The Rhythm Roady - North Island Pt2

It felt like getting the band back together as we met up again in Auckland for the final leg of the Rhythm Roady - heading deep into the mighty Waikato and BOP to Hobbiton and Tauranga specifically.

First pit stop was into A brand jeans to get kitted out, then to iLab for some of the latest Rhythm merch gears. The glow in the dark 'Shredder of the Rhythm' kit is set to be a winner! As are the paneled hats.

Then to pick up our new wheels 'Bernie' the Chevy Van in Avondale. Being an old school left hand drive, it ran like a tank and purred with bass on the straights. With comfortable seats to lounge in the back and flash fluro branding, Bernie will be a sure fire head turner on the road this summer.

Up early Friday morning and we were on the road to Matamata. We followed our nose over the rolling green hills to Hobbiton. Hosted by Shayne and the team it was impressive to see the world reknown movie set in all its misty glory. The vistas looking down on the village were breathtaking. We walked passed to the famous Party Tree to the Green Dragon pub where we enjoyed a medieval brew overlooking the lake.

On over the Kaimais to Tauranga. It was a sticky, hot summer afternoon as we met up with the boys from Please Please and enjoyed some lunch at Astro Labe. What a garden bar - surely one of the best in the county. We did a walk up the Mount, first time for me. It was nice to sit in silence for 15 mins, enjoy the views and take in the beauty of the region.

We did some more flying and promo around the main beach, including the night markets before settling back in for a night on the town. Loads of young people pumped for summer and festival season!

Lazy morning Satuday as we enjoyed Bacon and Eggs in the shadow of Mount Maunganui. Jules picked up the crate and began the challenge of the day while Louis and I watched the road. We stoppped for a bomb in the Karangahake Gorge (with some convicts on a day release) before another photo op at the L&P Bottle in Paeroa.

Auckland traffic was at a standstill as we entered the city, calling down to BCC to enjoy the third installment of the Britomart Rhythm Club.

Overall the Roady was an epic adventure. We got to touch parts of NZ we had only dreamed of, along with meeting characters from all walks of life. We got our festival collateral out there and spread the good word about the upcoming festivities. The Two Kids and I got along famously and swapped advice, perspectives, dreams and goals.I came back recharged, inspired with loads of ideas for how we could grow this concept in future.

Stay tuned for more antics with Bernie this summer along with a bigger and better Rhythm Roady in 2015!