100 Mile Mountain Bike Race on New Zealand’s South Island

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 [...]

Continue reading...

Exploring Bali – A Backpackingmatt.com Travel Video

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. From Kuta’s traffic-clogged streets to central Bali’s deserted, steep, and potholed filled tracks through the dense jungle, [...]

Continue reading...

The Ledge Bungy in Queenstown, New Zealand (Travel Video)

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. [...]

Continue reading...

Franz Josef New Zealand Travel Video

Below you’ll find the newest edition to Backpackingmatt – Travel Videos. I’m excited at the opportunity to share my tips and experiences in video format. This will hopefully allow you to better get a feel for the destinations I travel to. I look forward to any feedback about my first video – be it positive [...]

Continue reading...