A recent accident has meant a few months off cycling for me. As you might expect, it has been enormously frustrating, and dented both my confidence and my mood. It also got me thinking about how important cycling is to …
Tag: Recreational riding
Flashback Friday: Hawkes Bay – Lovin’ the Network
Robert Fleming has been a regular contributor to Cycling in Chch for many years now, with about 70 blog posts. He’s also just had another birthday, so happy birthday Robert! Last weekend I was in Hawkes Bay and took …
Flashback Friday – Guest Post: Just another day on a bike in Christchurch…
It’s well and truly Spring now, and Summer is just around the corner! That’s as good a reason as any to get out on your bike and experience the many different facets of life around Christchurch… Back in Oct 2016…
Flashback Friday: Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail
Something I’m looking forward to very much this summer is to tackle the Alps2Ocean Cycle Trail from Mount Cook down to Oamaru in late January. It’s been on my bucket list for a while, so it will be interesting to …
Hurunui Heartland: From Waikari to Christchurch
It’s a bit of a stretch to consider the Hurunui Heartland Trail cycling in Christchurch. However, because it’s so accessible to the city, cycling part of it makes for a good day out.
The trail runs from Kaikōura to Christchurch …
Biketober 2023 is Here!
It’s the last day of September, which means that tomorrow is… Biketober! Yep, Christchurch’s annual festival of all things biking continues in its 7th year, with another bumper list of activities.
Here’s some of what you can expect; for …
Flashback Friday: Biketober 2017 is Here!
As we race through September (or Mahuru or Hepetema if you’ve been following along with Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori) you’ll realise that, before we know it, it will be Biketober again! The programme for this year’s activities …
A Great Ride for Christchurch?
I am a big fan of the Ngā Haerenga, the New Zealand Cycle Trails, which form a network of recreational cycle routes in some of the most scenic parts of the country.
The concept originated in a 2009 jobs …
A day out in the Waimakariri district: cycling the eastern cycle trails
For a leisurely day’s cycling in Greater Christchurch, you can’t beat the eastern side of the Waimakariri district. It’s easily accessible via the shared pathway along the Christchurch Northern Corridor and is well-served by a growing network of cycle tracks…
Along the river to the sea
Most weeks, one of my rides will take me along the Ōtākaro Avon River to the sea. I think it’s one of the best recreational rides in Christchurch (the Summit Road probably being my favourite).
It’s a peaceful ride away …
A shout-out to dog owners
Many of my recreational rides involve some cycling on shared paths around the city. Depending on the time of day (and day of week), there are usually at least some other cyclists, walkers or runners around.
Shared paths have been …
Joy on the Port Hills
Despite living and cycling in Christchurch for many years, my first ride up the Port Hills was only nine months ago. Until then, I’d mainly cycled on the flat and only ever ventured up the hills for the odd walk, …
A road well-travelled: Cycling along the Christchurch Northern Corridor
I’m really pleased to welcome a new writer to our fold: Angela Cassidy! Angela is a particular fan of recreational riding, so look out for more posts about some of her travels – here’s the first one…
One of the …
Flashback Friday: Summit Road Opportunity
I’ve always enjoyed getting up and about the Port Hills, be it on foot, or bike (or running even if I’m feeling stupidly enthusiastic…). Along the top, the Summit Road is great for doing all of these activities while also …
Flashback Friday: Coastal Pathway makes further progress
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Anyone who has been out towards Sumner lately may have noticed the work underway to finish up the last bits of the Coastal Pathway, both through Moncks Bay and also connecting with the Rapanui-Shag Rock cycleway at Ferrymead. …
Time for another Winter Solstice Ride – Tue 21 June 2022
It’s hard to believe that a simple fun idea dreamed up 10 years ago would turn into a much-loved institution in the Christchurch cycling calendar. But that was the concept started by Ian Wells all those years ago, with the …
Flashback Friday – Book Review: Easy Rider, A Kiwi’s Guide to Cycling
The days are getting shorter and cooler, so maybe you don’t feel quite so keen to get out on your bike over the winter months (although we do have advice for those who do want to cycle in the cold…
Flashback Friday: Cycling and making sense of life
Mental health seems to be getting a bigger airing these days, with more and more people realising that we don’t all have good days (or weeks, or months…) and sometimes we need to talk to someone about that or find …
Flashback Friday: Zen and the Art of Cycling
Welcome to Aotearoa Bike Challenge month! Normally about now I’d be telling you about some rides and other bike events coming up that you could take part in, like the previous Nostalgia Bike Gang and Blueberry Rides. But… Omicron… So, …
Flashback Friday – Hidden Treasures: McLeans Forest
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I hope that most of you are winding down for the holidays now – having spent the past week shifting into to my new home, I’m certainly looking forward to a rest… The summer break is also a good opportunity …