I am a big fan of 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 summit, …
Tag: Recreational riding
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 …
Help support a new Community Pump Track
Here’s a request from the North Avon Chch BMX Club that’s well worth looking at:
“Hi. Any chance you can post about our funding push. Massive support required for this community Pump Track, that is going to be massive! …
Biketober Chch 2021 is here!
With all the drama of a wee Covid lockdown to enthral us the past couple of months, you could be forgiven for overlooking the fact that the month of October has nearly crept up on us and that means… Biketober…
Flashback Friday: Biking and COVID-19 in Christchurch
And so, here we are again… a few Covid cases locally and we have another full-on lockdown to contend with, and all that goes with that. At time of publishing, we don’t know yet whether Christchurch might get an early …
Discovering Local – Kaiapoi
The opportunity and subsequent benefits of Covid lockdowns and travel restrictions over the past 12 months to get out locally and discover our own back yard have in a bitter sweet way been significant. What better way to see your …
Flashback Friday: Riding Long Distances
We often talk about how cycling can be a great substitute for short-medium trips by car, but there are plenty of people who are happy to clock up the kilometres on longer journeys by bike (especially with some of the …
Flashback Friday: A Ride to Sumner (and the promise of things to come)
It’s almost the end of the lovely summer weather and it might feel like there’s less excuse to jump on the bike and check out the city’s great cycleways. But maybe it’s useful to appreciate a time not that long …
Wednesday Wheelies – 3 years of riding and learning
November 18th 2020 was officially the 3rd birthday of our slow and social riding group based in St Albans. Celebrated at Abberley Park Cottage with a sumptuous lunch of roast lamb and salmon, prepared by the St Albans Residents’ Association, …