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Tomato in Kiwiland |
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Team Bikeman -
Race Reports
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Written by Tom Lambert
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Saturday, 24 March 2007 |
Tomato in Kiwiland
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So I've wanted to do some bike touring for some time now. Last year I got a glimpse with the 4 day 413 mile Tour de NH and VT. Hopefully I learned some from that, because now it's a little bigger. In T-minus 48 hours I'm taking of for New Zealand (3/21/07) for a 2-month bike trip. My only plans are to bike and hike, and my only itinerary is to start in Christchurch and end in Auckland. So all I have to do is make it about 1,000 miles (as the crow-flies) in 2-months. What better way to wrap up a 3 year Master's degree and kick off a long life of employment? I actually have no idea what I'll be doing when I get back, but I doubt Bikeman will be looking for an environmental health researcher.
This trip is quite toned down from what I was intending when I started to think about this about a year and a half ago. Then, I thought I would bike the 18,000 miles from Prudhoe Bay Alaska to the southern coast of Argentina. I chose New Zealand instead because I wanted something a little culturally easier for my first big trip. Plus, I wanted a 3-cultural-dimension experience and since I don't speak Spanish past a few choice phrases like:' Mes pantalones est en fuego para ti' (I'm sure I butchered this spelling), I decided I'd go somewhere English speaking. I doubt I could make it through Colombia knowing only "My pants are on fire for you." So, New Zealand was it. Oh, not to mention New Zealand looks to be a pretty spectacular place.
Down to Business. You should be able to find pics of my trip as I go on my Flickr website. I'll update that as I can.
The blog of it will be here on Bikeman.com as I've killed tizzom.com (sorry faithful supporter).
For a bike I'm taking my Kona Kula Deluxe. I chose this over a road bike because I've got a fairly heavy trailer that's loaded with my camping stuff because I'm planning on camping the entire time except for a few nights in hostels or hotels.
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As I start to write this my bike is in the box. I heard that customs inspections may not allow, or may acid-wash, items that have foreign soil on them. That added to my decision to get some new skins. I opted for the Panaracer T-Serv 1.5 folding bead tires because they are light, narrow, have a little tread, and are supposedly puncture resistant. Ordered from Bikeman.com last Friday and low and behold, the UPS tracking says its out for delivery right now (Monday AM). What I should have done is order Hayes brake pads too cause when I pulled them out a few minutes ago I found the rear ones were worn to nothing and the front worn to nearly nothing. A little last minute (read, night before takeoff) shopping got me a set of brake pads for $60. Shoulda ordered through Bikeman! Everything else on the bike looked good in final inspection, I put some grease in places where grease should be, put the 3x9 back on instead of the 1x9, and as far as I can tell, I'm good to go.
I'm putting all my stuff in a B.O.B. YAK Trailer (with the dry-sack), and I've got a small bag on my handlebar, and on my seatpost that I'll keep some more commonly used stuff like camera, chamois-shammy-cream (Greyhound Juice) and bottle opener.
Anyways. I hope to be able to update frequently, but I gather there will be times where I won't be able to.
Here's a list of stuff I'm bringing:
Bike- Kona Kula Deluxe (rims drilled for shchrader, 1x9, Fox fork with lockout).
Trailer - B.O.B.
YAK Tools - Crank Brothers Multi-19, Tri-Flow teflon lube, patch kit and spare tubes.
Tent - 1-person.
Sleeping Bag - 35F .
Sleeping pad.
Hiking backpack.
Daypack stove and fuel bottle.
Potset and eatware.
Water filter.
Bike shoes and helmet.
Spandex shorts, full length tights.
2 pairs bike socks, 2 pairs other socks.
Rain gear - Zip-off pants, base layer, hat and gloves.
Puff jacket.
First aid kit.
Camera.
Travelers insurance (trip and health).
Binoculars.
Passport.
Money or something.
Next stop - Christchurch.
P.S. - I'm sure I forgot stuff, but i heard they have stores there...
Tom
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