Coast to Coast, NZ Equipment etc
June 12th 2007 08:27
Gear details
My bike was a Marin Palisades Trail 2005 model, disc brakes which seemed to work pretty well, I used a blackburn expedition rack, Vaude pannier bags, which had a back pack that zipped to the top. These are really good design, with good strong hooks although I could have done with slightly larger ones. Bar bag was a Leadermind brand and okay, although the bar clamp was too small for my oversize bars, so had to swap my bars over, so something to think about. But a barbag is great to put stuff in like wallets, cameras, phones without having to take off back pack.
I could have done with front pannier bags too, as bike was way too light and skittery going up the gorge and I could have done with more stuff really. As we were crossing the Alps in winter, we took 3/4 season sleeping bags/foam mats, stove, billy, a days worth of emergency food, survival blanket/bivvy bag, first aid kit, warm clothes, water proofs etc.
Also for the bikes, a pump each, spare tubes, puncture repair kit, spare spokes, zip ties, pvc tape, small tube of super glue( this is very useful, from repairing split tyres to sticking a bad cut together. Other things like a swiss army knife etc.
In NZ you can get four seasons in a day and can't always rely on a car passing anytime soon, so best to be prepared. My hi vis jacket is a Mountain Designs brand and very good for cycling in, with a lower cut back, longer length arms and a hood, this was a godsend on the Otira Gorge day as I would have got really wet without it. Booties to cover your shoes are a good idea too.
Steveo used a Marin Pine Mountain 1996 model, with his custom built trailer and it handled everything very well too!
Brake repair action shot
A word of advice, if you are buying a bike rack and have disc brakes, then you need one that will fit, as this is how I had to bodge mine and I was lucky it lasted without breaking as I forgot to take any spares with me.
Christchurch has quite a few good bike shops but if you are after touring bikes, pannier bags, racks or good old fashioned service, then The Cycle Trading Co on Manchester St are well worth a look, as they have a good selection of gear, bikes and in winter have a lovely wood burner going. Also well priced for repairs as my Marin kept breaking spokes ( it had the cheap black ones on it) so a couple of months before I went, I got the back wheel respoked with stainless steel for $60, good value I say.
If any of my readers have any questions, would like some advice etc then feel free to contact me.
Oh a couple of good books to read are Pedallers Paradise South Island by Nigel Rushton and Cycle Touring in New Zealand by Bruce Ringer
Cheers
Hal
My bike was a Marin Palisades Trail 2005 model, disc brakes which seemed to work pretty well, I used a blackburn expedition rack, Vaude pannier bags, which had a back pack that zipped to the top. These are really good design, with good strong hooks although I could have done with slightly larger ones. Bar bag was a Leadermind brand and okay, although the bar clamp was too small for my oversize bars, so had to swap my bars over, so something to think about. But a barbag is great to put stuff in like wallets, cameras, phones without having to take off back pack.
I could have done with front pannier bags too, as bike was way too light and skittery going up the gorge and I could have done with more stuff really. As we were crossing the Alps in winter, we took 3/4 season sleeping bags/foam mats, stove, billy, a days worth of emergency food, survival blanket/bivvy bag, first aid kit, warm clothes, water proofs etc.
Also for the bikes, a pump each, spare tubes, puncture repair kit, spare spokes, zip ties, pvc tape, small tube of super glue( this is very useful, from repairing split tyres to sticking a bad cut together. Other things like a swiss army knife etc.
In NZ you can get four seasons in a day and can't always rely on a car passing anytime soon, so best to be prepared. My hi vis jacket is a Mountain Designs brand and very good for cycling in, with a lower cut back, longer length arms and a hood, this was a godsend on the Otira Gorge day as I would have got really wet without it. Booties to cover your shoes are a good idea too.
Steveo used a Marin Pine Mountain 1996 model, with his custom built trailer and it handled everything very well too!
Brake repair action shot
A word of advice, if you are buying a bike rack and have disc brakes, then you need one that will fit, as this is how I had to bodge mine and I was lucky it lasted without breaking as I forgot to take any spares with me.
Christchurch has quite a few good bike shops but if you are after touring bikes, pannier bags, racks or good old fashioned service, then The Cycle Trading Co on Manchester St are well worth a look, as they have a good selection of gear, bikes and in winter have a lovely wood burner going. Also well priced for repairs as my Marin kept breaking spokes ( it had the cheap black ones on it) so a couple of months before I went, I got the back wheel respoked with stainless steel for $60, good value I say.
If any of my readers have any questions, would like some advice etc then feel free to contact me.
Oh a couple of good books to read are Pedallers Paradise South Island by Nigel Rushton and Cycle Touring in New Zealand by Bruce Ringer
Cheers
Hal
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