RobiNZ Personal Blog

Cycling across town on Auckland's wettest day

Although a tropical storm was forecast it wasn't expected Friday January 27, 2023, would be Auckland's wettest day on record. Our average January rainfall, remember a summer month, is ~52mm and we got ~260mm on one day. It was raining all day but peaked in the early evening, at times over 60-80mm/hour depending where measured. It turned out to be devastating for many; four lives lost and massive property damage city wide. I was fortunate not to be impacted at all; the house was fine, and we just had an overnight power cut. This post isn't about the event, the... Read more →

Auckland to Christchurch, Hokitika | Time Out 2021-22 Fly Drive

I had a 9am flight from Auckland to Christchurch but allowed plenty of time to get to the airport. Just as well, the taxi* was a bit late (he'd come from Mangere?) but strangely light traffic meant got there with time to spare. Once airborne and heading South we had superb views of Tasman/Golden Bay where I'd ridden earlier in the summer. The long sandbank that is Farewell Spit (below left), where I spent an amazing day, and Golden Bay (below right) with Tākaka just below the flap fairing. Abel Tasman and Golden Bay. Can see all the amazing Tōtaranui... Read more →

A bit more gearing up for Time Out 2021-22 | Aeroe Bag and Topeak Fender

With the new full suspension bike, the Giant Trance 'En-Trance Rob', I was after a 'no backpack' solution for day rides. I hate riding with a backpack; the weight high up, straps and 'clammy back' thing annoy. En-Trance has tubeless tyres and, even with the dropper post, the basics of puncture repair (spare tube, CO2 cartridge, plug tool and small bottle of fluid) fit in a small saddle bag, but that doesn't account for other gear. For a day ride I want to carry the following minimum: Warm/Wet Gear Rain shell Arm and Leg warmers for cycling and, if more... 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 →

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 →

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 →

Retyring today

Today's bike maintenance was to replace the Giro Rob's Schwalbe Marathon Plus tyres fitted back in April 2018. They have done about 8,000km of road, trail and gravel riding. The rear was pretty smooth, the front not bad (photo right compares them), but I replaced both. Will keep the used front tyre as a spare, in case of carcase damage, as they are typically only available to order, so take a week or so to get. Although heavy they are great for touring, commuting and general use thanks to extreme puncture resistance; as proved by the last day of the... Read more →

The Alps 2 Ocean on a Giro AR C1 Bike!

While researching new bikes I found this article from 2015 about riding the Alps 2 Ocean Trail on an Avanti Giro AR C1 cyclo-cross (CX) bike. At the time I didn’t realise I would be buying one but was looking at it’s cousin; the alloy frame AR 2. Mine C1 hasn’t ventured far off road yet, just a local gravel cycle path (photo right), but nice to know it can tackle a more challenging journey. One reason I was looking at a CX bike, beyond a more relaxed ride, was the flexibility to explore gravel roads and trails without fear... Read more →

A new bike or why is the local bike shop in trouble?

I’m not really a gear freak, as will become apparent, but decided it was time for a new bike. How hard could that be… What did I want, why? My dear (as in endearing, not expensive) old Avanti Triplo is nearly 15 years old. It was a pretty modest bike even when new, ~$1600 back then, but I still like riding it. With the Waitakere Ranges at my back door I never regretted going for a 21 (3x7) speed with ‘grannie gears’. I’m not a racer and it suited me fine but the technology has moved on in a few... Read more →

Topeak Rob?

'Rapid Rob' won’t be quite as rapid but will be a bit more versatile for short tours and (maybe) commuting. Got an accessory I should of had for Tibet, no more riding with a back pack! A beam rack, bag (including little fold out panniers for a bit more space) with nice quick release mount and side frames. Having used fiddley strap fastened bags before I was impressed with Topeak’s QuickTrack™ dovetail slide system. Have had one of their saddle bags with the same system for years. It is not up to real touring (9kg max) but fine for short... Read more →