Rapid Rob brake, not break, test!

Headed for Muriwai, via the back roads, in search of gravel and hills.

I knew there would be hills but found somewhat less gravel than expected as several roads had been sealed.

I suppose the folks who live there don’t miss the winter mud, summer dust!

Found enough to get some practice with the bike, including some full on brake tests. I always like to do a emergency stop, in a car or bike, before you need to actually do an emergency stop!

Must say those ‘Rapid Rob’ tyres (they really are called that!) combined with disk brakes shed speed rather well! According to the velocity meter at some point I was doing 70.1 km/h but the fastest I saw before a brake test was 60. Still surprising how rapidly the bike came to a halt although the roads were damp with little loose gravel.

I like this ride as apart from a few kilometres from Swanson to Waitakere you are away from the main highway. I go up Henderson Valley, Coulter, O’Neills and Christian Rd to Swanson. Then it’s over the hill to Waitakere turning off on to Hunter Rd. From there it is all back roads to Muriwai Beach.

Stopped to take my rainshell off in O’Neills Rd and noticed this opportunity for a selfie…

The steep descent into Muriwai, stunning view over Maori Bay/Muriwai and another chance to test the brakes on the way down. Coming back up combines the same view with a chance to test the legs and lungs!

Full tide, thought about a ride along the beach (it is a legal road!) but that water is salty and it’s a new bike…

Today added 85 km to the odometer, 1650m hill climbing although none of them seemed particularly high so all those ups & downs accumulate!