Stories from New Zealand

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

Bike maintenance

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

2 70+ year olds riding 7,500km around NZ - on a tandem

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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Riding down to Toad Hall and around the bike trail to Old wharf road.

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 via the r... read more

Topic: Other

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Image for story Finally got out there

Finally got out there

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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Toddler and music

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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Image for story My happy places x 2

My happy places x 2

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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Port Hills fires

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 wher... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Out and about

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

Topic: Other

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Image for story Love Taupo - I can bike to work

Love Taupo - I can bike to work

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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CONNECTION and INSPIRATION

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 get o... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story 💖 Riding’s better done together 💖

💖 Riding’s better done together 💖

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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Image for story Bikepacking in Patagonia Chile

Bikepacking in Patagonia Chile

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 flash fl... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Image for story I'm 50k from home and now I have to get home

I'm 50k from home and now I have to get home

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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Ages

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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New lease of life!!

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

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

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Image for story Bike Breakfast 2024

Bike Breakfast 2024

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 Wednesday ... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Image for story Coffee and Kai on Wednesdays - does a little rain matter?

Coffee and Kai on Wednesdays - does a little rain matter?

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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Enjoyed a bike ride either family

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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Image for story NZ Tour — In Memory of Mike

NZ Tour — In Memory of Mike

We’re using the Bike Challenge month to train for a special Tour. We’re riding the length of NZ in memory of the marvellous Mike Doig, who sadly passed away a year ago. Mike was one of our famou... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Biking Bonus

One bonus of biking to school rather than driving is that you can stop at a few places along the road to pick blackberries. Yum!

Topic: Ride with kids

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Image for story Putting the Mountain in MTB

Putting the Mountain in MTB

Effort-rewarding views from Mt Moerangi in the Whakarewarewa Forest this morning

Topic: Other

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Cycling the world over

I cycle for everything and in 2021 I discovered a virtual cycling app which I began with riding along the Berlin Wall. I was given information, history and updates along the journey and photos of t... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Coming back from Injury

As a new ebike owner(!), I couldn't wait to start cycling to work. However, just after 2 weeks of riding, in November 2023 I managed to get myself into an accident involving my bike and a parked ca... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

3
Image for story Biking - one bite at a time

Biking - one bite at a time

The last few years we've been bike touring over Christmas. Bike touring with kids always brings to mind Desmond Tutu's famous statement, "there's one way to eat an elephant: a bite at a time". Wit... read more

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

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Image for story The Up-Cycles Charitable Trust Story - so far...

The Up-Cycles Charitable Trust Story - so far...

🚴🏻‍♀️ A place for fixing, refurbishing, adapting & donating bikes, and a learning space for those in need. ’It’s a hand-up, not a hand-out’. 🚴🏼 My name is Chris Foggin and I am the foun... read more

Topic: Other

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Image for story Cycling and working

Cycling and working

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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Image for story Tour De Coffee Culture done and dusted for '24

Tour De Coffee Culture done and dusted for '24

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

Topic: Other

My company bought me an ebike

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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Alps to Ocean

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

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story Pitch in for a new bike track for Forfar Nursery and Preschool

Pitch in for a new bike track for Forfar Nursery and Preschool

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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Power of the Pedal

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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Image for story Balancing the bike and gym

Balancing the bike and gym

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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Image for story The team at Great South are clocking up the KMs 🚲

The team at Great South are clocking up the KMs 🚲

“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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Newtown is Awesome

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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From Small Beginnings ....

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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Image for story Kotahi Rau Kiromita

Kotahi Rau Kiromita

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 mare... read more

Topic: Other

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Image for story Moerangi MTB track. A steep but rewarding challenge.

Moerangi MTB track. A steep but rewarding challenge.

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 seen... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Image for story Tiny Trailer

Tiny Trailer

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 happe... read more

Topic: Ride with kids

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Image for story Coincidence or not

Coincidence or not

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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Man who's never owned a car has cycled everywhere for 50 years

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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Image for story Best gift ever

Best gift ever

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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Getting my son out riding

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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Must try... come challenge yourselves!

I finally had the guts to start my biking challenge yesterday with my hubby and son. So fun.. today I rode to work. Small accomplishments, makes me happy 😊. See you around bikers!

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Utility Cyclist

I rarely cycle for fun. It is generally just to get around. It's quite enjoyable just travelling from place to place via bicycle. It turns what would generally be a stressful activity to an enjoyab... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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covid sucks

In lockdown in stage 4 it was so boring but in stage 2 we were back riding

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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Image for story GO BY BIKE DAY WAS SO FUN

GO BY BIKE DAY WAS SO FUN

WOOHOO Priya and I loved wearing QR codes and spreading the ABC love <3

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Running Errands

I cycled up to the local shops to return a faulty product. No parking problems plus the mall I visit offers safe bike parking which is very helpful. When I was completing my transaction a gentlem... read more

Topic: Carbon Crushers

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Image for story Road warrior

Road warrior

During COVID we were allowed to exercise. I took the bicycle and cycle from home. Not long there after found myself on the State Highway. Didn't see any cars. Dead quite. Was very funny to see th... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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Image for story Family cycle tour from Hamilton to Christchurch

Family cycle tour from Hamilton to Christchurch

Kids are more resilient than we give them credit for. These kids, aged 8 to 13, just biked from Hamilton to Christchurch! 26 days of cycling, usually around 50-60km per day, the biggest day was ov... read more

Topic: Ride with kids

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Check that your rides get logged.

You’ve got the Love to Ride app connected - you rock! Now’s a great time to go for a test ride, check your app, and make sure your rides are pulling across onto your profile. If you ever spot a rid... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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