New Zealand is known as a ‘Pedallers’ Paradise’, thus it has always been on my list of ‘must see’ countries. Our quest is to experience the beauty and hospitality of the South Island firsthand. Meeting me in Christchurch will be Mike, from Australia. And his brother George, from California, will be joining us too. We biked almost 1200km (743 miles) and tried to get into a little mischief along the way. This book is a chronicle of our travels.
Prologue
My cycling partner, Mike, convinced me to come “south” to bike in New Zealand with him and his brother, George. How could I refuse. New Zealand has always been on my list of ‘must see’ countries. With a brand new bike my friends at the ACME Bicycling Company in Kansas City built, I was ready. But this was going to be my farthest flight yet for my world travels.
I met Mike & George during my first bike trip, across the USA (Show Me America!). That day in Afton Virginia, their enthusiasm and camaraderie gave my spirits a big boost that first week on the road. A few days later after George had to cut his trip short because of a bike wreck, I joined Mike as we road from Virginia to Missouri. Even though our routes separated then, our friendship has lasted ever since. But, when was I going to “come down and visit?” he always would ask.
So, I headed 8100-miles ‘down under’ for three weeks of biking and a lot of other mischief we got ourselves into. Besides seeing a lot of sheep, we ate a lot of good food, flew a helicopter to the top of a glacier, drank lots of ginger beer, and even visited Milford Sound. The “Lord of the Rings” movie trilogy was filmed in New Zealand so I officially called our quest “Fellowship of the Chainring”. Appropriate don’t you think!
If you enjoy the book, buy me a coffee!
If you download and read the book, please leave a comment below. I’d really like to know what you thought of it.
