Stories from Hamilton

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Alone on my ebike

It’s been hell in cycling terms no Sportive’s no group rides very alone. Hopefully light is starting to shine with vacation over 65 waiting for first jab
Keep safe , started riding in 2015 aft... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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

A 70 Year Old's Tradition

In our family when you hit age 70, you do something athletic that you've never done. My grandfather went horseback riding for the first time in his life. My father caught a 65 pound fish-by far the... read more

Topic: Other

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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 Getting riding doesn't have cost much.

Getting riding doesn't have cost much.

Since living in Hamilton riding with the kids has been a big part or our spare time. One thing I love about cycling is how cheap it can be, especially compared with motorized transport. I bought a ... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story Whitley Bay

Whitley Bay

The sunrise cycleway was a pop up cycle route put in last year over summer along the coast between Whitley Bay and Tynemouth a 3 mile beautiful ride in North East England- this picture is of Fiddle... read more

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

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Riding Route 66

In 2016 finally had the opportunity to take on this bucket list item. Wife and our dog was my sag team following in our motor home. So I surely didn't "rough" it....Certainly an adventure for any a... read more

Topic: Other

Image for story Sweaty Spandex and All

Sweaty Spandex and All

I was out on a social bike ride with friends. We had stopped at a pub to "carb" load and listen to some live music. On a whimsy, I texted a woman I had chatted with briefly on an online dating site... read more

Topic: My Bicycle Romance

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Road treasures

While leading a group ride from Seattle to San Francisco, I was towards the back of the riders helping a rider with a mechanical problem.
A mother and son were riding an hour or so ahead... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

My first and longest lasting relationship

It started on my birthday in 4th grade. A bicycle appeared as a gift. It was a solid tyred Red bike with tassles. This was the start of a wonderful romance. This bicycle opened up my entire wor... read more

Topic: My Bicycle Romance

Garden to Garden ride

A fun recent riding memory is an early morning (before work) ride from Mead Gardens to Kraft Azalea Garden in Winter Park. I live next door to Mead Gardens, and Kraft Azalea Garden is a beautiful ... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Image for story Screaming through the tulips

Screaming through the tulips

First time on a bike in 7 years was in Amsterdam, April 2015. I can't drive so have zero clue how roads * actually * work. So to say I was flung in at the deep end was an understatement! However, I... read more

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

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Another good reason to ride to work

One good reason why I like cycling to work (not the only reason) is that it leaves the car at home for my dear wife to use. Sadly, this has not been applicable over the past year when I have been m... read more

Topic: My Bicycle Romance

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Image for story ebiking in Quebec in Autumn

ebiking in Quebec in Autumn

We were happy our ebikes arrived in Quebec from Seattle just as we landed in Montreal. We assembled them while in quarantine and test rode them around the driveway. At last we were out on the open ... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Image for story Danny and his Tandem

Danny and his Tandem

During lockdown I was able to support a visually impaired employee to get back out on the bike, this had a positive impact to both him and his pilot.
https://www.sustrans.org.uk/our-blog/person... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Key worker

As a key worker cycling is my transport as well as my sport in the last two weeks I contracted covid due to my front line work was in bed for days and unable to cycle now that I have recovered cycl... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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No looking back

After treatment for breast cancer I wanted a challenge, so I signed up for ride the night. But hubby pointed out that I didn’t really ride a bike without hitting things or falling off. So I joined ... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Image for story The Only Way To Get Around

The Only Way To Get Around

Sometimes I pity those peasants that drive EVERYWHERE.
I ha been riding since age 8, never driven one of those car thingies, have been a passenger in a few when needed. I hate winter because it... read more

Topic: Other

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Just a Reminder

During the Coronavirus Era, we need to remind ourselves of how grateful it is to be in one of the most safest countries in the world right now. And a part of this is to enjoy with much more apprec... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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Image for story You’re doing really well

You’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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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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My happy place

Before lockdown 1 I would regularly commute the 20 km to and from work either along the seafront or through Prittlebrook Greenway. Cycling through lockdown gave me space to breathe and forget the p... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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Image for story 100km and over the Maungatapu to see my daughter.

100km and over the Maungatapu to see my daughter.

I found coming back to work in 2021 really hard. So, at the end of week two I decided it was all too much - I took a few days off to go and see my daughter in Nelson. I bought a ferry ticket for th... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

It’s time for change.

As many now use a car I think they forget that we that do not drive have to breath in all the fumes from cars and we have no choice to do so unless we want to live our life’s wearing a mask.
T... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story To clear the head.

To clear the head.

Took the mtb into the forest today. Needed a to get out. Especially after the football result last night. 😭☺ didn't set no time. Didn't set no distance. Just enjoyed the scenery and fresh air. Took... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story Scenic scenes along the seafront

Scenic scenes along the seafront

My beloved late Father was a keen cyclist, so I have always enjoyed the activity.

After 10 years of living at the coast I absolutely cherish moments spending time near the sea watching the... read more

Topic: My favourite place/route 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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Helmet on Backwards

Many years ago shortly after I met the woman who a few years later would become my wife, she invited me to join her for a ride with a group that was meeting at Candy Cane City in the Chevy Chase, M... read more

Topic: My Bicycle Romance

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Oh...Deer ( literally)

One time while I was riding in the dark just before I got to Princess Anne Park in Virginia Beach, I saw a deer cross traffic 10 yards in front of me. I slowed down in case it was still there ( try... read more

Topic: Other

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I have missed my commute

On 23 march 2020 my life changed as I began working from home (wfh) instead of my daily 25 mi commute to and from my office in Central London.

Nearly a year later I am still working from h... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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Did You Know?

Did you know that using a bike is up to five times more efficient than walking?

As a matter of fact, an unaided human does pretty well in terms of efficiency as a function of body weight,... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story Bike riding with a lung disease... COPD

Bike riding with a lung disease... COPD

Started riding my bike seriously June 25, 2016. So from June 25, 2016 and up to yesterday, Feb 10, 2021, I have rode my bikes a total of 20,001 miles so far......
I started riding back in 2016... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story Riding the dikes @ Canyon Ferry Reservoir

Riding the dikes @ Canyon Ferry Reservoir

Canyon Ferry Reservoir is fed by the Missouri River and surrounded by the Elkhorn and Belt Mountains. I can ride from my house to the Wildlife Preserve where 3 dikes surround 3 ponds. My favorite t... read more

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

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Breakfast at Bear Dance

In May, 1980 I joined a half dozen other members of our newly-formed Bitterroot Bicycle Club, from Hamilton, MT, in riding the annual Tour of Swan River Valley (TOSORV). We began pedaling in Misso... read more

Topic: Other

Image for story Riding the Dikes by Canyon Ferry Reservoir

Riding the Dikes by Canyon Ferry Reservoir

From my house I can ride to the Wildlife preserve. It’s a beautiful peaceful ride around 3 dikes. I especially love Springtime when all the birds come back. There’s geese, pelicans, heron, ducks, &... read more

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

Summer biking

My fav place to ride is the New River Trail starting on the NC/VA border going north.

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

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Image for story Always wear a helmet

Always wear a helmet

Commuting to work on the 1st February like I have done many times a van pulled right out on me , hit me full on !!! . It could of been a lot worse if I wasn’t wearing a helmet !!!!’

Topic: My commute by bike

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Just Get Out There

During the pandemic my mental health has been improved by getting out on my bike. My favourite place has been Sandwell Valley. So many different trails for all abilities. I've been able to expl... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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Solo Trip to Asia

Pre Covid ( November 2019) I wrapped my bike up and flew to Chiang Mai in Thailand. Over the next 15 days I cycled solo and unsupported up and down mountain passes, through jungle and past paddy fi... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Only way to go ...

I grew up in rural Aotearoa/New Zealand, where learning to ride and getting your first bike are rights of passage for kids - I can still remember my first attempt and the thrill of "getting it". I ... read more

Topic: Other

Starting small

I have become really unfit and sedentary over the last few years, but I bought a simple bike and have started biking to work - it's less than a kilometre, but walking has been a challenge due to pl... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story Getting married on a bike!

Getting married on a bike!

I met my fiancƩ Chris through cycling over 3 years ago. We have had many many cycling adventures since including riding coast to coast in the UK in various directions and cycling 4,000km across Eur... read more

Topic: My Bicycle Romance

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Shock of my life

Peddling along on my ancient bicycle, on a country road, I thought my bike was making more noise than the usual squeaks and groans, I checked it over casually, while peddling, was unable to see any... read more

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

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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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Image for story Fietsen / wandelen in corona tijden

Fietsen / wandelen in corona tijden

Fietsen was gisteren te gevaarlijk i.v.m. de sneeuwval en gladheid.
Toch heb ik ontzettend genoten van mijn wandeling langs de Linge in Tiel. Dit is overigens ook heel goed per fiets te doen. E... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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New cycle way

https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/435893/major-walking-and-cycling-link-between-wellington-and-lower-hutt-gets-go-ahead

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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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Confidence on the Road bike

After being in a roundabout road collision years ago; I became very shy about riding the road bike stored in the back of the shed. I have always cruise around town on my hybrid and take the mountai... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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Image for story Tri-It!

Tri-It!

Kia Ora whānau,
This is my e-trike, Trinity. She's the reason why I am loving the Bike Challenge this year. She makes riding up (and down) the hills a real breeze. Prior to having her in my lif... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story Cycling for work

Cycling for work

This January we got a brand new electric cargo bike at work to help deliver food to people in need. It means I'm doing loads more cycling and feeling great. Although it's an electric assisted bike,... read more

Topic: Carbon Crushers

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