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 the bar tape, on the Raglan trip, fell over while I was taking a photo, so asked them to do that and expected needed brake pads, perhaps a new chain. The actual verdict was:
- Tune and check all running gear. Replace front and rear brake pads, replace rear brake disc, and bar tape. Otherwise, all good.
I collected 'Giro' on 'Rapid Rob', leaving it for a service.
Tailfin AeroPack Bag Fitted
I fitted the Tailfin AeroPack Trunk top bag which arrived a while ago but was waiting for the correct connector. I mucked up and ordered the adaptor for the current Tailfin rack, not my older style one. Tailfin were great sending the new part and offering a credit when I return the other (bag is the same).
It is a fully waterproof 20L roll-top bag with stacking straps (carry more on top)
There is a Direct Access Pocket (to main bag) on one side, to save unrolling for quick access, and a similarly sized zipped separate side stash pocket on the other.
The Trunk T Connect(or) is a complex piece of beautifully manufactured engineering. Ball joints screw into the existing pannier mounts to take the bag cradle with a quick-release mechanisms to detach the bag. The little rear release cam operating lever, seen just above/behind the mudguard below, needs a 2mm Allen Key to assemble! I added their Light Mount (Seat Post Mimic) Adaptor to take my Cycliq rear light/camera.
I took these shots on the famous, in Auckland, SH16 rainbow bike path in the Unitec grounds.
Cleared for... regional departure
So, the bikes are nearly ready for departure but I still can't depart. A relaxation in Auckland Level 3 (2.75?) means I can venture a bit further within the Auckland Region but still not allowed to do overnight or rental accommodation stays. In theory Waiheke and Great Barrier Islands open, and want to cycle on both, but because of isolation and limited medical facilities they are requesting resident only access. Still there are plenty of areas to explore/revisit within the limits over the next few weeks.
"Auckland remains at Alert Level 3. Some restrictions ease from 11:59pm on 5 October 2021."
"Sport and recreation: You can travel throughout the Auckland region [effectively Pokeno to Wellsford] to do an expanded range of outdoor recreation activities."
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