RobiNZ Personal Blog

The wheels on AHBART go round and round...

Probably didn't need to do a blog post about this but thought of the title and seemed a shame not to... AHBART had slight vibration at certain speeds (at least two multiples of 45 km/h) from the rear, felt like, L/H side. After getting the tyres/balance checked turned out to be a slightly buckled rear wheel. There was no rim damage (as in a dent) but it wasn't quite round anymore. May even have been a legacy of last year's 3000km road trip as did have to get the front one fixed after I hit a pot hole. Seems 40... Read more →

Ushuaia & Departure | Antarctic Mission Log 02

I got the hotel shuttle to Buenos Aires Ezeiza airport reasonably early; add to that efficient (again) airport processing and I was early to the (remote bus type) gate lounge. It proved to be a mistake as there was little in the way of food air-side, one overworked cafe, and the lounge was crowded with few seats free. This was the older terminal rather than the new international one I arrived at. After a bit of wandering I found a place to sit, on the floor against the wall. Wasn’t alone, killing time, and ended up chatting to a group... Read more →

155, 255 still alive

My Bravo 155 HGT ticked up 255,000km on the way home from work. Read more →

Fiat Bravo HGT heading for classic status?

A recent “Hidden Heroes” article on Honest John got my attention. They think my Fiat Bravo HGT is a future classic and there are only 21 left on the road in the U.K. There were never many HGTs in New Zealand; I was told maybe Thirty total and just a dozen of the later 2001 HGT 155 model I have. According to some recent research (by a fellow Fiat enthusiast) there are now probably only three left on the road. Probably why the 155HGT plate, acquired last January, was still available over a decade after I first considered getting it!... Read more →

A2O Cycle Road Trip 08–Towards Tekapo Cycling

The start of the A2O Cycle Trip proper meant getting rid of AHBART for a week. I’d been offered a free secure park but it was on the opposite side of Christchurch from where I was staying so had an early start. Although Friday, workday for most, there was little traffic between Lincoln and New Brighton at 6:00am! A bonus was watching the dramatic sunrise and, ominous, clouds. It’s a small group, mostly returning clients, former staff/founder and friends using the last advertised A2O trip slot on Adventure South’s calendar. After a couple of rendezvous, at the Adventure South Depot... Read more →

AHBART 156k

What is it about round numbers? Glanced down just as AHBART rolled over 156,000km on the way to work yesterday, but pulled over to take the photo! Read more →

From no Abarth to an AHBART–My Abarth 500 Esseesse

It all started with an email. A running TradeMe search for “Fiat” turned up this listing which got me thinking about a way not to replace the Fiat Bravo HGT which is my daily drive. I should also credit, blame, Sam “Seen Through Glass” whose numerous Abarth YouTubes. many I (re)watched over Christmas/New Year, contributed to the Abarth being on my radar again. Love the Bravo, but time for a change? I’ve owned this 2001 car since 2008 and it has 252,000km on the clock. Although reasonably reliable minor mechanical problems can cost a lot to fix thanks to next... Read more →

Happy Abarthday Tailfin me!

I went for a bike ride after work tonight to try out my “Happy Birthday to me” present which arrived the previous day. It’s an upgrade accessory for my CX/Commute bike, a gorgeous Tailfin Rack and Pannier. The ARC-3 doesn't have rack mounts and although I could, did , use my MTB seat post pannier it was a bit clunky and not really what the frame was designed for. The Tailfin is a light carbon ‘arch’ which mounts, with quick release clips, to an extended axle. A stabilising bar loops around the seat post and two waterproof pannier bags quick... Read more →

Agnelli, the man, the documentary

Found this HBO documentary about Gianni Agnelli on Sky NZ while grazing the Soho schedule a couple of weeks ago. Recorded it, just got around to watching it, and so glad I did. While the Agnelli FIAT connection got my attention this was very much about the man, the family, their impact on Italy and its place in the world, rather than a dry profile of a business man or car company history. Beautifully shot, a mixture of modern interviews and archive family footage, in stunning locations (many their homes!) it is a wonderful, and honest, portrayal. They didn't skip... Read more →

Fiat 132: rare then, rarer now

Seeing a green Fiat 132 in this Telegraph article reminded me of the first Fiat I drove. Although a slightly earlier model (and GL not GLS) our ‘family car’ was similarly rare, but not exotic, car in New Zealand. Although cheap to medium priced mass market cars in Europe Fiat in NZ were comparatively rare and even a bit ‘premium’. UK’s rarest cars: 1976 Fiat 132, one of only two left - www.telegraph.co.uk 1973 Fiat 132 1600 GL. It had a both unfortunate demise as it was parked when a ‘stolen’ bus totalled it. I say ‘stolen’ because it was... Read more →