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

Rekindling

As I were younger I did a lot of riding, mostly mountain biking but also road or trials riding.. Life takes over and the kids grow, now its time to get back on the bike. It's been road bikes for th... read more

Topic: My Bicycle Romance

3

from Newcastle city centre & Back

Today I rode just over 15 miles to Newcastle and back home again, my bum hurts like no tomorrow but I actually loved it the cycle route is right next to the river tyne its also so diverse I've ridd... read more

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

Cycling changed who I am

I started riding to work 2 years ago with the aim to get fit and now as a 50 year old with 4 bikes and my second Ride London under my belt and plans to do the Fred Whitton Challenge next year I don... read more

Topic: Other

4

To Paris...

I turn 40 this year. To celebrate, I'm setting off tomorrow to ride from Brighton to Paris. I've always wanted to complete the Avenue Verte route - and I've done the London - Newhaven section, so i... read more

Topic: Other

Not as bad as I thought!

I put off commuting by bike as I thought it would be just a little too far to do both before and after work. Ive done it a few times now and even the first ride wasn't as bad as I thought it would ... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

Feeling fitter everyday

I have only just recently bought a bike after years of thinking I should be cycling to work. I had ruptured two ligaments in my ankle in a footballing injury at the beginning of last year and have ... read more

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

3

Bike to Work

I am now back to my daily "Bike to Work" habit. Enjoying it in the summer weather and across new small 'bike-friendly' streets I am discovering day after day (also thks to some smart Apps).
Hap... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

Image for story 'Upcycle-cycling

"Upcycle-cycling

About five years ago, I moved to a new house to be only 3 miles away from work.
It made sense to buy a bicycle and begin commuting in a healthier way and so I purchased a cheap bike (£89) from... read more

Topic: Other

1
3

London

They say if you're tired of London then you're tired of life... I fully agree! The energy of the city, and the (some may surprising) beauty of the city - the plentiful parks, the river, the histori... read more

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

1

Theiving Beggars

Got my bike on Friday 9th August... Hadn't even put the pedals on when on Sunday 11th August some theiving git nicked it!!

Sunday was the day i was going to sort it all out and buy my insu... read more

Topic: Other

Image for story Ride London following cancer.

Ride London following cancer.

Having been a keen cyclist for several years I applied for the Ride London last August, only to find out 4 day's later I had breast cancer. Active treatment finshed in November. February this year ... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

Why I ride

I never imagined I would actually write about why I ride, but here it is.

At university in London, I commuted by bike using my dad's old Peugeot from the 70s. It was a proper retro machin... read more

Topic: My Bicycle Romance

Teamwork

My story is simple. I’m a people person. I like chatting, and my geographic knowledge and sense of direction is horrific.
To cycle more, and have more fun whilst doing it, I joined a fundraisi... read more

Topic: Other

1

Why I love to ride

I bought my first road bike 4 months ago and have fallen in love with it/cycling. Up till recently I have been overweight, and at school was often bullied about it. I have struggled to get rid of t... read more

Topic: My Bicycle Romance

2

Having made the journey

I'm concluding a two year, one man quest to improve the changing facilities at work. Feel great when I get there but no so great putting damp gear on on my way home. Apparently the funds have been ... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

1
1

best times up hills

I have been training hard over the past few weeks and dragging others up hills . In the last week I have achieved pb's up a couple of the hills . So good for my friends and good for me

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

1

Faster, louder, sorer knees.

I never used to get out of my third gear but since getting a new bike, i cant get enough, high energy music and clear roads are unmatched.

Topic: My Bicycle Romance

Cycle path improvement

After 2 years moaning to the council about a hedge overgrowing over a cycle path, they have eventually cut it back. But not only that they have also cleaned the path of vegetation meaning it is no... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

2

Morning hellos!

I'm fortunate enough to be able to commute on two wheels to work and take the same route over the River Mersey each day. I love to see the rise and fall of the river and the little pockets of wild... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

1

Avoiding school run stress

Travelling to work and doing the school can be stressful. So we ditched the car and got our helmets on and started cycling to school. Luckily I can ride to work and get to watch the swans on the Ri... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

3
Image for story New lease of life

New lease of life

I had been looking for something I could do on my own to help with my fitness, I had tried the gym which was so boring and even bought new trainers thinking running would be my new thing but that w... read more

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

1

Fitness boost

Commuting by bike is a great way to increase your overall fitness for other activities. The more you do, the more you'll find yourself not just wondering where this road or path goes but trying it ... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

1

Many reasons

There are many reasons that I cycle to work. It is a great way of incorporating exercise in to my daily routine. This gives me time to enjoy other activities after work such as gardening.
It is... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

1

Beating the buses

It is a long commute from the west end of Glasgow to Leith in Edinburgh. It is not all done by bike. I cycle to my local railway station and take my bike on the train to Edinburgh Waverly. From ... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

Image for story Company ride to work

Company ride to work

As part of cycle to work day I really wanted to get the whole company out on their bikes and enjoying the great outdoors in the form of a 100km ride between our two offices.

12 brave souls... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

Why I cycle

I started with a small section of my commute by bike due to a foot injury. After being initially terrified of rising in a city, I quickly enjoyed the freedom. After treating myself to a second hand... read more

Topic: Other

1
5

Cycle Commuting ..... and Me

Frustrated by public transport I started cycling to work in 1980 at the age of 33. At the time this amounted to a 25 mile daily round trip between the outskirts of London and the West End. Sadly fo... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

2

Not getting younger

I guess like a lot of folks, I rode a bike as a youngster mainly to get around and go further afield. Dabbled with a mountain bike when kids were younger (usually one on the back in his seat). 4 ye... read more

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

1
3

I dont drive so my bike is my car

I was happy to change jobs in 2018 meaning I could cycle 20 miles a day to work and back. Helping me stay stress free, fit and help the environment. Even through winter I set myself a personal goal... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

Image for story Colle del Nivolet - Italy

Colle del Nivolet - Italy

I started riding just of 14 years ago - a short 1/2 day cycle hire with a mate in Sardinia. In 2006 I managed to ride a total of 1,000 miles & I was absolutely delighted with myself!

E... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

6

I just love cycling up hills

My favourite hill is the one from Elslack to Lothersdale, there is some beautiful scenery and a few intense 12% climbs and sharp corners. You get a huge sense of achievement when you reach the top ... read more

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

The hills have flies

When the local Authority I work for relocated to an "environmental centre" outside town, the number of Folk cycling to work dropped off. This is due to the office being on a steep hill and having l... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

2

A change of lifestyle

I used to ride loads as a kid but then drifted away from it after taking up rock climbing at Uni. A few years ago some work colleagues got me back in to it, and what a blessing in disguise that tur... read more

Topic: Other

2

Back to cycle commuting

I stopped cycling years ago when the dog gave me a pitiful look if I dared go for a ride rather than take him for a walk, and then children got in the way. As for commuting, a big hill and a relat... read more

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

2
Image for story Why bike commute?

Why bike commute?

It’s monday evening and I’m on call for emergency radiology. Usually a few scans at 6pm and I can get home. Today was different. Almost continuous stream of referrals from various doctors mainly in... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

2

'Bar' A Hiccup

I always remember going to a local bike shop to pick up my new bike a got for my 8th birthday. It was a Peugeot mountain bike that had a purple/red finish. I was so excited to get it home and when ... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

Image for story Race Around Ireland

Race Around Ireland

In 2011 I was driving my son James to University in Sheffield. James had the idea that it would be fun to cycle a tandem from Lands End to John O'Groats. We bought a second hand tandem a Dawes Gala... read more

Topic: Other

2

Loopline Love in

Not as exciting as the title suggests, but I use Tyldesley and Roe Green Looplines for a large part of my commute to work. These are some of the finest cycle paths I've used anywhere and they're in... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

1

Saving the gym membership (and the environment)

I have loved switching from the train to the bike for my commute. Not only is it saving a lot of cash from train tickets, but also means the calories burnt, means I can cancel the gym membership to... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

St. Michael's School by bicycle

I started cycling to work in June 1999 with a Raleigh 10 speed. I upgraded to a Dawes Audax when I had an accident. I have cycled to work ever since, now I am waiting for my Spa cycles Audax, my bi... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

Image for story We always cycle together

We always cycle together

I had been wanting to start cycling for a while when I met my (now) fiancé. He was fit and active and took me to buy my first bike. We started cycling together for fun, and then gradually incorpora... read more

Topic: My Bicycle Romance

In Memory of Our Dear Son Joe

Happy memories of cycling with Joe. We really miss him.

Topic: A happy riding memory

2

Everyday challenge

Hour on a bike
Day or night
Rainy day or sunny bright
Weather good
Weather bad
Always happy
Never sad

Topic: My commute by bike

Community loop

On the 8th of August it was cycled to work day with help from let’s ride and colleagues at work we organised a lunchtime ride out. The weather was good no wind nice warm weather, short ride about... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

1

It beats being stuck in traffic

I cycle to work every day all year round come sun, rain or snow, except maybe for a few days in winter when it's just too hazardous, and have done for many years. Honestly I don't always enjoy it t... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

1

Long cycle to work

I thought an 11 mile commute by bike would be too long, but this far it’s going well! Hopefully I can continue into the winter :)

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

1

My cycling story

My cycling story began when I became a hobby widow as my husband approached his mid-40’s. He started riding every weekend, scrutinising his stats, raving about his bike, groupsets and ratios, doin... read more

Topic: My Bicycle Romance

7
Image for story Eroica and a 1979 Puch Prima renewed my life

Eroica and a 1979 Puch Prima renewed my life

In 2014 I had a minor car accident. Left me without transport to work and a need to get my body mobile. I was 52 and not ridden a bike in may years.
Watching TV late one night, I saw "The Cyc... read more

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

3

Morning Swim and Commute!

Commuting to work on my bike, in the summer especially, allows me to cycle to the pool to continue my triathlon training. I cycle to the pool, then cycle direct to work and sometimes pop home at lu... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

1

Love 2 wheels

I ride to work through rain and shine I use to ride 20 miles a day when I worked constant nights.I now ride alot less miles to and from work but I ride nearly all the time. I've always loved 2 whee... read more

Topic: My Bicycle Romance

1