Stories from New Zealand

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

Stories from around the world

A Refreshing Ride

30 Sept 2019, East Devon, leaving work I thought no way can it continue to rain this hard for the entire eight mile ride home. How wrong was I? Biblical. So there’s me doing my bit to mitigate the ... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Getting back on a bike at "58"

As part of "Team Speyside" within Moray Council I have thoroughly enjoyed the September cycling challenge.
Before the challenge I was an occasional cyclist. Paul, my husband, and I bought bike... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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An exhausted Asthmatic

My lungs are shot - after 40 years of chest infections, and asthma attacks, I got an e-bike. I've not been on a bike seriously for many many years, mostly because I can't breathe properly. The ex... read more

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

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Diary of a Wobbly Cyclist

WIND SUCKS! or should that be blows?? Either would do today.......and I thought rain was bad!!

Topic: My commute by bike

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Image for story While I was away...

While I was away...

Sadly I missed the big company ride this past weekend, but had the incredible opportunity to travel to Ireland. This was my first time ever in Europe and I wanted to make the most of my ONE day of... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Image for story on the road again !!

on the road again !!

ride on a green lane and let go by speed

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

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Image for story Dairy of a (soggy) wobbly cyclist

Dairy of a (soggy) wobbly cyclist

Well that sucked!

Topic: My commute by bike

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You have to be in it....

I have been a regular supporter of bike riding events that encourage everyone to ride more and have supported the workplace challenge for many years. I've seen it help motivate riders to start a ha... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Image for story Riding to discover

Riding to discover

I've joined the Lendwithcare Zambia Bike Ride taking place in May 2020. Its a 10 day trip, cycling 500 kms starting in Lusaka and ending at the fantastic Victoria Falls in Livingstone. We'll be sto... read more

Topic: Other

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No man is an island

Jason's e-biking experience is encouraging and shows that age is no barrier when it comes to cycling... his story:

"I learnt to cycle as a child and up until 4 years ago used a moped to ge... read more

Topic: Other

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Me and the kids

Cycling makes me feel happy. I used to use a bike trailer to get my son to school and now he rides to school with me. My eldest son likes to do longer rides with me and explore.

Topic: My Bicycle Romance

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Image for story le vélo c'est trop bon !!!

le vélo c'est trop bon !!!

magnifique et très dur parcour VTT vive le sport !!!

Topic: A happy riding memory

Image for story Long way from home...

Long way from home...

Today we went to an open day at Kingston Maurward College - This is down in Dorset, and has a studio school attached. My eldest daughter - 15 is starting her last year in school and wanted to go to... read more

Topic: Other

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Image for story Hartside Summit from 20 stone

Hartside Summit from 20 stone

December 2015 I was almost 20 stone in weight, as someone once said I was built for comfort not for speed. Something had changed for me however and I was about to embark on something life changing.... read more

Topic: My Bicycle Romance

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Diary of a Wobbly Cyclist

No ride today. Gynae appointments and bicycles don't really mix!

Topic: My commute by bike

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Raining this morning

In the dark, just awake, the hiss of rain on concrete through my open window next to my bed.
Semi-dreaming, in quick succession: drive/take the bus/ride? Yes, ride.
Which bike?
Not S... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

5

Active Holidays

I spent the holidays cycling from Santander in Spain to Bordeaux in France. It's a great way to see the countryside.

Topic: Other

Never to late

I am 54 year old not rode a bike for about 30 years and thought i would never do what I have actually done.
In August 2018 I joined a group called fit rovers this is helping men loose weight cr... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Back in the saddle

Having not really rode a bike since I was in my Teens - I decided to get back to it and start riding to work. 8 weeks later and 62 trips completed I am feeling fitter, have lost weight and saved mo... read more

Topic: My Bicycle Romance

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My inspiration

I read of a guy who ran a marathon every day for a year,that and Steve Abrahams attempting 80,000 miles in a single year,since then I have ridden nearly 40 mile a day for almost four years without ... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Diary of a Wobbly Cyclist

Today, on my way home from work, I swallowed a fly!!

Topic: My commute by bike

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Bird Watching

I was joined by a barn owl on this morning's commute. It flew with me along the lane, just a couple of metres in front at head height. We carried on riding together for about two hundred metres bef... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Cycle 300 Cancer Research Challenge

The Cycle September CityConnect Global Bike Challenge perfectly coincides with my Cycle 300 challenge for Cancer Research. Started yesterday, 1 September with the Selby Three Swans Yorkshire Cancer... read more

Topic: Other

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Image for story The Big Ride, Brisbane to Byron Bay

The Big Ride, Brisbane to Byron Bay

On the weekend of 30th August-1st September 2019 thirty of us rode the BIg Ride from Brisbane to Brunswick heads to raise money for permaculture projects in the besieged West Bank and Gaza of Pales... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Image for story Give it a try.

Give it a try.

Today's bike-ride took me through lush green rice-fields & forests. It was an exhilarating experience, and one I would encourage others to do. My ride was one of my 'no plan, getting lost' r... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story Chasing my Dad

Chasing my Dad

I've been chasing my 83 year old Father's mileage right from the start of this challenge.

After doing 120kms last Sunday, I was still 15kms in arrears. I went out early yesterday and did ... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Fun on a tandem

Sent an email last week encouraging colleagues to have a go. Volunteered to bring in my tandem if anyone wanted to have a try on the back. So glad Peter took me up on it! Only 10 minutes round the... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

Image for story From non Cyclist 4 years ago to Champ Badge

From non Cyclist 4 years ago to Champ Badge

Four years ago I had not been on a bike for 30+ years and never thought I would ever be on one again. However a posting to Paris saw me looking for a cheaper option to monthly metro tickets.
read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story Lands End to John O'Groats

Lands End to John O'Groats

From 7-15 Sep 19, I took part in the Deloitte Ride Across Britain cycling 980 miles in 9 days. It was the hardest thing I have ever done but it was an incredible experience which I would highly rec... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Image for story Pumped up the tyres and back on the road after 3 years!

Pumped up the tyres and back on the road after 3 years!

My colleagues encouraged me to get back on the road today! I dusted my bike down, pumped up the completely flat tyres and joined them on a lunchtime bike ride. Managed 9.7 miles not to shabby and l... read more

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

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Image for story Bicycle Touring Adventure

Bicycle Touring Adventure

It has been 12 months since my bicycle tour in New Zealand so I decided to go out for a few days pedalling down to the Scenic Rim and into Northern New South Wales.
I woke early on the Sunday m... read more

Topic: Other

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Back on the bike

After a week and a half of enforced working from home thanks to my 'crappy knee' (this is apparently actually in my official medical notes!) I'm back on my bike this week.

My knee still i... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Image for story Rainbows - Reaping the Rewards

Rainbows - Reaping the Rewards

22 cyclists 🚴 500 miles, 6 days… it's the Riders of Shaam who recently took part in a 'wheelie' amazing cycling challenge which saw them ride from Amsterdam 🇳🇱 to Berlin 🇩🇪 in support of Rainbows. ... read more

Topic: Other

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Image for story Somewhere near Heaven

Somewhere near Heaven

Had my first actual contact with the wildlife early in my ride today...roadkill I am afraid. Not sure what but my, did it cause me to fight the bike and the noise as it passed through the frame wil... read more

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

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Cycling can save your life. If you let it.

One year ago I was tired. I noticed my feet aching at work. People were overtaking me on shopper bikes on the way home, and my segment times were getting worse. I decided I needed a holiday. Just a... read more

Topic: Other

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Ride and Stride? Charity Mate. Charity....

What a day! 2 bridges loop. Chepstow to Coleford to Parkend to Cinderford... To Gloucester to Berkley Castle to Chepstow. Via some absolutely beautiful countryside and fuelled by peerless WI cak... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

Achy ribs!

Ribs still ache from my cycling accident on Friday, but not enough to discourage me from completing the September challenge. Beware of dogs while cycling..... my advice of the day!

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

Image for story Tickle your fancy?

Tickle your fancy?

This has made a lot of car drivers/passengers smile 👌❤️
Attach colourful pipe cleaners and feathers to the rear of your helmet.

Topic: My commute by bike

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Big Love

Having a lot of positives from acknowledging drivers at junctions/roundabouts and give way chicanes with this hand signal combined with a big smile.
Fist tap your heart three times- point direc... read more

Topic: Other

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Image for story Raining this morning

Raining this morning

In the dark, just awake, the hiss of rain on concrete through my open window next to my bed.
Semi-dreaming, in quick succession: drive/take the bus/ride? Yes, ride.
Which bike?
Not Spee... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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BIKE = FREEDOM

I learned to ride as a kid. Like a lot of other American kids it was a rite of passage to lose the training wheels. Though, I recall distinctly injuring myself learning to ride without training whe... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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avec plaisir

petite ballade sous un magnifique soleil .... c'est là que le vélo est vraiment top !!

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Diary of a Wobbly Cyclist

Yesterday I discovered I get very grumpy if I don't get my daily bike ride!
Bloody rain!

Topic: My commute by bike

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Image for story Trail to Road.

Trail to Road.

Love riding both my mtb and road bike. Rivington and Darwen for most of my local mtb rides. Gisburn and Lakes if going further afield.
Enjoy rides to Southport , Blackpool and Garstang on the ... read more

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

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Image for story Ready for Spring

Ready for Spring

After a brief, scary encounter with a magpie last year, we are prepared this year.

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story Why I Cycle To Work

Why I Cycle To Work

I cycle to work because I enjoy the speed and predictability of my commute.
I also enjoy being outside and active, especially after a long day inside. I enjoy going off road via the Philadelphi... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Riding in the rain

This will be my second year cycling to work. Until this morning I would jump on the train if it rained, but I decided this morning would be different, I didn't think about it, got dressed and cycle... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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how else?

I was more or less born on a bicycle. I used to work at 60 km away and commuted by train. It got me fat and I picked up just any flu or cold that was around. All those people sneezing and coughing ... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Image for story Ride London: Barbara’s story

Ride London: Barbara’s story

[address removed]

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story London to Paris

London to Paris

After taking on the challenge in 24 hours for the last two years, I decided to mix things up a bit and invite my non-cyclist friends along. I was apprehensive that someone would give up halfway but... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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