hot tubs in the wild scrubs
The cumulative cycle touring experience of these 10 skateboarders was precisely none and yet they embraced it whole heartedly. A few did some light training, most did nothing. Chris Haslam bought his bike a mere 2 days before leaving for NZ. The first day was a bit of a shock to him, but he quickly responded, rising to the challenge of the endeavor along with the others. Cairo missed a turn at speed to start the trip, broke his bike, bent a 3 inch steel pole to the ground, but somehow rode away with only a splash of purple and blue across his shoulder. The fall baptized the group, let them know eating shit was a real possibility. It wouldn't be the last fall on the trip. Mavey, Rattray, Anderson, Doubt and Myself would all dodge the hand of fate before the trip was through.

Cycle touring with a hot tub in tow would be an ideal arrangement, save the size and weight of a hot tub. A country that is replete with hot springs solves this problem, providing the natural therapy of hot water wherever we camped, restoring and replenishing the muscles for the day to follow. Another endearing aspect of the country aside from it's obvious natural beauty, is the abundance of excellent coffee and wine. Riding into a small town, with only one lonely bodega, we would find ourselves drinking flat whites by the dozens. There was once when the store owner locked the door to prevent other customers from ordering, such were are numbers. It must be said that professional skateboarders are often slighted as athletes. There was some doubt that they would be up to putting in some solid skating after a long days ride. This proved untrue. In fact no one in the group fell behind the group or could not keep pace with the others. The sole standout was perhaps Keegan, who cycles often at home, is a yoga devotee, and pretty much crushed it at will in the mountains.  The general consensus was that if he had more spandex and carbon fiber splashed across him, he could make a run at the spring classics next year.

We are Americans, Canadian, Australians, Scotsmen, and a Frenchman, we hiked Mordor looking for hobbits, a few made it up Mt. Doom, we told dad jokes and swam in a steaming hot river, and drank enough coffee to kill a hippo along the way.  It was an exceptional trip, and will no doubt be recounted by those who lived it for years to come. When you have a chance at some semblance of adventure in this modern world, it is often best to turn off the iphone, shut down the computer, dive in head first, and reconnect with the natural world for a time. Fuel Tv is airing a show documenting the trip titled: The Long White Cloud (The Heaven and Hell of Cycling Aotearoa) at the moment.
 
About Benji Wagner
Benji Wagner is a photographer and filmmaker living in Portland Or. He is the father of two, soon to be three, children. He enjoys riding bikes, skateboards, motorcycles, being outdoors,and photographing the same. He tries to capture something timeless in his imagery, a moment that might have been captured years ago, something that will look good years from now. He is currently working on a portfolio of images documenting bicycle builders in Portland OR. Please see benjiwagner.com for further info and to see the full portfolio of images of cycling NZ.

Captions
1) This is a natural pool where ice cold river water and boiling hot geothermal water meet and form a perfect hot tub and hot waterfall. We found out a little late that geothermal water has naturally occurring bacteria that cause spiral meningitis. Luckily we all lived.
2) Left to Right: Keegan Sauder, Dylan Doubt, Cairo Foster, Alec Craig, John Rattray, Silas Baxter Neal, Mavie Murphy, Chris Haslam, Rick McCrank, Tim Hillier, and Kenny Anderson. (not pictured: French Fred)
3) This was the day that earned them their stripes. 100KM in the pissing rain. Haslam had a way of bitching his way right to the front of the pack. This is the consensus favorite photo of the trip for those that went on it, if that tells you anything.
4) McCrank carving high at a park on the first day of the trip. This skatepark was made with plans written in inches, but the builders thought they were cm's, so everything is way too small and tight. Its  ridiculously hard to skate.
5) When the tide is out, grab your shovel and dig. The boiling hot water gurgles up almost immediately, filling your person hot tub. Watch the sunset while drinking a bottle of 3 dollar wine that is ridiculously good. Welcome to NZ.
6) Fruit stands are ubiquitous, providing much needed rest stops along the way. This pretty much summed it up.
7) Cairo was one of the first in on the trip and he made the most of it. He's a bona fide super dad as well as the kind of guy who can grind a tall handrail at the end of a twelve hour day of cycling swimming, bungee jumping, and skating at a park. Not bad.
8) No caption needed on this one.
9) Dylan Doubt, this is your moment. A delicious meal, windswept hair, tired and happy in a cozy tent.  The perfect balance of bohemia and luxury. A feast for the senses.
10) At the summit of one of the numerous climbs, Kenny and Rick enjoy the expansive view of the ocean before turning and heading back to the asphalt.

Please check the complete and much nicer printversion of the uncropped pics in Lodown #67.