Stories from Kapiti Coast

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

Stories from around the world

Cycling is my Happy Place

Following on from my previous story, “Getting back on a bike at 58”. I’m now 60 and loving all the freedom my bike gives me. I now ride my lovely Liv Avail AR 1 (purchased just before lock down 1).... read more

Topic: Other

13

Cycling back to work

After being furloughed and then made redundant in 2020, I was determined to get a job closer to home (previously I had a 40 minute drive each way). I can now cycle to work in less than 10 minutes a... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

2
Image for story Mam Tor and Winnats Pass

Mam Tor and Winnats Pass

Today I took on a 70km cycle including Stanage Edge and Mam Tor headin up Winnats Pass. A beautiful ride with the toughest climb I've managed so far!

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

1
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Image for story Bikepacking micro-adventure

Bikepacking micro-adventure

I’ve been meaning to get out and do a local overnight trip on the bike, and finally got round to doing it last night. Brilliant to be out off-road on deserted bridleways, didn’t need lights until a... read more

Topic: Other

3
Image for story Can cycling stop the coronavirus?

Can cycling stop the coronavirus?

During the pandemic it has been really humbling to hear of the hard work of so many in the NHS and other important services. It left me wondering how I could help.

One obvious way was to u... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

6
Image for story It's a mental thing

It's a mental thing

Recently separated, no money to speak of and living in a rented room. I was struggling.. My head was spinning and i had a fogged mind... The one good thing I did during this was buy my mountain bik... read more

Topic: Other

6
Image for story Life saving bicycle

Life saving bicycle

I'll keep this short, I didn't hear a car from my left side, hmm going deaf? coincidently my bike would not balance... off to the Dr. numerous tests resulted in an MRI scan. Aha, it's NOT the bike... read more

Topic: Other

1
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Image for story School staff love the Ebike loan scheme

School staff love the Ebike loan scheme

Through my local Sustainable Travel and Road Safety Officer I have organised some loan Ebikes for school staff. The interest has exploded now staff have seen the smiles on their colleagues faces as... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story Being Present on your ride

Being Present on your ride

Yesterday I rode the well known guided busway that runs between St Ives and Cambridge in Cambridgeshire.
One way it is 14 miles.
Because it runs along an old trainline, it's pretty flat the... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

3

4000 Miles for 40

Lockdown has been tough on me and my family, so I'm trying to keep moving and positive, cycling and running are big outlets for that, a time to unwind and switch off, part of that has been to fundr... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

6
Image for story Why I'm now addicted to cycling...

Why I'm now addicted to cycling...

A newbie’s insight into the wonderful world of riding…


Hello, my name is Jude, and I’m addicted to cycling. It’s a new thing and I’m definitely hooked!

It all started one Sat... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

1
5

Summer ride to work

Having recently moved out in the countryside my cycle commute to work this morning involved going on the Transpenine Trail, coming across a rabbit, a little mouse, cows and sheep. Followed by urban... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

2
Image for story Banks of the river Mersey

Banks of the river Mersey

A round trip organised by Cliff and supported by his sister Nancy and experienced rider Dave we headed out of Prescott to the Mersey taking in Huyton Hale and Halton perfect weather for a run out a... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

1
Image for story From overtaken to overtaking!

From overtaken to overtaking!

Any day that I can leave my car at home is a good one, but with a journey of 17 miles on the motorway, it took some thought and planning to commute by bike. I began by riding to the station and I t... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

3

My Early Morning Ride










At 72 Years old a diabetic for 50 years only just started riding a bike again in the past 9 months. I am up at 6.30 am, have breakfast then out on my bi... read more

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

13

Bolehillls

I’ve not been to Bolehills for years, but recent events meant that I had a few hours to kill in that area, with my 6 year old. The big new ramps were too big for us, so we honed our handing skills ... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

1

Am I jinxed?

On 17 December 2017 as was my usual routine after finishing my morning shift, I got on my bike to cycle to the gym. However, I’d only gone about 1-200 yards, and at very slow speed as it was still ... read more

Topic: Other

2

Riding everyday

I have been riding my bike every day since 1.1.15 when I decided this would be my bike challenge. I say every day but I crashed my bike that September and had to be brought home in an ambulance and... read more

6

A weekend of cycling

For the past 4 days I cycled for charity, as far as I could each day!

Topic: Other

1
Image for story #Womenwhoride

#Womenwhoride

My cycling story began a long way back on a large 3 wheeled tricycle, then always rode a variety of bikes, often where I wasn't supposed to! Local dirt track was for boys, not girls and mum said 'n... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

2
6

Chasing The Sun - A Ride Against Nature

I started riding my bike for the first time since childhood last January as a means of transportation to get to and from work from my new house. everything started off sore and hard, 1 ride a day a... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

1
1

Pot holes and tree roots may kill me; but it's well worth the risk!

I loved riding round the block on my red tricycle when I was a little boy. Then I got a bike and became a “virtual” sports commentator, as I fantasised my success in the Tour de France! At the age... read more

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

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Image for story The ultimate screen break

The ultimate screen break

his last year has been hard, with bereavement and my mum having (and thankfully beating) cancer, home schooling, and all the other challenges of lockdown. My role has meant I’ve been one of the for... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

1
Image for story The Langford Hideaway

The Langford Hideaway

I am a recent addition to Hertfordshire and have been cycling 2017.
I had no idea how cycling and cafe stops were so interlinked, but I am now hooked. It has been such a blessing during the lo... read more

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

1
Image for story 1000 miles since September

1000 miles since September

I purchased my electric bike in September 2020 and haven’t looked back. 1000 miles done, 300kg of carbon saved and I still love using a bike to get to and from work. Having the electric motor defin... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

1

Please say hello .............. it means alot

Just reached a goal of 1000 in the June bike challenge. Stopped at the top of Cherry Willingham by-pass bridge and cheered to myself. Despite the challenge, it means more to me when someone gree... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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Image for story From pillar to post.

From pillar to post.

My first memory is crashing into my mom's washing line post, learning to ride my first bike. Once I'd found my legs though, that was it. I was usually zooming around the street then the estate or c... read more

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

1
4

Ebike from a campsite to the opera

We wanted to take use our ebikes to get into London from the Crystal Palace campsite but were worried about security while we were in the opera seeing La Boheme. I was also concerned about traffic... read more

Topic: Other

1
Image for story Braunton Pump track

Braunton Pump track

3 generations riding, youngest grandaughter Hallie,4, youngest daughter, eldest son (Hallie's dad), myself and Hallie's other Nanny, first time on a BMX for Jackie and she did brilliantly. Plus we... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

1

Bike ride

This is the first time in years that I have had my own bike and been able to get out on my bike with friends and support staff from where I live in Hatfield near Doncaster I am enjoying going out o... read more

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

4

Pluie

Y a beaucoup plue

Topic: My commute by bike

3

baby bird

I live in Cornwall and one day a week I ride a 15 mile circuit on country roads crossing the A3072 at a busy junction. On this day I had just crossed the main road and noticed a small bird in the ... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

2
Image for story Hidden gems to discover while cycling

Hidden gems to discover while cycling

I have been living in Milton Keynes since 2002. Busy life style and work commitments meant that the car was my main transport option. However, following a change in my work circumstances, I sudde... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

9

Lambing time.

I am fortunate to have a very rural route to work (for most of it anway). Narrow, single track road with passing places, trees and fields with farm animals, etc. Earlier this year as I headed along... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

3
Image for story My friend Ciara...

My friend Ciara...

My friend Ciara is one of a number of female riders recently joined Claydon Cycling Club in Buckinghamshire as part of the club's new Academy program. The initiative encourages would-be cyclists t... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

2
Image for story Ride London 100

Ride London 100

Memories of my Ride London 100 mile ride back in 2018...

I’m a very casual cyclist, not in a cycling club and don’t go out with any groups of cyclists, so for my first cycling sportive to ... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

2

The freedom machine

I wanted to share with you a story of why the bicycle is such a great thing. I know you all know this anyway, but here goes...

I work as a Bikeability Cycling Instructor. One of the things... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

1

Along the canal

I got a new job a few months ago. It means a different commute route. Every morning I now have the pleasure of part of the route being along the canal. The cygnets and ducklings are growing well an... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

1
Image for story Scottish Odyssey

Scottish Odyssey

My wife and I recently enjoyed a wonderful tour from Edinburgh to Oban via the Union and Forth and Clyde canals, the Paisley to Greenock railway path, some challenging climbs and fabulous views acr... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

1
Image for story Cycling on isle of skye

Cycling on isle of skye

Went to isle of skye for a weeks cycling holiday, stayed in a cottage in portnalong, best cycling I've done in a few months, views were brilliant, plenty off road and on road tracks to cycle on. Me... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

1
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Rejoicing in cycle lanes

I love whizzing past cars in traffic jams using cycle lanes. It always makes me feel happy to not be sitting in a hot car but instead feeling the breeze in my hair as I pass by!

Topic: My commute by bike

1
Image for story 100 miles

100 miles

2017 overweight and told pre-diabetic so had to lose weight. I lost my weight on treadmill
(stick with me lol )
I have always loved cycling be it Chipper,Grifter ,M/bike or Road Bike .
read more

Topic: My Bicycle Romance

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Image for story LeJog aspirant

LeJog aspirant

My new found enjoyment of cycling, started around 10 years ago. I have happy childhood memories of all the bikes I have had (was never allowed a Raleigh Chopper (there's still time I guess), but a ... read more

Topic: Other

1
Image for story Coffee and cake

Coffee and cake

I first met my friend Chris about 40 years ago. For the last 20 of these years we have shared the occasional bike ride, typically between 10 and 20 miles.

Lockdown 1 threw a spanner in th... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

4
Image for story Little and often on a folding bike

Little and often on a folding bike

I used to commute to work (a round trip of 12 miles) more or less every day Monday to Friday from 2014 to 2017. That year I was diagnosed with MS, and that, combined with a constant offer of a lift... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

1
Image for story I've got a great idea! Have you now?

I've got a great idea! Have you now?

It all starts along time ago in a far away place. I am a proud owner of a tadpole trike a fun, not that fast but fun, if you define fun as rolling in the company carpark after doing a rather cool h... read more

Topic: Carbon Crushers

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Image for story Turning the commute to an adventure!

Turning the commute to an adventure!

Cycling is a wonderful way to explore but we all get into a rut of the same route week-in, week-out. Live 'life to the max' and do something a little different.
Last week I opted to forego my p... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

3

Faking it!

Despite and since wfh during the lockdowns I have continued my commute as a fake commute ensuring I do the outbound and inbound mileage in a round trip. The trick is to vary the route so the ride d... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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Image for story Post-pub have-a-go session

Post-pub have-a-go session

I'd arranged to meet my boyfriend at our local pub after work. I commute by bike, but despite having a bike and a short commute, he didn't. After we'd had food and a few drinks, we were leaving and... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story Why I ride!

Why I ride!

Around 5 yrs ago I was invited to cycle around Keilder forest for charity, little did I know that was the beginning of a love affair with the bike. My love for cycling grew and grew from a slow and... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

1