Stories from New Zealand

Hi my name is Liam and im 15 years old with cerebral palsy. I'm new to this group and wanted to introduce myself. I am just recovering from my 5th knee dislocation injury which doesn't stop me from... read more

Phil Evans Nice one. I like that last line.

Nice one. I like that last line.

Tim H NZ does have some "fast and aggressive drivers" ! Take care Matey...and keep safe Biking : )

NZ does have some "fast and aggressive drivers" ! Take care Matey...and keep safe Biking : )

The race team for riders who don't necessarily want to race! To quote the website (and they have stickers!) “WE DON’T CARE WHERE YOU PLACE, JUST THAT YOU HAVE A DAY ON THE BIKE” Have A Day Race... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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My partner is not a huuuuge fan of exercise. He knows it's good for him, he's just not super keen on doing it all the time due to having various aches and previous injuries. I have been biking for... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Anne Heins This is awesome, love it!

This is awesome, love it!

Veronica Mc Kinnon My husband doesn't like cycling and he gave it a go but not his thing. Great you and your husband ride together 🚴‍♂️🚴‍♀️

My husband doesn't like cycling and he gave it a go but not his thing. Great you and your husband ride together 🚴‍♂️🚴‍♀️

I took my bike to the kids basketball practise on the weekend, I thought I would only bike a couple of kms. The basketball training was for 2 hrs in Cambridge, wow to my surprise the bikes paths we... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Yay to Louise for her first ride in quite some time!!! Shout out to Louise for joining in the Taupo's office "Yay to Friday bike after work" event. Go Louise you Good Thing!!

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Jeremy Gadd Photo of Louise on Photo Page

Photo of Louise on Photo Page

As well as encouraging others at work to participate in the bike challenge, my partner and I have been exploring Auckland's cycleways and done parts of the Hauraki Rail Trail. We've gone to so many... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Took advantage of Auckland having a 'birthday' last weekend and got out on some nice gravel riding here in Rotorua. Right on my backdoor step, it's amazing what we call home here in New Zealand.

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 via... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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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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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 decid... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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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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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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I have become really unfit and sedentary over the last few years, but I bought a simple bike and have started biking to work - it's less than a kilometre, but walking has been a challenge due to pl... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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I found coming back to work in 2021 really hard. So, at the end of week two I decided it was all too much - I took a few days off to go and see my daughter in Nelson. I bought a ferry ticket for th... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

2020 was the year I discovered cancer in my body and the treatments commenced. Six months of aggressive treatments before returning to full time work in November. Then I needed a challenge to get m... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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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

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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

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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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

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.

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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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

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!

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!

When it comes to our Annual lunchtime bike ride to the beach, everyone's keen! The team of six completed the 8km return trip to Ngamotu Beach for our team picnic, a total of 48km towards the Aote... read more

Diet and exercise have gone up a notch in my life due to a stroke a few months ago and a CAE procedure 2 weeks ago to remove the blockage (plaque)in the severe stage. Biking has been a savior to ge... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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My son who is 12 wanted to get fitter for sport so I suggested he cycle to school and I could cycle with him. At first he was a bit unsure as it is 7km each way but a little encouragement and he wa... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Taking a break from driving through the Clutha District I stumbled on an unmarked trail at the Mt Stuart reserve and explored. Lo and behold it follows the old railway line and passes through cutti... read more

This challenge……. I have 4 bikes sitting in my shed catching dust. The only time these only ever got used was when i was training for Iron Maori, which was rarely ever tbh. Maybe a couple of rides ... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Julian Boorman I found trainging for Iron Māori to be a good motivater too!

I found trainging for Iron Māori to be a good motivater too!

Russell Hockley Its a very good motivator.

Its a very good motivator.

Sport Central (& Sport Otago) along with Queenstown Lakes District Council and the Te Hau Toka group have started a Bike Challenge for February, March and April. Download the Goosechase app an... read more

When I first started riding I really struggled with being over weight. Back then my 2 boys were young and getting out with them was my motivation. Slow, very but getting out on a short ride was awe... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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The Rail Trail is beautiful and almost completely flat. My 13-year-old son and I cycled from Thames to Matatoki, but I really wanted to see what was around the next corner, so the next day came bac... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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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

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

Jay Firth When me and my wife moved to Auckland this was one of the reasons why we didn't look for housing on the Northshore because ... read more

When me and my wife moved to Auckland this was one of the reasons why we didn't look for housing on the Northshore because of the lack of options to commute by bike. Maybe, just maybe one day something will happen.

Nathaniel Payne Your idea is better than nothing, but I'd much rather just ride across. Closing one lane to vehicular traffic might annoy p... read more

Your idea is better than nothing, but I'd much rather just ride across. Closing one lane to vehicular traffic might annoy people, but stuff 'em - they'll still have plenty of other lanes to use.

Tim Adriaansen Much better to liberate an existing lane on the bridge! It's unlikely to make much difference to other bridge users as traf... read more

Much better to liberate an existing lane on the bridge! It's unlikely to make much difference to other bridge users as traffic volumes on the bridge are low, and we need them to get lower if we're going to reach our emissions reduction targets :)

June Barraclough Dedicated cycle shuttle bus is an excellent idea

Dedicated cycle shuttle bus is an excellent idea

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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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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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Richard Earl Was so great to see SOOO many bikes at this event. It's totally (and ALWAYS) the best way to get to festivals!

Was so great to see SOOO many bikes at this event. It's totally (and ALWAYS) the best way to get to festivals!

Anne Heins SUCH a fun time!! Awesome to see people with their kids in tow on their own bikes, in trailers and on kids bike seats too!! :D

SUCH a fun time!! Awesome to see people with their kids in tow on their own bikes, in trailers and on kids bike seats too!! :D

Did you know that using a bike is up to five times more efficient than walking? As a matter of fact, an unaided human does pretty well in terms of efficiency as a function of body weight, but s... read more

So after a big crash on my bike, I was getting back on the proverbial horse. Cardrona on Saturday, Skyline Gondola Sunday and Glendhu Bay on Sunday. At Cardrona, I rode a track that I refused to ri... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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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 life, ... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Sigrid Wiese Whatever it takes to get us out into the fresh air!

Whatever it takes to get us out into the fresh air!

Ben Mansfield What a cool story!

What a cool story!

Ola Shahin So excited to check your electric trike out!

So excited to check your electric trike out!

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I joined Landcare Trust late last year and have been inspired by my awesome colleagues all over the country to sign up our organisation to participate in the Aotearoa Bike Challenge. Most of us wor... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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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

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Sally Marett Awesome go you!

Awesome go you!

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

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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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

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

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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.

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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Erin Billing Great story share - Thank you!

Great story share - Thank you!

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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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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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

We’re trying to help my nieces and nephews not to just see biking just as a fun leisure activity but as a tool for getting to school, doing the shopping and getting to places they want to go. Toda... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Clarice Shoen That is so wonderful what your doing for them! Definitely a great way for Encouraging others to ride!

That is so wonderful what your doing for them! Definitely a great way for Encouraging others to ride!