Family on a Bike

“Two adults, two toddlers, two bikes, two trailers, and too many miles.” That's how Stuart Wickes describes his family's 2004 adventures around New Zealand, the adventure capital of the world. Stuart set off from the southern tip of New Zealand with his wife, Kirstie, 4-year-old Matthew, and 2-year-old Cameron in search of family togetherness, adventures of the highest sort, unique cultural experiences, and maybe even a rainbow or two. Six months later, they arrived at the northernmost tip of the country, knowing they had, indeed, found the end of their own rainbow. “The summer sun took off on its' own holiday as we began ours,” says Stuart. “We left Invercargill with wind and rain in our faces.” But it didn't take long for the intrepid couple to realize just how special their journey was. Even though the relentless wind sapped their spirit, speed and mileage, and the climate delivered on its promise of four seasons in one day, the family soon found enchantment in the islands. They pedaled for days on end on remote backcountry roads or along stunningly beautiful beaches. They sat, spellbound, as dolphins frolicked in the waves next to their rented boat and gazed about in wonder at Geyserland, the most spectacular natural wonder of the Kiwi world. “This whole experience reminds me of childbirth,” Kirstie says, “It’s an intense mixture of pain and trauma with a joyful end product. There are times when we've been slogging painfully up the hills of North Island, sweating away for hours on end while the boys have slept peacefully in their buggies blissfully unaware of our exertions, that the whole business seems like a glorious grueling physical metaphor for the sacrifices and labor of love that is parenting. But equally, when we're freewheeling downhill as a family shouting "wheeeeeeee", there is a harmony, togetherness and sense of fun that is family at its best.”