Santa Cruz County

Stories from Santa Cruz County

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

Image for story La chispa entre mi bicicleta y yo comienza de nuevo

La chispa entre mi bicicleta y yo comienza de nuevo

Siempre usé mi bicicleta cuando era muy pequeño, pero luego el miedo a las carreteras, los automóviles y la infraestructura de la ciudad me llevó a detenerme. Trabajar con una empresa que es muy ap... read more

Topic: My Bicycle Romance

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Biking for Sanity

Biking and hiking saved me during the pandemic. I met up with old friends and met new people while mountain and road biking. There's nothing better than being outdoors with your buddies, enjoying... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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Image for story Still Riding After All These Years

Still Riding After All These Years

Here was my trusty stead on my first bike tour from Klamath Falls to Santa Barbara back in '82. Just a 20 year old lad then, and now a mere 40 years later, I still Love To Ride. Thanks to this c... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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River Ride

I am loving seeing the wildlife on my commute to work along the San Lorenzo River levee path. There have been one or two kingfishers out there lots of mornings. One morning I saw a coyote right nex... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Getting to Know You

Having just relocated to Santa Cruz recently, it has been exciting to get out on my bike and explore places I had only seen traveling by car. I can't wait to get to know even places farther than th... read more

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

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Image for story Wednesday Ride to Check in on our housebound friends

Wednesday Ride to Check in on our housebound friends

Every Wednesday since April 2020 a group of friends rides in Watsonville to check on our housebound (due to age, immunocompromised, non-vaccinated...) friends. It's a fun ride and it brings a litt... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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Image for story Lente!

Lente!

Because we #lovetoride

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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Saving Nature

I ride my bike to work and to play and I love to hike in nature. I was out with friends last week at the Land Of Medicine Buddha in Soquel. This is a private Buddhist Monastery. Absolutely no bik... read more

Topic: Other

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Image for story TandeMadness

TandeMadness

All of September I am participating in the Great Cycle Challenge. It's a fund raiser to raise awareness and funds for children's cancer research. It's my 4th time doing it. I love it and I feel GR... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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Image for story Anxiety and Biking During a Pandemic

Anxiety and Biking During a Pandemic

It took me a while to want to leave my house at all during the pandemic. I did not show up well for myself in the beginning and my mind got the best of me for longer than I would like to admit. I h... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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Image for story 2000 Miles

2000 Miles

Last year in May, I decided that I did not not want to ride to work anymore and bought an electric bike. In that time I have gone down to a one-car family. I just hit 2000 miles on my bike. That is... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Image for story Grocery Delivery by Bike

Grocery Delivery by Bike

When COVID hit and I made it through the initial shock wave, I started looking for ways to help Santa Cruz community members in need. Food access was top of mind, especially in those early days of ... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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Bike + Freediving in Santa Cruz

Recently made plans to do a little free-diving (wetsuit, mask, fins but no scuba) with my dive buddy. I had biked to work on this day. Was able to pack my gear in my saddle bags, fins sticking out... read more

Topic: Other

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Image for story 25 years after spinal fusions I got back on a bike

25 years after spinal fusions I got back on a bike

Back on a bike after 25 years! 'Excited' to ride a bike again doesn't come close to expressing how I am feeling as tears of joy stream down my face, thrilling, freeing, and hopeful.... a life long ... read more

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

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Pidgins

I like riding through groups of pidgins and watching fly always. It’s the best. I really hope I don’t accidentally run one over one day.

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Image for story COP26 Challenge

COP26 Challenge

My last ride of the COP26 challenge - Watching the waves come in & go out again at sunset. The night was enjoyably warm. The light exercise left me feeling invigorated. - Then the horror sank... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Image for story Sea Otter Classic eMTB Race

Sea Otter Classic eMTB Race

Raced in the eMTB at Sea Otter Classic. It was great to be out with other riders, talking to vendors and learning. I got to meet Calvin Jones of Park Tool - he helped me fix my buddy's bike after... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Image for story Biking Meetings

Biking Meetings

I have been known to host "walking meetings" with my team members as we go over important business items for follow up. I never thought I'd be hosting 1-1 meetings with my staff via bike, but that ... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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Image for story Mothers Day

Mothers Day

My son, husband and I decided to spend Mother's Day biking the Coastal Trail from Pacific Grove just past Marina. My husband and I have new electric bikes and we rented a bike in Pacific Grove for... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Image for story Biking from 🐐 to  🚲 repair today!

Biking from 🐐 to 🚲 repair today!

Rode my 🚲, “ 🌷 “ to 🐐 exercise class this morning and only got half way before my 🚲 chain came off! Therefore I walked the rest of the way, attended class, and then transported ( by 🛻) to Current ... read more

Topic: Other

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Laughter

I ride daily around the UCSC campus. Today while riding down the bike path from the Recital Hall I decided to laugh loudly. I didn't start off feeling like I wanted to laugh but by the time I arriv... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Image for story Virtual Camino de Santiago

Virtual Camino de Santiago

In 2018, my husband and I planned to travel to Europe to complete the Camino de Santiago by bicycle. We cancelled our trip after finding that his cancer (Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma) had reared it’s hea... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Slow Streets

The City of Santa Cruz has launched a Slow Streets program, and we are looking for neighborhoods to nominate their streets! The Slow Streets program is designed to limit through traffic on cert... read more

Topic: Other

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Image for story Chef Maria Bikes to Work

Chef Maria Bikes to Work

Another Pajaro Valley Loaves and Fishes employee trades in her keys for a helmet and commutes to work. Our kitchen Manager, Maria is dedicated to preparing healthy lunches and feeding anyone who n... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Image for story While I was away...

While I was away...

Sadly I missed the big company ride this past weekend, but had the incredible opportunity to travel to Ireland. This was my first time ever in Europe and I wanted to make the most of my ONE day of... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Mutually Assured Destruction

I recently did a metric century with a friend of mine. It was the longest ride (mileage wise) either of us had ever done and we were pretty burnt out. When we got home I dropped him off and immedia... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Stories from around the world

Image for story Sunshine

Sunshine

Ride a bike rain or shine..hehehe

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story Florida Monsoon Commute

Florida Monsoon Commute

My commute has always been a bit far, and sketchy for riding by bike even though I’ve always ridden quite a lot. The recent purchase of an e-bike has made it practical, except that it’s storm seaso... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

Image for story Enjoyed a nice riding to Beverley

Enjoyed a nice riding to Beverley

Finally had some nice weather so I take a nice bike riding to Beverley it was about 18-22km round trip. Can’t wait for my next adventure

Topic: Other

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Image for story Group ride

Group ride

I enjoy getting as many people to ride as much as possible

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

Image for story Freedom comes on two wheels !

Freedom comes on two wheels !

I’m Fatima, I moved to Blackpool after I qualified as a doctor but I’m originally from Pakistan. I’ve been cycling since I was a child of around 3 or 4. I was tiny and the bicycle that my father ... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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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 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 Amsterdam

Amsterdam

Holiday

Topic: My Bicycle Romance

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Image for story St Helier constant roadworks/closures

St Helier constant roadworks/closures

There's no better feeling than passing all of the endless queues of stationery vehicles in St Helier , caught up in the constant roadworks and closures .

Topic: My commute by bike

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Image for story Cycling holiday with public transport

Cycling holiday with public transport

We decided to cycle The Hebridean Way this year and use public transport to get to and from the start. We had pre-booked the train from Dyce to Oban and 18 tickets to proof it (for 2 of us)! So w... read more

Topic: Other

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Riding to porch fest

On May 19 I went to the Modesto porch fest and rode to listen to different bands with me. I encouraged my friends to join us but didn’t want to go at first but they changed their minds so they rode... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story campus bike circles

campus bike circles

Enjoying the efficient bike circles (aka roundabouts) on the campus of UC Davis.

Topic: My commute by bike

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Image for story Herculean Sportive

Herculean Sportive

My favourite place to ride is the outer Hebrides and every year they hold the Herculean Sportive . This covers 100 miles and is over 5 islands accessible by causeways.. it is the most beautiful p... read more

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

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Image for story Our Scottish Adventure

Our Scottish Adventure

In May, my family and I rode to Rugby station from our home 12 miles away and caught the train to London to get the Caledonian Sleeper to Fort William. We spent a fabulous car free week there!

Topic: Ride with kids

Image for story Frank Brinkerhoff Century ride

Frank Brinkerhoff Century ride

I was with siouxland cyclists on Sunday 7/7/24 we started at craves parking lot at Sioux City Iowa at 6:30 in the morning. We traveled 3 states on bicycle by the time I got home I rode 110.45 miles.

Topic: Other

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Image for story May is Bike Month: Give it a try!

May is Bike Month: Give it a try!

May is Bike Month 2024 was so much fun. My husband’s workplace in Sacramento had an organized May is Bike Month competition, and he encouraged me to take part in Bike Month too, despite the fact th... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story Cycling is for everyone !

Cycling is for everyone !

My name is Tony, I’m from Salford and moved to Blackpool a few years ago to be near family. I’ve been a cyclist for years and love to cycle whenever I get the chance! I regularly take my little b... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story Car-Free June

Car-Free June

Car Free June day 28 - I've had an interesting month leaving the car behind and using a combination of bike and train to get about and get to work. Here are some findings: 1. Total km cycled = 1... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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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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"Back" to it!

Just a quick note, I had to share my news with someone. I am back on my bike! After a period of nearly 9 months with a dodgy leg from a back injury I am back on a bike and loving it! I went on a... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Laissez les bons temps rouler...

Depuis 2021, je participe au défi : Mois de mai en vélo. Je n'ai pas manqué une journée de vélo en 124 jours (4x31 jours) et j'ai roulé plus de 1000km sans assistance électrique à chacun des défis.... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Image for story Many Bicycling Benefits of The Peoples Food Co-op Kalamazoo

Many Bicycling Benefits of The Peoples Food Co-op Kalamazoo

The People’s Food Co-op (PFC [address removed]) has, since its inception, supported a way of life that includes and promotes practical cycling. For many years the PFC has sold (for $5 no less!) an... read more

Topic: Carbon Crushers

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Image for story Tour De Coffee Culture done and dusted for '24

Tour De Coffee Culture done and dusted for '24

Better late than never, but was good to do. 129km in a day.

Topic: Other

Image for story #EveryDayCyclingFife

#EveryDayCyclingFife

The Everyday Cycling Fife campaign launched at Tree in the Park on Saturday, 25th May, to encourage Fifers to get out on their bikes for everyday journeys. Getting more people out of cars and onto... read more

Topic: Carbon Crushers

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