That was about three decades ago.
The American couple arrived in Dunedin yesterday — by bicycle — with plans to celebrate their 31st wedding anniversary at Larnach Castle.
"In ’93, I was working in a bike shop and she walked in the door,’’ Mr Rahne said.
"I worked on her bike, put a note on her handlebar, and she called me.
"We've been riding together ever since.’’
Laden with gear, gadgets and stuffed animals the couple are on a nine-month trip around New Zealand.
They arrived in Auckland in November and made it as far south as Milton before starting the journey back north.
A timepiece is the traditional gift for a 31st wedding anniversary and the couple were admittedly "a little early’’ for their April 1 reservation.
But they take things as they come.
He was once a photographer and then he owned a bike shop, she worked in healthcare.
They sold their home in Kingston, Washington, on the west coast of the United States, in 2015 and Mr Rahne joked yesterday their bicycles were now their homes.
They will return to Australia which they toured for a year before crossing the Ditch, after their time in New Zealand but first they would ride to the Far North, Ms Rigg said.
Their favourite spot to date was the Old Ghost Rd in Buller District, she said.
The couple said they "absolutely loved’’ New Zealand and the people here had been really nice.
"It’s a paradise,’’ Mr Rahne said.
"Everything that we've needed at each point, someone's been there out of the blue.
"We'd be standing there at a grocery store and someone would show up and invite us over and help.’’
She said they originally planned to travel around for about 17 years.
"[We] kind of geared everything just to do this.
"It restores your faith in humanity,’’ Ms Rigg said.
