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

Image for story Sweaty Spandex and All

Sweaty Spandex and All

I was out on a social bike ride with friends. We had stopped at a pub to "carb" load and listen to some live music. On a whimsy, I texted a woman I had chatted with briefly on an online dating site... read more

Topic: My Bicycle Romance

2

Road treasures

While leading a group ride from Seattle to San Francisco, I was towards the back of the riders helping a rider with a mechanical problem.
A mother and son were riding an hour or so ahead... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

My first and longest lasting relationship

It started on my birthday in 4th grade. A bicycle appeared as a gift. It was a solid tyred Red bike with tassles. This was the start of a wonderful romance. This bicycle opened up my entire wor... read more

Topic: My Bicycle Romance

Garden to Garden ride

A fun recent riding memory is an early morning (before work) ride from Mead Gardens to Kraft Azalea Garden in Winter Park. I live next door to Mead Gardens, and Kraft Azalea Garden is a beautiful ... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

4
Image for story Screaming through the tulips

Screaming through the tulips

First time on a bike in 7 years was in Amsterdam, April 2015. I can't drive so have zero clue how roads * actually * work. So to say I was flung in at the deep end was an understatement! However, I... read more

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

1
6

Another good reason to ride to work

One good reason why I like cycling to work (not the only reason) is that it leaves the car at home for my dear wife to use. Sadly, this has not been applicable over the past year when I have been m... read more

Topic: My Bicycle Romance

2
Image for story ebiking in Quebec in Autumn

ebiking in Quebec in Autumn

We were happy our ebikes arrived in Quebec from Seattle just as we landed in Montreal. We assembled them while in quarantine and test rode them around the driveway. At last we were out on the open ... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

2
Image for story Danny and his Tandem

Danny and his Tandem

During lockdown I was able to support a visually impaired employee to get back out on the bike, this had a positive impact to both him and his pilot.
https://www.sustrans.org.uk/our-blog/person... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

2

Key worker

As a key worker cycling is my transport as well as my sport in the last two weeks I contracted covid due to my front line work was in bed for days and unable to cycle now that I have recovered cycl... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

6
Image for story Getting married on a bike!

Getting married on a bike!

I met my fiancé Chris through cycling over 3 years ago. We have had many many cycling adventures since including riding coast to coast in the UK in various directions and cycling 4,000km across Eur... read more

Topic: My Bicycle Romance

2
9
Image for story Fietsen / wandelen in corona tijden

Fietsen / wandelen in corona tijden

Fietsen was gisteren te gevaarlijk i.v.m. de sneeuwval en gladheid.
Toch heb ik ontzettend genoten van mijn wandeling langs de Linge in Tiel. Dit is overigens ook heel goed per fiets te doen. E... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

2
1

Confidence on the Road bike

After being in a roundabout road collision years ago; I became very shy about riding the road bike stored in the back of the shed. I have always cruise around town on my hybrid and take the mountai... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

2
Image for story Tri-It!

Tri-It!

Kia Ora whānau,
This is my e-trike, Trinity. She's the reason why I am loving the Bike Challenge this year. She makes riding up (and down) the hills a real breeze. Prior to having her in my lif... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

3
12
Image for story Cycling for work

Cycling for work

This January we got a brand new electric cargo bike at work to help deliver food to people in need. It means I'm doing loads more cycling and feeling great. Although it's an electric assisted bike,... read more

Topic: Carbon Crushers

7
Image for story Biking the twin coast cycle trail

Biking the twin coast cycle trail

We took advantage of the beautiful weather over summer and biked the twin coast cycle trail after Christmas. It is beautifully scenic, I particularly love the ride from Kawakawa to Opua. I love exp... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

8
Image for story Cycle for a good cause

Cycle for a good cause

The past few months have been tough for everyone, but coronavirus has hit those affected by dementia the hardest and continues to disrupt lives. So that's why I'm getting on my bike and taking on C... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

3
Image for story Winter Riding

Winter Riding

This time of year creates its own set of special of riding conditions. However, it also gives one a new perspective on the world. Riding the snow covered trail provides a peaceful environment to ... read more

Topic: Other

1
1
Image for story #665Challenge

#665Challenge

I'm a local tennis coach so wanted to do a tennis related bike ride challenge to keep my fitness up during this lockdown. I set myself a 665 mile challenge (665 relates to the longest ever tennis m... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

1
Image for story staying Local

staying Local

So as Boris says we have to 'Stay Local' for our exercise to in the spirit of 'Staying Local' I decided to cycle the streets of Harehills Leeds which is where I live, This gave me quite an insight ... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

5

My story

Travel everywhere with bike work, shopping, visiting friends and family and long rides out the freedom you have when out on bike is amazing

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

1
Image for story Riding in the cold and rain!

Riding in the cold and rain!

Well it certainly been a challenging month. Back on furlough!
Dodging puddles, trying to stay upright on the ice, fixing punctures following the multitude of hedge cutters out this month.
read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

3
Image for story Years in thr saddle

Years in thr saddle

I love to ride my cycle. I have rode cycles for so many years. But since moving north. I started cycling to work everyday. I have been doing the same route now for nearly 17 years. In all the weat... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

1

amazing brompton rides

I bought my first brompton over 2 years ago when my car broke down and before I bought my next car. I was commuting to work on bike. I rode bike to one place of work and rode the bike to take tram ... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

9
Image for story Fake communting for mental health

Fake communting for mental health

I used to cycle ten miles and back to my workplace at Newcastle University. I have been working from home since the first lockdown, in March 2020. I didn't commute at all the first month, which (ad... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

1
26

Break free of gridlock with an ebike

I was getting tired of the parking lot otherwise known as the northwestern motorway - and because my working day is “bookended” by school dropoff and collection times I couldn’t change my hours to ... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

1
13
Image for story Riding the dikes @ Canyon Ferry Reservoir

Riding the dikes @ Canyon Ferry Reservoir

Canyon Ferry Reservoir is fed by the Missouri River and surrounded by the Elkhorn and Belt Mountains. I can ride from my house to the Wildlife Preserve where 3 dikes surround 3 ponds. My favorite t... read more

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

1
3

Breakfast at Bear Dance

In May, 1980 I joined a half dozen other members of our newly-formed Bitterroot Bicycle Club, from Hamilton, MT, in riding the annual Tour of Swan River Valley (TOSORV). We began pedaling in Misso... read more

Topic: Other

Image for story Riding the Dikes by Canyon Ferry Reservoir

Riding the Dikes by Canyon Ferry Reservoir

From my house I can ride to the Wildlife preserve. It’s a beautiful peaceful ride around 3 dikes. I especially love Springtime when all the birds come back. There’s geese, pelicans, heron, ducks, &... read more

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

Summer biking

My fav place to ride is the New River Trail starting on the NC/VA border going north.

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

1
1
Image for story Always wear a helmet

Always wear a helmet

Commuting to work on the 1st February like I have done many times a van pulled right out on me , hit me full on !!! . It could of been a lot worse if I wasn’t wearing a helmet !!!!’

Topic: My commute by bike

8

Just Get Out There

During the pandemic my mental health has been improved by getting out on my bike. My favourite place has been Sandwell Valley. So many different trails for all abilities. I've been able to expl... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

6

Solo Trip to Asia

Pre Covid ( November 2019) I wrapped my bike up and flew to Chiang Mai in Thailand. Over the next 15 days I cycled solo and unsupported up and down mountain passes, through jungle and past paddy fi... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

2

Only way to go ...

I grew up in rural Aotearoa/New Zealand, where learning to ride and getting your first bike are rights of passage for kids - I can still remember my first attempt and the thrill of "getting it". I ... read more

Topic: Other

No looking back

After treatment for breast cancer I wanted a challenge, so I signed up for ride the night. But hubby pointed out that I didn’t really ride a bike without hitting things or falling off. So I joined ... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

1
10

Just a Reminder

During the Coronavirus Era, we need to remind ourselves of how grateful it is to be in one of the most safest countries in the world right now. And a part of this is to enjoy with much more apprec... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

5

My happy place

Before lockdown 1 I would regularly commute the 20 km to and from work either along the seafront or through Prittlebrook Greenway. Cycling through lockdown gave me space to breathe and forget the p... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

1
1

It’s time for change.

As many now use a car I think they forget that we that do not drive have to breath in all the fumes from cars and we have no choice to do so unless we want to live our life’s wearing a mask.
T... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

6
Image for story To clear the head.

To clear the head.

Took the mtb into the forest today. Needed a to get out. Especially after the football result last night. 😭☺ didn't set no time. Didn't set no distance. Just enjoyed the scenery and fresh air. Took... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

7

Motivation can be hard to find

Back in the day (15 years ago or so) I used to make sure that at least I managed the London to Brighton event, although I didn’t do much other cycling apart from training for that event. I love me... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

7
Image for story Watchtree February Challenge

Watchtree February Challenge

1st day of my keeping active Watchtree challenge managed 18 chilly miles along the Sustrans 72 cycleway :)

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

1

Another convert

The second person I lent my ebike out to for the commute from Massey to the city has also bought an ebike. Two fewer cars on the road; two happier people.

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

11
Image for story January Riding

January Riding

I got 765.6 KM in this month just shy of 800. I also picked up a new CX bike to round out my stable of bikes. I have really enjoyed riding this month cold and rain be dammed, good gear will get y... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

2
Image for story Weight loss, fitness boost and a new challenge -

Weight loss, fitness boost and a new challenge -

At the beginning of 2020 I set myself a modest challenge of riding 100 miles a month thinking I should be able to manage that. At the beginning of Lockdown 1, I had a really scary blood pressure ... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

1
11
Image for story Finding the need to keep going

Finding the need to keep going

hi, I've set a goal for myself to ride 2021 miles by my birthday on the 22nd June, which means riding about 12 miles a day from the 1st January. It's tough going during lockdown, cold, wet and dark... read more

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

2
Image for story Riding in the cold and rain!

Riding in the cold and rain!

Well it certainly been a challenging month. Back on furlough!
Dodging puddles, trying to stay upright on the ice, fixing punctures following the multitude of hedge cutters out this month.
read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

3
Image for story Lockdown and Love to ride goal setting

Lockdown and Love to ride goal setting

Lockdown 1 led me to evaluate my exercise regime and what I could do to get fitter "just in case".

September I came across Love to ride. I started goal setting and giving and receiving hig... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

1
6
Image for story Rondje Benelux

Rondje Benelux

In augustus 2020 een mooie fietsvakantie gehad, door in 8 dagen de Benelux te doorkruisen met overnachtingen in hotels, op een camping en een B&B. Met een drager aan de zadelpen van de racefiet... read more

Replacement commute

While my Son has been living with us, we have replaced his London commute for Quantock hills sunrise rides.
Stop and watch the sunrise with a flask of coffee is a great way to start the day.

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

Image for story Poem (inspired by the new bike) i

Poem (inspired by the new bike) i

There is no other way to go
Over the mountains
Through the snow
Between the valleys
And the glens.
Round the lakes
And back again -

Scenic routes
Are made by ... read more

Another convert

A friend was getting frustrated with his car commute from Massey to the City and the $12 per day parking costs. He was quizzing me on ebikes, so I lent him mine to see if it was a goer for him befo... read more