Stories from New Zealand

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

Image for story A long held dream (almost) fulfilled

A long held dream (almost) fulfilled

When I was a kid I would watch out the car window on the boring trip from home in Central Otago to Dunedin, reckoning that I could ride my bike to town instead. So much better.

Nowadays th... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Image for story A new riding region.

A new riding region.

I am in Southland exploring the region.
Going on the long dusty backroads.
It has been a glorious way to see the landscape.

Topic: A happy riding memory

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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 fl... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Image for story Timber trail fun

Timber trail fun

One of the great rides in New Zealand, and one of the best days I've had on my bike.
A little bit of planning, and you can see some of NZ's rail history, and our great wild environment.

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Image for story West Coast Wilderness Trail

West Coast Wilderness Trail

Recently I cycled the West Coast Wilderness Trail with my husband and friends. It was the most amazing experience and the weather bomb just added to the excitement. The hospitality and friendly W... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Image for story Queens Birthday ride

Queens Birthday ride

As much as I'm looking forward to the new cycle path to Port Chalmers being completed, I still enjoy the alternative route through St Leonards Drive and Sawyer's Bay. I always throw in a loop arou... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Image for story Looking back on the 1997 Great Tasmanian Bike Ride

Looking back on the 1997 Great Tasmanian Bike Ride

This photo of me cycling in Tasmania is still pinned to my parent's fridge. It's 25 years since it was taken and really captures the spirit of cycling that I still love.

I joined the 1997 ... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Biking changing with the times

I have many happy memories that involve bikes. They've always been part of my life. But when I think back, I realise my relationship with biking changed a lot over the years.

I grew up in ... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Lake Dunstan trail

There is so many lovely bike trails in and around Cromwell to enjoy - such a scenic place and some great coffee and wineries stops around. Especially enjoyed riding Lake Dunstan Bannockburn to Cly... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Children

On my daily rides I often see children in the back of cars. They often stare at me or my bike. I hope it is my bike. I wished their parents would take them out on bikes. They look like they want to.

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Image for story Rainbow

Rainbow

Just cycled from Hanmer to St Arnaud through the rainbow. Fantastic scenery, well worth the pain!

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Image for story Creating Memories

Creating Memories

Here we all are, ready to make some memories on a recent family trip to Hanmer.

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Image for story Auckland Anniversary

Auckland Anniversary

Hubby and I, loving our E-biking adventures, first time on the pink path, was a tad shorter than we imagined, and cycled for ages trying to find it? Happy times!

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Image for story Clutha Gold Bike Trail

Clutha Gold Bike Trail

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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Family business

My grandparents owned a bike shop in the UK so I have always loved bikes. Their bike shop was famous in the local area and everyone got their bike from Renhams.
I used to love the smell of the ... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Image for story Team Christmas Ride

Team Christmas Ride

The Safe and Sustainable Journeys team took a Christmas Ride to end our 2019 work year. All 6 of us rode the Ngongotaha cycleway and then the newly built Linton Park cycleway :)

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Image for story Beach fun with my buddy

Beach fun with my buddy

My friend Zara came to visit and we did an epic ride in Christchurch, along the river to the beach.... well was going epically until we got a puncture. We foolishly had no pump, so chained up the b... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Image for story Timber Trail awesomeness

Timber Trail awesomeness

One of the best trails I've ever experienced. Challenged myself to do the whole thing in one day. Stopped at the camp site half way for a photo, no turning back now. So many great views of our spec... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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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 s... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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100 +second night

The last time I rode over 100 klms was almost 50 years ago when I didn`t want to go to school so packed my duffel bag with what I thought I would need, along with the money from my after school job... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Alps to Ocean solo

Sharing one of my happy riding memories from 2022 from Lake Tekapo to Oamaru covering 340km through stunning nature and chatter with friendly locals. A memorable ride through glacial lakes, dams, f... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Image for story Me and my mate Jase

Me and my mate Jase

Today was my biggest ride since I was about 16 years old! Managed a wopping 18kms, which is massive for me considering all I have been doing is a couple of k's to work and back in the for the four ... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Image for story 8700km 13 countries 2018

8700km 13 countries 2018

Hubby and I took a sabbatical in 2018 (thank goodness we chose then) and biked around Europe for seven months carrying all our gear. Come the end we were still together and I was bored with my limi... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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First Ever Hill Ride

I had always believed I could never and would never bike up a hill. It was partly fear of falling backwards, partly belief that my legs weren't tough enough, and partly fear of riding back downhill... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Holiday bike trips

This time last year my partner and I did a road cycle trip from Christchurch down to Wanaka, over Haast Pass then up the West Coast to Greymouth then over Arthur's Pass back to Christchurch. All ... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Image for story Playcentre

Playcentre

Two days a week my two year old (he started asking for this commute at age one and three quarters) bikes (on a walking bike) the 1.2 km to Playcentre, with me trotting along next to him. Some of hi... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Image for story The Peace Of Riding

The Peace Of Riding

This is not 1 memory. I have never driven, always ridden. I deal with anxiety. Some of my rides and my choice to ride the long way home are for the purpose of destressing. I find riding and listeni... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Image for story Wee man goes to dirt

Wee man goes to dirt

So my boy just turned 3 the other day and he loves riding bikes no matter if its with me on the Mac Ride, one of his bikes (he has quite a few) rain or sun. This month I did my first 100km ride in ... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Image for story Our first e-bike ride

Our first e-bike ride

In November we went for a short break to Stewart Island. On the last day we had a few hours to fill in and hired a couple of e-bikes. We had not ridden them before, and in fact it had been some con... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Image for story Enjoying a ride in the evening and revealed a super secret..

Enjoying a ride in the evening and revealed a super secret..

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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The last time I ride with my brother

My brother and I went for a bike ride around where our parents used to live near the Selwyn Hutts. We were on our way back when we were biking along the stop bank and my back Tyre got stuck. In wha... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Stories from around the world

Image for story Living life as a cyclist

Living life as a cyclist

The start or should I say serious start of my cycling adventure began in Ernest after my father's funeral four years ago . He loved to cycle his flying scot bike in the rain and did Edinburgh to Gl... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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My Best Friend and Me

I met Annie when we were kids. We bonded over riding our bikes together. Ever since then, we have done many bike trips together, the longest being a 3 day rail trail we did earlier this year. I hav... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Image for story Made to Bruges!

Made to Bruges!

I love this picture. it's my friend and I in Bruges in Belgium.
Earlier on in the year, I invited him to join me early Sept to go on a bike adventure.
Over 4 days, we'd cycle in France and... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Wolds Way Cycle Route in a Day 146 Miles

I am 71 years old and recently completed the above challenge. It has been on my bucket list for some time. Riding time was 10.5 hours averaging 14 mph.
It may sound daunting to some of you, but... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Image for story A cyclists friend,  Diamond of a man.

A cyclists friend, Diamond of a man.

Look at this great guy blowing them pesky thorns off the road to help us on bikes. I had just changed my front inner tube 100yds before this.
Thank you that man.
I wonder if I could fit a l... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Image for story YESSSSS I'M BACK

YESSSSS I'M BACK

My First time back on my bike since my hip revision surgery in January.
I was very nervous but I just took it real easy and only did 4 mile, it's gonna take a while to build my leg strength as ... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Image for story Beautiful Interlaken Bike Ride

Beautiful Interlaken Bike Ride

I had the privilege to bike ride and see some of the beautiful sights in Interlaken, Switzerland in June 2024. Bike riding provides a unique experience enabling you to be more in touch with your s... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Image for story Off-Road Expedition: Discovering the Majesty of the Falls of Feugh

Off-Road Expedition: Discovering the Majesty of the Falls of Feugh

The Falls of Feugh in Banchory Aberdeenshire......

Venturing off-road to the Falls of Feugh in Banchory, Scotland, offers a thrilling journey through rugged terrain and stunning landscapes... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Image for story Fernyhalgh Wood

Fernyhalgh Wood

The way I believe in the circle ⭕️ as the cycle exists.make the world better place for everyone to be happy 😃. Enjoy the ride with a lot of memories.

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Image for story Not UK, sorry, now in Seville!

Not UK, sorry, now in Seville!

We hired bikes for 24 hours and discovered this great place in the best way. Only the very crowded tourist heart better on foot, otherwise there is a fantastic network of paths all over the city. A... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Image for story Another Reason to Ride

Another Reason to Ride

I decided to add stops to my bike rides to take photos of film locations. I had ridden by many of these locations without realizing it.
If I were driving, parking would be difficult, but on my... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

Image for story Why I ride and choose not to own a car?

Why I ride and choose not to own a car?

If you know me, you’d probably know that I’ve become an avid cyclist over the years and my work involves looking at ways to encourage people to consider the daily choices they make around transport... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Image for story National Trust Cafe Ravenscar

National Trust Cafe Ravenscar

Recommend a stop at this lovely cafe on Stage 1 of the Moors to Sea Cycle Route in Ravenscar.

Outstanding food and service from staff, and the views from beyond the cafe are spectacular.read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Image for story Blackpool Ride the light

Blackpool Ride the light

Rain or shine in blackpool ride the light last august 27

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Updating the bike and riding towards home

I managed to sneak out and purchase a new bike which landed me in the dog house (luckily, I found the exit, thanks to a surprise cooked dinner and some extra chores done).

I rode from my w... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Image for story First 💯km!!

First 💯km!!

After telling my cycling buddies I'm going to do it for what seems an age I've finally crushed my demon! Far easier than I'd built it up to be in my head and loved every minute of the ride 😎

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Image for story Finally back in the saddle

Finally back in the saddle

Great to be back in the saddle after being knocked off the bike feels great .

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Image for story Behind the bars and reality

Behind the bars and reality

Ohm
Mountain ⛰️ adventure

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Image for story Cycling to Donnottar: A Tale of Friendship and Discovery

Cycling to Donnottar: A Tale of Friendship and Discovery

As the morning sun rose over Aberdeen, casting a golden glow upon the city streets, I and my friend stood ready, bicycles at the ready, anticipation bubbling within us like a freshly uncorked bottl... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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