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!

Tūwhitia te hopo, mairangatia te angitū! 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 Lancs to Leeds

Lancs to Leeds

Started commuting to work via train. 2 hour journey 3 days a week so don’t want to have to walk at the other end. Bought an old fold up bike for £25 to give it a go. Doing me good so far!

Topic: My commute by bike

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The only way to commute

I work about 3 miles from home at a school. I don't drive and the bus service is unreliable and too costly so cycling is the best option for me. I have always chosen to cycle rather than use transp... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

Image for story Cycling for covid recovery reignited my love for mtb

Cycling for covid recovery reignited my love for mtb

I caught covid the end of 2020 in December and then suffered with long Covid. I went from going to the gym lifting heavy and doing hiit sessions 4/5 days a week, to struggling to walk upstairs with... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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Great Start to Cycle September!

What a fantastic way to start Cycle September! A 30 minute cycle in the rain... surely it can only get better from here 🤞

Topic: My commute by bike

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Image for story Railway Track from Cloughton   to Staintondale

Railway Track from Cloughton to Staintondale

This morning we cycling to Staintondale from Scarborough and back to seafront. Old railway track is very popular track with cyclists/walkers from Scarborough to Whitby. Railway track from Bur... read more

Topic: Other

Image for story A cyclists friend,  Diamond of a man.

A cyclists friend, Diamond of a man.

Look at this great guy blowing them pesky thorns off the road to help us on bikes. I had just changed my front inner tube 100yds before this. Thank you that man. I wonder if I could fit a leaf bl... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

Image for story Don't Ignore the Symptoms...

Don't Ignore the Symptoms...

Yesterday I hopped on my sport-about for a quick errand and soon noticed a recurring bump in the rear wheel. After moving from concrete to asphalt, it was still there so I pulled over and sure eno... read more

Topic: Other

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Image for story 1000 miles + in July

1000 miles + in July

I have a bucket list ride coming up in October, the Garden Route in South Africa. So need to get some mileage in the legs. Having been restricted by a few health issues and of course the poor weath... read more

Topic: Carbon Crushers

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Image for story Scarborough North Bay Railway

Scarborough North Bay Railway

Always make me smile seeing the train and water chute. Cycled past it hundreds of times but never get bored of seeing it.

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

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2 70+ year olds riding 7,500km around NZ - on a tandem

Growing up in the 1950s, cycling was an integral part of a child's everyday life. It was the mode of transportation to school, friends' houses, sports activities, and the shops. When the weather wa... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story Winter Treasure

Winter Treasure

There's nothing quite like the crisp winter air on your way into work and then to be greeted by the mist hovering over the top of the Barwon River and sunshine streaming through the trees!

Topic: My commute by bike

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Image for story Herculean Sportive

Herculean Sportive

My favourite place to ride is the outer Hebrides and every year they hold the Herculean Sportive . This covers 100 miles and is over 5 islands accessible by causeways.. it is the most beautiful p... read more

Topic: My favourite place/route to ride

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Image for story Our Scottish Adventure

Our Scottish Adventure

In May, my family and I rode to Rugby station from our home 12 miles away and caught the train to London to get the Caledonian Sleeper to Fort William. We spent a fabulous car free week there!

Topic: Ride with kids

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Image for story Frank Brinkerhoff Century ride

Frank Brinkerhoff Century ride

I was with siouxland cyclists on Sunday 7/7/24 we started at craves parking lot at Sioux City Iowa at 6:30 in the morning. We traveled 3 states on bicycle by the time I got home I rode 110.45 miles.

Topic: Other

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Image for story May is Bike Month: Give it a try!

May is Bike Month: Give it a try!

May is Bike Month 2024 was so much fun. My husband’s workplace in Sacramento had an organized May is Bike Month competition, and he encouraged me to take part in Bike Month too, despite the fact th... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story Cycling is for everyone !

Cycling is for everyone !

My name is Tony, I’m from Salford and moved to Blackpool a few years ago to be near family. I’ve been a cyclist for years and love to cycle whenever I get the chance! I regularly take my little b... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Wolds Way Cycle Route in a Day 146 Miles

I am 71 years old and recently completed the above challenge. It has been on my bucket list for some time. Riding time was 10.5 hours averaging 14 mph. It may sound daunting to some of you, but it... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Image for story Blackpool Ride the light

Blackpool Ride the light

Rain or shine in blackpool ride the light last august 27

Topic: A happy riding memory

Image for story We all have Tenacity, if we dig deep enough

We all have Tenacity, if we dig deep enough

My journey has been a difficult one, and one in which I have learnt a lot about myself both mentally and physically. My boundless amounts of positivity have always turned the frequent downs int... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

Image for story Black Women on Wheels (BWOW)

Black Women on Wheels (BWOW)

I always commuted by bike but joining Black Women on Wheels has been amazing for improving my cycling skills and doing long rides and sportives like Ride London. I’m now a BWOW ride lead and it’s s... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story Mountain biking with my boy ❤️

Mountain biking with my boy ❤️

After attending some intro to mountain biking skill courses during the summer holidays (provided by cycle station, darvel) my 9 year old son was keen to continue. This morning I strapped the bikes... read more

Topic: Ride with kids

Image for story Thorn in my side you know that's all you ever were. (Eurythmics).

Thorn in my side you know that's all you ever were. (Eurythmics).

First time off road since my Hip revision surgery and it was tested by them god damm thorns. 2 to be procise in my front tyre. It was still a very nice day and a very nice ride out. There was eve... read more

Topic: Other

Updating the bike and riding towards home

I managed to sneak out and purchase a new bike which landed me in the dog house (luckily, I found the exit, thanks to a surprise cooked dinner and some extra chores done). I rode from my workpla... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Image for story Railway Paths in England

Railway Paths in England

Many former railway lines in North East England have been converted to paths for cycling and walking. This is an old rail map from the railway station at Beamish, superimposed with a nearly traffic... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story YESSSSS I'M BACK

YESSSSS I'M BACK

My First time back on my bike since my hip revision surgery in January. I was very nervous but I just took it real easy and only did 4 mile, it's gonna take a while to build my leg strength as it ... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Image for story Where Theres A Will Theres A Way

Where Theres A Will Theres A Way

Who said delivering a hire bike couldn't be done by bike 😃 A great example from Bob at Wheely Active of using sustainable travel at its best.

Topic: My commute by bike

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Image for story Sunshine

Sunshine

Ride a bike rain or shine..hehehe

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story Florida Monsoon Commute

Florida Monsoon Commute

My commute has always been a bit far, and sketchy for riding by bike even though I’ve always ridden quite a lot. The recent purchase of an e-bike has made it practical, except that it’s storm seaso... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Image for story Enjoyed a nice riding to Beverley

Enjoyed a nice riding to Beverley

Finally had some nice weather so I take a nice bike riding to Beverley it was about 18-22km round trip. Can’t wait for my next adventure

Topic: Other

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Image for story Group ride

Group ride

I enjoy getting as many people to ride as much as possible

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story Freedom comes on two wheels !

Freedom comes on two wheels !

I’m Fatima, I moved to Blackpool after I qualified as a doctor but I’m originally from Pakistan. I’ve been cycling since I was a child of around 3 or 4. I was tiny and the bicycle that my father ... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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