Stories from New Zealand

I have to be honest I prefer bikes to cars and love looking at other peoples bikes. My grandparents owned a bike shop which was famous in the Eastleigh UK area. The shop had a very distinct smell,... read more

A keen sportsman in younger days, I was 50 yrs when I decided to get back to a fitter, healthier, Happier lifestyle. I joined a gym, tramped, and cycled. At 65 yrs I studied to the certificate leve... read more

Fell in love with biking since 8 years old. With well used tricycle, nothing like riding and cornering till one back wheel comes up. Since then had few bikes, Dad's old Morrison and Raleighs bi... read more

Topic: My Bicycle Romance

This last week of September 2020 marks 10 years of riding to work. I remember the first day vividly. I thought shorts and a t-shirt would be sufficient as I would be riding hard and probably be wor... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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If I had been born on my due date, today would have been my 12th birthday (Feb 29 - a while back). Because I was one of the 50% of all babies that arrive late, I'm almost up to my 48th birthday. To... read more

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

We had a lovely day out on Sunday with workmates and friends and even dragged my partner's son Matthew along, who at 21 years old had never rode a mountain bike, he loved it! We had a delicious lu... read more

Really enjoyed my first ride out on a bike for a really long time! Borrowed a bike from the local business and Wow! they sure make some amazing bikes to ride these days don't they! Will cer... read more

Leading the pack at Waiheke (photo) A group of us went to Waiheke, hired ebikes and had the time of our lives. It was an awesome way to get around and we clocked around 30km. We stopped where e... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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I saw a Little Blue Penguin on my cycle to work this morning along the West Harbour Cycleway SH88 shared path. It made my day :) [address removed]

Topic: My commute by bike

When I drive I rarely take the time to enjoy the city I live in but with biking I an so easily stop, hop off and have a wee explore. Yesterday I decided to visit a piece of remnant bush in Christch... read more

My 17yr old son bikes to school. Biking has allowed him to choose his preferred schools, which were not his closest options. Trying to encourage him to to sit his learner drivers test I said he'd ... read more

Topic: Other

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A colleague invited me to join the challenge early in the month. I thought about it and did nothing. On the night of the 17th someone broken into my car, with the intention of stealing it. The d... read more

On 5 Feb we cycled from Tekapo to Twizel passed canals, lake Tekapo, Ohau and Pukaki; scenery to die for. 6 Feb we biked to Ohau Lodge with a side trip to Ohau weir which was closed but very pictur... read more

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

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Sharon Lea I too have done this ride and its spectacular. I'll never get sick of the scenery down south. Well done.

I too have done this ride and its spectacular. I'll never get sick of the scenery down south. Well done.

My partner and I love to bike, and when camping at my favourite family spot, he took me on a bike ride to Mystery Lake - about a three hour climb! Half way the the wind was howling and I was pretty... read more

Sharon Lea Congratulations to you both.

Congratulations to you both.

just heads up that there is a bicycle clearance store on Lunn Ave , they have helmets from $20 and huge bins of assorted bike accessories including lights, gloves, saddles etc at very affordable pr... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Hey hey, It's almost the end of #MoveitMonday week 2 My story is about sharing that I now find that I am excited about biking to or from work as part of this challenge as I am not really very co... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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John Fridd Well put, Simone. Re butterflies, I reckon that when there are lots around, keep the mouth closed. It's weird swallowing a... read more

Well put, Simone. Re butterflies, I reckon that when there are lots around, keep the mouth closed. It's weird swallowing a flutterby!

Today around 30 staff from our office went for a short lunchtime cruise to Rollicking Gelato in the beautiful New Regent street, a 3.5km round trip. I'm pleased to say drivers were really courteou... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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As I pulled out of my driveway, I could feel all was not well with the left pedal. after a brief period of denial and hoping the problem would go away, I started looking closer while riding and the... read more

Loved the changing lights on the Pink Path this morning! Happy Pride! The lights went really well with the multi coloured Sky Tower - too bad it wasn't still dark by the time I reached the pink pat... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Well, took my husband for a bike ride and he tells me I’m biking with no power as I have the middle of my foot over the pedal. Now I’m biking (when I remember) with the ball of my foot on the pedal... read more

Topic: My Bicycle Romance

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It’s been many years since I have rode my bike... so long that it had cobwebs on it. I took it to the bike shop for a checkup and 6 days into the challenge I went for my first ride on Waitangi Day.... read more

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

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David Sweeney Well done. I can say that the ride TO Paeroa is surprisingly easier than the opposite direction. Having ridden from Paeroa ... read more

Well done. I can say that the ride TO Paeroa is surprisingly easier than the opposite direction. Having ridden from Paeroa on a family ride some years ago, our then 7 and 8 yr olds complained of being tired. So they did the return leg in the car with Grandma... and we all found out how much easier, as we coasted much of the way, where we had been steadily pedalling in the opposite direction! 😀😂🤣

I absolutely love my cargobike. Although we've been car free since 2010, the cargobike is a much more recent acquisition. Whilst I like to walk, and use public transport, having the cargobike jus... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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William Porth That's what I'm talking about!

That's what I'm talking about!

I'm setting off on this event, on 19 February, 3000km, Cape Reinga to Bluff. Self-supported. Hope to complete in 30 days. It's a personal challenge, as I was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease 8 ... read more

Pete Doorbar Good luck Mike, safe travels

Good luck Mike, safe travels

David Sweeney All the best, Mike. I enjoyed our night ride around Hamilton a while back. Cheers, David

All the best, Mike. I enjoyed our night ride around Hamilton a while back. Cheers, David

Frans Voogt Good for you, it is going to be a great adventure and you will make a difference in other's lives. I am in the wave that l... read more

Good for you, it is going to be a great adventure and you will make a difference in other's lives. I am in the wave that leaves on the 20th and have just finished my final pack. I had a stroke in 2018 and it was a bit of a knock - training for this event has taught me perseverance, one straight at a time...you get to the destination in the end, so will you.

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I will not be taking part in the Aotearoa Bike Challenge this year, and as I am the only one from my work place taking part, I withdraw from this event. I was made redundant from my job this mornin... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Anne Heins Oh Ivan, I'm so sorry to hear you were made redundant, that's full on. I hope you have some good support around you. You ca... read more

Oh Ivan, I'm so sorry to hear you were made redundant, that's full on. I hope you have some good support around you. You can still take part in the Challenge though - what about setting up a group to ride with friends, or any kind of social group (family groups, faith groups, sport teams - anything at all). You can create/join as many clubs/groups as you like by clicking on the + sign by "My clubs and groups' in your Challenge profile. Clubs have their own leaderboards too, so you can see how you’re tracking compared with groups of a similar size, either nationally or in your home region! Plus you'll still be in to win prizes, and be eligible for the great participants discounts!

Barney Fitzsimons Hang in there Ivan, your attitude will win thru, ka kite

Hang in there Ivan, your attitude will win thru, ka kite

Great start to the bike challenge by avoiding a 30min queue caused by roadworks in Panmure today

Topic: My commute by bike

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We set out from home nine and early and arrived in Roxburgh where our friend lives who offered to help us with transport. Got to the Roxburgh Dam and loaded up my bike with all the food, drink, ... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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I took advantage of Saturday afternoons open day for the new Christchurch Northern Corridor. Headed from Edgeware Rd, joined at the Cranford St roundabout, then all the way north up the cycleway, a... read more

December 2007 I started riding to work at a new job with Palmerston North City Council Parks. In the 13 years since I have probably gone by car no more than 20 times - car for service etc. Its been... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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My 3 year old had so much fun riding on my bike during the ABC this year, for her 4th birthday last week she got her first pedal bike (thanks for the discount Torpedo7!). I've never seen her so exc... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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The thing is, I live and work in a small town,so I don't really need a car. The main reason I have one is to get my cat to the vet. What to do? Find a bike-compatible, cat-friendly pet carrier of c... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Sam Stockwell Cats don't seem to mind going on the back of a bike, must be because they have a good view.

Cats don't seem to mind going on the back of a bike, must be because they have a good view.

For the second year, GHD Christchurch arranged a lunchtime picnic ride to encourage staff to ride a bike. Today we had a beautiful day warm day to go for the relaxed 3.5km ride off road. We had ano... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Sharon Lea What a great idea.

What a great idea.

My mum mostly grew up in Christchurch and biked as a kid, but hasn't since she was in her twenties for a few different reasons. She saw how awesome I found riding around once I got my e-bike, and g... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Helen Wenley I call my E-bike my freedom machine. I have joined E-bike Social Riders Hawkes Bay group and we have not only clocked up he... read more

I call my E-bike my freedom machine. I have joined E-bike Social Riders Hawkes Bay group and we have not only clocked up heaps of kms but we have new friends. The group has suspended for now due to Covid-19 sadly.

A nice early morning jaunt wiht my colleagues to the Williams Cafe in the Wynyard Quarter before work.

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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I went for a bike ride around the area I live in - a short evening ride - it turned out to be a 45 min ride along some parks and places I would have not noticed otherwise. When you are on your cycl... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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For the last several years I have been wanting to bike part of the way to work. Problem: it’s 56km between home and Christchurch!! If I could just bike some of it I would be happy. Well happier tha... read more

Topic: Other

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Jade A Nailed it!! What a great way to start the day. Fantastic to have finally achieved this goal :)

Nailed it!! What a great way to start the day. Fantastic to have finally achieved this goal :)

We started this adventure when our whanau of four kids left no time for me to exercise or do anything much for myself. As a survivor of an aggressive cancer that messed with my body as much as my h... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Every ride is different, today watching the sunrise over the Hauraki Gulf, the double hulled waka under sail in the harbour caught my eye. Otherwise the sunrise reflecting off the buildings aroun... read more

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

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I have been a bicycle nut for years and always try to ride everywhere (better for the planet, and better for my fitness and stress levels). Last year I decided to buy a cargo bike to take the next ... read more

Topic: Other

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Julie Wotton Fantastic - inspiring!

Fantastic - inspiring!

Anne Heins So inspiring, love it! I'm thinking it might be worth starting a conversation with my flat about whether we go in on one to... read more

So inspiring, love it! I'm thinking it might be worth starting a conversation with my flat about whether we go in on one together...

This weekend we spend a couple of days on the Hauraki rail trail....cycling has become a great way to spend time together away from screens creating new and varied experiences. There was laughter a... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Oliver May Funniest cafe for a family visit :D

Funniest cafe for a family visit :D

Started driving my daughter to school from Brookfield to Bethlehem on Friday. Traveled a short distance before witnessing a heavy traffic on Millers Road as far as the eye could see. Knowing that S... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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We bought my son a good second-hand bike when he got to intermediate so he could independently cycle the 4km to school each day; no worries if we're working and can't do drop-off or pick-up. I lik... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Julie Wotton Brilliant!

Brilliant!

After doing a couple of longer rides for me (>30km) I decided it was time to bike from my home town of Waimauku to work in the Auckland Viaduct area. I set out around 6:40am and had a good ride ... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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When I first met my now husband I knew that he loved mountain bike riding, yet I had not been on a bike since I out grew my childhood bike. Yet (with my permission) he purchased me a cross countr... read more

Topic: My Bicycle Romance

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Biked to work with my newly acquired saddle bags which I won Week 1 through #MoveitMonday. The saddle bags match my bike really well, so feeling well chuffed! I had to adjust the bags on to the... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Rachel Ford That's awesome, Simone! Those saddle bags look brilliant :)

That's awesome, Simone! Those saddle bags look brilliant :)

Eryn Shields Well done Simone :-)

Well done Simone :-)

Have to shout out to one of the Bike Challenge supporters; TriEye, the riding glasses with a rear-vision mirror. After a recent experience with a large vehicle that was wider than the driver rea... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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David Sweeney Hi Mark, Thanks for your story. I have already pointed these TriEye glasses out to my sister, who wanted to have a mirror f... read more

Hi Mark, Thanks for your story. I have already pointed these TriEye glasses out to my sister, who wanted to have a mirror for her cycle commuting... but was dreading the aesthetic look of adding a mirror to her road bike (or getting a couple of mirrors for both her road bikes, in fact) or those antennae-looking mirrors on her helmet. This seems to fit the bill exactly. I'll pass on your glowing testimonial!! Thanks, David

Mark Hayes I'm glad the info's been useful David. You'll want a pair for yourself once you try them. Cheers, Mark

I'm glad the info's been useful David. You'll want a pair for yourself once you try them. Cheers, Mark

Wow I am 2 days into my rides and yesterday I took a dozen eggs home in my panniers, surprised they weren't cooked by the time I got home. Today brought in a fundraising cake for Relay for Life al... read more

A bit of a later ride home tonight. Kind of nice hearing the birds chirp next to the car engines while stoped at the lights :)

Hubby and I met June 2015 and he was aware I loved to exercise alot, so we naturally went on a ride for one of our first dates. I over estimated his biking fitness and he got cramp and was very ... read more

Topic: My Bicycle Romance

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One of the goals I set for myself when I started my new job at TCC was to bike to work. My role is Corporate Sustainability Lead, so biking makes sense for a lot of reasons. Fitness, wellbeing, env... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Yvonne Rooney Thanks for sharing your journey! Can't wait to hear more about how you're finding your bike commute. I know that having a s... read more

Thanks for sharing your journey! Can't wait to hear more about how you're finding your bike commute. I know that having a small human in the house can make an active commute seem impossible, but it's not - well done!

This is the loveliest part of my ride to work along the mostly traffic free Esplanade coastal road, to catch the Waiheke ferry to Auckland. A bit slower with the gravel but beautiful to see the sea... read more