Stories from New Zealand

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

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 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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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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Lessons re-learnt

I’ve been a regular cyclist for over 25 years, and today, on my first ever 100km bike, I made a handful of lazy choices that dampened the occasion. So, I’ll be doing the following religiously in fu... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Image for story Wow it’s February already?!?

Wow it’s February already?!?

It was only today that I remember that it was February and that it is Bike Challenge month! The start of the year has already gone by so quickly! So today I committed to riding to and from work... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Riding to work +

My work is only 4.5 km from home so it's an easy bike ride. Are there days when I drive instead of bike? Of course! Most of them are valid, like the kids need dropping off somewhere that's conven... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Biking to work

I have a trike - its nicknamed Big Red. - its not an e bike I ride it to work with my e-legs I was riding to work on the car free day with my music playing and swaying back and forth side to sid... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Image for story 25km in one day!

25km in one day!

Very happy with this badge!

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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We're here, and we're not going away

Had a great ride to the shops yesterday, and not just because of the light Sunday traffic. The footpaths on High St were crowded with pedestrians, there were a few motorbikes cruising along (and on... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Image for story Family fun on the Puketapu Loop, Hawkes Bay

Family fun on the Puketapu Loop, Hawkes Bay

We're on holiday in the Hawkes and it's been great biking around, the cafes and sights. Today's adventure was a sixteen kilometre ride along the Puketapu Loop to the Puketapu Hotel for lunch and th... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Motiviation

Aotearoa Bike challenge giving me motivation to explore my new region by bike :D

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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3 Things I learnt while riding in Christchurch

1: Learning the bike routes to work, but cant go both back home, the same way, Tuam and St Asaph are only one way, I wonded why I didnt get any bike traffic lights. 2: Glass, I need to take a sm... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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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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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 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 Up For the Challenge

Up For the Challenge

http://www.gisborneherald.co.nz/environment/20210202/up-for-the-challenge-5/

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Image for story Bike Breakfast 2021

Bike Breakfast 2021

If you're in Dunedin and looking for motivation to get on your bike during the Aotearoa Bike Challenge, Spokes Dunedin is hosting it's 7th annual Bike Breakfast for anyone who turns up on a bike! ... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Image for story SH2 Chaos

SH2 Chaos

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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A Big WIN all round!

The fabulous E bike that Ian Lancaster (Wellington) won in 2018'sAotearoa Bike Challenge has been put to great use. Ian very kindly gifted the bike to me (his wife) and very patiently encouraged a... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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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 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 Just do it 🚲

Just do it 🚲

This year I’d planned to ride from Feb 1st, however was away for Waitangi weekend, then moved house, so my Aotearoa Bike Challenge started on the 15th of Feb. At the beginning of November, I go... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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4 year old says - no we won't drive let's go on our bikes!

The Bike challenge has our whole family getting on our 2 wheels more and more and more. And this week it was our 4 year old's idea to add some weekend kms - not just to and from work and school... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Heatwave

It's been around 33 degrees here in ChCh but I'm still getting out on the bike. This bike challenge has been a fantastic motivator to get me on my bike more regularly and for longer distances. I've... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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cutting down my commute time

On day 1 of the challenge my Boss sent me a link to his location. We raced to work, me from Edgeware and him from Parklands. He caught me at Hagley Park for a quick chat before he was off again. ... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Personal goal

I am really happy to have logged my rides during the Aotearoa Bike challenge. Never knew that I've been riding about 200 km per month mainly to commute. And it is saving me money, avoiding traffic ... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Image for story In adversity finding your centre

In adversity finding your centre

I have done the challenge before but never took it seriously and never really set any goals to achieve, I was merely participating. This year about to become jobless and homeless all at the same ti... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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The whole family are feeling inspired this month

When our office moved into the city centre and there was no longer free parking, I figured my only option was to commute by bus. The Aotearoa Bike Challenge reminded me that actually biking to work... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Image for story TIA

TIA

A couple of weeks ago I suffered what they call a TIA ( or mini brain stroke). I am 68 and had just cycled 80 kms the day before plus 40 kms a day on my commute. Also did the 900 mile Lands End to ... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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From there to here...

So last year as the 2021 Aotearoa Bike challenge began, I had bought myself a new bike to commute on (40km/ each way). I was super prepared for the what I thought was going to be a fun month of cyc... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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More fun riding with others

This morning I rode with my daughter to her high school and the journey seemed way shorter than the first time I biked. Then I had the rest of the journey by myself, or so I thought. I banged int... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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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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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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Oops...

Just did me first ride on my recovered free bike i picked up last year and spent january getting ready. On the way home after biking 7km I changed gear and somehow wrapped the rear derailleur aroun... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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PNCC Group ride

Good effort Palmerston North City Council Infrastructure staff - 20 of us on a 10km lunchtime ride to the eel feeding platform on the first day of the 2021 Aotearoa Bike Challenge.

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Image for story Maybe things do happen for a reason ?

Maybe things do happen for a reason ?

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

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Image for story Tour Aotearoa 2020

Tour Aotearoa 2020

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

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Stories from around the world

Image for story Why I Love to Ride

Why I Love to Ride

I started cycling in lockdown 2020, I was encouraged to cycle from my experience when travelling and seeing other places having great culture of cycling - there's so much freedom in it Cycle Confi... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Image for story 2023

2023

De challenge nodigt we uit om meer te fietsen . De kou is niet erg maar altijd maar die regen . Ik ben nog nooit zo vaak nat geregend Joke

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

What It Takes to Get Those Day Miles

I’m trying to bicycle every day in October, as part of the BikeTober competition. On Saturday, I was not near mystreet bike. Stepped into a bike shop and asked about their rental policy, which was... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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I bike for transportation

I often talk with other bike riders and we've all decided that folks fall into one of two categories: those who bike for leisure (ie Saturday mornings on the Silver Comet Trail) and those who bike ... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Image for story Heading somewhere old and new

Heading somewhere old and new

The weather looks good and I’ve a picnic packed. Where shall I head? I fancied being by the sea and hit on the idea of using a ferry. There are a number to choose from around here, but today I fanc... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Image for story Regio Foodvalley stapt op de fiets!

Regio Foodvalley stapt op de fiets!

Slim, duurzaam en gezond werken en reizen. Zo maken we Regio Foodvalley voor iedereen bereikbaar. Regio Foodvalley ziet daarom graag zoveel mogelijk medewerkers op de fiets! Wil je meer informa... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Image for story 5000 miles cycled!

5000 miles cycled!

🚴 Go me! I’ve cycled the length of Africa! 🚴 A few years ago I got myself an E-bike for my work commute, to do my bit for the planet 🌍 With what I saved on parking the bike had paid for itself i... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Image for story Riding in Snow

Riding in Snow

It was a Sunday the local Cycling UK (CTC) ride day. The weather was cold, but I decided to go to the ride start point. At the start point there were only three riders out of an average of 12-16 ri... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Image for story I won it!

I won it!

I love to ride. Hope on my bike and it is me and the rode with pedestrians, cyclists, and cars. My goal was always ride every day of the Bike Challenge Month, whether it be a short ride for errand... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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WOW Gals 10 yr. History

We started our all womens cycling club because, quite frankly, it's a lot of fun! We've riden all around Northern CA an are based out of Elk Grove, CA. We've met amazing people along our rides, s... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Image for story Erocia California - Piedras Blancas Route

Erocia California - Piedras Blancas Route

From Cambria, CA, headed north along beautiful (a little fog, and cool temperature) coastline. Past San Simeon, Hearst Castle and mountains to the east. Also, the elephant seals on the way to the ... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Image for story A 100-miler, twice!

A 100-miler, twice!

Having trained and covered C2C this summer with some wonderful ladies from the amazing group called Breeze Durham whom I joined quite accidentally, I've been wondering what would be my next challen... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Image for story a mari usque ad mare pour #VéloSP

a mari usque ad mare pour #VéloSP

Jonathan Allenger arrive de Vancouver à vélo et passera à St Lazare (Vaudreuil-Soulanges ) le 13 Juin et à Montréal le 14 juin 2023. ensuite , Trois Rivières, Lévi et Rivière du Loup, avant de cont... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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