RobiNZ Personal Blog

Tour de France returns to Mont Ventoux

Interesting article about the infamous Mont Ventoux* Bert Wagendorp’s novel approach to cycling summit is a Tour de force | Richard Williams | Sport | The Guardian This summer’s Tour de France returns to Mont Ventoux, which is the title of an extraordinary Dutch novel, recently translated into English, about six friends and their tragic trip up the infamous mountain* I haven’t been there, yet, but hope to retrace the wheel tracks of “The Blue Bike”. Read more →

About the "Food Babe"

Written by a analytical chemist with a background in forensics and toxicology. The "Food Babe" Blogger Is Full of Shit - gawker.com Filed for reference Read more →

NZ Herald, the zero research newspaper @nzherald

So I see this story on the NZ Herald site about a man who took a photo of a strange object in the sky over Fendalton Rd, Christchurch: Man discovers photo of strange object on phone - www.nzherald.co.nz They even ask “Is it a bird? Is it a plane? Or an alien life form?” and said “The New Zealand Defence Force has been contacted to see if the UFO was an object included in a training exercise.” . The article also has a zoomed in photo revealing the numbers “s 150 c” Two minutes on Google Street view is obviously... Read more →

Should cyclists carry ID? Yes, and why I do

New South Wales planned introduction of compulsory rider ID is causing controversy: Government to bring NSW riders to heel - Bicycle Network The fine and compulsion is not good but I think all cyclists should carry ID. I take this as —should something go wrong — along with ID one word might help someone else: Donor UPDATE 03/8/2016: Mark Hanna has a great post on what the word Donor on your licence actually means and more information on becoming a donor: Are You an Organ Donor? - honestuniverse.com Read more →

14 Diaries of the Great War

Caught this series when it aired on Sky NZ recently. Found it interesting as it based on real stories — diaries and letters — from the perspective of soldiers, housewives, factory workers, nurses and children impacted by the War. 14 - Diaries of the Great War (titled Great War Diaries when aired on the BBC) is a 2014 international documentary drama series about World War I. It uses a mix of acted scenes, archive footage, and animation. It is a French, Canadian and German co-production — with experiences from all sides of the war — and presents a different view;... Read more →

McLaren, on the trail of Bruce McLaren in Auckland

Woking, England, is the home of the modern McLaren but their founder is a Kiwi icon. They returned to New Zealand to retrace, in the 650S Spider road car, some of Bruce’s formative drives and visit the many McLaren related landmarks around Auckland. On The Trail Of Bruce McLaren - cars.mclaren.com Today McLaren’s home is in Woking, England, but the story started nearly 80 years ago on the other side of the world. We return to New Zealand in a 650S Spider to trace the early years of our company’s eponymous founder, Bruce McLaren… They are familiar to me and... Read more →

Coast to Coast Cycle (not as epic as it sounds)

Only 72km but technically it was a coast to coast ride. In fact the coast to coast part is only about 6km by road! From home went along the western cycle path to the city and Waitemata Harbour waterfront. Then to St Heliers, Panmure, Mt Wellington and Penrose across to the Manukau Harbour. Along the Onehunga cycle path (through the new waterfront park) and home via the SH20 cycle path and New Lynn. Easy to ride across the country when you live in a narrow part! (Photos: St Heliers & Waitemata Harbour, Manukau Harbour towards the heads, Onehunga waterfront) Read more →

Hauraki Cycle Trail — Mines, Bridges, Tunnels and more

Headed South for a ride which had been on my to do list for a while. Although not challenging riding — flattest cycle trail in NZ — the Hauraki Rail Trail was a new way to see some interesting country. I skipped the Thames section and rode Te Aroha, Paeroa to Waihi return. Most of the route was familiar as it runs alongside state highways but I’d only seen it from the car. Starting in Te Aroha the trail is flat and straight for about 21km. Wide enough for two abreast riding, or for cyclists to pass, the scenery is... Read more →