Ever Hill Ride

I had always believed I could never and would never bike up a hill. It was partly fear of falling backwards, partly belief that my legs weren't tough enough, and partly fear of riding back downhill... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Lake Dunstan trail

There is so many lovely bike trails in and around Cromwell to enjoy - such a scenic place and some great coffee and wineries stops around. Especially enjoyed riding Lake Dunstan Bannockburn to Cly... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

6

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 take a sm... 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 Playcentre

Playcentre

Two days a week my two year old (he started asking for this commute at age one and three quarters) bikes (on a walking bike) the 1.2 km to Playcentre, with me trotting along next to him. Some of hi... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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11

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 home a... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

15

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

6

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

8

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

6
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 The best family hobby

The best family hobby

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

8

Ahhh! Wet weather will I melt...

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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All weather biking

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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Image for story Hugged by ferns

Hugged by ferns

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

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Seeing a little of the Kaikoura Coastline (safely) from atop a bike

We've heard there re plans to build a cycle route from Blenheim to Kaikoura and beyond. But we happened to be staying around Kaikoura on a sunny day, and had our bikes, so thought we'd see if there... read more

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

3

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

3
Image for story 10 kms

10 kms

I took my kids to the bike park yesterday, and we rode around the flat tracks for an hour and a half, we tracked it on strava, and we had (or atleast i) had done 10.37 kms. Great motivation to k... read more

Topic: Ride with kids

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5

World Car Free Day

I decided to walk to work in the morning. 5km walk and it took my about an hour (short legs). I ended up taking the bus home. Overall, I did 15K steps that day!

Topic: Other

5

Waiting !

Waiting for a knee replacement. Hopefully in the next 2 months. Then I really hope to be back on my bike and riding with you. I can still only do 2 - 3kms. Cheers

Topic: Other

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Image for story 8700km 13 countries 2018

8700km 13 countries 2018

Hubby and I took a sabbatical in 2018 (thank goodness we chose then) and biked around Europe for seven months carrying all our gear. Come the end we were still together and I was bored with my limi... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Responsibility

When I got hit by a Lanscaping van last week the driver and passenger accepted responsibility for driving through the roundabout and hitting me, instead of trying to blame me.

Topic: My commute by bike

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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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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 Parental exercise when WFH

Parental exercise when WFH

This year my 5yos have started at a school that's 4.5km from home - worth the journey, because it's a reorua class, but too far even for Mr Confident to cycle without afternoon meltdowns. So we inv... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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12

I Like Biking

It's very fun riding in to town on the bike paths :D.

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

3
Image for story Christchurch Northern Corridor a HUGE success

Christchurch Northern Corridor a HUGE success

I love riding on the CNC shared path! It's so smooth and fast. I love seeing all the happy people using the path (and pets too!). It's a fantastic asset to Greater Christchurch, enabling safe a... read more

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

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Don’t forget to thank your Council!

I used the long weekend, with some help from Twitter people, to try and work out a commuter cycle route 25km to work that is mostly in cycle lanes (separated as much as possible) and avoids the rou... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Children

On my daily rides I often see children in the back of cars. They often stare at me or my bike. I hope it is my bike. I wished their parents would take them out on bikes. They look like they want to.

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Commuting to work (and back!

I decided not to own a car a few years back, and just rely on my bicycle for getting around. It's been quite good for me, as I'm a lazy person, and if given the option, I might cave and use a c... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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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 work as ... 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 ‘wannaʼ Wanna travel urban style, with pup in w... read more

Topic: Other

15

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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