Stories from Queenstown Lakes

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

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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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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Stories from around the world

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 Age is no barrier

Age is no barrier

I am Ian Shaw from Balloch West Dunbartonshire. I found out about LTR in my then work place Glasgow Clyde College and I'm now retired. I have been cycling for about 40 years now as well as a ke... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Image for story The zen of the ride

The zen of the ride

Most days, my spouse will ask where I want to ride. I suggest a route, he suggests something else, and I say okay. I’m not really a pushover. The feel of riding, the movement, the act of being in t... read more

Topic: Other

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Bike Around the Bay

Bike around the bay 2024

Topic: Other

Image for story Houston's Multi-modal Trip

Houston's Multi-modal Trip

Visiting Miller Outdoor Theater, seeing Big Boy at Amtrak station, or going to BikeHouston's events from Katy can be achieved easily with bike + express bus. Those are trips that otherwise too far ... read more

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

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Image for story A Mixed-Ability Cycling Adventure from Barry Island to Sharpness!

A Mixed-Ability Cycling Adventure from Barry Island to Sharpness!

On Friday, October 11th, we embarked on a 92-mile cycling adventure from Barry Island Station to Sharpness, united by a common cause – to support the Save Tall Ship Tenacious campaign and inspire i... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story Faster than a car!

Faster than a car!

I work as a P.E teacher in Kilmarnock and I first heard about Love to Ride from the East Ayrshire Council website. I've been a recreational cyclist since I was a boy but got my Boardman road bike f... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Image for story The joy of riding my bike

The joy of riding my bike

I love riding my bike, my first ride was when i was around six, I remember jumping on my older sister's new bike. we lived in a court and my Mum let us ride to the halfway point, of course this bik... read more

Topic: My Bicycle Romance

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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 Night ride at long last

Night ride at long last

My first night ride since before my long lay up after surgery. I didn't realise how much I missed it, 15 miles of bliss.

Topic: Other

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Image for story 3, 2., 1 - GO!

3, 2., 1 - GO!

Biketober is off! The outside racks were packed all day at Council House 2!

Topic: My commute by bike

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Image for story Catching the bike bug.

Catching the bike bug.

I turned 50 in December. Had a bad skiing accident in February where I was unable to do a lot of exercise. I put on a few pounds and my fitness deteriorated during recovery. Started to get stronger... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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My Bike Made My Disabilities Easier

Over the last 5 years, I have been diagnosed with several disabilities which cause chronic fatigue, excessive daytime sleepiness, and chronic pain. I struggled to work 8 hours, walk less than a blo... read more

Topic: My Bicycle Romance

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Image for story Rain or shine - the only way to commute!

Rain or shine - the only way to commute!

Just a quick one, but surely arriving at work (or anywhere to be fair) by bike is the best way to start the day?! I wake up excited to ride, and look forward to the ride home. Even during the hideo... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Image for story Ciclorecreovía - Santiago

Ciclorecreovía - Santiago

Every morning sunday, the city streets are available for cycling, running, skaters, etc. It's a great opportunity for enjoy sports with family and friends!

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story Sunday bike ride.

Sunday bike ride.

A Sunday bike ride with the view of the Pacific Ocean.

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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The Sacramento River Trail

My favorite place to ride in Redding, California is the Sacramento River Trail. There are several places to start, all of which have their own perks. Most recently I've been favoring the Turtle Bay... read more

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

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Image for story Rail & Ride

Rail & Ride

It’s a damp grey start this morning for a commute to Beverley from Seamer. Did you know there is no need to book your cycle on a Northern train (there is a limit though) So if you fancy an advent... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Image for story Ride the lights

Ride the lights

Pouring rain we left the airport area and did the whole ride!

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story Noosa Trailblazers Mountain Bike Club Skills Coaching Program

Noosa Trailblazers Mountain Bike Club Skills Coaching Program

In conjunction with Noosa Trailblazers, I have been teaching 20 women the fundamental mountain bike skills to encourage them to ride more frequently with more confidence. It's awesome to see pa... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story Cycle tour to Norfolk

Cycle tour to Norfolk

My husband and I gave up our car last October. We now commute 5 miles to work and back four days a week. At the moment we are on a cycling and camping tour to Norfolk. Today we arrived in Ely. 73 ... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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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 it... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Image for story Cycling for covid recovery reignited my love for mtb

Cycling for covid recovery reignited my love for mtb

I caught covid the end of 2020 in December and then suffered with long Covid. I went from going to the gym lifting heavy and doing hiit sessions 4/5 days a week, to struggling to walk upstairs with... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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Great Start to Cycle September!

What a fantastic way to start Cycle September! A 30 minute cycle in the rain... surely it can only get better from here 🤞

Topic: My commute by bike

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Bikes for sale

Hey anyone know any recommendations for long distance for bikes? Or have one for sale

Topic: Other

Image for story 15 years - 100,000km

15 years - 100,000km

I've been commuting to work for 15 years with at least one ride on the weekends. All up I have clocked over 100,000 km. Here are some comparative guesimates of savings over that time: Financial: ... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Image for story Commuting Carbon Neutral

Commuting Carbon Neutral

I drive an electric car but as everyone knows it still takes fossil fuels to operate. Luckily, even with everything factored in, it has less than 1/3 the carbon footprint of gas cars. I discovered ... read more

Topic: Carbon Crushers

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Ride to school

Each day I ride to school while most people rock up in cars. I ride because it's healthy (and I don't like to walk) and gets me to school in under 10 minutes. I love riding and I home that more stu... read more

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

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Image for story Isobel's Cycling Journey

Isobel's Cycling Journey

I’m a 57 year old community worker who started cycling around 2.5 years ago after seeing an advertisement for the Great North Bike ride and decided to enter it to motivate myself to get fit. My fri... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Image for story Looking Back

Looking Back

It's a certainty; if you ride long enough, you will crash. I sometimes let myself entertain the idea that cars and other things, coming up from behind, are uncontrol able random threats. In try... read more

Topic: Other

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Image for story Inclusive adventures for all

Inclusive adventures for all

92 miles DONE! 🎉 What a weekend with an incredible mixed ability team! 🚴‍♀️🚴‍♂️ We cycled all the way from Barry Island to Gloucester and even managed to squeeze in an interview with Mike Griffi... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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UCLA

i bike on the UCLA campus because there is less car traffic, making it safer for fitness/exercise.

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

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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

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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A gratitude post!

I’ve thoroughly enjoyed cycle September and was heading out in an extra ride yesterday when I realised I had a flat tire. Turned round, pushed the bike home and pumped it up, within seconds it was ... read more

Topic: Other

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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 Belgi... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Image for story Love To Ride goody bag winners

Love To Ride goody bag winners

These two amazing people won the goody bag today at a Love To Ride cycling event. Wheely Active CIC helped them to get their bikes road worthy and sized correctly. Having previously cycled... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Dusting off the bike for my Cycle September Commute

It's been quite some time since I've commuted to work by bike (certainly over a couple of years), but as I had arranged a workplace Dr Bike for colleagues as part of Cycle September I set myself a ... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Image for story Coffee ride

Coffee ride

Cycling from southampton to Lyndhurst New forest. Have a Coffee the woods cyclery bike shop. [address removed]

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

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Image for story Women's Group Ride from Southampton to the New Forest!

Women's Group Ride from Southampton to the New Forest!

I wanted to encourage more members of my team to ride for Cycle September as well as build up my own miles. I cycle small distances for transport but haven't been out on a longer ride for ages. We... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story Loving the Chocolate Path

Loving the Chocolate Path

The Chocolate Path follows the river Avon for a good part of my commute to Bower Ashton and is a beautiful part of the ride. It was closed for 6 years after part of it collapsed into the river, for... read more

Topic: Other

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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. Chec... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Image for story Riding with Lael Wilcox

Riding with Lael Wilcox

Lael Wilcox is an elite ultra long distance cyclist who has just completed a world record ride around the world, finishing in 108 days, 12 minutes and 12 seconds! I rode with Lael from Riddles C... read more

Topic: Other

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Moving Through Anxiety

I used to ride my bike every day during 2020, when the roadways were quiet and the sun was shining. It was amazing seeing spiders flying overhead with silk parachutes and hearing birds singing - so... read more

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

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Image for story Lancs to Leeds

Lancs to Leeds

Started commuting to work via train. 2 hour journey 3 days a week so don’t want to have to walk at the other end. Bought an old fold up bike for £25 to give it a go. Doing me good so far!

Topic: My commute by bike

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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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Image for story We all have Tenacity, if we dig deep enough

We all have Tenacity, if we dig deep enough

My journey has been a difficult one, and one in which I have learnt a lot about myself both mentally and physically. My boundless amounts of positivity have always turned the frequent downs int... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story Black Women on Wheels (BWOW)

Black Women on Wheels (BWOW)

I always commuted by bike but joining Black Women on Wheels has been amazing for improving my cycling skills and doing long rides and sportives like Ride London. I’m now a BWOW ride lead and it’s s... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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