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Stories from the United Kingdom

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Stories from around the world

School's Cool!

Due to the latest Level 2 alert for ChCh and working from home for the next 3 days, I decided to take my daughter to school by bike this morning.
She is still small enough (just..) to fit on th... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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Helmet on Backwards

Many years ago shortly after I met the woman who a few years later would become my wife, she invited me to join her for a ride with a group that was meeting at Candy Cane City in the Chevy Chase, M... read more

Topic: My Bicycle Romance

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Oh...Deer ( literally)

One time while I was riding in the dark just before I got to Princess Anne Park in Virginia Beach, I saw a deer cross traffic 10 yards in front of me. I slowed down in case it was still there ( try... read more

Topic: Other

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Did You Know?

Did you know that using a bike is up to five times more efficient than walking?

As a matter of fact, an unaided human does pretty well in terms of efficiency as a function of body weight,... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story Bike riding with a lung disease... COPD

Bike riding with a lung disease... COPD

Started riding my bike seriously June 25, 2016. So from June 25, 2016 and up to yesterday, Feb 10, 2021, I have rode my bikes a total of 20,001 miles so far......
I started riding back in 2016... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story Riding the dikes @ Canyon Ferry Reservoir

Riding the dikes @ Canyon Ferry Reservoir

Canyon Ferry Reservoir is fed by the Missouri River and surrounded by the Elkhorn and Belt Mountains. I can ride from my house to the Wildlife Preserve where 3 dikes surround 3 ponds. My favorite t... read more

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

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Breakfast at Bear Dance

In May, 1980 I joined a half dozen other members of our newly-formed Bitterroot Bicycle Club, from Hamilton, MT, in riding the annual Tour of Swan River Valley (TOSORV). We began pedaling in Misso... read more

Topic: Other

Image for story Riding the Dikes by Canyon Ferry Reservoir

Riding the Dikes by Canyon Ferry Reservoir

From my house I can ride to the Wildlife preserve. It’s a beautiful peaceful ride around 3 dikes. I especially love Springtime when all the birds come back. There’s geese, pelicans, heron, ducks, &... read more

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

Summer biking

My fav place to ride is the New River Trail starting on the NC/VA border going north.

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

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Starting small

I have become really unfit and sedentary over the last few years, but I bought a simple bike and have started biking to work - it's less than a kilometre, but walking has been a challenge due to pl... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story The Only Way To Get Around

The Only Way To Get Around

Sometimes I pity those peasants that drive EVERYWHERE.
I ha been riding since age 8, never driven one of those car thingies, have been a passenger in a few when needed. I hate winter because it... read more

Topic: Other

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Just a Reminder

During the Coronavirus Era, we need to remind ourselves of how grateful it is to be in one of the most safest countries in the world right now. And a part of this is to enjoy with much more apprec... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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Image for story You’re doing really well

You’re doing really well

So after a big crash on my bike, I was getting back on the proverbial horse. Cardrona on Saturday, Skyline Gondola Sunday and Glendhu Bay on Sunday. At Cardrona, I rode a track that I refused to ri... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Oops...

Just did me first ride on my recovered free bike i picked up last year and spent january getting ready. On the way home after biking 7km I changed gear and somehow wrapped the rear derailleur aroun... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Silly old fart.

Hi all, I was told of this event by a friend at work and so far I am loving it. I had been thinking of riding the old bike again for some time but was put of by the traffic on the narrow county roa... read more

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

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Image for story Tri-It!

Tri-It!

Kia Ora whānau,
This is my e-trike, Trinity. She's the reason why I am loving the Bike Challenge this year. She makes riding up (and down) the hills a real breeze. Prior to having her in my lif... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story Up For the Challenge

Up For the Challenge

http://www.gisborneherald.co.nz/environment/20210202/up-for-the-challenge-5/

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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PNCC Group ride

Good effort Palmerston North City Council Infrastructure staff - 20 of us on a 10km lunchtime ride to the eel feeding platform on the first day of the 2021 Aotearoa Bike Challenge.

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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New job, new team and new challenges

I joined Landcare Trust late last year and have been inspired by my awesome colleagues all over the country to sign up our organisation to participate in the Aotearoa Bike Challenge. Most of us wor... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story Fossil Fuel Free Coast to Coast to Coast

Fossil Fuel Free Coast to Coast to Coast

I'm really looking forward to the 2021 starting 19th Feb. We transport our kayaks by bike from Christchurch to Arthurs Pass using tandem bikes, then onto the West Coast and back doing the Minga De... read more

Topic: Carbon Crushers

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Image for story Winter Riding

Winter Riding

This time of year creates its own set of special of riding conditions. However, it also gives one a new perspective on the world. Riding the snow covered trail provides a peaceful environment to ... read more

Topic: Other

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Image for story Bike Breakfast 2021

Bike Breakfast 2021

If you're in Dunedin and looking for motivation to get on your bike during the Aotearoa Bike Challenge, Spokes Dunedin is hosting it's 7th annual Bike Breakfast for anyone who turns up on a bike!read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Image for story Weight loss, fitness boost and a new challenge -

Weight loss, fitness boost and a new challenge -

At the beginning of 2020 I set myself a modest challenge of riding 100 miles a month thinking I should be able to manage that. At the beginning of Lockdown 1, I had a really scary blood pressure ... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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Image for story Riding a bike is one of the great joys of life

Riding a bike is one of the great joys of life

I don't remember learning to ride a bike, but it was my father who taught me, and later my children, holding onto the back of the saddle and running along beside the moving bike until he judged tha... read more

Topic: Other

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Riding to Port Waikato

Every year I go out to camp at Port Waikato for a week in January.
We went car free in 2019, so when the PW trip came around we looked at riding - train to Pukekohe and then ride from there via... read more

Topic: Carbon Crushers

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A 70 Year Old's Tradition

In our family when you hit age 70, you do something athletic that you've never done. My grandfather went horseback riding for the first time in his life. My father caught a 65 pound fish-by far the... read more

Topic: Other

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Image for story Nostalgia Bike Gang

Nostalgia Bike Gang

It's getting to be quite the institution, the annual "Bike gang" ride from various parts of Christchurch to the Nostalgia Festival at Ferrymead. Today was my first time going to the festival and of... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story Getting riding doesn't have cost much.

Getting riding doesn't have cost much.

Since living in Hamilton riding with the kids has been a big part or our spare time. One thing I love about cycling is how cheap it can be, especially compared with motorized transport. I bought a ... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Riding Route 66

In 2016 finally had the opportunity to take on this bucket list item. Wife and our dog was my sag team following in our motor home. So I surely didn't "rough" it....Certainly an adventure for any a... read more

Topic: Other

Image for story Sweaty Spandex and All

Sweaty Spandex and All

I was out on a social bike ride with friends. We had stopped at a pub to "carb" load and listen to some live music. On a whimsy, I texted a woman I had chatted with briefly on an online dating site... read more

Topic: My Bicycle Romance

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Road treasures

While leading a group ride from Seattle to San Francisco, I was towards the back of the riders helping a rider with a mechanical problem.
A mother and son were riding an hour or so ahead... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

My first and longest lasting relationship

It started on my birthday in 4th grade. A bicycle appeared as a gift. It was a solid tyred Red bike with tassles. This was the start of a wonderful romance. This bicycle opened up my entire wor... read more

Topic: My Bicycle Romance

Garden to Garden ride

A fun recent riding memory is an early morning (before work) ride from Mead Gardens to Kraft Azalea Garden in Winter Park. I live next door to Mead Gardens, and Kraft Azalea Garden is a beautiful ... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Just Get Out There

During the pandemic my mental health has been improved by getting out on my bike. My favourite place has been Sandwell Valley. So many different trails for all abilities. I've been able to expl... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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Image for story Getting married on a bike!

Getting married on a bike!

I met my fiancé Chris through cycling over 3 years ago. We have had many many cycling adventures since including riding coast to coast in the UK in various directions and cycling 4,000km across Eur... read more

Topic: My Bicycle Romance

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Shock of my life

Peddling along on my ancient bicycle, on a country road, I thought my bike was making more noise than the usual squeaks and groans, I checked it over casually, while peddling, was unable to see any... read more

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

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Image for story carrying bikes on  a bike

carrying bikes on a bike

I am involved in the Aranui Bike Fixup which receives old bikes which we restore and pass on to locals in Aranui who need them. I had six collected up and had to transport them 6km to the workshop,... read more

Topic: Carbon Crushers

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Image for story Fietsen / wandelen in corona tijden

Fietsen / wandelen in corona tijden

Fietsen was gisteren te gevaarlijk i.v.m. de sneeuwval en gladheid.
Toch heb ik ontzettend genoten van mijn wandeling langs de Linge in Tiel. Dit is overigens ook heel goed per fiets te doen. E... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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New cycle way

https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/435893/major-walking-and-cycling-link-between-wellington-and-lower-hutt-gets-go-ahead

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

Image for story 100km and over the Maungatapu to see my daughter.

100km and over the Maungatapu to see my daughter.

I found coming back to work in 2021 really hard. So, at the end of week two I decided it was all too much - I took a few days off to go and see my daughter in Nelson. I bought a ferry ticket for th... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

Image for story Bouncing back to health

Bouncing back to health

2020 was the year I discovered cancer in my body and the treatments commenced. Six months of aggressive treatments before returning to full time work in November. Then I needed a challenge to get m... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story Biking the twin coast cycle trail

Biking the twin coast cycle trail

We took advantage of the beautiful weather over summer and biked the twin coast cycle trail after Christmas. It is beautifully scenic, I particularly love the ride from Kawakawa to Opua. I love exp... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Image for story My bike is a bat mobile!

My bike is a bat mobile!

My first ride for the AB Challenge was to use my bike to ride out to four field sites that a part of my automatic bat monitoring (ABM) project around Thames. I've placed them at three sites around ... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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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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Another convert

The second person I lent my ebike out to for the commute from Massey to the city has also bought an ebike. Two fewer cars on the road; two happier people.

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story January Riding

January Riding

I got 765.6 KM in this month just shy of 800. I also picked up a new CX bike to round out my stable of bikes. I have really enjoyed riding this month cold and rain be dammed, good gear will get y... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story #665Challenge

#665Challenge

I'm a local tennis coach so wanted to do a tennis related bike ride challenge to keep my fitness up during this lockdown. I set myself a 665 mile challenge (665 relates to the longest ever tennis m... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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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 Lockdown and Love to ride goal setting

Lockdown and Love to ride goal setting

Lockdown 1 led me to evaluate my exercise regime and what I could do to get fitter "just in case".

September I came across Love to ride. I started goal setting and giving and receiving hig... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story Rondje Benelux

Rondje Benelux

In augustus 2020 een mooie fietsvakantie gehad, door in 8 dagen de Benelux te doorkruisen met overnachtingen in hotels, op een camping en een B&B. Met een drager aan de zadelpen van de racefiet... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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