Stories from Waikato

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

Yeehaw - patua te whakamā!

A lot of my friends are bike riders especially for transportation. Living close to Boundary Rd Bridge makes it easy for me to get into the city but not so by bike for me yet.

I was triall... read more

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

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Image for story Finally got out there

Finally got out there

I realised that my commute to work In Hamilton (usually about 14 minutes by car) could be totally different by bike, as I could make use of the amazing Waikato River Te Awa trail. The Aotearoa Bik... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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covid sucks

In lockdown in stage 4 it was so boring but in stage 2 we were back riding

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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Image for story Road warrior

Road warrior

During COVID we were allowed to exercise. I took the bicycle and cycle from home. Not long there after found myself on the State Highway.
Didn't see any cars. Dead quite.
Was very funny to ... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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Image for story Craters is OPEN again!!!!

Craters is OPEN again!!!!

Taupo Craters MTB Park was closed due to the devastation of Cyclone Gabrielle, we waited and waited for it to open again. Bike Taupo did an amazing job, of clearing the trails and rebuilding. We ... read more

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

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A bike to school with my little Brother

I decided that I should take my brother to school on our bikes, it was amusing and enjoyable

Topic: Other

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Rainy in summer

We had to bike in the rain because it's not sunny at all, even though it is supposed to be summer. So sad.

Topic: Other

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anyone and everyone can bike

Hi my name is Liam and im 15 years old with cerebral palsy. I'm new to this group and wanted to introduce myself. I am just recovering from my 5th knee dislocation injury which doesn't stop me from... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story ESSENTIAL ITEM FOR SUSTAINABLE LIVING

ESSENTIAL ITEM FOR SUSTAINABLE LIVING

LOVE.

Topic: Other

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Image for story biking while kids are at basketball practise.

biking while kids are at basketball practise.

I took my bike to the kids basketball practise on the weekend, I thought I would only bike a couple of kms. The basketball training was for 2 hrs in Cambridge, wow to my surprise the bikes paths we... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story Sharing the Love

Sharing the Love

My wife and I LOVE riding our vintage bikes from a bygone era, they hark from a time when every month was "Bike Month"...
Indeed, we love it so much, back in 2016 we organised our first Tweed ... read more

Topic: My Bicycle Romance

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Louise's first ride in quite some time!!!

Yay to Louise for her first ride in quite some time!!!

Shout out to Louise for joining in the Taupo's office "Yay to Friday bike after work" event.

Go Louise you Good Thing!!

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story Life is a journey

Life is a journey

When I first started riding I really struggled with being over weight. Back then my 2 boys were young and getting out with them was my motivation. Slow, very but getting out on a short ride was awe... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story The Peace Of Riding

The Peace Of Riding

This is not 1 memory. I have never driven, always ridden. I deal with anxiety. Some of my rides and my choice to ride the long way home are for the purpose of destressing. I find riding and listeni... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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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

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Image for story Love Taupo - I can bike to work

Love Taupo - I can bike to work

I biked to work today, the first time since last years Bike Challenge. To say I am proud of myself is an understatement, plus I encouraged my work colleague "M" to bike to work today too. I must a... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Cycling the world over

I cycle for everything and in 2021 I discovered a virtual cycling app which I began with riding along the Berlin Wall. I was given information, history and updates along the journey and photos of t... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story Family cycle tour from Hamilton to Christchurch

Family cycle tour from Hamilton to Christchurch

Kids are more resilient than we give them credit for. These kids, aged 8 to 13, just biked from Hamilton to Christchurch!
26 days of cycling, usually around 50-60km per day, the biggest day was... read more

Topic: Ride with kids

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get active no reason not to

Hi my name is Liam Carter, I'm the founder of a group called ride your trike which was started when i got mad at drivers and overtime turned into a advocate group who loves seeing others complete t... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Love to Ride 2023

It's the first week of the Love to Ride 2023 challenge and I am so proud of all my coworkers that have signed up and are fully embracing it. The weather hasn't been on our side so far, but that has... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story A family ride from Cape Reinga to Hamilton

A family ride from Cape Reinga to Hamilton

Kids can do anything!
Our family just completed a summer tour riding from Cape Reinga to Hamilton along the Tour Aotearoa route. 756 km over 17 days with 2 adults and 4 kids (ages 7 to 12). The... read more

Topic: Ride with kids

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CITY THAT I LOVE AND ADORE ... LOOKING YONDER ...

A favourite route .... I miss ...

Topic: My Bicycle Romance

Image for story Me and my mate Jase

Me and my mate Jase

Today was my biggest ride since I was about 16 years old! Managed a wopping 18kms, which is massive for me considering all I have been doing is a couple of k's to work and back in the for the four ... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Image for story Disadvantaged? Never.

Disadvantaged? Never.

Im a 45 yr old non driver. I realised early on driving wasnt for me and that the world was a far safer place with me not behind the wheel of a vehicle. So i cycle and run n walk.
Ive never fel... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Holiday bike trips

This time last year my partner and I did a road cycle trip from Christchurch down to Wanaka, over Haast Pass then up the West Coast to Greymouth then over Arthur's Pass back to Christchurch. All ... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Image for story Too easy

Too easy

I haven't biked in 4 years due to my push-bike being stolen. Now that this challenge is on, I decided to purchase a cheap and used push-bike (for $80! šŸ˜‰) just to tackle this challenge. I'm very com... read more

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

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Image for story Retail Therapy

Retail Therapy

Before Covid I got used to breaking my shopping up to 2 to 4 trips during the week often on my way home from other things and only buying what fitted in my backpack. During Covid I changed my shopp... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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Stories from around the world

Image for story Photos from Pasadena Bike Month

Photos from Pasadena Bike Month

We had a blast celebrating Pasadena Bike Month in May of 2026!

In Pasadena, CA we had a full month of rides and events, including biking movies, group rides, and learn to ride classes. Th... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

Image for story Bike Month 2026 - A Disaster

Bike Month 2026 - A Disaster

I had intended cycling a lot more this Bike Month 2026, sadly I couldn't find the motivation to get out on the bike until the last week. Various technical problems with both of my bikes and the lac... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

Image for story The Ultra Duathlon That Tried to Break Me — But Didn’t

The Ultra Duathlon That Tried to Break Me — But Didn’t

After completing the 100km London run on Saturday 9 May, I travelled up to Newcastle to begin the second part of the challenge — cycling to all 20 Premier League stadiums in support of City in the ... read more

Topic: Other

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Image for story My Longest Ride

My Longest Ride

This story begins on the 28th of August 2018 when I was out riding my motorcycle šŸļø and was hit by a woman who ran a red light 🚦 while texting and driving...I awoke from a coma eight (8) days later... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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First motorhome trip 2026

Took the motorhome and our bikes to Silverdale for a couple of nights. Rode to Silverdale and to Arnside. Very hilly glad we had electric bikes. Lovely day out.

May on the Burke

Nothing beats Seattle when the sun decides to show up! I spent the day cruising down the Burke-Gilman yesterday, and honestly, the vibe was perfect. The air was warm, the trees were a bright green,... read more

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

Image for story Bike Month Challenge 2026

Bike Month Challenge 2026

[Sana Ahmed is UCLA Transportation's Active Transportation Planner.]

Ride Your Way to Wellness During Bike Month at UCLA!

Making headway on mental health can start by simply hopp... read more

Topic: Other

Empowering joy

Total complete genuine and complete the joy I feel as my heart beats faster and as I taste the air the ambiance my bicycle has taken me like the greens of sand on the beach always moving rhythmical... read more

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

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Image for story From Biketober to Peaks: My Cycling Journey

From Biketober to Peaks: My Cycling Journey

I first started cycling in 2007, riding casually with occasional longer rides. Most of my rides were 20–50 km, with my longest around 78 km, I rode 1–2 times per week. It was enjoyable, but climbin... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Sorry knees, the work starts here!

Since the age of 12 I biked everywhere, to school, to the scouts, for fun. Then to work and around indoor cycle tracks in the UK. 45 years on, and now living in NZ Christchurch just after the earth... read more

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

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Image for story 100 KM mō Te Reo Māori

100 KM mō Te Reo Māori

Nō te 22 o Pēpuere māua ko tōku hoa a Maaka i eke paihikara ai mō 100 km. I te mau māua i ngā tīhate kaupapa Māori, arā, ko ngā tīhate o Te Kapa Haka o Te Mouri, e kīia ana "Kia kaha te reo Māori".... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

Image for story Sandy soils

Sandy soils

Went to San Felipe BC, Mexico for a few days. Took the touring bike. Paved areas and some dirt roads were decent, good food, very nice sunrises, saw some interesting things. Overall a good trip. Sa... read more

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Image for story I Have the Most Beautiful Commute in the World and I Am So Lucky

I Have the Most Beautiful Commute in the World and I Am So Lucky

I could get up earlier than I have to and catch the bus on someone else's timetable, sit in the car and get miserable and frustrated in traffic, or be out in the elements enjoying six miles of off-... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Image for story A Bike Race Like No Other

A Bike Race Like No Other

Have you ever wanted to build a bike that could traverse any obstacle? In Humboldt County, we have the Kinetic Sculpture Grand Championship Race (kineticgrandchampionship.com). These bikes have to ... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

Image for story Wobbly legs = steady mind

Wobbly legs = steady mind

Last week I walked part of the Kintyre Way, an 100-mile walking route that zigzags the Kintyre Peninsula in Argyll, in Scotland.

I wanted to share my story because if you have the opportu... read more

Topic: Other

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Image for story First motorhome trip 2026

First motorhome trip 2026

Took the motorhome and our bikes to Silverdale for a couple of nights. Rode to Silverdale and to Arnside. Very hilly glad we had electric bikes. Lovely day out.

Image for story Night rides are the best

Night rides are the best

Most of my life, I have work jobs with late shifts. One thing that I have always enjoyed about them is the night time commute home. I love riding when I see more foxes, raccoons, or opossums than I... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Image for story Bikes on Bikes!

Bikes on Bikes!

Found this funny photo I took of my kiddo's Strider bike on the back of my trailer, so I could drop him at daycare with his wheels for Bike Day at the school on my way to work. I love that he loves... read more

Topic: Ride with kids

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Empowering joy

Total complete genuine and complete the joy I feel as my heart beats faster and as I taste the air the ambiance my bicycle has taken me like the greens of sand on the beach always moving rhythmical... read more

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

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Image for story Grief and biking

Grief and biking

Boxing Day 2023 changed everything. My little sister passed away, and with her, it felt like a piece of me went too. The months that followed were heavy and motionless , I couldn’t bring myself to ... read more

Topic: Other

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Life of biking to work.

Every weekday morning, I wake up early to get ready for work. After getting dressed and eating a quick breakfast, I grab my helmet and head outside to my bike. Instead of driving a car or taking th... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Image for story Redbridge Cycling Campaign Rides

Redbridge Cycling Campaign Rides

Our 2026 season started with a great group of 19 riders to explore The William Morris Museum in Waltham Forest and the nearby Wetlands nature reserve. We run 20-25 rides a year and encourage famili... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Chch to motueka

Last year 2025 I biked from leeston to Springfield. Second day to Arthur's pass in a head wind, then down hill to kumara and a days rest. Then to ikamatua where a $20 burger and chips was ridiculou... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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