Busy is Better

Yesterday and today were awesome! I worked hard, exercised hard, ate well, slept well, and stayed busy, key ingredients for happiness.

After a leisurely morning getting ready,  I cruised into Rotorua and pulled into my favorite spot behind Bike Culture. Breakfast was yogurt and muesli with half an apple, peanut butter, and dried fruit on top. I walked around to the front entrance with my food and settled down on the couch for a dose of shop banter. The guys set me up with the Rotorua Bike Festival schedule and some advice on a good way to spend my day. I drove to Mount Maunganui, a volcano perched on the coast about an hour away. The countryside was beautiful, and I passed through Te Puke, the kiwifruit capital of the world (I didn’t stop for any kiwis).

In town, I drew my curtains and set off to the top of the volcano. It’s only 650 feet of vertical, so it didn’t take me long to get to the top. The view was spectacular even though it was cloudy. There were a couple folks chatting on a bench, and I immediately recognized their accents as American. We talked for a while. One was from Toronto (didn’t sound too Canadian though) and the other from Indiana. It was nice to relate to others from North America doing a similar thing as myself. The guy from Toronto had even been to one of my favorite places in the world, Salt Spring Island, BC! We never would have found that connection if I hadn’t commented on their accents.

I walked down the hill and down the beach to the other major landmark in the area, the little spit of land below the volcano. On my way back I window shopped and worked up an appetite. At the van, I made a sandwich for lunch and ate the other half of my apple from the morning. When I realized it was 3:10, I had to leave. The guys from Bike Culture had invited me on a 5:00 ride.

I made it back to the shop with 20 minutes to spare, which I used to frantically change, fill my bottle, and check my tire/suspension pressures.

Rob, Mike and I pedaled over to the bottom of the forest where we met my man Alex who courteously offered me a gummy worm (he had another name for it which I have since forgotten). We started with a steep techie climb up some roots, then down the super steep unsanctioned track, Muff Smuggler. We rode a couple tracks that were new to me, Minerals and Jekyll and Hide. Both were awesome! After splitting off from the other guys, Mike and I pedaled back to the shop just in time for dark.

Last night I had my typical rice and chili beans for dinner. This time spiced up with a tomato, half an avocado, and some shredded cheese on top. Not bad! After eating way too much dark chocolate, I came back inside and joined Mike and Kath to watch 800 words, a small town NZ TV show.

Today I woke up at 7:00 for work. I drove into town and chose not to eat breakfast in hopes I could get some gluten free toast from the cafe. Just as I parked behind the shop again, I got a text from the Inland Revenue Department with my IRD (tax) number. Now I can get paid for the hours I’ve been working! Gary in the kitchen made me some toast with cream cheese and jam, and I was off. Simon, the main barista, offered me a coffee which I gratefully accepted. I had my hands full all day, but the long white he made me sure helped. I also managed to come up on a banana smoothie and iced coffee, both of which I only drank half of. Smart move.

I got a takeaway tuna melt for dinner, and went next door to the shop to retrieve my bike from the previous night. There, I made some adjustments, loaded up, and set off for the grocery store for a few food items and some ice (the food in my cooler was floating in water).

After shopping I set off again for the forest. I rode an hour long loop consisting of trails I had already been on. It was just what I needed. Felt great to get some activity after a busy day. There was a chainless race going on, and I got to the top as riders were being sent down. If I had my wallet with me I could have ridden down another trail, removed my chain, got a number plate, and bought a shuttle to make it to the top in time to race. I didn’t, but I didn’t care either. The race was down a trail that was much less interesting than the one I was about to ride!

I rolled back into town and down the lake to Mike and Kath’s where I’m staying. I showered, and now I’m writing this to let my hunger build a little more. Overall I’m feeling great! This was a much more detailed post than most will be, but it was easy to remember everything that’s happened over the past two days, and the point is that I’ve been doing a lot to keep myself happy. It’s working. Lets see what I get up to tomorrow.

Until next time…