RobiNZ Personal Blog

Where does the fuel go in? | COVID-19

Filled up AHBART yesterday, 60 days since last fill and could still only get 24 litres into the (35 litre) tank. Mind you have only driven 316km and half of that was before lockdown! Read more →

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 →

AHBART gleaming like never before thanks to Final Touch Auckland

An interesting drive today, my first time in a Nissan Cube. I was a bit apprehensive to start with because it was an automatic, and I so rarely drive them, but still had three pedals. The third is a foot parking brake which would have been troublesome if treated like the clutch pedal I’m used to having there. Had to do that ‘tuck the left leg under the seat’ thing and also remember the wipers/indicators are reversed compared to the Italians. As I just rolled down the motorway from Albany to Northcote, & back, can’t really comment on the driving... Read more →

It’s a Fiat?

Return to the car, having stopped to pick up dinner, to find an elderly man looking at it: It’s a Fiat? Well, made by Fiat but it’s an Abarth Thought it was a Fiat but then I looked closer, no! Those extra badges on the side? Abarth is their competition division Fast? Fast enough, 1400 turbo And those wheels, I love it! So do I! Then he wandered off on his way to the RSA Read more →

Happy Birthday 500

Original Nuova 500 July 4th 1957… the New 500 July 4th 2007… Happy 62nd Birthday Fiat 500 Mine got a set of new Bridgestone RE003 tyres and a Warrant of Fitness for another years fun Read more →

A2O Cycle Road Trip 17–Wellington to Auckland, the long way round

I had a nice breakfast back at “Seashore Cabaret” on the Petone waterfront (opposite the lodge). Today was just the drive back to Auckland but by a different route than I came down. AHBART skilfully packed (OK, not really) for the long drive home. I use foam ‘pool noodles’ to both pad the bike bits near the interior trim and quell any bike rattles. One thing I learnt on this trip was to carry a 2l bottle of water (seen sitting on the engine below) for the screen washers. They are powerful (3 jets front, 1 rear) and it was... Read more →

A2O Cycle Road Trip 16–Westport to Wellington

Just driving today, Westport to Picton and on the Bluebridge Ferry to Wellington. Love the Buller Gorge road, great in any mode of transport but especially this one! I found LOVE on the side of the road at Inangahua Junction! The Upper Buller Gorge is higher! The obligatory stop at Lake Rotoiti, St Arnaud. Beginning to think it is always cloudy and grey here. Have only visited three times but always struck this kind of weather. Didn’t linger long, the sand flies saw to that! Hard to believe this is just down the road, other side of the ridge heading... Read more →

A2O Cycle Road Trip 14–Akaroa to Westport, Abarth Alp crossing

After collecting AHBART in Christchurch late in the evening I drove out to Akaroa. There were three motivating factors for this; I’ve never been to Akaroa A former colleague has retired there and it was a chance to catch up. I had been told it was a great drive! I didn’t arrive until well after dark and had a bit of a sleep in, till about eight, so my ‘Akaroa Waterfront Motels’ accommodation was a bit wasted. Nice place though. The harbour looked stunning, calm and sunny weather helps! After brunch with Rich I was back on the road, destination... 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 →

A2O Cycle Road Trip 07–Kaikōura to Christchurch Meetups

I’ve cycled the Inland route from Kaikōura to Waiau a few times (2006, 2011 & 2012) and it was a great ride. This time I was pedalling the Abarth, looking forward to a wonderful drive. I was heading to Christchurch to meet up with some friends for lunch, the A2O cycle group for dinner. I left fairly early and it was ANZAC day; possibly why there wasn’t much traffic? Stunning weather and a superb road. This was the only route to access Kaikoura after the earthquake damaged SH1 north & south of the town. It was also damaged but opened... Read more →