Stories from Waikato

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

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 see th... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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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 ki... 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 felt d... 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! 😉) 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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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 ov... read more

Topic: Ride with kids

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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 and... 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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Stories from around the world

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

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

Récemment pationné de vélo, je décide de me lancer et de formé une équipe de 6 afin de participé à l événement. Cyclistes occasionnels tout comme débutants, qui se magasinaient un vélo 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

3
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

2

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 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

3
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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