Wow. A lot has happened since my last post. I’ve just driven straight from Taupo back to Rotorua where I’ve sat down at Zippy’s to write a little before the cafe closes. Let’s get into it:

Wednesday: Too much has happened since Wednesday to remember all the details. I worked my usual shift 8:30-2:something, and there were enough people in the cafe to keep me on my toes. After work I drove up to the mountain for a solo ride. I stopped in at Planet Bike right by the trail center carpark and had my buddy John fill my tires which hadn’t been ridden on for awhile. My legs were fresh and the climbing was refreshingly painless. I rode what has become my usual route including my favorite trail, “Te Mounga.” I was riding really well, but overcooked one corner and went sliding in the mud. Frustrated, I climbed back to the top and rode the trail again. I almost crashed again right near the very end, but managed to ditch the bike and start running downhill instead of smacking the ground.

Thursday: Work again. Usual shift. Alex passed by while I was in the cafe and invited me to ride that afternoon. I had to run home to get my laundry started because somehow I had used all my socks and underwear without realizing. Once the load was started I booked it back to the forest to meet Alex. We took it at a gentle pace but explored a few tracks I hadn’t ridden before. Good ride. Back home, Mike brought out his laptop and showed me a couple epic tracks through native bush in Taupo. He commented that I had slipped into a routine (I’m thinking “yes finally”) and that my trip would go by in a blur if I didn’t break that routine and push myself to keep at it. I had my reservations at first. Although the weather in Taupo was looking OK through the weekend and I didn’t have work until Tuesday, I had ridden the past two days in a row and I was worried if my legs could handle the 22, 12, and 37 mile rides Mike had suggested. Either way, I was going for it, and I knew I could just take it as it came. For dinner I cooked the lamb shank I had found on closeout at Countdown. It was the find of the century: a giant hunk of grass fed lamb, normally $15, on sale for $6 due to the fast approaching expiration date. If I had been thinking I would have bought them all and chucked them in the freezer.

Friday: I had planned to hit the road as soon as I had finished breakfast to do my first ride that afternoon, but when my clothes still weren’t dry and I was feeling tired and crappy I quickly realized it would be better to readjust my expectations for the day. Instead, I made a good breakfast and took my time getting everything ready. Only once my clothes were dried and I was packed to a satisfactory level did I take off, bout noonish. My first stop was Blue Lake for a walk. Exercise is so important to my mental health, and I needed a way to incorporate some activity into my day, just not riding to save my legs. Happy with my decision to take it slow, I set off from the Lake and set my sights on Taupo

Taupo is only about an hour and a little from Rotorua, so I got there mid afternoon. I had planned to get there in time to take a shower at the public bathrooms downtown which closed at 5 according to Google, but I was so early I decided to stock up on groceries at Pak N Save first. For some reason the Pak N Save in Rotorua seems to be the only one I’ve been to that doesn’t have organic chicken. Too bad.

Sadly, at the public bathrooms I discovered they stopped the showers at 4 so I was out of luck there. Luckily the women behind the counter was able to suggest a public pool that had showers just up the road from there.

After my shower I had time to kill. First I stopped at a bike shop to check my tire pressures for the next day’s ride and get my chain lubed. Then I went to the lakefront and mooched some Coffee Club wifi to facetime my parents. I was feeling especially lonely Friday, so it was nice to talk to them for a little bit.

I made it to the campsite in Whakiapo Bay in time to make dinner before the sunset. It was a beautiful spot, and the trailhead for my first ride was right at the end up the bay for easy access in the morning. After a delicious dinner of the second half of my lamb shank which was surprisingly good cold, I went down to the beach to watch the light disappear. There was an amazing view of the snow capped volcano across the lake, which by the way is the largest lake in NZ. I turned in early to be well rested for my big day.

Saturday: My alarm went off at 6:45 and boy was it chilly. I didn’t want to get out of my sleeping bag. I ate a solid, egg-based breakfast to keep me fueled through the morning, packed my fannypack with extra snacks and water, and set off up W2K for Kinloch, the next bay over. The track is 8.1 miles one way, with an optional 5.2 mile loop onto the headlands in the middle. My plan was to ride out on the optional loop on my way to Kinloch, but skip it on the way back. In the end, the ride was 22 miles.

I was using the toilet at the halfway point when I heard some American accents outside. Up until this point I had only passed one runner on the trail, so I was keen to meet these guys. Hustling to pull up my pants, I booked it out to catch them before they left. We started talking about what we were doing in New Zealand, and one of the guys told me he had been a pro motocross rider for 10 years, Jimmy Albertson. Some time ago they had come up with a “character” that had become quite popular and had been riding that wave ever since. When I asked who the character was, they replied, “Ronnie Mac.” I know Ronnie Mac! (If you don’t know Ronnie Mac take a minute to look him up now). I had been laughing at Ronnie Mac videos for years. What are the odds of meeting him on a mountain bike ride deep in the NZ bush. The other guy, Dayton Daft, a rider and long time friend of Jimmy, manages all the videography and business side of things. Dayton went to CU Boulder where I’ll be next year, so we were also able to connect through that.

We ended up really connecting and talked on the trail for about an hour. They were excited to hear what I was doing and invited me to join them for a birthday celebration with the family they were stayin with. They also invited me to the Supercross race in Auckland next weekend where Jimmy will be in character. They’re gonna hook me up with a VIP pass. I swear I’m the luckiest guy.

I continued my ride giddy with joy. The trail was beautiful and the weather was amazing, not a cloud in the sky. When I got to Kinloch, I ordered an iced coffee. I started eating my carb heavy snacks for the ride back to the campground, and they brought out my drink. Turns out an iced coffee here is practically a milkshake, blended, sweetened, cream erupting out the top. Not exactly what you want mid ride. I enjoyed it even though it wasn’t what I expected, and set off again, a little worried about how my accidental indulgence would affect my climbing abilities. To my surprise, I rocketed up the hill and was back at the car before I knew it. Maybe I should do this more often. Not quite ready for lunch, I went for a swim in the lake which was just bearably warm enough. I ate a big salad for lunch to redeem myself from my sugary snacks.

Dayton texted me the address to the party, and I went into town for a shower. I killed time until it was time to go.

The party was at a beautiful house in Acacia Bay. It was the dad’s 50th son’s 24th joint celebration. The family welcomed me with open arms. Dayton and Jimmy introduced me to the other guys. Everyone was very inviting. Even though I didn’t know anybody, I had no problem finding people to chat with. We signed up for teams for a series of games that had been set up, but it didn’t work as planned. Everybody was too drunk for there to be any order whatsoever, and we had to call it quits after two motorcycle accidents that resulted in hospital visits. I also happened to meet Mike and Kath’s across the street neighbors, just by chance. Another woman I met said she’d be in Rotorua on Tuesday and would stop by Zippy’s for a coffee. Can’t wait to see her there! It was a wild scene. Kiwis party hard, youngsters and oldsters alike. Dinner time came around and I stuffed myself with burgers on gluten free buns with all sorts of exotic sauces. By 11:30 I was too exhausted to continue, so I crashed out in my van on the lawn. The party didn’t wind down until 4am, and some people didn’t sleep at all.

Sunday: I was about the freshest person there the next morning. Susi, the mom, put on the All Blacks game and people started waking up one by one. The place was a wreck, so I got a head start on the cleanup. Definitely scored some major brownie points there. Once the boys were up the helped for awhile too. We ate a hearty breakfast of sausages, eggs, toast, hash browns, and bacon, good fuel for the day. The boys invited me into town with them where we went to a smoothie shop and the grocery store. It was really awesome to jump right into a social circle, something I’ve been longing for this whole time.

I said my goodbyes and left the house midday. I went back downtown to chill and figure out the next steps. I didn’t feel like riding, and the forecast had changed to rain for the day and the following day. I talked with my parents on the phone for some time and caught them up with my crazy story. Then I talked with my best friend Tyler for a solid hour and a half. It was so nice to hear from home. Over the course of these couple hours it became clear to me what I should do. The weather was looking better in Rotorua than Taupo, so I figured I’d head back that evening and ride Monday. On my way out of town I stopped at Huka Honey Hives, a bee themed tourist trap. I made lunch in the parking lot and went inside for some free samples. I tried every honey they had, and took advantage of my legal age to try my first taste of meade. Sugared up agai, I set off for Rotorua, only taking a different, more scenic, route I had on my way there.

My first stop was Zippy’s to get some writing in while it was fresh in my memory. Once the cafe had closed I went to Pak N Save and Countdown for some grub. I was excited to share my story with Mike and Kath when I got home, a little embarrassed to report I had only done one of the recommended rides. Guess I have unfinished business in Taupo and will have to go back soon.

Monday: I woke up late and went for my typical walk around Blue Lake. I went back to Zippy’s for some tea and continued writing/caught up on emails. I went home and did some cooking while Mike and Kath were out of the house, ate lunch, and rested for a little while it rained. I facetimed Annie and her boyfriend for some time. We hadn’t talked in long while, so it was nice to fill each other in on our lives. Feeling grateful to have HER as my sister. Hopefully she reads this, haha.

The takeaway: Every time I put myself out there I get rewarded for it, whether it be a good conversation, a piece of chocolate, or partying with Ronnie Mac and co. Sometimes it’s hard to self motivate and break your routine, but I’m continually encouraged by the results when I do.

My fingers are cold and it’s too hard to type.

Anders