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 Celebrating 46 years of grocery shopping by bicycle!

Celebrating 46 years of grocery shopping by bicycle!

I started biking to grocery shop in 1979 when I moved to Santa Cruz. I've since shopped by pedal power and electric power first to the Westside Coop, then Community Foods, New Leaf and finally Staf... read more

Topic: Other

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The essence of prosperity

The dormant trees, the fallen leaves, the sun piercing through the winter sky , oh the energy the feeling we share electrifying the light in me. To Avalon my bicycle has taken me, the virtuous feel... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

1

Beauty of bicycle riding

My bicycle riding, the taste,the flavor let it be, heart pumping blood circulating the air whizzing the birds singing, the sun shining, the fog reeling in the salty ocean feeling, the magic of the... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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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 ... 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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Nepenthe and me

I woke up this morning and what did I see the clouds of winter smiling at me beckoning me come ride before I cry and this rain squeezes out of me the adrenaline pumping through me the chemicals in ... read more

Topic: My Bicycle Romance

1

Simplicty

Today, Sunday, and this morning‘s ride through Corralitos Ca. The sunshine the fresh air and the alluring smell of apple cider as I ride through the dormant apple orchards eminently prompting a fee... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

1
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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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

3

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 o... 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 First ascent of Shasta Dam

First ascent of Shasta Dam

Always thought it was a long hard climb, but with the Chappie parking lot empty I decided to give it a try when I wouldn't be in anyone's way... nice steady climb actually! Picked my gear and just ... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Image for story Polly ride

Polly ride

when you boring- ride Polly,
when your day making you sad -ride Polly,
when people want to close your road-ride Polly,
when sun is going out- ride Polly,
when shower on your arm-rid... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

Riding a bike is doable, actually?

I started commuting by bike at uni because the buses were expensive and unreliable. 15 years later and I still commute to work by bike every day. I encouraged my housemate to start cycling. He's ve... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story Out-n-about

Out-n-about

I know there is a trail here somewhere...

Topic: Other

3
Image for story I love to ride, but hate the rain

I love to ride, but hate the rain

I love to ride, but hate the rain. Unfortunately, I live in one of the wettest places in the United States. When I wore out my road bike that I rode since 1993, I was looking for a new one. I set m... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

Image for story Kids are forced to have fun

Kids are forced to have fun

Now that my kids are getting to that fun teenage years, I get to have my day with a Father day, birthday and family time ride when i pick our activity.

Topic: Ride with kids

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Why not ride to work?

Do you get frustrated with traffic?

Take full control of your commute and cycle!

Avoid that traffic, arrive to work feeling refreshed and ready to start your day on the front fo... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

1

Earth Day event at work

Last Thursday, my office held our annual Earth Day event. This year, I was inspired to get involved and help organize the event. I got connected with other cyclists at work and started planning for... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story Condensed fitness

Condensed fitness

I was really itching for a long ride the other day, but I only had short window of time. Luckily there was a really strong, steady wind that day. I had a strong tailwind at the start of the ride, s... read more

Topic: My Bicycle Romance

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Image for story Mindfulness ride

Mindfulness ride

There is nothing more beautiful than cycling in a sunny spring morning by the country lanes on the way to work and listening to the birds singing. This is one of my favourite times of de year, the ... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Image for story Ragbrai 2024

Ragbrai 2024

My first experience riding Ragbrai! It was a thrill to ride with thousands of people on the highways of Iowa! It started off foggy but the ride was beautiful! I’m getting excited for this year’s r... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Image for story Etape Loch Ness 2025

Etape Loch Ness 2025

Trip to Inverness to take part in the Etape Loch Ness 2025 and raise funds for PAPYRUS Prevention of Young Suicide.

Topic: Other

Image for story Riding a trike?

Riding a trike?

About seventy years ago I cycled to school most days - three miles each way. About 75 years ago I rode a tricycle.
My world has gone full circle and I now ride a trike again but just two or th... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Commute motivated by Bike Month 2025

After a 10k run last night I wavered several times this morning before committing to riding to work this morning.
I’ve set myself the goal of 8 transport bike journey’s through May and I didn’t... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Image for story #loveMK

#loveMK

Celebrating #loveMK with a bit of (kinda) Strava art cycling all on the glorious Redway network ❤️

Topic: My Bicycle Romance

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Image for story Prize purchase

Prize purchase

I was able to get some puncture resistant tyres and a new inner tube with the $100 prize for doing the bike challenge survey. The puncture resistant tyres are a must with urban riding.

Topic: Other

Image for story Bungee Cords: The Good and How the Bad can be Ugly

Bungee Cords: The Good and How the Bad can be Ugly

I use elastic cords to secure loads. When I popped over the the grocery store with a short list, but got a longer list called in from headquarters, I was able to scrounge packaging and use my bung... read more

Topic: Other

4

First day back with a new hip!

After having a new hip installed in November I was nervous about getting back on my bike. I was terrified of falling over suddenly, not that I do that often lol!

But today marked the first... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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