Stories from Dunedin

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

Image for story Bike Breakfast 2024

Bike Breakfast 2024

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

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Image for story Queens Birthday ride

Queens Birthday ride

As much as I'm looking forward to the new cycle path to Port Chalmers being completed, I still enjoy the alternative route through St Leonards Drive and Sawyer's Bay. I always throw in a loop arou... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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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 The Up-Cycles Charitable Trust Story - so far...

The Up-Cycles Charitable Trust Story - so far...

šŸš“šŸ»ā€ā™€ļø A place for fixing, refurbishing, adapting & donating bikes, and a learning space for those in need. ā€™Itā€™s a hand-up, not a hand-outā€™. šŸš“šŸ¼ My name is Chris Foggin and I am the foun... read more

Topic: Other

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Gems In The Country

Taking a break from driving through the Clutha District I stumbled on an unmarked trail at the Mt Stuart reserve and explored. Lo and behold it follows the old railway line and passes through cutti... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story From 0 cycling, to travelling for months by bicycle

From 0 cycling, to travelling for months by bicycle

Growing up, I was lost confidence in cycling. In the few times I dared to get on a bicycle I was nearly hit by cars and was car-doored in undergrad in Ōtepoti Dunedin. It was terrifying for me, and... read more

Topic: My Bicycle Romance

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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 šŸš²

The team at Great South are clocking up the KMs šŸš²

ā€œFor me riding a bicycle helps me to become aware of the elements and landscapes around me. Itā€™s a form of mobile meditation and a test of endurance when it its rainy and windyā€. - Paula LĆ³pez

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 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 An E-bike has enabled me to cycle to work

An E-bike has enabled me to cycle to work

I used to cycle to work in my previous job just before the pandemic but with a change of workplace and a further and longer commute of around 5 miles which would have involved 2 buses and up to an ... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Ages

About a month or so ago i suddenly realised how unfit I was due to not doing a lot with the kids and always being out of breath when I did. So I decided to buy a bike and start biking to work. Well... read more

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

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Image for story Coincidence or not

Coincidence or not

I had never ridden a pedal bike before, my hubby buys me one for my 52nd birthday. It is an e-mountain bike, I thought I would never love it as much as my motorbike and it would sit in garage like ... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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New lease of life!!

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

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

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Image for story The Great Divide off road trail

The Great Divide off road trail

I have cycled for years but only bikepacked serious the last three years. The routes l do are all in the UK and are usually around 200-400 miles long. Its something I love to do and wanted to take ... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story Best gift ever

Best gift ever

I always complained that I wasnā€™t getting any exercise and I said to my husband, I wish I could ride a bike again like when I was a teenager šŸ˜‚ I actually had not ridden a bike since then. Anyway to... read more

Topic: My Bicycle Romance

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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 šŸ’– Ridingā€™s better done together šŸ’–

šŸ’– Ridingā€™s better done together šŸ’–

My boss Wendy and I took the Active Southland E-Bikes for a spin on Valentineā€™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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Image for story Tiny Trailer

Tiny Trailer

Just over 2 years ago I had my first child. My son loves going for a ride on the bike with me. I had been eyeing up one of those bike trailers for some time. We stopped by torpedo7 and they happe... read more

Topic: Ride with kids

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Image for story Why I cycle

Why I cycle

Mainly I commute to work daily. I have been known to cycle a few miles to go for a swim and back again. Or to visit family up in the forest. So I would say Iā€™m an experienced rider, but every ride ... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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280 MPH BIKE RIDER? BELIEVE OR NOT?

MAN CAN RIDE BICYCLES AT 280MPH FACT I DONT KNOW WHY FROM STUART HAMER BMX MAD AT 50.

Topic: Carbon Crushers

Image for story Birthday jaunt at the beach

Birthday jaunt at the beach

Enjoying the bizarrely warm February in Bournemouth, and my Mum finally trying out her new bike!

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

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Image for story Teacher Cycling Community Ambassador 2024

Teacher Cycling Community Ambassador 2024

I am thrilled to have had my application to become a Teacher Cycling Community Ambassador approved! Dan Grindrod has worked incredibly hard to build this grass-roots post-Covid cycling community fo... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Man who's never owned a car has cycled everywhere for 50 years

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. ā€œEverything I needed ... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story Coffee and Kai on Wednesdays - does a little rain matter?

Coffee and Kai on Wednesdays - does a little rain matter?

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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