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

Cycle rather than drive

I needed to pick a few things up from the local shopping centre about 5 miles from home. Usually I would jump in the car but yesterday decided to donn cycling gear! Felt really good except for the ... read more

Topic: Carbon Crushers

1
5

Beating the traffic!

I started commuting by bike this September- and because I have no parking space at my new job I knew I had no choice but to get on with it! I have fallen in love with it... Treating myself to a new... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

1
Image for story Commuting is contagious!

Commuting is contagious!

I started commuting to work when my daughters went to senior school, I thought they’d ride their bikes to school but it wasn’t ‘cool’. Fast forward 12 years and they are both working, they don’t al... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

4

Old Trafford to Pennington Warf

The cycle from Pennington Warf > Old Trafford back is such a nice way to unwind after a tough working week. I always find the people on the route to be respectful and friendly. There are some gr... read more

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

2

A better place

When the unthinkable happened and the roads fell quiet, it was a unique glimpse of what is possible, of the world we could have. The birds sounded louder, the air tasted sweeter and cycling was saf... read more

Topic: Carbon Crushers

5

Bike not bus

My car needed to go to the garage so instead of getting a lift or the bus back home, I threw (very gently) my bike into the back of the car so that I could cycle home after dropping it off. Saving... read more

Topic: Carbon Crushers

3
Image for story Go on ... try it!

Go on ... try it!

Having had mobility problems since I was 19 I always thought cycling was beyond me. I’m married to an avid cyclist and always felt I missed out when he went out in his bike. Four years ago I saved ... read more

Topic: My Bicycle Romance

3
9
Image for story Crushing carbon

Crushing carbon

I used to drive my car to the gym to walk on the treadmill.
I would go macdonalds for a big mac on the way home.
Now I ride my bike from home for a workout and pick something up to eat from... read more

Topic: Carbon Crushers

1
10

Inspired to bike to work

After having my first child and a few rainy mornings I told myself that my car commute wasn't so bad and that others were doing far more damage to th environment. I was inspired by the cycle Septem... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

Getting out there...

It's rather funny really, during the last few months, which have been so strange, my physical fitness has improved greatly. I seem to find more time to run, and was inspired over the summer to dust... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

Image for story Enjoying beautiful British canal routes

Enjoying beautiful British canal routes

Having not been on a bike of any kind for over 25 years over the Covid period I noticed a lot more people cycling, I started to think about my old Giant MTB from the late 80s and decided to look on... read more

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

2
Image for story The Heart of Saxony!

The Heart of Saxony!

A group of ICU/PCU nurses decided to meet up for a bike ride to help me get in 13 miles for the Bike Challenge!
Thanks Heart of Saxony!
Jill

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

Image for story Holiday by bike...

Holiday by bike...

Although I'd been cycling too and from work (8 miles) for several years, I had never attempted to 'go on holiday' by bike. Well, I decided this was the year - especially as travel restrictions mean... read more

Topic: Carbon Crushers

4
3

Wheelie excited to be back on my bike!

After a fall a few years ago I never worked up the courage to get back on my bike, until being inspired by Cycle September. Since then I've loved riding my bike to work or to the shops, come rain (... read more

Topic: Carbon Crushers

3
Image for story Delivering goods

Delivering goods

I had to deliver a copy of my sons cd (The Roke), local leaflets and a wet suit around Linlithgow.
Usually I wouldn't think twice about jumping into the car and whizzing round to drop them off.... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

2
Image for story Dartford Wibbler's and Wobbler's

Dartford Wibbler's and Wobbler's

We go from strength to strength with more enthusiastic ladies wanting to get back to riding. Today we had a successful cycle around the local park for the "Wibbler's" not quite ready for the longer... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

1

My 4 year old has cycled to school

Today, for Clean Air Day, we (my 4 year old daughter and I) rode our bikes to school instead of driving. She came off her stabilisers in the summer and is growing in confidence every ride. Her li... read more

Topic: Carbon Crushers

7
Image for story Carbon comfort or carbon-free consideration?

Carbon comfort or carbon-free consideration?

It's surprising how many parents place their comfort and convenience over that of their children's future. Yes, it may seem more convenient to rush out of the house in PJs and slippers at 5 minutes... read more

Topic: Carbon Crushers

5

Thanks LOVETORIDE for another great National Bike Challenge!

Each year, many of us are challenged to ride more and get healthier by taking part in the National Bike Challenge. And although many already have great regular cycling habits in place and look forw... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

1
Image for story first 100 miler

first 100 miler

on the 5 th September (after commuting 16 miles a day back and fore to work on my E-bike for the last two years), my son in law and I on our new road bikes decided to take the 100 mile in a day cha... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

5

Cycle to work

I took up cycling again during lockdown and dusted the cobwebs off my bike in the shed. After a gentle start I have been riding 3 x a week. I am working from home during the pandemic but returned t... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

3
Image for story A forced break from riding my bike

A forced break from riding my bike

Just a short story to say I was in target to hit 8000 miles this year and loving life on my bike, which includes my first camping bike packing experience. Unfortunately I freak incident knocked me ... read more

Topic: Other

10
Image for story Barry's 365 day challenge

Barry's 365 day challenge

For those of you that don't know me I am 74 in October and on 7th March I decided to cycle 2020 miles from the 1st January to the 31st December. I have chosen to raise money for the Keech Hospice.... read more

Topic: Other

3

Keeping going

I started cycling between my home in Morecambe and Lancaster train station when Northern trains were on strike. I enjoyed it so much I thought I would carry on for the summer. Two years later after... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

3

Year 4 Without a Car

I am now 62 and became interested in environmental matters in my teens, yes the 1970s.

Even then, I could see the over reliance on cars, was going to get us into a lot of trouble.

read more

Topic: Carbon Crushers

10
Image for story A 15 year old's Cycling Dreams

A 15 year old's Cycling Dreams

When I was15 I wanted to be a professional cyclist. Cycling wasn't the coolest sport at Peninsula Grammar where cricket and footy (VFL) rule but I was in the cross country team and swim squad and h... read more

Topic: My Bicycle Romance

2
6

Meeting old friends

I took the opportunity of Cycle September to arrange to see my mates from University. We had not met up for 10 years and it was great to get together on a cycle ride on the Tissington Trail in Derb... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

4

Blood Doning by Bike

I gave blood the other day, and used my bike (it's allowed! …. as long as you don't push too hard after donating). Donor sessions are always busy and it's often difficult to park your car - cyclin... read more

Topic: Carbon Crushers

5
Image for story Gravel bike ride home from work

Gravel bike ride home from work

With the nights drawing in and the 🍁 rain debris on the road I have switched from a road bike to a Giant Revolt Gravel bike and I love it 😻 just need the mudguards fitting as I hate being dirty ...... read more

Topic: Carbon Crushers

2

Cycle to Gym

After prompting from my Love to Ride 'Team Leader' I started cycling to and from the gym during the love to ride month to pick up 'Day' points. Since the end of love to ride month I have cont... read more

Topic: Carbon Crushers

Ex-traffic slave

During my first year working in Derby I thought I had no choice but to use my car to commute. Was constantly stressed about rush hours and finding new ways to beat the traffic. Inspired by a friend... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

1
4

Commuting

Through COVID I switched to cycling to work on at least two of four days a week, this has increased and I now cycle almost every day I am working.
This has reduced my car useage, improved my f... read more

Topic: Carbon Crushers

1
4

Quick and clean

Commuting in Grantham is a mind numbing experience. I had to travel 3 miles across town to reach work and it could take as long as 45 minutes some days.
So, I decided to break out the old trus... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

1
8

LeJog

Having had numerous holidays cancelled, social distancing heightened we began to consider our options. Stay safe and keep fit. When sister and husband offered to drive our camper van for an adventu... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

3

Wednesdays are the best

Wednesdays are now my day in the office, which means I also take my son to school - we have got into a great routine of going by bike.
Then I carry on to the office on my bike. Then the same jo... read more

Topic: Carbon Crushers

1

Going For Broke!

[address removed]

Depression is an insidious disease which at best impacts its victims and everyone around them and at worst makes suicide appear as the only option. In Australia eight peo... read more

Topic: Other

1
1
Image for story E-biking to retirement

E-biking to retirement

Last week I clocked over 43 years working at the same job at Murdoch University Library. For most of those years it has been a 16 Km round trip by car, mostly on my own. When younger I had riden a ... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

3
Image for story From IronMan to COVID-19

From IronMan to COVID-19

3 years ago I was a 275 pound man at a dwindling 5’8 stature. I was unmotivated and unhealthy. Which was not ideal for a firefighter. I didn’t exercise and I was exhausted all the time.
But t... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

4
24

Arthritus won't stop me riding

Since retiring in 2012 and ditching the car in 2013 I have enjoyed cycling, the past three years on my Scott Hybrid but this year the arthritis in my knees has made cycling uncomfortable so against... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

2

How I got involved with love to ride

Hi Team.
Regarding the questions you have ask.

Firstly I must Thank, Graig Harrison for introducing me to the Love to Ride app. It all came about when I was on a Lancashire Adult Learn... read more

Topic: Other

2
Image for story my  bikes

my bikes

For me "love to ride" is not just the love to ride is the only means of transport for work ,shopping and fun ....i do 250-300 miles mothly and i have 3 bike ( had 4 till cople months ago...got ... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

5

Lunchtime Ten

I have been gradually increasing my lunchtime cycle ride, started out doing a 2 mile circuit around Spondon about 2 months ago. I yesterday managed a 10 mile ride, using an old Cycle Derby Map (sad... read more

Topic: Other

4
Image for story Cavenham Heath

Cavenham Heath

I live on the edge of Bury St Edmunds and I work in Cambridge, my cycle commute is around 30 miles each way. I don't do this everyday as it takes about 4 hours in total, and that's a big part of t... read more

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

10

Lockdown helped me ditch the car!

Since lockdown started, I've managed to almost completely switch to commuting by bicycle! The quiet roads and pop up cycle lanes have made me feel happy enough to get myself to work via pedal powe... read more

Topic: Carbon Crushers

7

The Country Park Late at Night

I use my bike to commute to and from work. I leave work between 9pm and 10:30pm depending on my shift and travel through the local country park. It's amazing to hear the owls and see the bats and o... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

3
Image for story We got Active

We got Active

Our company was unable to join Cycle September in any formal manner, but that didn’t stop us.
We created Strava groups all round the world and then joined them up to a Global group too.
read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

2
Image for story MGTYouth Bike rides

MGTYouth Bike rides


Manchester’s Got Talent is a Youth group set up during Covid Lockdown to respond to the local needs of teenagers and parents and fill the gap left where many charities shut down or sent staff ... read more

Topic: Other

1
9

Helping the Environment

I have worked from home since lockdown in March and this has saved a car journey of 25 miles each way to work. Using the M1 daily I was invariably caught up in traffic queues and the fumes created ... read more

Topic: Carbon Crushers

4
Image for story Against all odds

Against all odds

This year has been an incredible challenge to keep cycling. In March we went into lockdown and we’re encouraged to stay in our areas, in July I was taken out by a van driver who opened his door wit... read more

Topic: Other

3
Image for story Teaching my friend to cycle

Teaching my friend to cycle

My friend hasn’t cycled in 30 years. She was given a bike but it was in need of repair. I booked her in to a local Dr Bike session and she was able to ride it home. I’ve been taking her out on litt... read more

Topic: Carbon Crushers

8