RobiNZ Personal Blog

Living the life(style)

I had a “lifestyle leave” day off work today. It’s a great initiative where you ‘buy’ five or ten days extra holiday (with a pay reduction) to use however you want. Part of changing jobs is you go back to zero leave owing so it was a good way to get some extra discretionary leave. For me that meant sitting up until 2:30am watching the Monaco Grand Prix, sleeping (some dozing) in until about 8:30am, a leisurely breakfast watching the America’s Cup and a bit of Indy 500 (recorded that morning), an afternoon bike ride, and evening dog walk. I... Read more →

Traffic Light Thought–How many didn’t die?

This is more of a ‘cemetery dog walk thought’ but it occurred to me at the lights on the way home. It is surprising how many people in the cemetery didn’t die. They passed, rest in peace, joined [whatever version of the creator they chose to believe in], or were lost… Some are more frank (or honest): just born, died, like we do. Random headstone, & dog, photo taken in Waikumete Cemetery 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 →

You can be a super(bug) hero

A few dollars could change the world, save many lives, and you can help Join the fight against superbugs The world is running out of effective antibiotics. In fact, it is one of the greatest threats to health today. For many of us, this means that common infections could once again cause death. A grazed knee or routine surgery could result in an infection that is untreatable. An estimated 700,000 people around the world die every year due to drug-resistant infections and, if new antibiotics are not discovered, this number is predicted to rise to 10 million people a year... Read more →

Traffic Light Thought–A kilometre too far, nearly

According to the owners manual a Fiat Bravo HGT has a 60 litre fuel tank. Today I proved after 638.8 kilometres commuting you can put 59.53 litres in so that capacity must be about right. I know you shouldn’t run it that close, my usual fill is about 550km/50 litres, but—after putting it off on the way home—was glad I decided to fill up at the first opportunity on the way to work. (Photo of not so nearly empty Bravo fuel gauge) Read more →

Traffic Light Thought–BMW indicators and brakes do work

A day in a loan car, while the FSM had its 230,000km service, showed that BMW* turn indicators reliably indicate turns. The brakes are also sufficient to allow stopping for red intersection and motorway on-ramp lights. It also reminded me how awful an old fashioned torque convertor auto is to drive. * Old and creaky, but otherwise ok, 1994 318 convertible. Read more →

Perfect Pedalling

I read this article ages ago and couldn’t find it again. Then, there it was referenced in an article by ExperiencePlus cycle tours. Filed here for future reference! Perfect Pedaling: Get a Better Pedal Stroke - www.bicycling.com Get the most energy from each crank revolution with these tips for proper pedaling Via Back to Bicycling Basics: Bike Fit and Pedaling Technique - www.experienceplus.com Read more →

Traffic Light Thought–Darwin Fish and Traffic Theory

Nice to see science based car badging on the morning commute. My FSM Fiat was following a Honda Jazz with a Darwin Fish badge down Rosebank Rd. It helped provide a data point for my hypothesis that light controlled motorway on ramps are the only time you should choose to follow trucks. The lights release one vehicle per green but a truck represents 2-5 cars depending on size and trailer. That’s how the FSM Fiat beat the Darwin Fish Jazz… to the queue on the motorway itself. Read more →

Traffic Light Thought–The O fell off?

It has been like this a while, so eventually had to stop and take a photo of this sign. Not funny in itself, but they are a fastener company… UPDATE 2017-05-05: After seeing this for several weeks (on my morning commute) I finally remembered to pull over and take a photo. The next morning the O was back! Read more →