Earlier on this year, I realized that my New Zealand summer was quickly slipping away like sand through my fingers. The days were disappearing, getting shorter and before too long I’d be back on another flight to Ireland.
With the clocks going back an hour yesterday, it’s now more than evident that Autumn is on its way to Queenstown. The days are getting shorter, the evenings cooler and the leaves around the Wakatipu Basin are changing color.
Twelve months ago, I hopped on a borrowed bike with essentially zero training and rode in the Rail Trail Classic 100 – a 100 mile (150 km) bike race across Central Otago on New Zealand’s South Island.
Most cycle tourists in New Zealand tackle the Otago Rail Trail over the course of three or four days. While the cycling adds to the enjoyment, the main draw of a trip on the Rail Trail involves numerous mid-ride coffees, afternoon pints and evening pub meals. The surrounding scenery is stunning, but as the trail originally was the path of a train track, the gradient is very gradual and the riding isn’t necessarily exciting.
Over the past year I’ve clocked hundreds of miles on my mountain bike on trails throughout New Zealand and decided I would again set off to tackle the RTC100. I was determined to prove that not only could I complete this marathon of bike races, but I hoped to significantly improve my time.
New Zealand’s Spring weather is well known for throwing four seasons your way over the course of a day. The past week has been highlighted by stunningly warm Spring days, but alas before today’s ride Mother Nature sent a Spring Storm our way.
The result?
In some bizarre way, I enjoyed it. I was glad to improve my time by just over an hour and a half, but equally thrilled to simply complete this epic race. The sense of accomplishment you feel after completing such a massive challenge is impossible to put into words.
Check out this video from the ride…
During my recent trip backpacking in Bali, I spent much of my time exploring the island from behind the wheels of my very own rented motorbike. It was an excellent, albeit slightly terrifying way to see the island.
It was an ideal way to get around Bali and I can’t imagine my experience would have been anywhere near the same had I relied on public transport.
Two quick words of warning regarding the video.
First, at just over 11 minutes, it’s arguably too long. Yet based on much of the feedback I received, a 10 minute long video is watchable assuming you’re entertained throughout. With quick scene changes, a mix of dialogue and views of what I’m seeing, and some interesting facts throughout, I think this works.
Second, as I’m traveling solo, I didn’t have anyone alongside shooting the footage. Everything except the last scene was self-shot. The result? Some scenes are bumpier than others. This was inevitable with a shaking hand and a bouncing motorbike – I hope you can see past it.
I know I shouldn’t bring light to potential faults in the video – yet, I’d prefer you were aware going in.
Grab a coffee, a beer, or a glass of wine and enjoy …
0:50 – I visit the Sacred Monkey Forest to see Long Tailed Macaques just outside of Ubud – see the monkeys and learn about their place in Balinese culture.
4:40 – I visit a “Bali Drive-Through” for some street food.
5:21- While pulled over to check the GPS on my iPhone, I receive a traditional Hindu blessing from a local woman.
7:00 My experience at a traditional Bali cockfight deep in the jungle.
8:15 – Heavy rain forces me off the road and into a warung for some Nasi Goreng.
8:40 – While thinking I’m lost on jungle road in a rainstorm, I nearly crash my motorbike.
9:40 – After passing through small villages seemingly in the middle of nowhere, I reflect on the kindness of the people I’ve met before coming across another small village.
Thanks for watching. Please leave your feedback – good and bad – in the comments section below.
Update August 11, 2014: The price of The Ledge Bungy has increased to $180. If you book your jump through my NZ travel guide and booking website, I can take $10 off the price of the jump. Quote Backpacking Matt when booking!
A trip to New Zealand isn’t complete without a bungy jump – a topic that has been written about often on Backpackingmatt. I’ve reviewed my experiences at the Lake Taupo Bungy and on the Nevis Highwire Bungy. I put together a quick travel video which outlines the workup to my recent jump here in Queenstown. While we were short on light, and the filming was a bit rushed – in part thanks to my nerves – it should give you a great view and a different perspective on the experience. Below, you have Backpackingmatt’s second travel video: The Ledge Bungy in Queenstown.
Full Disclosure: AJ Hackett provided me with a complimentary jump in return for this review on Backpackingmatt.
Backpacking Matt 
