Stories from Bay of Plenty

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

Image for story Balancing the bike and gym

Balancing the bike and gym

Took on a challenge for myself this year to keep up with the gym (35 day challenge) and getting out for rides on my bike, whilst increasing how often I bike to work and home. Been a successful few ... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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CONNECTION and INSPIRATION

Planning on visiting my grandchildren on the weekend, I was looking forward to catching up with them. Having a lunch time meet up was a good idea, as it gave the modern generation time to get o... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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New lease of life!!

After 30 odd years of not having owned or even got on a bike... bought my first bike and joined the challenge, it is quite a challenge with all the gears and getting used to what works when LOL. Th... read more

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

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Image for story Timber trail fun

Timber trail fun

One of the great rides in New Zealand, and one of the best days I've had on my bike. A little bit of planning, and you can see some of NZ's rail history, and our great wild environment.

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Cycling through post cyclone

A colleague and I were brave enough to venture out the day after cyclone Gabrielle had battered the Bay of Plenty on our journey to work. I was probably foolish enough to think that everything wo... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Image for story Riding with a Shredder

Riding with a Shredder

My favourite Mountain Bike Riding Buddy is my 8 year old son. The only problem I'm having is that in the next 18 - 24 months I'm not sure I'm going to be able to keep up... and he likes to remind m... read more

Topic: Other

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Scared by my own shadow!!

What a weird sensation, riding in the early morning , just before dawn and I sensed something passing me on the inside line. WTF was that? Nothing , just my shadow passing me due to weird lighting ... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Image for story Why i ride

Why i ride

We started this adventure when our whanau of four kids left no time for me to exercise or do anything much for myself. As a survivor of an aggressive cancer that messed with my body as much as my h... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story Walking the talk

Walking the talk

One of the goals I set for myself when I started my new job at TCC was to bike to work. My role is Corporate Sustainability Lead, so biking makes sense for a lot of reasons. Fitness, wellbeing, env... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Image for story Team Christmas Ride

Team Christmas Ride

The Safe and Sustainable Journeys team took a Christmas Ride to end our 2019 work year. All 6 of us rode the Ngongotaha cycleway and then the newly built Linton Park cycleway :)

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Out and about

The Aotearoa Bike Challenge has got not just me but my husband out and about biking on the weekends. It is amazing how many individuals, couples and families are out enjoying a bit of free air and ... read more

Topic: Other

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Image for story Moerangi MTB track. A steep but rewarding challenge.

Moerangi MTB track. A steep but rewarding challenge.

I love riding deep into the native forest. I recently rode the Moerangi MTB track in the Whirinaki Forest. We rode from Okahu Road to the summit and back again the same way. No e-bikes to be seen... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Image for story Putting the Mountain in MTB

Putting the Mountain in MTB

Effort-rewarding views from Mt Moerangi in the Whakarewarewa Forest this morning

Topic: Other

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Image for story Building Confidence

Building Confidence

Our 8 year old has always been a bit nervous on her bike. Growing up, I was the same so can sympathize with her feelings. During this challenge we've gone on a number family bike rides, and today ... read more

Topic: Ride with kids

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Personal goal

I am really happy to have logged my rides during the Aotearoa Bike challenge. Never knew that I've been riding about 200 km per month mainly to commute. And it is saving me money, avoiding traffic ... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Image for story CANCELLED - New goal acquired - new soul food

CANCELLED - New goal acquired - new soul food

With my glass back pummelled back into shape and my snapped saddle replaced (winter weight gain?) the training could start in earnest again. December saw the km's getting racked up, lots of flattie... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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Image for story Feel the fear and do it anyway!

Feel the fear and do it anyway!

TĹŤwhitia te hopo, mairangatia te angitĹŤ! Feel the fear and do it anyway! My name is Jill Walters and I am the Organisational Development Lead at Toi Moana Bay of Plenty Regional Council. I live ... read more

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

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Image for story SH2 Chaos

SH2 Chaos

Started driving my daughter to school from Brookfield to Bethlehem on Friday. Traveled a short distance before witnessing a heavy traffic on Millers Road as far as the eye could see. Knowing that S... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Family business

My grandparents owned a bike shop in the UK so I have always loved bikes. Their bike shop was famous in the local area and everyone got their bike from Renhams. I used to love the smell of the sho... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Stories from around the world

Image for story En selle pour le 48hrs vĂŠlo Make-A-Wish

En selle pour le 48hrs vĂŠlo Make-A-Wish

RĂŠcemment pationnĂŠ de vĂŠlo, je dĂŠcide de me lancer et de formĂŠ une ĂŠquipe de 6 afin de participĂŠ Ă  l ĂŠvĂŠnement. Cyclistes occasionnels tout comme dĂŠbutants, qui se magasinaient un vĂŠlo encore 6 sem... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

My Best Friend and Me

I met Annie when we were kids. We bonded over riding our bikes together. Ever since then, we have done many bike trips together, the longest being a 3 day rail trail we did earlier this year. I hav... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Image for story Age is no barrier

Age is no barrier

I am Ian Shaw from Balloch West Dunbartonshire. I found out about LTR in my then work place Glasgow Clyde College and I'm now retired. I have been cycling for about 40 years now as well as a ke... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Image for story The zen of the ride

The zen of the ride

Most days, my spouse will ask where I want to ride. I suggest a route, he suggests something else, and I say okay. I’m not really a pushover. The feel of riding, the movement, the act of being in t... read more

Topic: Other

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Bike Around the Bay

Bike around the bay 2024

Topic: Other

Image for story Houston's Multi-modal Trip

Houston's Multi-modal Trip

Visiting Miller Outdoor Theater, seeing Big Boy at Amtrak station, or going to BikeHouston's events from Katy can be achieved easily with bike + express bus. Those are trips that otherwise too far ... read more

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

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Image for story A Mixed-Ability Cycling Adventure from Barry Island to Sharpness!

A Mixed-Ability Cycling Adventure from Barry Island to Sharpness!

On Friday, October 11th, we embarked on a 92-mile cycling adventure from Barry Island Station to Sharpness, united by a common cause – to support the Save Tall Ship Tenacious campaign and inspire i... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story Faster than a car!

Faster than a car!

I work as a P.E teacher in Kilmarnock and I first heard about Love to Ride from the East Ayrshire Council website. I've been a recreational cyclist since I was a boy but got my Boardman road bike f... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Image for story The joy of riding my bike

The joy of riding my bike

I love riding my bike, my first ride was when i was around six, I remember jumping on my older sister's new bike. we lived in a court and my Mum let us ride to the halfway point, of course this bik... read more

Topic: My Bicycle Romance

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Image for story Why I ride and choose not to own a car?

Why I ride and choose not to own a car?

If you know me, you’d probably know that I’ve become an avid cyclist over the years and my work involves looking at ways to encourage people to consider the daily choices they make around transport... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Image for story Cycling and working

Cycling and working

I am 75 and have been cycling since I was 7yrs. I am now employed as a community caregiver, cycling to all my clients. It is a great ice-breaker as all those of my generation and older had to cycle... read more

Topic: Other

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A gratitude post!

I’ve thoroughly enjoyed cycle September and was heading out in an extra ride yesterday when I realised I had a flat tire. Turned round, pushed the bike home and pumped it up, within seconds it was ... read more

Topic: Other

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Image for story Made to Bruges!

Made to Bruges!

I love this picture. it's my friend and I in Bruges in Belgium. Earlier on in the year, I invited him to join me early Sept to go on a bike adventure. Over 4 days, we'd cycle in France and Belgi... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Image for story Love To Ride goody bag winners

Love To Ride goody bag winners

These two amazing people won the goody bag today at a Love To Ride cycling event. Wheely Active CIC helped them to get their bikes road worthy and sized correctly. Having previously cycled... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Dusting off the bike for my Cycle September Commute

It's been quite some time since I've commuted to work by bike (certainly over a couple of years), but as I had arranged a workplace Dr Bike for colleagues as part of Cycle September I set myself a ... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Image for story Coffee ride

Coffee ride

Cycling from southampton to Lyndhurst New forest. Have a Coffee the woods cyclery bike shop. [address removed]

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

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Image for story My colleagues ride annually in Europe

My colleagues ride annually in Europe

This year rode (was supposed to be from Trafalgar Square but changed due to unrest) from 22nd September (early morning until late afternoon in torrential rain!) We started in Letchworth 60 mile... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Bikes for sale

Hey anyone know any recommendations for long distance for bikes? Or have one for sale

Topic: Other

Image for story 15 years - 100,000km

15 years - 100,000km

I've been commuting to work for 15 years with at least one ride on the weekends. All up I have clocked over 100,000 km. Here are some comparative guesimates of savings over that time: Financial: ... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Image for story Commuting Carbon Neutral

Commuting Carbon Neutral

I drive an electric car but as everyone knows it still takes fossil fuels to operate. Luckily, even with everything factored in, it has less than 1/3 the carbon footprint of gas cars. I discovered ... read more

Topic: Carbon Crushers

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Ride to school

Each day I ride to school while most people rock up in cars. I ride because it's healthy (and I don't like to walk) and gets me to school in under 10 minutes. I love riding and I home that more stu... read more

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

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Image for story Isobel's Cycling Journey

Isobel's Cycling Journey

I’m a 57 year old community worker who started cycling around 2.5 years ago after seeing an advertisement for the Great North Bike ride and decided to enter it to motivate myself to get fit. My fri... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Image for story Looking Back

Looking Back

It's a certainty; if you ride long enough, you will crash. I sometimes let myself entertain the idea that cars and other things, coming up from behind, are uncontrol able random threats. In try... read more

Topic: Other

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Image for story Inclusive adventures for all

Inclusive adventures for all

92 miles DONE! 🎉 What a weekend with an incredible mixed ability team! 🚴‍♀️🚴‍♂️ We cycled all the way from Barry Island to Gloucester and even managed to squeeze in an interview with Mike Griffi... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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UCLA

i bike on the UCLA campus because there is less car traffic, making it safer for fitness/exercise.

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

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Image for story Night ride at long last

Night ride at long last

My first night ride since before my long lay up after surgery. I didn't realise how much I missed it, 15 miles of bliss.

Topic: Other

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Image for story 3, 2., 1 - GO!

3, 2., 1 - GO!

Biketober is off! The outside racks were packed all day at Council House 2!

Topic: My commute by bike

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Image for story Catching the bike bug.

Catching the bike bug.

I turned 50 in December. Had a bad skiing accident in February where I was unable to do a lot of exercise. I put on a few pounds and my fitness deteriorated during recovery. Started to get stronger... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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My Bike Made My Disabilities Easier

Over the last 5 years, I have been diagnosed with several disabilities which cause chronic fatigue, excessive daytime sleepiness, and chronic pain. I struggled to work 8 hours, walk less than a blo... read more

Topic: My Bicycle Romance

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Image for story Rain or shine - the only way to commute!

Rain or shine - the only way to commute!

Just a quick one, but surely arriving at work (or anywhere to be fair) by bike is the best way to start the day?! I wake up excited to ride, and look forward to the ride home. Even during the hideo... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Image for story CiclorecreovĂ­a - Santiago

CiclorecreovĂ­a - Santiago

Every morning sunday, the city streets are available for cycling, running, skaters, etc. It's a great opportunity for enjoy sports with family and friends!

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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