After nine months and more than 9000km, Atila Madrona completed an epic journey on Saturday by enduring a Mt Cargill hill climb and arriving back at his starting point, Dunedin.
The 27-year old from Alicante on the Mediterranean coast said he wanted to mix his ''passions'' and decided navigating the coast of New Zealand on a bike, towing his surfboard, was the best way to do it.
''I didn't know anything about Dunedin,'' Mr Madrona said.
''I thought `summer in the South and then work my way up'.''
He started the adventure on January 1 after convincing his employers to let him quit his job in communications and sponsor his trip by documenting it via photos and videos.
They ''surprisingly'' agreed to his proposal.
It was Mr Madrona's first time in New Zealand and he ''loved'' it.
''I like [Dunedin], man. I love it. I wouldn't mind living here for the rest of my life. It's got good surf, good people. It's a city but it's not too big, not too much stress.''
Initially, the Spaniard intended to cycle 60km per day but eventually set monthly targets and stayed longer in certain places.
''I ended up staying with families for a week,'' he said.
''People get surprised and always invite me to their places.''
The best places were ''every place that's not [well] known'' because the people were so accommodating.
Cape Reinga, Taranaki and Kaikoura were highlights.
Mr Madrona said his family initially wondered why he was doing the trip.
''At the beginning they were like 'Why do you want to do that?' But now that they have seen what I am doing, they love it.
''The best part of my trip has been the people,'' he said.
''The Kiwi culture. How open, honest and trustworthy [they are]. This trip has been such an authentic and genuine adventure. Thanks to the people of this country.''
Mr Madrona is not sure what he will do next. He met a person who did the same trip, but on a horse and thought that riding a horse around Spain might be ''cool''.
Showing a full documentary of the trip in small cinemas in Spain was also a thought.
Mr Madrona returns to Spain on Thursday.
