Who/What/Why

Hey. I'm Samuel. I have taken my last semester of high school off and am spending this time bicycle touring around New Zealand. I fly into Auckland on February 5th, and my ticket back to the States is for April 11th.

New Zealand has two main islands: the North Island and the South. The North is where most of the country's population is located; out of a population of only 4 million, 1 million live in Auckland, although this is no longer the country's capital. The South is where most of the sheep (who outnumber New Zealand's human population 5:1) are raised. The plan is to start on the North Island in Auckland, head east along the northern coast and then turn south. Once I get to Wellington, the southern-most city on the North Island, I'll hop over to the South Island and spend some time there. My time on the South Island should be wrapped up by around March 18, at which point I'll need to hoof it back up to Auckland for the 17th Annual Juggling Festival. After the festival weekend, I'll probably spend the rest of my two months biking around the western half of the North Island.

I'll be staying almost entirely in hostels; I do not have a tent with me so hopefully will not have to spend too many nights under the stars in the middle of a sheep field. New Zealand, catering to large numbers of backpackers and cyclists, has an extensive hostel network so finding a place to stay shouldn't be a problem.

I biked with my mother along the Cabot Trail in Nova Scotia for a week last summer, but this will be my first time doing such an extended trip. Having spent a large number of years doing this when she was younger, my mother has provided me with a large amount of advice for touring. Follow along for the ride!