Search found 224 matches

by JackRabbitSlims
21 Jul 2023, 3:58pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: New Zealand wild camping
Replies: 16
Views: 1292

Re: New Zealand wild camping

LittleGreyCat wrote: 20 Jul 2023, 1:14pm Just to note: be wary of any reports over 5 years old because things have changed a lot.

We visited in 2016, and again over last Xmas/New Year 2022/23.
There was a major difference in living costs and in traffic.
The whole place is starting to get crowded around population centres. :-(

I think one thing to be wary of now is the weather.
We managed to fly out of Auckland between two cyclones which was lucky, but there was a great deal of water damage to roads and housing in the area.
Planning is difficult because of slips due to heavy rain.
This seemed worse in Northland and also to the very North of South Island.
Coromandel is best avoided these days.

We travelled from Bay of Islands down to Stewart Island and back up to Auckland and saw very few cyclists on the roads (which may tell you something).

Best of luck with your travels, but be cautious.
^^ Excellent Post!!

I have to agree and can confirm that some of the major weather events over the past 12 - 18 months in NZ have had a major impact on the roading network.

I live in Napier / Hawkes Bay which got absolutely whacked when Cyclone Gabrielle came through in early Feb of this year.....we still have lots of road damage, bridges wiped out and still waiting to be repaired or replaced. Coromandel as mentioned was also hit hard as was the west coast out from Auckland (Piha / Kare Kare). There is lots of repair going on, heavy machinery and trucks on the roads....probably rideable, but will be slow going and not enjoyable at all :(

The West Coast of the South Island is always dealing with heavy rainfall and roads in that region are often closed from slips and flooding!

Yes - much has changed since I first rode the length of the country in 2016 - of course, costs have increased dramatically and the traffic volume on the roads has increased.
Personally, I have given up touring on the roads in NZ. I'm getting ready for a trip to Central Asia in a couple of weeks which means training on the roads around here (most of the bike trails were ruined in the Cyclone and the back country roads have been cut off with bridges wiped out). I hate it....I've been riding / racing bikes for 35 years now and this is the first time I've actually felt quite uncomfortable out on the roads around the region I've lived all my life (51 years).

I find it bizarre that the OP wants to fly all the way out to NZ from the UK (I can only imagine what that costs for 2 people!) and is determined to free / wild camp in order to keep costs down. As I stated above, Free / Wild Camping is not allowed or tolerated here.
Of course, you can do what you like, but I wouldn't advise you try it.
Consider that in the summer months, the sun sets 8.30pm - 9pm and rises 5.30am - 6am. In some places the day is longer. If you want to Wild Camp, that makes for a very long day before setting up camp somewhere not to be seen or detected....if you can actually find that area at the time of day that you need it?

There's a reason why we see less and less cycle tourists in NZ and more and more campervan tourists - sad, but true!
by JackRabbitSlims
17 Jul 2023, 5:29am
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Touring Bike Advice Please
Replies: 36
Views: 2737

Re: Touring Bike Advice Please

Bar End Shifters........

I once took the overnight Train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai with an English chap who had bar end shifters.

When we arrived in Chiang Mai, both his shifters had been ripped out of the end of his bars and were just dangling there.....

We made our way to Mongs Bike Shop (no longer there, but perhaps a few of you are familiar with Mongs?? Run by Canadian Stu and his wife) He had to import specific parts for the repair that were going to take a week to arrive!

Just thought I'd share that story.

I'm a Shimano XT guy...you can use both Brakes and shift at the same time.
by JackRabbitSlims
17 Jul 2023, 4:33am
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: New Zealand wild camping
Replies: 16
Views: 1292

Re: New Zealand wild camping

I'm a New Zealander.

Wild camping is not allowed here. Period. You're welcome to try, but good luck to you if you're caught on private land. You'd have more luck knocking on a Farmers door, explaining your situation and asking to camp on his / her land.....you'll probably be invited in, fed, given a beer, a shower and bed for the night.

As above, plenty of good / great camp grounds all over the country.

I've bike toured / bike packed in over 40 countries....apart from Tasmania, NZ is worst place to ride a bike IMO. It pains me to write this but unfortunately it's true. The roads are not getting any wider, and every munter idiot in this country wants to drive one of those oversized utes / trucks (think USA). The roads are busier these days and campervans in the South Island during the season flood the roads. Yes, we have poor roads, narrow roads and too much traffic. Not a lot of room or respect for cyclists out there :(

I was also going to suggest the Tour Aotearoa ride / route - I've done the event twice and it's great. I've always ridden a Rigid Hardtail with 2.6 tyres, but I know guys and gals do it on Gravel Bikes with much narrower tyres.
I would highly recommend that route or look at the Sounds 2 Sounds Route, The Kopiko Trail... The Otago Rail Trail is another good option.....

My advice is to stay off the main roads as much as possible, link up some of the routes listed above or do your best to find quieter, back country roads.

Happy to answer any other other questions you may have :)

Cheers,
Steve
by JackRabbitSlims
17 May 2019, 10:30pm
Forum: Cycle Camping sub-forum
Topic: Upgrading my Tent....looking at Hilleberg options.
Replies: 42
Views: 3403

Re: Upgrading my Tent....looking at Hilleberg options.

^^
I enjoyed reading the way you explained your position here!

Sometimes, buying top quality, well made, highly reputable kit just make sense!

I’ve learn’t my lessons the hard way on my current tour......imo, leave home with the best, highest quality gear you afford...especially in developing nations where access to good gear / kit and knowledgeable/ skilled mechanics does not exist!
by JackRabbitSlims
16 May 2019, 9:41pm
Forum: Cycle Camping sub-forum
Topic: Upgrading my Tent....looking at Hilleberg options.
Replies: 42
Views: 3403

Re: Upgrading my Tent....looking at Hilleberg options.

willem jongman wrote:Much depends on th environment you want to use the tent in. For north western Europe with its sometimes cold and wet weather, Hilleberg and Helsport are the best. They are outer first tents where the inner is attached to the outer, so you pitch them in one movement, and keep your inner tent dry. If next morning the fly is wet, you just take out the inner first, put it in a separate bag, and then take down the wet and perhaps dirty rest of the tent. The fly also reaches down to the ground, so you are well protected. We love our Namamtj 3gt for this purpose, and I don't think there is anything better.
The downside is that these are warm and potentially very warm tents. This summer we will be touring in Italy, so we bought an MSR Zoic 3 for that. This is a US style inner first tent with lots of mesh for excellent ventilation. That it is an inner first tent does not bother us very much because the chances of serious rain will be slim. It is also much lighter (and cheaper) than the Nammatj. I will not be surprised if it does not last as long, and having pitched it in our garden I know I would not use it when I can expect really nasty weather. It is just not as stable as a heavy duty Hilleberg.



Hi willem,

Thanks for your input.

As I said in my OP, the MSR has done a good job over the last few years and in good to fair conditions, it really is a great tent!

When conditions have been rough, it has been OK, but I just feel that it is coming to the end of its life cycle and I would like to explore options for something a bit more durable and able to withstand some more challenging environments.

As above, I’ve met many Hilleberg owners in my travels and they always speak so highly of their tents and where they’ve taken them on their tours etc.

The next stage of my tour has me in some quite remote and extreme locations.....in July, I start riding from Tuktoyaktuk (you’ll have to google map that one) and will ride to LA, then I plan to fly to Santiago, Chile and continue riding south to Ushuaia.

No definite decisions have been made regarding the new tent....I’m still faffing around trying to get myself to Santiago :)

Cheers.
by JackRabbitSlims
4 May 2019, 3:43pm
Forum: Cycle Camping sub-forum
Topic: Aeropress Go
Replies: 22
Views: 1807

Re: Aeropress Go

I tour with the standard Aeropress....also have the stainless steel filter rather than the papers.

I also have a Porlex mini grinder to grind my own beans each morning....the grinder fits nicely in to the empty cavity of the Aeropress.
I don’t bother with the stirrer and have a Kleen Kanteen stainless steel coffee mug.

The perfect start to any day :mrgreen:
by JackRabbitSlims
21 Apr 2019, 6:21pm
Forum: Cycle Camping sub-forum
Topic: Upgrading my Tent....looking at Hilleberg options.
Replies: 42
Views: 3403

Re: Upgrading my Tent....looking at Hilleberg options.

leftpoole wrote:My choice is Anjan 2 or Niak (2)
John


Thanks John,

Rogen and Anjan 2 are on the shortlist.
Being a freestanding tent, I think the Rogen will win out in the end :)

Cheers.
by JackRabbitSlims
18 Apr 2019, 10:25am
Forum: Cycle Camping sub-forum
Topic: Upgrading my Tent....looking at Hilleberg options.
Replies: 42
Views: 3403

Re: Upgrading my Tent....looking at Hilleberg options.

rualexander wrote:If you're buying in New Zealand, have a look at their Macpac tents https://www.macpac.co.nz/equipment/tents


Being a Kiwi, I have been a big supporter of MacPac gear.....especially 10-15 years ago.
It’s no longer a Kiwi company and now owned by some Aussie outfit.

Imho, lately they have changed their focus a bit and tend to market their gear towards the “street”.....I think The North Face did a similar thing years ago, but have pegged themselves back......slowly.

I’ve still got some their stuff hanging in the wardrobe at home.....big, heavy, but effective

2 friends rode through Europe last summer with a Minaret.....they hated it for various reasons and have since bought a Hubba Hubba.
The MSR is still a very popular tent.....most campgrounds I pitched in last summer where other bike tourers were around....at least another 3-5 Hubba Hubba’s’ there....it’s a good ice breaker to start a conversation :)

So, for me.....it’s either move to a Hille ( probably the Rogen) or replace my poles and stick with the MSR for another year or so.....I’m leaning heavily towards the Hille upgrade.

Cheers
by JackRabbitSlims
17 Apr 2019, 9:27pm
Forum: Cycle Camping sub-forum
Topic: Upgrading my Tent....looking at Hilleberg options.
Replies: 42
Views: 3403

Re: Upgrading my Tent....looking at Hilleberg options.

Firstly, thank you all for the great replies!!

Some excellent insight there and obviously some very knowledgeable poster contributing far more than I expected....it’s much appreciated.

Just to clear a few things up:-
I’m a NZer currently on tour (Argentina right now) I’m having to return to NZ for a few weeks in June for some personal / admin stuff. During that time, I’m rebuilding my bike and restocking some of my kit before hitting the road again.

So, a new tent is high on the list, hence my OP :)
I’m currently on the 2nd MSR fly....the first one was stretched to being useless. The poles are also bent and the inner elastic cord has lost all elasticity....no effect on the tent pitch as far as I can tell??

When I approached MSR NZ with the problem with the original fly, their response was, “Well, we can sell you a replacement”

The cost of this stuff is offensive in NZ. I almost exclusively buy all of my gear / kit for my bike touring online and site unseen....I spend ages online reading reviews and doing my research before hitting the buy key. I’m pretty successful with this approach 95% of the time. As an example of this....the MSR Hubba Hubba goes for around $800 - $900 NZD depending on who is trying to gouge you. I bought mine, landed in NZ online for less than $400 over 3 years ago.

If I go with the Hille, I’ll buy that online through the NZ dealer, site unseen. Some of you probably think that’s crazy??

After lots of gear failure recently, I’ve decided that I’m going to spend good money on good kit that is made to last with good / great materials. Hille seems to fit the bill there. Half a kilo here or there does not bother me these days....my legs seem to do ok when I’m hauling 5-6 litres of water.....I don’t feel the difference from the normal 3 litres.
I can afford the tent(s)

Option B is to replace the MSR poles for a few hundred $$ and hope the Fly lasts the rest of this Tour?? On the upside, the footprint and inner are still doing super well :)

Thanks again for all the replies!!

Cheers.
by JackRabbitSlims
16 Apr 2019, 9:25pm
Forum: Cycle Camping sub-forum
Topic: Upgrading my Tent....looking at Hilleberg options.
Replies: 42
Views: 3403

Upgrading my Tent....looking at Hilleberg options.

My current tent is an MSR Hubba Hubba NX which has served me pretty well over the past 3 years.

I’ve had to replace the fly at the start of my current tour as it seems to have stretched over time / use and it started to touch the inner when wet and drip inside when raining.....far from desirable.

I’m currently riding the American Continent and the MSR is doing an OK job. I’ve camped out in some horrendous weather in the past months (Peru / Bolivia) and I’ve come to the decision that I’m actually not completely satisfied with this tent anymore.

It was fine for my previous “big” tours but I think it’s time to make an upgrade.

The MSR was my first and only tent.

I’ve met a ton of people on the road in the past 3 years / 40,000km plus journeys and the ones who are riding with Hille’s speak so highly of them.....I’m very seriously thinking of getting myself one :)

So...the question is which one?? I’ve narrowed it down to 2.... The Anjan 2, or the Rogen. Both with a footprint.

I like a 2 person tent....I have no desire to bed down each night in a coffin!!
The Rogen is freestanding which is a plus and the design / layout is quite similar to the MSR....twin vestibules are nice, especially when breaking camping in the rain.
I normally leave my 2 large Panniers on the bike and just remover the innards which are stored in dry bags....my front Panniers are usually food, cooking kit, wet weathers and repair / maintenance which I take off the bike and store in the vestibules.

The Anjan is lighter, not freestanding and I’m not sure if I’d like all my gear in that one area in the front of the tent....hard to say with out ever using it? Plus, it’s cheaper!
I have to say, these tents are not cheap and I’ll be buying mine in New Zealand, so the price will already be offensive!

I’m happy to take the hit if it’s worth it and the $$ spent is a significant upgrade from the MSR.....sounds and read like it is.

I’m asking for advice / suggestions/ experiences from those who are using or have used these tents please.


Thanks if you can help me out.

Also, if I’m missing another tent manufacturer as good and reliable as Hilleberg, please let me know. As above, I’ve only ever had the MSR.

Cheers.
by JackRabbitSlims
11 Sep 2018, 6:14pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: EV15 in late October. Sensible?
Replies: 8
Views: 694

Re: EV15 in late October. Sensible?

Of the EV15, I rode from Bregenz in Austria up to Bonn in Germany this past July.

Riding along Lake Constance is lovely and I chose to ride the French side of the Rhine.....Strasbourg is a wonderful destination and I would recommend at least a day there if you can?
Unfortunately for me, my ride up the EV15 was in the middle of the European heatwave and also, I think all of Europe was on Holiday :)
The riding is very easy / flat and at times quite boring (for me).
I was also turned away from 3 campgrounds on this trip as they were full - first time thats ever happened to me......I doubt you'll have that problem in late October.

If you have good gear to cover the temperature range and don't mind the shorter days - go for it!
by JackRabbitSlims
29 Aug 2018, 1:22pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Tyre size poll
Replies: 38
Views: 2215

Re: Tyre size poll

I run 700c with the widest tyres my frame will allow....in either slick (Schwalbe Supreme) knobbly (Marathon Mondial Evo Tour)

700X40
by JackRabbitSlims
29 Aug 2018, 6:22am
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Query about taking a bicycle to India
Replies: 5
Views: 707

Re: Query about taking a bicycle to India

I've just returned from 6 weeks in the Indian Himalaya with my Touring Bike.

Flew Auckland - Singapore - Delhi.....same route on the return.

No problems what so ever entering the country with my bicycle or leaving with it.
The only questions are asked at check in when they want to know "whats in the box" and if you've followed the correct procedure for boxing up the bike before flying.

Have a great trip!
by JackRabbitSlims
26 Aug 2018, 6:48am
Forum: Cycle Camping sub-forum
Topic: Advice required on choice of 2/3 person lightweight tent
Replies: 112
Views: 8043

Re: Advice required on choice of 2/3 person lightweight tent

willem jongman wrote:I would keep the msr and buy a Hilleberg Black Label tent. The msr is a US style inner first tent with a lot of mesh, i.e. a hot weather tent. Keep it for that. A Hilleberg or Helsport is a tent for nw European bad weather with hard winds and rain. With your kind of usage I would go for a Black Label tent. Choose a free standing one if you expect a lot of snow and or rocky terrain as at high altitudes. If not, go for a tunnel as these are more spacious and lighter.


Hi willem - thanks for the reply.

The MSR has been used in cold temps quite effectively. When i arrived in the Netherlands last May and headed North, I was getting low single digit temps overnight. A good sleeping pad and bag are more important imho in dealing with the cold than the actual tent.

Yes, the MSR is great in the summer, but unfortunately, you still get rain in the summer in many locations and the wet weather is the main issue with my Hubba Hubba.....in particular the fly not being effective any more and touching the inner when wet.

Are there any other brands you could suggest that I look at at other than the Hille or Helsport?

I'm looking for a freestander for sure :)

Thanks again for your help!
by JackRabbitSlims
25 Aug 2018, 5:40pm
Forum: Cycle Camping sub-forum
Topic: Advice required on choice of 2/3 person lightweight tent
Replies: 112
Views: 8043

Re: Advice required on choice of 2/3 person lightweight tent

PH wrote:
JackRabbitSlims wrote:Budget Equipment: - :shock: HHNX goes for around $800 NZD not including Footprint, Neo Air X-Lite $400, I have 3 sleeping bags to choose from as i also do a lot of high altitude trekking. They range between $500 - $1200......
That's just for starters!
I wouldn't call any of my kit "Budget"......perhaps mid to top range??

I wasn't suggesting your equipment was budget, no offence intended :shock:
I was thinking more of the guy who I followed a few years back who rode UK to Aus over about 30 months and used a Vango Banshee (A tent that retails for less than £100) Or Alastair Humpheries who used a cheap Coleman for his four year epic trip.
I'm also reminded of the story of a couple who woke in the night thinking they were being attacked and found two small goats had got into their extended porch and were shredding the fly with their horns trying to get out - it was a £200 Vango and they told it as an amusing story, I wonder if they'd have been so amused if it was a £900 tent.
Your usage over two years is probably equivalent to mine over 15 (25ish nights @ year) I'm probably at the higher end of what's typical and the tent designers are more likely to have me in mind than you. I don't know if a tent twice the price of you present one will be twice as good, I know there's a lot of long tour folk who have concluded they're better off with something even cheaper and the expectation that it'll need fairly frequent replacement.
IMO - your MSR or something like the Rogen are the wrong tents for your use, neither up to the task of long term use or cheap enough to consider disposable.


Ha ha....none taken! :D