New from Osaka, but on the way to Auckland...
 

Greetings, everyone. Like someone else said, I've been lurking for a while and decided these forums were too good to not sign up! American by birth, I currently live in Osaka, Japan but only for about another 6 months. Then I'm off to Auckland, New Zealand to do my PhD (in applied linguistics) ... and perhaps settle???

I'm a newbie, both to cycling and this forum. Just got a shiny new specialized hardrock mountain bike that will probably mostly be for transportation until I get to NZ since I live in a very urban environment and don't have a car. However, I'm going to try to find out where some decent offroad rides are in my area (anyone?) and look forward to a more outdoor-oriented lifestyle once my wife and I make it to NZ.

Anyway, this seems like a very friendly and helpful board and I look forward to participating. The personal welcome is a really nice touch!

Thomas

Welcome to the insanity of cycling. Once addicted there is no escape.

From what I have been told you will have some sweet riding in NZ. Lots of good trails. For now though since your are riding urban you could practice up on you skill with stair gaps, wall rides and such so when you do get to the trails your control of the bike will help you through the technical parts;)

Once again welcome

:beer:

Hey from NZ :D

You are coming to the right part of the world for outdoors... We practically invented it :D

I thought it was the Jandal we invented ???:(
Welcome to the forum & welcome to NZ ,as Terry says the outdoors is big here, even our prime minister is a keen outdoor person in real time , bless her little red cotton sox (we love you Helen) :beer:

Thanks for the nice welcome, everyone!

Kiwis:

When my wife and I were considering our move to NZ, we took a trip there last February and were pretty much sold instantly. What a gorgeous country! Can't wait to get there! As much as I like Japan and have found ways to keep myself happy here, there's no substitute for open spaces, beautiful beaches, mountains, etc. etc. Oh, and of course friendly people. By the way, saw Helen Clark on Discovery Channel here in Japan. They had New Zealand Week a while back and she was personally giving some guy a tour of NZ, leading him on the trails, taking him down into a cave, etc. Go Helen!

Thomas

Thus highlighting the one disadvantage of the New Zealand outdoors... The lack of ferocious animals.

Geeeez but it'd have to be a brave sod to bite Helen :D