Stories from Hamilton

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

Stories from around the world

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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Motivation can be hard to find

Back in the day (15 years ago or so) I used to make sure that at least I managed the London to Brighton event, although I didn’t do much other cycling apart from training for that event. I love me... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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Image for story Biking the twin coast cycle trail

Biking the twin coast cycle trail

We took advantage of the beautiful weather over summer and biked the twin coast cycle trail after Christmas. It is beautifully scenic, I particularly love the ride from Kawakawa to Opua. I love exp... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Image for story My bike is a bat mobile!

My bike is a bat mobile!

My first ride for the AB Challenge was to use my bike to ride out to four field sites that a part of my automatic bat monitoring (ABM) project around Thames. I've placed them at three sites around ... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Image for story Auckland Anniversary

Auckland Anniversary

Hubby and I, loving our E-biking adventures, first time on the pink path, was a tad shorter than we imagined, and cycled for ages trying to find it? Happy times!

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Image for story Watchtree February Challenge

Watchtree February Challenge

1st day of my keeping active Watchtree challenge managed 18 chilly miles along the Sustrans 72 cycleway :)

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Another convert

The second person I lent my ebike out to for the commute from Massey to the city has also bought an ebike. Two fewer cars on the road; two happier people.

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story January Riding

January Riding

I got 765.6 KM in this month just shy of 800. I also picked up a new CX bike to round out my stable of bikes. I have really enjoyed riding this month cold and rain be dammed, good gear will get y... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story #665Challenge

#665Challenge

I'm a local tennis coach so wanted to do a tennis related bike ride challenge to keep my fitness up during this lockdown. I set myself a 665 mile challenge (665 relates to the longest ever tennis m... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Image for story staying Local

staying Local

So as Boris says we have to 'Stay Local' for our exercise to in the spirit of 'Staying Local' I decided to cycle the streets of Harehills Leeds which is where I live, This gave me quite an insight ... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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Image for story Riding a bike is one of the great joys of life

Riding a bike is one of the great joys of life

I don't remember learning to ride a bike, but it was my father who taught me, and later my children, holding onto the back of the saddle and running along beside the moving bike until he judged tha... read more

Topic: Other

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My story

Travel everywhere with bike work, shopping, visiting friends and family and long rides out the freedom you have when out on bike is amazing

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story Riding in the cold and rain!

Riding in the cold and rain!

Well it certainly been a challenging month. Back on furlough!
Dodging puddles, trying to stay upright on the ice, fixing punctures following the multitude of hedge cutters out this month.
read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Riding to Port Waikato

Every year I go out to camp at Port Waikato for a week in January.
We went car free in 2019, so when the PW trip came around we looked at riding - train to Pukekohe and then ride from there via... read more

Topic: Carbon Crushers

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Image for story Rondje Benelux

Rondje Benelux

In augustus 2020 een mooie fietsvakantie gehad, door in 8 dagen de Benelux te doorkruisen met overnachtingen in hotels, op een camping en een B&B. Met een drager aan de zadelpen van de racefiet... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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amazing brompton rides

I bought my first brompton over 2 years ago when my car broke down and before I bought my next car. I was commuting to work on bike. I rode bike to one place of work and rode the bike to take tram ... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Image for story Fake communting for mental health

Fake communting for mental health

I used to cycle ten miles and back to my workplace at Newcastle University. I have been working from home since the first lockdown, in March 2020. I didn't commute at all the first month, which (ad... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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Image for story My romance with cycling thanks to my ebike...

My romance with cycling thanks to my ebike...

I have always been interested in riding a bike. Growing up (in Malaysia), or family could hardly afford a bike and I always watched with envy our neighbours having their bikes. It was until years l... read more

Topic: My Bicycle Romance

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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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Another convert

A friend was getting frustrated with his car commute from Massey to the City and the $12 per day parking costs. He was quizzing me on ebikes, so I lent him mine to see if it was a goer for him befo... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story It's always worth it!

It's always worth it!

Sometimes I struggle to motivate myself to ride before work. It's early and dark and cold outside and my bed is warm. BUT, when I do make the effort it feels so good. I can't help but smile whilst ... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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HELP !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Its a pandemic , Im getting fatter and lazier ! Soooooo no more - Im getting my bike out, which I haven't ridden in over a year .... any tips for A: gradually building up my non existent stamina a... read more

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

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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 Bouncing back to health

Bouncing back to health

2020 was the year I discovered cancer in my body and the treatments commenced. Six months of aggressive treatments before returning to full time work in November. Then I needed a challenge to get m... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story Up For the Challenge

Up For the Challenge

http://www.gisborneherald.co.nz/environment/20210202/up-for-the-challenge-5/

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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PNCC Group ride

Good effort Palmerston North City Council Infrastructure staff - 20 of us on a 10km lunchtime ride to the eel feeding platform on the first day of the 2021 Aotearoa Bike Challenge.

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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New job, new team and new challenges

I joined Landcare Trust late last year and have been inspired by my awesome colleagues all over the country to sign up our organisation to participate in the Aotearoa Bike Challenge. Most of us wor... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story Fossil Fuel Free Coast to Coast to Coast

Fossil Fuel Free Coast to Coast to Coast

I'm really looking forward to the 2021 starting 19th Feb. We transport our kayaks by bike from Christchurch to Arthurs Pass using tandem bikes, then onto the West Coast and back doing the Minga De... read more

Topic: Carbon Crushers

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Image for story Cycle for a good cause

Cycle for a good cause

The past few months have been tough for everyone, but coronavirus has hit those affected by dementia the hardest and continues to disrupt lives. So that's why I'm getting on my bike and taking on C... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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Image for story Winter Riding

Winter Riding

This time of year creates its own set of special of riding conditions. However, it also gives one a new perspective on the world. Riding the snow covered trail provides a peaceful environment to ... read more

Topic: Other

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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 Weight loss, fitness boost and a new challenge -

Weight loss, fitness boost and a new challenge -

At the beginning of 2020 I set myself a modest challenge of riding 100 miles a month thinking I should be able to manage that. At the beginning of Lockdown 1, I had a really scary blood pressure ... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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Image for story Our first e-bike ride

Our first e-bike ride

In November we went for a short break to Stewart Island. On the last day we had a few hours to fill in and hired a couple of e-bikes. We had not ridden them before, and in fact it had been some con... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Image for story Finding the need to keep going

Finding the need to keep going

hi, I've set a goal for myself to ride 2021 miles by my birthday on the 22nd June, which means riding about 12 miles a day from the 1st January. It's tough going during lockdown, cold, wet and dark... read more

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

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Image for story Riding in the cold and rain!

Riding in the cold and rain!

Well it certainly been a challenging month. Back on furlough!
Dodging puddles, trying to stay upright on the ice, fixing punctures following the multitude of hedge cutters out this month.
read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Image for story Lockdown and Love to ride goal setting

Lockdown and Love to ride goal setting

Lockdown 1 led me to evaluate my exercise regime and what I could do to get fitter "just in case".

September I came across Love to ride. I started goal setting and giving and receiving hig... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story Years in thr saddle

Years in thr saddle

I love to ride my cycle. I have rode cycles for so many years. But since moving north. I started cycling to work everyday. I have been doing the same route now for nearly 17 years. In all the weat... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Love to ride

I’ve always loved riding a bike and came some croppers as a teen often after ‘borrowing’ my older brothers bike. But it never stopped me loving it. I bought an E bike this year and after years o... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

Replacement commute

While my Son has been living with us, we have replaced his London commute for Quantock hills sunrise rides.
Stop and watch the sunrise with a flask of coffee is a great way to start the day.

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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I ride an E bike and am also a human

I am now over 60 years of age and still commute to work most days and ride at weekends for the fitness, health benefits and to help out the environment. I have brought an E bike with a motor to ass... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Image for story Poem (inspired by the new bike) i

Poem (inspired by the new bike) i

There is no other way to go
Over the mountains
Through the snow
Between the valleys
And the glens.
Round the lakes
And back again -

Scenic routes
Are made by ... read more

Topic: Other

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Break free of gridlock with an ebike

I was getting tired of the parking lot otherwise known as the northwestern motorway - and because my working day is “bookended” by school dropoff and collection times I couldn’t change my hours to ... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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In love with my bicycle

My romance with my bicycle started when I was just 4 Years old and increased ever since. I just love my bike, love being outdoors, love nature, love to be fit and healthy, love to save petrol and ... read more

Topic: My Bicycle Romance

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Image for story GIVE A GIFT

GIVE A GIFT

Mother Teresa of Calcutta once said, “Every time you smile at someone, it is an action of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing.” How many chances do we have to give this gift or even more... read more

Topic: Other

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Image for story Why I ride

Why I ride

I was inspired to start riding in September of 2019 from a simple post of a friend and his bike. Bringing it back a few years I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in June of 2016. Things that we... read more

Topic: Other

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