Riding New Zealand Solo: 1000km of the Tour Aotearoa Trail, Cape Reinga to Taumarunui

I rode the Tour Aotearoa route from Cape Reinga to Home. This was my first bike packing experience and boy was it a tough one.
I rode my full suspension mountain bike, a Trek Full Stache, loaded up with all my gear in my Blackburn bags.
MY DRONE: click.dji.com/ADnyAdFIHmtSRxR...
The DRONE I want next: click.dji.com/ADnyAdFIHmtSRxR...
JOIN THE DISCORD SERVER / discord
Big thanks to Cyco Bikes for saving me, show them some love here / cyco_kingsland
#bikepacking #mtb #cycling

[@jonpoon3896]

I stayed at Camp Epic when I rode the TA in 2020. I had to stop at Wellington and leave New Zealand when the lockdown was about to start. I definitely need to make my way back there soon

[@mathewmacpherson857]

Congrats on the ride. I really enjoyed the honesty (and scenery) of you great film. Thank you.

[@juliangoulding]

Haha thanks Mate!

[@denverman6161963]

American with an Aussie wife living in Oz-we've done a few "credit card tours" in your beautiful country. We've thought about doing the "big trail" from the top to bottom and your video is inspirational! Honest and funny, as Kiwis seem to always be. Good on ya for putting in the time and effort both on the ride, and an excellent film to chronicle it all.

[@christopherhood9241]

congratulations on your first trip - looks an awesome adventure. good luck in your future trips.

[@benboo6351]

Ms 11 and I are also going to be driven to that same starting point soon, also by the missus. We'll ride the tandem home... got 500 odd km more than you. Obviously we'll ride past your place(s). Good video!

[@marieroxburgh39]

I so enjoyed this! Love your storytelling ;)

[@dani83red]

So good! Thank you

[@michaelskerritt4818]

Well done Julian, thoroughly enjoyed this, inspiring and I hope to cross the ditch one day and ride in such a beautiful place

[@dominiquefluck5017]

the distances are crazy! nice video, thanks for sharing!

[@scottyb.escape]

Oh my, such an epic journey of self-discovery and sharing for us all to enjoy and learn. My journey starts next year ..... oh my!!!! Bloody good vid man :)

[@juliangoulding]

Enjoy it mate! Call in to Camp Epic on the way and say hi!

[@scottyb.escape]

@@juliangoulding 100%

[@steveruss8369]

Churr for this video!!! Definitely helps with the motivation and inspiration to get myself out on my bike and enjoy cycling!!

[@littletownie4008]

It's great you choose to own your own adventure. Thanks for the video.

[@jasonkane8386]

Great stuff mate. I really enjoyed your honesty and your ‘why’.

[@gus_buss]

Awesome video mate. As someone who harbours dreams of riding tour Aotearoa while juggling a young family I found it really insightful and inspiring. All the best on your future adventures ✌🏼

[@chwbiker]

Very nice adventure! I once lived in NZ for around 4 years! It was around 2007 to 2011. Your country is amazing! It is very cool to see some spots there I’ve been in again, Cape Reinga! Big hug from Brazil. God bless you!

[@winterrosebeaumont6209]

Thanks for sharing your epic journey with us Julian. A Very Inspirational watch indeed, I have just put together my first budget hard tail MTB packing rig, and are about to venture fourth on my first solo multi day ride. (A2O) I ride as often as I possibly can, Biking has been so beneficial for me maintaining positive mental health. With an ageing body, I have a deep desire to push the envelope and challenge myself mentally and physically. You have captured the many emotions of your journey in its purest form. Mega respect and admiration to you. Cheers.

[@PedroDVC]

Bravo man! You became stronger!

[@NatureSoundsandSights]

Nice - good to see the reality of it all (and Voltaren for the win!)

[@SL-xy9zi]

Epic mahi! I’m doing South Island in Jan🤞🏽thanks for the share

[@BenjaminMills-ku1hl]

Awesome man! I did it in April /May and had to take the same detour cos of the ferry not running. Felt like I was back there. That damn bridge haha. Thanks for documenting it!

[@thebikepacker_]

Yes 👍🏼

[@philso7872]

Congratulations on completing this epic ride. It took a lot of courage to commit to and execute this difficult challenge. Your videography is superb and makes me really want to return to NZ for a visit. I am looking forward to seeing your next adventure.

[@juliangoulding]

Thanks Phil!

[@shotbro-]

Well done mate. Love that you did the ride on your own terms, very inspiring!

[@juliangoulding]

Thanks mate!

[@CalmC0ld]

Awesome video Julian. Hope you enjoy some rest whilst you plan the next adventure! 🤙

[@juliangoulding]

Haha thanks. I need a break. Still can't feel my hands.

[@debbiegoulding6191]

Super proud of you! Well done - great video.

[@juliangoulding]

Thanks mum!

[@gorbangaming146]

Absolute champion, almost gave up but pushed through and completed this awesome journey, we'll have to go for a ride one day for sure. Although you might show me up 😅

[@goldenstardust]

-4°c ... holy moly! ❄ Epic ride!

[@wheelgood]

Beautiful!!!

[@SarahMcKenzie360]

Had me crying there bud! Loved this so much - definitely do the rest of the island I'll meet you at the finish line with a beer!

[@juliangoulding]

Haha same. Thanks, glad you loved it. You have a deal, might have to wait till I have the feeling back in my hands before going again.

[@jackbavister]

Brilliant, shows the true reality of cycle trips not often shown in films!

[@juliangoulding]

Cheers mate. That was the idea. I really wanted to show the reality of it. Set out thinking I'd shoot this big cinematic thing but the reality was very different.

[@jackbavister]

@@juliangoulding nailed it 👌

[@timsilvester489]

I ride from atiamuri to Taumarunui every year in early winter, you may remember when my wife calling doc last year when my tracker failed and telling all the operators to look out for a bikepacker with a green helmet, I love that part of the country

[@nathanbrown3728]

Hey. Just watched the video with dannielle and we are so proud of you. We both loved that bit where you came back over the bridge to get your camera. We will have to catch up when we come down one day. Keep up the amazing work. 👌👌👍

[@nathanbrown3728]

Dannielle thinks you should've called in when you went through matamata.🤣👌

[@juliangoulding]

Thanks guys! Sorry I didn't stop by on my trip but I'm sure you can understand why I didn't after watching this haha

[@nathanbrown3728]

Yeah we understand. We are so happy that you had it home. 🙂👌

[@AntidoteCinema]

Congrats, I can only say I can see how at min 15 you suddenly became a bikepacker and there was no way you gonna stop from there on. Well done! Congrats. And I really liked the drone shots when you were crossing the bridge. See you on the trails in september.

[@juliangoulding]

Thanks Luke!

[@topiawalker6199]

too much bro! such a good watch 👌🏽

[@juliangoulding]

Shot bro!

[@ariebenschop4632]

'You can't cheat if you make the rules' Those are words to live by haha! Thanks for the inspiring video!

[@juliangoulding]

Thanks Arie!

[@grumpy-dad3701]

You are 100% right. Bikepacking ain't easy. But damn it's such feeling of accomplishment when you finish. I went through a whole heap of emotions before during and after, and I'd do it all again. This year in fact.

[@juliangoulding]

Haha, so true. Straight after i was looking for the next trip.

[@grumpy-dad3701]

@@juliangoulding same here. Going to take my lad on a overnighter too

[@caydnthomson5747]

What a Legend!

[@juliangoulding]

Thanks mate!

[@fernandocesarferreira7878]

Truly Amazing. Greetings from Brasil

[@juliangoulding]

Thanks Fernando!

[@clothshorse]

Quality.

[@ChrisTurnerPhotographer]

Makes me want to do this mission now

[@paulkennett]

Good call to skip that HW1 section at night. 👍

[@juliangoulding]

Yeah haha it was sketchy as.

[@TheMADC999]

And here I thought climbing Rapaki track was hard!

[@matttomkies7532]

Awesome stuff! Operating a drone while riding??!!

[@juliangoulding]

haha yeah not easy. good thing there wasn't much to crash into!

[@lachlangrant9366]

Chur bro keep it up

[@jeanne-michaelduplessis]

This is brilliant! "puts coffee down, and tells wife about idea" Lets see what she says 😅

[@juliangoulding]

Haha think mine was just happy to have a break from me.

[@nanaluke]

This was cool as fuck bro. 🤙

[@Scooter1964NZ]

Where can I buy one of those spoons u used for dinner. 😂

[@juliangoulding]

Haha you can borrow mine

[@Scooter1964NZ]

@@juliangoulding next time I am at epic will see if in cutlery draws

[@darylearlyumol3940]

27.5+ tire size?

[@juliangoulding]

That bike is 29+ but I had 2.5in tyres on it

[@clearthehouse]

Can I have a free bike? I havent watched the video