Rural Riders

Farmers are swapping tractor wheels for bike pedals at Rural Riders, a national initiative that encourages farmers to let go of the stress of the day and come along for a bike ride. What started as the vision of passionate cyclist and Ballance Agri-Nutrients Accounts Manager Hamish Clausen, turned into an impactful programme connecting more than 250 people weekly, across twelve locations nationwide.

The idea for Rural Riders came to Hamish, now Chairman and National Coordinator, in 2021 while regularly going on bike rides with friends to unwind. Understanding the pressures farmers face, he noticed a gap in rural communities - a need for farmers to take a break from their busy work and spend time with like-minded people. Also inspired by Surfing for Farmers, Hamish wanted to give farmers inland - or those not so keen to get in the water - a way to connect and unwind.

“Surfing for Farmers was an inspiration, but it’s very coastal. I found there was a gap through the central part of the country, and for someone like myself, I enjoyed having a weekly ride with a mate when I lived in Taupō. I thought, well, what can we do there? I approached Ballance as our first sponsor. They got on board and gave me some funding for refreshments and food, and I created a poster and sent it out to all my farmers. Next minute, we got a little community going.”

Like Surfing for Farmers, Rural Riders has grown significantly since its humble beginnings. The inaugural ride took place with only about ten people attending; however, by the end of the first season, Rural Riders had grown to a community of 35 participants who would regularly gather for rides in Taupō. Since then, the Rural Riders programme has grown far beyond its origins, expanding to 12 locations across New Zealand, from the far North to the deep South.

Hamish said that one of the great things about bike riding is the adrenaline rush it brings - the excitement of riding helps clear the mind, letting participants take a break from negative thoughts and, instead, focus on enjoying the ride. Plus, cycling is a great way to boost mood and reduce stress, making it a perfect way to unwind, he added. “I find that something that’s slightly more adrenaline based is really good for the mind. This is because, in my opinion, something that gives you a bit more adrenaline makes your brain focus on something else, compared to the negative or repetitive thoughts that farming can give you at times. An adrenaline-based activity really hits the spot for the mental health side of things,” he said.

The best thing about Rural Riders is that it’s for everyone, no matter your cycling experience, Hamish said. “It’s something easy, and it’s working, and the farmers love it. It’s not an event as such. It’s just a casual ride with mates, bringing people along and networking, meeting new people. It’s a good time,” he said.

“The main goal was to get the rural community out of the day-to-day grind and spend some time with like-minded people, and just have some fun, getting everyone along to have that time off .”

Some people ride traditional bikes, while others use e-bikes to make things easier for them. The rides usually last between one to two hours and are followed by a barbeque and a yarn. Rural Riders also provides bikes to anyone needing to borrow one - they just have to let their local coordinator know beforehand. It’s this friendly, laid-back vibe that makes the programme so popular with farmers. It is all about getting outside, enjoying the ride, and meeting others.

While primarily geared toward farmers, Rural Riders, despite its name, is not limited to the rural community. Any person, regardless of their background or occupation, is welcome to join the rides. Making everyone feel welcome is at the heart of Rural Riders, and its ability to bring together all kinds of people has helped it grow in different regions.

Behind the scenes, the success of Rural Riders wouldn’t be possible without the efforts of national sponsors Ballance Agri-Nutrients, Rabobank, FIL, GEA and Rural Support Trust, local coordinators and volunteers. Each location has one to two coordinators who help manage the rides, ensuring everything runs smoothly, from setting the route to welcoming new participants. The team behind Rural Riders is focused on keeping the programme local, ensuring that each region is supported by a strong team of coordinators who are invested in their community. “So all riders can attend, go for a ride, and then when they come back, the coordinator or volunteer will be on the barbeque here with some food. Everyone’s just sort of hanging out, having a yarn and talking about the rides and all the good things about getting out and about.”

Hamish said that the feedback coming out of Rural Riders’ events, which happen weekly from November to April, has been awesome to hear. “It’s always positive. Even hearing one person say they’ve been looking forward to it all day; that’s exactly what we’re trying to do,” he said. He shared that, sometimes, farmers have used the opportunity of riding at Rural Riders to get things off their chest. “One day, I had a farmer come to me. It was really bad weather, and I ended up cancelling the night just because no one would’ve shown up. But he texted me and asked if we could still go for a ride, to which I said yeah, of course. When we finished the ride, he said to me, ‘You know, man, I really needed that out there today. I had to shoot a cattle beast and I’ve got another surgery that I’m a little nervous about. But it’s just so good to be able to get out there,’ and that’s the sort of feedback we get to hear,” Hamish told us.

Rural Riders’ goal is to continue growing while remaining true to its roots of casual, community-driven events. “We like to keep things pretty relaxed, just like our farmers. It’s not about big events - just letting it grow naturally in the places that need it. Every region that’s joined so far has done so on its own, without us having to push. The farming community really gets behind these kinds of things, so we just want to keep supporting, expanding where it makes sense, and keeping it local,” Hamish explained. Sponsors are welcome to attend, as well as friends, family, and kids. He said just being there, and being part of the community, is what is key to Rural Riders.

Rural Riders has proven that something as simple as a bike ride can make a huge difference in the lives of New Zealand’s farming community. Whether you’re looking to join a friendly, supportive group or get some extra miles in, there is a bike seat with your name on it at Rural Riders.

For more information on the upcoming events or to get involved, check out the Rural Riders social media pages or reach out to your local coordinator.

Instagram.com/ruralriders_nz Facebook: Rural Riders