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!

Learning as an Adult

For years I refused to ride a bike. It was a mixture of defiance and embarrassment that kept me feeling more independent clinging to the wheel of a car. A few months ago I made the decision to lear... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

6
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

6

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

2

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

2
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

2
12

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

1
5
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

8

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

1
4

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

1
7
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

13
Image for story Lente!

Lente!

Because we #lovetoride

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

1
10

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

1
7
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

2
12
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

1
22
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

6
26
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

3
32

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

2
13
Image for story Sponsored by REI breakfast for 5/15/25 bike2work day

Sponsored by REI breakfast for 5/15/25 bike2work day

I ride for many reasons: health, planet protection, savings, ease of parking. Today I woke up early and rode to REI for their sponsored bike2work day. Why wouldn’t I? There was Matt Miller and oth... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

2
7

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

2

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

3
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

2
16
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

3
18

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

7
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

2
2
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

4
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

4
17
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

1
5
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

1
3
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

3
15

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

3
13
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

2
21
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

1
15

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

4
27

Stories from around the world

Image for story Snoopy Trail

Snoopy Trail

Watch out for Snoopy's in and around Fleet Street this Christmas. 12 in all. Map available Fleet Street Quarter website.

Topic: Other

1
Image for story From the heart

From the heart

A few years ago l collapsed on my bicycle and ended up with a triple heart bypass. I am now back as a volunteer rider for Cycling UK in Aberdeen.

I take people on small rides to give them ... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

1
3

Wanting to Ride Again 🚲

[address removed]

Kia ora,

My name is Scott, I have been living with a permanent lower back injury that has affected the function of my right leg since 2014. My injury has resulte... read more

Topic: Other

1
1
Image for story AWS outage weekend and doubled up log entries

AWS outage weekend and doubled up log entries

After the AWS problems last weekend, October 18-19 2025, I noticed an error on Monday 20th when I tried to log a ride. I tried again, and again, and later in the day I tried again. What I did not n... read more

Topic: Other

1

The Best Thing To Ever Happen To Me!

Last year a friend let me borrow their hybrid bike - lightweight, fast, FUN. I instantly fell in love. Shortly after, I purchased my own (secondhand, my usual choice). Riding felt like - and still ... read more

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

3
Image for story The William Gilbert School Wheelers ride to Paris!

The William Gilbert School Wheelers ride to Paris!

We Did It! The William Gilbert Wheelers Rode to Paris – and Beyond!

This September as part of Mode Shift Month and Cycle September, William Gilbert Primary School proudly took part in the ... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

3

Bike ride

Every day, I ride my bike from school to and back around 2 miles (3.22 km) and I do this 5 days a week meaning 260 or so days of riding every year which is around 520 miles (ca. 837 km) every year... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

1
3

Cycling Gave Me My Freedom

I was out on a nice pedal this morning. The sun was starting to ride and the sky was a beautiful orange. Everything was calm and perfect. I thought back to when I was a child and realised, cycling ... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

5
Image for story Border C2C Part 1

Border C2C Part 1

I love being off road in the countryside and commenced a DIY C2C mainly off road via Solway Firth/The Wall/Forest/Tyne in the summer. Unfortunately I had to halt at Hexham to return to Preston &... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

1

Wanting to Ride Again 🚲

Kia ora,

My name is Scott, I have been living with a permanent lower back injury that has affected the function of my right leg since 2014. My injury has resulted in being unable to ride a... read more

Topic: Other

1
1
Image for story Quick stop for play in sand

Quick stop for play in sand

Love our bike rides around our beautiful home here on the sunshine coast

Topic: Ride with kids

1

Ridiculous bike spaces on a train

I cycle to the train station 5 days a week and then commute to work on my bike when I get off . .After a day's work the last place I want to be is sat on the floor when there are free seats becaus... read more

Topic: Other

4

Ride in Cemeteries! (Respectfully, of course)

Riding in cemeteries is an underrated adventure by bike in spooky season and beyond. Tranquil landscaping, light traffic and winding roads make cemeteries ideal spots to enjoy a peaceful ride. Mean... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

2
Image for story 300 KM of Silence and Spirit

300 KM of Silence and Spirit

A Personal Ride by me, Md. Imjamul Hoque Bhuiyan

It was still dark when I pulled my helmet strap tight. 5:30 a.m. — Chittagong still asleep, the streets hushed like dawn was holding its br... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

1
2
Image for story Slow and steady wins the Race!

Slow and steady wins the Race!

I received my September roundup from Love to Ride this morning and I was pleasantly surprised to note that my number of 'cycling trips' were up 115% and 'cycling miles' up by 205% Wow! - I thought ... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

1
10
Image for story Mental health

Mental health

So I came across this app one day on Facebook so I signed up just to track my progress then I seen there was a challenge September with my mental health was a bit low off feeling overweight and unf... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

4