Riding a bike across New Zealand!

Howdy friends, I’m riding my bike across New Zealand! Feels like the right time for a lil update.

I write for a living and I’ve been keeping journals for years now. So why not give it a go and journal in public for a bit?

That’s what I’ll do. At least while I’m on this bikepacking trip. Or until it starts feeling like a chore 😉

So here goes.

Saturday, February 10.

240 miles in.

I’ve been dreaming up this adventure for a while now. I like riding bikes. Some friends told me I’d dig New Zealand. So I thought, “Hey, wouldn’t it be sweet if I rode a bike across New Zealand?” Simple as that.

A few searches later I came across Tour Aotearoa (TA for short). It’s a bike route from the top of the north island to the bottom of the South Island. Cape Reinga to Bluff. An 1800-mile journey of dirt roads, single track, paved paths, boat crossings, the whole bit. It winds through some of the most scenic spots in the country.

That’s all I needed to see. It was a done deal. I was going to ride across New Zealand, it was just a matter of time.

So in 2022 I saved up, booked flights, quit my job, and was set to go. Then life did its thing and threw me a curveball. I decided to postpone. I wanted to stay in Vermont to lean on close friends and my community. Story for another journal entry :)

Flash forward a year, and here we are!

Why am I bikepacking? The short answer: New Zealand’s beauty is fascinating and I like riding bikes. The real answer: I’m not sure yet. I hope I figure this out by the time I finish in Bluff. I want to learn more about myself. But even if I don’t have any breakthroughs, that’s okay with me. It’s a part of my journey.

Bikepacking is crazy simple when you think about it. Wake up, ride a bike, eat some food, find a place to sleep, repeat. When on the trail, there are no social pressures or obligations. No 40-hour workweeks. There’s all this stillness. Space to slow down and connect meaningfully with nature. That’s what I’m going for.

Plenty more to say, but I’ll share later. Thanks for reading! Sending lots of love and positive energy your way. Until next time! ✌️💙🥭