December 31, 2025
Reflections – new year
I ran away from something, now I’m running towards something. Stats: 18 days on the trail. 2 nights at farmstays, 2 nights in lodges, 2…
December 31, 2025
Damiel Faxon – NZ Bike Tour
December 30, 2025
Day 18 – done
yeah… that’ll do it… definitely 900 miles well spent… I stayed up until 1am deciding if I should take a rest day or not and…
December 30, 2025
December 29, 2025
Day 17
today ate pie and cranked hog* click image for details *cranked hog means rode bike
December 29, 2025
December 28, 2025
Day 16
Sometimes a hill is steep. So steep that you must dismount, stand beside your trusty bicycle, and start doing the work of transferring the mechanical…
December 28, 2025
December 27, 2025
Day 15
Beautiful rides with a tired guy. click image for details Alexandra to Bannockburn: Eating 2 pies for breakfast? hellll yeah Choosing 2 weird flavors (kiwi…
December 27, 2025
December 26, 2025
Day 14
As soon as you get out of the mud, there’s more mud. There’s always more mud. Just gotta keep on keepin on. Cumulative distance: 680…
December 26, 2025
December 26, 2025
Day 13 – xmas day
I couldn’t outrun them, my demons caught me. They slashed my tires, pushed me to the ground and held me down. Now my demons ride…
December 26, 2025
December 24, 2025
Day 12 – xmas eve
Dear Santa, For Christmas this year, I would like to bomb down a gravel path next to a beautiful lake, dodging lupin with the wind…
December 24, 2025
December 23, 2025
Day 11
Cumulative distance: 512 of 930 miles Cumulative climbing: 26,800 of 48,500 ft click image for details Cave to Lake Tepako: Hot hot hot. Dry dry…
December 23, 2025
December 22, 2025
Day 10
Cumulative distance: 460 of 630 miles Cumulative climbing: 22,600 of 48,500ft click image for more details Methven to Geraldine: Great Moa (big extinct bird) Excellent…
December 22, 2025
December 21, 2025
Day 9
Cumulative distance: 380 of 930 miles Cumulative elevation: 20,500 of 48,500 feet click image for details Glentunnel to Methven: My heart is full today! My…
December 21, 2025
December 20, 2025
Day 8
Cumulative distance: 355 of 930 miles Cumulative climbing: 20,000 of 48,500ft Damiel’s philosophy of biking: eat pies, nap often, climb slow click chart to view…
December 20, 2025
December 19, 2025
Day 7
Cumulative distance: 280 of 930 miles Cumulative climbing: 18,500 of 48,500ft A good day that started in the mountains and ended in the ocean. click…
December 19, 2025
December 18, 2025
Day 6
A short journey to hot pools and meat pies and mostly a day of rest! click image for details Acheron Campsite to Hanmer Springs “hell…
December 18, 2025
December 17, 2025
Day 5
I must travel like the wind. My demons ride behind me on fast bikes and they don’t need to stop for pee breaks. Cumulative distance:…
December 17, 2025
December 16, 2025
Day 4
Rest day status report: Usable bike gears at start of day: 14 Usable bike gears at end of day: 24 Usable brain cells at start…
December 16, 2025
December 15, 2025
Day 3
Cumulative distance: 120 of 930 miles Cumulative climbing: 9,500 of 48,500 feet Picton to Blenheim: Whale trail? superb. Road with traffic? meh. Meat pie? Best…
December 15, 2025
December 14, 2025
Day 2
Cumulative distance: 60 of 930 miles Cumulative climbing: 5,200 of 48,500 feet click image for more details Punga Cove to Portage – after bouncing over…
December 14, 2025
December 13, 2025
Day 1
Car -> Train -> Boat -> Bike Car: I made a new friend his name is Chris and he is storing my bike box for…
December 13, 2025
December 12, 2025
Partial Arrival
I have safely arrived in New Zealand, but not the exact right spot . . . yet. when a 1hr layover turns into an 8hr…
December 12, 2025
December 9, 2025
Itinerary v2
The van is in need of some repairs, so I will be kicking off my bike tour earlier! The new rough itinerary is as follows:…
December 9, 2025
December 1, 2025
Intro & NZ Itinerary
My one-third life crisis began October 1, 2025 and I plan to to my best to ride it out (pun intended). The pillars of my…
December 1, 2025