Stories from New Zealand

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

Full month ahead

Will try to go for a ride everyday come sun or rain. I hope the bike holds!

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Image for story Poetry in motion

Poetry in motion

How staunch a cyclist are you?
Do you bike in rain or snow?
Do you own a fluoro jacket?
Have your cheeks a healthy glow?

Perhaps you are a ‘wannaʼ
Wanna travel urban styl... read more

Topic: Other

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Dolphins and Rays

So driving to work is hot and bothersome. Not so with riding to work. On my first day of the challenge, I saw dolphins in the harbour by Te Papa and a sting ray by Fergs...
Gotta love riding ... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Downhill biking

Tried downhill mountain biking for the first time last week. Made it all the way to the bottom in one piece, hurrah!

Topic: My Bicycle Romance

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Encouraging young friend

I've got a 30yr old staying with me for around 6months. He was unsure re my bike riding long distances when fine weather around. He has since tried a 30km bike ride with me and he seemed to enjoy i... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Railway adventure

We crossed the railway lines using the pedestrian crossing, and had to do some super maneuvers. Great achievement, and lots of fun!!!

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story First day biking to work

First day biking to work

It has been something yet to be accomplish for few years. Finally, done it today and love the ride, except that in town, i am still sharing pathway with pedestrian instead of cars. Gotta get myself... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Image for story Paradise

Paradise

Getting back on my bike has been fab, especially with the great weather we are having. I've been making the most of the time in between jobs, exploring what is right in front of me. We do live in p... read more

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

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Image for story Biking is better, even in -50C

Biking is better, even in -50C

I have ridden a bike as my primary mode of transport since 1989, doing my Master's degree.
I owned a car briefly for one year in 1995-96, and had bought a house outside of the city so I could b... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Image for story The Peace Of Riding

The Peace Of Riding

This is not 1 memory. I have never driven, always ridden. I deal with anxiety. Some of my rides and my choice to ride the long way home are for the purpose of destressing. I find riding and listeni... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Image for story Cycling to Survive!

Cycling to Survive!

I am a Brain Cancer Survivor.
I cycle after after a foot/leg injury led to diagnosis of a Brain Tumor then Cancer.
After an Awake Craniotomy in 2013 i took up cycling as i cant do much imp... read more

Topic: Other

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Image for story riding to Mt Eden

riding to Mt Eden

I just went to my roomie's work just today at the Time Out Book Store, I just loved riding my bike and every once a day I do ride bike sometimes I go to my sister to Babysit my newphy and helping ... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Best and worst road on my commute

Blenheim Road is both awesome and awful for commuting. Minimal parking means there's far less risk of dooring, and the traffic tends to create a nice draught regardless of the wind.

So ma... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Wildlife incounters on night ride

During lock down to maintain shift separation I had to do night shift. On my ride home over a week I encountered two possum and was confronted by a rat that decided he had more rights to the path I... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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Love To Ride was useful

Love to ride was useful. I found it a good motivation tool and way to trace rides. But they have stopped keeping the totals. At the top of the page was a part with total kilometres and total trips.... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Image for story Biking the mariua saddle road

Biking the mariua saddle road

Generous daughter dropped us off at frog flat. So 2 hours out of her day... and off we went..4 ks to saddle summit and then cruising down 11 is to the oldest (well, that what the locals say) concre... read more

Topic: Other

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10 minutes a day

This February, I have been inspired to ride every day. I normally travel everywhere on my bike, but now there's more reasons to bike on my days off. Even a 10 minute ride does wonders for my feelin... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Image for story Buy another bike

Buy another bike

Saw a person ride up to the bus stop, fold up their bike, jump on and disappear in under half a minute. I've now got a folding bike too, lovely blue colour, so I drive across the bridge, unfold th... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Image for story What a great way to start and end my work day.

What a great way to start and end my work day.

I decided to treat myself to an ebike 2 years ago. My thinking was if I commuted one day a week to work it would take one car off the road. I have been commuting to work at least 4 days a week this... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Image for story Creating Memories

Creating Memories

Here we all are, ready to make some memories on a recent family trip to Hanmer.

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Image for story Wee man goes to dirt

Wee man goes to dirt

So my boy just turned 3 the other day and he loves riding bikes no matter if its with me on the Mac Ride, one of his bikes (he has quite a few) rain or sun. This month I did my first 100km ride in ... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Image for story Child hood memories to be created

Child hood memories to be created

I have my memories of riding to school. And now i want my kid to make those memories. When i was walking along his biking then either i was dictating and my boy was thinking i am biking so only i ... read more

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

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Image for story DUNEDIN BIKE BREAKFAST - Postponed

DUNEDIN BIKE BREAKFAST - Postponed

Dunedin riders! The Bike Breakfast has been postponed due to Level 2 restrictions, but we're planning to hold it on Wednesday 24th Feb (same time 6.30-9am and same place - Train Station!). So as lo... read more

Topic: Other

Image for story NZ Gran Fondo

NZ Gran Fondo

I had a great day out in Cambridge and the mighty Waikato as a participant of the NZ cycling festival on Saturday (13th Feb 2021), that also hosted a number of national championship races and $50k ... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

Image for story Nostalgia Bike Gang

Nostalgia Bike Gang

It's getting to be quite the institution, the annual "Bike gang" ride from various parts of Christchurch to the Nostalgia Festival at Ferrymead. Today was my first time going to the festival and of... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Biking dates with my husband

My favourite place/route to ride, is around the many bike trails in Blenheim. My husband and I go out biking in the weekends, which I really look forward to. We go early in the mornings when there ... read more

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

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Image for story Rabbit Island

Rabbit Island

What better way to kick off the Aotearoa bike challenge than catching the ferry from Mapua to Rabbit Island. Lovely flat trails meant my first ride on a non-ebike for about 4 years was a breeze . G... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Image for story Rainbow

Rainbow

Just cycled from Hanmer to St Arnaud through the rainbow. Fantastic scenery, well worth the pain!

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Image for story Feel the fear and do it anyway!

Feel the fear and do it anyway!

Tūwhitia te hopo, mairangatia te angitū! Feel the fear and do it anyway!

My name is Jill Walters and I am the Organisational Development Lead at Toi Moana Bay of Plenty Regional Council. I... read more

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

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Image for story New off road paths!

New off road paths!

I hadn't ridden a bike from my early 20s until last year (er, my late 30s). I wasn't scared as such, but I found the new shared path along SH1 at Takanini was a good place to get my confidence up. ... read more

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

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I'm just out riding my bike!

When a serious faced road cyclist has a slow day they call it 'recovery'. A commuter just calls it Friday.

Topic: Other

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Bike life

My first bike was a Christmas present after I turned 5 years old. I was so excited, that I sneaked into the garage (where I was told NOT to go) to ride it. It was red, with a large front wheel and ... read more

Topic: Other

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Day 1

First day riding to work.
Of course it had to be a day where we have a high of 30 degrees!
Oh well......
I did it to improve my health.
I did it to save money.
I did it to help ... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Image for story Retail Therapy

Retail Therapy

Before Covid I got used to breaking my shopping up to 2 to 4 trips during the week often on my way home from other things and only buying what fitted in my backpack. During Covid I changed my shopp... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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Image for story Can we please get over The Auckland Harbour Bridge?

Can we please get over The Auckland Harbour Bridge?

I have dreamt for the last 30 years that I could just leave my house in Northcote Point and take my bike over The Auckland Harbour Bridge to the CBD for my work. Now that I am retired I still canno... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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The sweet silence

Ahhh, casting my mind back to March 2020, I remember it was heaven for bikes. No wait at the lights, serenity on the streets, just me and nature. Kids also using the streets for biking and skateboa... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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The Pain before the Pleasure

'Change' is happening in Hamilton with major roadworks around the University area of the City so my regular commute route impassable and sometimes frustrating when following the detour route sugges... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Back in the saddle

After a bit of a tough year in 2020 change in job, change in house a new commute ride to work is getting the head and body heading back in a good direction.

Topic: My commute by bike

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The joy

One night my wife and I were riding home from the Basement Theatre in Auckland. Coming up Grey Str going past the council flats a lone bike rider comes hurtling down the hill. He is a Polynesian ma... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Bike Ride for Fitness & Saves Time

Bike ride very useful for health maintenance. As long as the setting on the bike makes it comfortable and not strain the back and legs. Adjusting the height of the seat is useful. Carry air pump, t... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Image for story Sunday ride

Sunday ride

Sunday morning 28/02/21 and level 3 has kicked in. I'm feeling pumped, yeah! let's do this...no destination in mind I'm just going to ride so I head over toward Mangere Bridge underpass.

I... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story Recapturing my youth

Recapturing my youth

When I was 18 I traded in riding my pedal power bike for a 360 Honda and swore I would never ride a bike again. Why would I got beautiful wheels will travel. Many, many years go by.....
Then in... read more

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

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Image for story Breakfast ride motivation

Breakfast ride motivation

This is my first year as the office champion for the bike challenge. Over the month we have met up for a total of three cycle breakfasts before work. They are by far the easiest way of getting me o... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story Love working for a company that accommodates cycling to work!

Love working for a company that accommodates cycling to work!

Dedicated bike parking in the office + shower facilities are awesome benefits of my job <3

Topic: My commute by bike

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Image for story I believe the children are our future...

I believe the children are our future...

I think that my eight year old son sums it up with this quote which he put on a poster which he made for his classroom recently.

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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fitness gains

I like competing in triathlons, but I'm a weak runner, so I normally over-train on running and skip the cycling as I'm a stronger cyclist. This month I've done almost 200km on the bike, and just h... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Image for story Worklife BBQ Long Bay + Browns Bay + Friend catchup

Worklife BBQ Long Bay + Browns Bay + Friend catchup

I decided that despite leaving later than planned to arrive at a BBQ on time (can you really be late to a BBQ?), I would cycle on my recently repaired (glassed tyre puncture) bike rather than drive... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Image for story The work Ride

The work Ride

Hi
I moved into my new house on the Otago peninsula at the same time as the new cycle way was being built. See how great this looked it was the perfect opportunity to get out of the car and ba... read more

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

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School's Cool!

Due to the latest Level 2 alert for ChCh and working from home for the next 3 days, I decided to take my daughter to school by bike this morning.
She is still small enough (just..) to fit on th... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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Image for story Getting riding doesn't have cost much.

Getting riding doesn't have cost much.

Since living in Hamilton riding with the kids has been a big part or our spare time. One thing I love about cycling is how cheap it can be, especially compared with motorized transport. I bought a ... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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