RobiNZ Personal Blog

Planning in an Auckland Lockdown | Time Out 2021-22

I finished work on September 25 2021 with the intention of cycling New Zealand over the summer months, to be dubbed my “Time Out NZ 2021 – 2022” trip. The initial plan was to revisit Northland, then head South to explore trails between Auckland and Wellington before returning to Auckland for the Christmas/New Year break. Later in January, after the peak holiday season crowds (and prices) had subsided, I would head to the South Island for a few months. When I got my Abarth I kept my 20-year-old Fiat Bravo HGT ‘as a spare car’. It runs OK, good condition,... Read more →

Regional restrictions? Not so much | Time Out 2021-22

Had hoped to be heading North, cycling northland trails, this week but not able to leave Auckland yet. It looks like our current regional COVID boundary (approx. the --- line on Strava maps) will be around for a while, Christmas or beyond, so looking closer to home. A peak at my Strava Heatmap, red (least) to orange (more) = ridden, reveals plenty of places to explore*. Currently limited to day rides, no overnight or shared accommodation, so will be drive/day-ride no-contact solo rides to explore some of the gaps. Great Barrier Island and Waiheke Island are out, locals only there,... Read more →

A bit more gearing up for Time Out 2021-22, En-Trance!

Rapid Rob, my Giant Talon 1 hardtail MTB, was not going to be suitable for the last ride of summer without some modifications. The Old Ghost Road is 85km of 'Grade 4' rated trail comprising: "A legendary feat of trail-building has resurrected an old gold miners’ route between the ghost town of Lyell and sleepy Seddonville on the West Coast, passing through a series of remote landscapes bursting with strange and beautiful sights. See sheer-sided valleys cloaked in forest and strewn with earthquake debris. Admire alpine tarns, tumbling rivers and waterfalls. Take in vast panoramas from rocky tops. And all... Read more →

Rapid Rob tune up before Time Out 2021-22

After leaving it last week, I got the call to collect 'Rapid Rob' from 'The Bike Maintenance Shop'. It was riding fine when dropped off but again I expected brake pads and, perhaps,a new chain. The actual verdict was: Tune up (wheel true check, headset & bottom bracket, cones/bearings) Straighten bent derailleur hanger (I'd not noticed, was shifting fine!) and tune gears Replace Brake Pads Not bad considering it's an old (2014) bike, which has been (most of the way) to Mt Everest, and still on original everything apart from brake pads/disks and tyres. Even my Tibetan mudguard is still... Read more →

Huia investigations TO2122-15 | Time Out 2021-22

I rode out to Huia to check out a recent road closure due to slips. It's a nice ride but quite a busy road in the weekend so Monday, even school holidays, was comparatively quiet. It's also quite a lumpy ride, no huge hills but plenty of ups and downs and a sting in the return ride tail (blue circled). This fellow welcomes you to Cornwallis, glad for the sign to flip the otherwise slightly ominous mood... It was a grey morning, but warm and improving. If nothing else the South Westerly would be some help on the parts of... Read more →

Giro Rob tune up before Time Out 2021-22

I do routine maintenance myself but before heading into the unknown wanted the bikes checked over. Both "Giro" & "Rapid" were riding ok but I don't have the tools for things like headsets, bottom brackets or mucking around with hydraulics. Nothing worse than being 'out there' and having a preventable 'technical' ruin your ride. Bike services are busy, the COVID lockdown bike boom, but 'The Bike Maintenance Shop' in Glendene were recommended. They're a dedicated service workshop specialising in both pedal bikes and BMW motorcycles, do non-contact service, and could fit them in. First up was Giro. I had damaged... Read more →

Planning Time Out 2021-22 NZ with MindManager

Thinking about how to plan a summer which would involve multiple trips, lots of dates, heaps of information references, dependencies, and costs—all of which will change until completed—the solution was obvious. A travel map! I turned to my favourite 'need to plan some stuff, but don't know what' application: MindManager! In a single map I could brain-dump ideas, contacts, gather references, track media (like this post), look at timing and forecast/track budget. The topic parent/child structure of a map is superb for capturing all aspects of a trip. Extended Information Topic notes, signified by a note icon, can hold any... Read more →

Gearing up for Time Out 2021-22

I have most of the gear I need, if not all I want, but will get a few things extra. My travels are going to be a mix of 4-12 day regional visits driving to a hub, then day or overnight cycles, returning home in between. Although some of the trails will require DOC hut stays I haven't planned on any camping as don't like it. Accommodation need not be luxurious unless you consider a proper bed and hot shower luxury. The other consideration is survival; particularly as some of the riding will be solo. The driving bits The drive... Read more →