So how was my gear looking back?

So how was my gear looking back?


Bike
  • Giant Trance 29.1 full suspension - my steed for this trip, also being what I have in the garage. Generally the preferred steeds are either 29 hard tails or gravel bikes.  I was happy with my bike on the trip. I had the suspension locked for most of the trip, although I half opened it on a number of trails such as the Timber Trail and Bridge to Nowhere, and fully opened it on the Mangatapu descent which was a blast.
  • Tyres - 2x Vittoria Mezcal 2.25 - good reviews for this fast rolling tyre. Tyres worked well and rolled nicely. Only issue was a cut in the rear tyre going into Arapuni, which ultimately caused some ongoing issues right through to the last day
  • **Aero bars Profile Design Sonic Ergo 43A - to rest my hands. Existing handlebars are 35mm which are too big for aeros. So have fitted BBB bar ends as bull bars onto the handlebar. Have used a gel/cork handlebar tape. Seems to work. Only used these a little - prob would still have preferred aero's.
  • Ergon GP3 grips - to rest my hands. These were great on multiple fronts, providing good support and multiple had positions.
  • Usual SPD pedals - what I'm used to riding with. All good
  • Lights 2x Niterider Vmax+ rear lights (one on bike, on helmet). The one on the bike was lost early on. I used the one on the helmet frequently during the day, particularly on the busier roads and/or roads with shadows. Definitely made me more visible
  • Light Niterider Swift Micro 500. Did the job 
  • Bike lock - syncros essentials 120x6mm - an unfortunate necessity. A light weight but reasonably robust lock that did the job and provided some peace of mind

Navigation
  • Garmin Edge 530 - it's a bit beaten up but will do the job. Really useful until Reefton when water got through the cracks and killed it. I then used my watch for recording rides and used the other tools for navigation
  • *SPOT tracker - will get this at the start line. Gives both live tracking. No hiding my location! (https://touraotearoa2024.maprogress.com/) and SOS
  • PLB. Thankfully not used but good to carry on some of the more remote tracks including Big River
  • Spare tracker batteries - 4x Energizer Lithium AAA batteries.  Provided rechargeables got me through so not used
  • Kennett Brothers guide book(s) paper and pdf. Both used extensively
  • Richard Young's gpx files loaded onto both Garmin and NZ topo maps phone ap. Invaluable

Bags all of my bags worked really well
Sleeping I used the tent for four nights and it was useful have despite the space and weight. The gear itself all worked really well

Cycle clothes all used and worked well

Other clothes a fairly minimalist wardrobe all used, although didn't need the polypro's in the warmer North Island
  • Lightweight Shorts
    • Underwear
    • Lightweight slides
    • Long johns
    • Thermal shirt
    • Light top
    • Casual T-shirt

    Bike repairs and maintenance
    • Spare tubes x2 used both
    • Plastic gloves (for cleaning out punctured tyres)
    • Pump used
    • Puncture repair kit not used
    • Tyre boot
    • Tape
    • Spare chain links not used thankfully
    • Spare derailleur hanger not used although can see how one would need to 
    • Multi tool used extensively
    • Brake pads  - 2 sets not used but had pads changed in Hokitika
    • Lube used
    • Cloth used
    • Tyre lever used
    • Ties not used

    Personals including prevention and repair
    • Aquatabs - water purifiers - hopefully won't need. Didn't use in the end
    • Sweet Cheeks Butt Butter - understand this is pretty much compulsory. Used extensively. I didn't come across any rider not using this
    • First aid basic kit. Used one sticking blaster 
    • Toothbrush 
    • Toothpaste 40g
    • Floss
    • Toilet paper
    • Sun cream 100ml
    • Also purchased lip cream along the way
    • Insect repellent - apparently there's some pretty big wildlife out there
    • Soap
    • Regular meds

    Other
    • Mobile phone
    • Headphones
    • Powerbank - Nitecore NB20000 - vital for recharging all the electronics (bike lights x3, phone, garmin, watch, headphones, headlamp). Really useful and used throughout
    • Charging cords 
      • USB B 
      • USB C 
      • Garmin watch
    • USB charging plug (dual)
    • Leatherman Rev multi tool/knife. Used a few of the functions. Bottle opener was the most used function.....
    • Cutlery - Sea to Summit AlphaLight 3PC Cutlery Set
    • Cash - not sure what this stuff is but apparently some places don't take plastic etc. I did need to use this stuff in a number of places
    • Cards including licence (id), credit
    • Drink bottles - 1 or 2x750ml, 1x1l these worked well
    • Food to be carried as needed always a challenge to get the right volume and type of food in the space that I had
    • Towel - Macpac sports towel large this was fine - although I always took up the offer of a normal towel if accommodation offered one
    • Lightweight headlamp this was great
    • Sunglasses - cause its going to be sunny (I hope....)








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