Le Race. 100KM Christchurch to Akaroa
On Wednesday I was at at my desk contemplating how much I hate sitting at my desk and then I had a thought. It’s been a while since I’ve really got out there and blew away the cobwebs so I decided to enter the annual 100KM road race from Christchurch to Akaroa known as the [...]
KHS Tuscan 29er mini review
Gee. It has been sometime since I’ve reviewed anything at www.paulpetch.com hasn’t it? Well, I’ve now discovered that I can ramble and rant on video now about the bikes and gear that I enjoy. It’s kinda lazy, but works much better me thinks. So here are some thoughts about the new KHS Tuscan build- which [...]
Long time no blog…
Apologies for the lack of ramblings of late- Summer has eventually arrived over this side of the world and I’m keener to be out doing stuff rather than sat in front of this screen.Truth be known, I’ve not done anything that exciting since breaking my ribs anyway- other than attempting to keep my base fitness [...]
An afternoon with the Salsa Fargo
Things have started to mellow somewhat as I taper to the biggest physical challenge of my life on the 5th December in the form of the Kepler Challenge- a 60KM Ultra mountain run. Today I rode the trusty Fargo to Bottlelake Forest for a short run. Once I was on route- I was enjoying the [...]
Bontrager Paragon 29er – First ride
I took the Paragon to the South Downs today for the first proper ride, just west of Findon to be exact. Weather conditions were about as perfect as they get, 27 degrees, no clouds, no wind, dusty trails. Seeing as I’ve already ordered Ergon grips and wider bars I don’t really need to mention how [...]
Salsa Fargo update & the first off road ride!
Getting things comfy I can’t remember any bike that I’ve owned in the past 15yrs that has caused me so many issues when it comes to getting it dialed in. But has it been worth the hassles? I admit that even I was confused when I picked up the Salsa Fargo……should I set it up [...]
My bikes. 2000 – 2009
Marin Wolf Ridge. Current. It’s a six inch machine that rides and feels like I’m on a XC bike. This is my current trail bike. It is a 2008 Marin Wolf Ridge with 6 inches of travel. I absolutely adore this bike as it’s light enough for 8hr epics, but it has enough boing and [...]
Salsa Fargo has entered the building…
Hooorah! I’ve finally paid off the Salsa Fargo and went in today to pick her (yeah Fargo is a she) from Bicycle Business. I caught the workshop off guard and being the impatient man that I am (noooooo), I opted for the steerer to be cut today and I’ll tape up the bars myself (this [...]
Bottlelake Forest – Laughing in the face of Winter
I cannot remember the last time that I’ve ridden at Bottlelake Forest on the single speed and was very keen to get out there this afternoon with Spencer. With cabin fever peaking due to the worst week of weather I can remember in a long time my legs were just itching to get a few [...]
Say hello to my Salsa Fargo adventure touring bike
WoOt! Today, after some months of research and hunting for a bike to do some touring – I laid down the cash a 16″ (small) Salsa Fargo! It was love at first sight and within a few turns of the cranks I knew it was the bike that I’ve been looking for to do some [...]
Kona Unit 29er – ride two
This is a follow up to my original post – Kona Unit 29er – my first single speed Second ride After it’s maiden voyage I contemplated making a few changes to the set up of the Kona Unit. The bike did feel large, forcing a very stretched and unfamiliar riding position so thoughts of installing [...]
Singular Swift single speed 29er – mini review
Original post viewable at my blog. I got there… It took about three months to get all the parts together but it’s finally built up and ready to ride, actually I‘ve taken it out twice now. The second time was up on the South Downs near Brighton so I got to test it out on [...]
Kona Unit 29er – my first single speed
Christchurch trails During the New Zealand summer time Christchurch is the perfect place for a mountain biker to reside. There are the excellent Port Hill trails right at the foot of the city with pristine alpine singletrack a little more than an hour’s drive away in either direction. However, when the seasons pass and winter [...]
