Stories from New Zealand

Stopped here for pic lots of giggles forgot we had helmets on n couldn't fit in it

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

For rookie riders like me, well-marked cycle lanes are a lifesaver—because let’s be real, learning to pedal in the chaos of Wellington traffic is basically an extreme sport 😂 This route? A beginner... read more

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

So lucky to be spoiled with cycle paths. My whole glorious commute this morning was on designated cycle track. What a fabulous way to start the day.

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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When I was a kid I would watch out the car window on the boring trip from home in Central Otago to Dunedin, reckoning that I could ride my bike to town instead. So much better.

Nowadays th... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Nola Gillies Have done all the sections of this trail a couple of times - love it. Then finish it off with Dunedin's Port to Port. ... read more

Have done all the sections of this trail a couple of times - love it. Then finish it off with Dunedin's Port to Port. From the dust of Central Otago to the freshness of the ocean - awesome - Nola

Isn't it interesting that, in sports-mad New Zealand, many people think it's absurd to get on a bike and ride three blocks to the dairy, when you could just drive? I mean, who would do that?!
<... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Stephanie Chernishov If you can see my outfit in my pick it's a retro style black dress with lemons on it - I take a similar view to you with br... read more

If you can see my outfit in my pick it&#39;s a retro style black dress with lemons on it - I take a similar view to you with bright jackets but not neccessarily fluoro vests.

This red bike has been my favourite and stopping in at the old train station the colours were too hard not to photograph. I have aero bars (not sure why) and so my aeroe handlbar harness kept slidi... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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I bought my ebike from a relatively obscure ebike company in 2018, mainly because it was extremely affordable on a student salary, and it was a New Zealand company. The nearest shop that sold them ... read more

Just replaced my chain and rear cassette. A big shout out to Andy at bike space, and Evo cycles on Vivian, for help, advice and parts. It's now running sweet for my daily commute.

Topic: Other

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Growing up in the 1950s, cycling was an integral part of a child's everyday life. It was the mode of transportation to school, friends' houses, sports activities, and the shops. When the weather wa... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Great ride down through
thorps bush and then old wharf road to high street to Toad Hall.
Russell and I had brunch there today. There was a breeze but not too windy.
After that we went ... read more

Topic: Other

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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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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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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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Jeffrey Duncan Where are you today?

Where are you today?

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 w... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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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

“Benefits of riding on the trails for me the adrenaline and not being stuck on a couch or in a bar, it’s great for your mental health too“ - Te Mauri Tini

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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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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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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Kate Bevin Oh that's so great to hear! Well done and keep up the great work! We love hearing great stories like yours!

Oh that&#39;s so great to hear! Well done and keep up the great work! We love hearing great stories like yours!

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 m... read more

Topic: Other

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Tanja S. Oops, NO macron in "Matuku Takotako"! Nōku te hē!

Oops, NO macron in &quot;Matuku Takotako&quot;! Nōku te hē!

Stefan Atkinson Kia ora wahine tino Aataahua I tenei ra ka haere ahau me Toku tane ki te rohe o penrose ko Toku ingoa ko ngawini hohaia me... read more

Kia ora wahine tino Aataahua I tenei ra ka haere ahau me Toku tane ki te rohe o penrose ko Toku ingoa ko ngawini hohaia me toku hoa a tipene Atkinson ko ngawini hohaia e tuhituhiana tenei panui Kia koe no te taitokerau ahau me toku hoa noreira Tena koe e wahine toa

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 s... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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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 ha... read more

Topic: Ride with kids

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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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Kandin Robinson I was the same about my motorcycle 4 years ago. But I have gotten to the stage where I'm going to sell my motorbike so I ca... read more

I was the same about my motorcycle 4 years ago. But I have gotten to the stage where I&#39;m going to sell my motorbike so I can buy a second mountain bike and a road cycle... Glad to hear you&#39;re enjoying it and very interesting to hear the health benefits you&#39;ve seen. Keep it up

Kim Hogan Thanks Kandin, I still love my motorbike and will never part with it but definitely pedal power is just as enjoyable. Maybe... read more

Thanks Kandin, I still love my motorbike and will never part with it but definitely pedal power is just as enjoyable. Maybe one day we will meet on a trail. Keep up the great work, and thanks for the comment. 😊

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. “Everything I needed ... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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I always complained that I wasn’t getting any exercise and I said to my husband, I wish I could ride a bike again like when I was a teenager 😂 I actually had not ridden a bike since then. Anyway to... read more

Topic: My Bicycle Romance

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I have upgraded my bike and I had a spare bike for our our youngest son 15yo to ride across town on Sunday. We travelled from Birkenhead to see Family in three kings. Along the way we stopped at ... read more

Topic: Ride with kids

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Exercise is great for my mental health. When I am having particular difficult days, taking the scenic route back home (i.e. from the CBD around the bays and Miramar Peninsula to the south coast) is... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

Ditto Day at the Lab for a Sunday Funday with my beloved. Wore out the pocket rocket with an extended ride and me making her take the lead, but a fortuitous Southerly change gave her a nice tailwin... read more

Topic: Other

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Was in the area of Otaki and went for a quick bike around. Found the river trail and explored that from one end to the other. Great easy ride and the locals have done well with making the trail be... read more

Topic: Other

My friend Zara came to visit and we did an epic ride in Christchurch, along the river to the beach.... well was going epically until we got a puncture. We foolishly had no pump, so chained up the b... read more

I bike to work year round and I have done so for about 8 years. I have had a locked bike stolen from a bike rack while at work.
I felt shocked and couldn't think what to do at first, but insura... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Suraya Casey Cycling Action Network are encouraging people to email Hon Chris Bishop (Chris.[address removed]) about the bikes on buses ... read more

Cycling Action Network are encouraging people to email Hon Chris Bishop (Chris.[address removed]) about the bikes on buses ban. There&#39;s been a trial of secure bike racks inside buses in Auckland which looks to have been successful and might be a good solution.

I am in Southland exploring the region.
Going on the long dusty backroads.
It has been a glorious way to see the landscape.

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Shelly Chainey Hi I'm doing in my town Makarewa if you keen for a ridec

Hi I&#39;m doing in my town Makarewa if you keen for a ridec

One of the best trails I've ever experienced. Challenged myself to do the whole thing in one day. Stopped at the camp site half way for a photo, no turning back now. So many great views of our spec... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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I am 75 and have been cycling since I was 7yrs. I am now employed as a community caregiver, cycling to all my clients. It is a great ice-breaker as all those of my generation and older had to cycle... read more

Topic: Other

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Better late than never, but was good to do. 129km in a day.

Topic: Other

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Kate Bevin Great effort!

Great effort!

My company bought me an e-bike. They wanted to reduce mileage claims, be more environmentally aware, and give me an incentive to be healthier - and around longer. Not that I was ill, but I was on a... read more

Topic: Other

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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

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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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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Beth Paddock e

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Priyani de Silva Currie e

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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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“For me riding a bicycle helps me to become aware of the elements and landscapes around me. It’s a form of mobile meditation and a test of endurance when it its rainy and windy”. - Paula López

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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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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Beck Hawke Go you good thing! Loving seeing you out there :)

Go you good thing! Loving seeing you out there :)

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... read more

My boss Wendy and I took the Active Southland E-Bikes for a spin on Valentine’s Day! Our first 1:1 catch up on wheels.

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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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 fl... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Lucia Santana Patagonia + Empanadas! Can it get any better?

Patagonia + Empanadas! Can it get any better?

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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Karen Griesel Thanks for the inspirational post. Plan on riding that trail tomorrow.

Thanks for the inspirational post. Plan on riding that trail tomorrow.

Kate Bevin Well done! Great effot!

Well done! Great effot!

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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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

Debbie Paardekooper Awesome mahi Lynda!

Awesome mahi Lynda!

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

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Caro Timms Bit of confusion with the chalk signage this morning on my commute (near the waste transfer station) as to where this is (s... read more

Bit of confusion with the chalk signage this morning on my commute (near the waste transfer station) as to where this is (signs showing Octogon)

Craig McGeady Yes, we are a bit confused as to why that was happening, but the Railway station it is. Hopefully we'll see you there.

Yes, we are a bit confused as to why that was happening, but the Railway station it is. Hopefully we&#39;ll see you there.

Davina Hunt confused on the way in from the peninsula chalk said ‘tomorrow’ and ‘wed’ but no date ? As a non regular commuter wasn’t su... read more

confused on the way in from the peninsula chalk said ‘tomorrow’ and ‘wed’ but no date ? As a non regular commuter wasn’t sure if it was last week or the first week of Feb … date next time please 😂 also didn’t have a cup or bowl on me so didn’t go and check … maybe easier next time?

Caro Timms Great turnout this morning! Thanks for organising it.

Great turnout this morning! Thanks for organising it.

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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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Over the weekend, hubby and I met in with his brother in Hamilton. We all have e-bikes, although he has not ridden far from home (he is worried his battery won't last long enough for a lengthy ride... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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