Category: Kiwi Pete’s Adventures
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Project Troopy Update
Project Troopy delayed start this morning with the Boss testing out the bed! Bed, bed wall mounting, air compressor and hinge sidewall panel almost finished ✅Time to start on fridge/freezer, Toilet pivot mount and sink/cupboard assembly.
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Canon R5 Upgrade
So I have owned my Canon R5 camera for almost two years and have not used it much because I prefer a manual focusing Camera.Then a friend posted about his new camera and manual focus lenses. This made me sunny think that I should look at manual lenses and a new camera but somehow came…
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Video Of My Design Plans For My Troopy
So here is a short video about a different way of building an Overland/Camper Troopy. More videos to come as the build comes along and hopefully I learn to edit the videos better become more confident in front of a camera. My profession is being a motorcycle engineer and had years of experience helping with…
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Life ❤️
Well I have done this all numerous times over the years.So I can’t complain about my Brain Injury!That’s life
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The Start Of My Life Of Adventure
Back in the 1980’s and 1990’s we had true adventures.I travelled with Top deck Travel in 1987 as a passenger.It made such an impression on me that I applied to be a tour manager for the 1988 season which I was unsuccessful.But they asked so many questions about my life racing sportscars and motocross (tail…
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Live Life Now And Not Later
Take the opportunity when you can, And live life to the max before it’s too late! I’m so glad to have travelled overseas extensively years ago, not of waited until I was older in life to do so. There’s nothing stopping you sell things and just do it. It’s called having an adventure.
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Life Without Spare Wheels
Live life to the fullest possible! So why not try reducing your wheels on your vehicles?
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My Old Titanium Geared Mountain Unicycle
Myself 2011, with old custom made 26” Titanium Geared Mountain Unicycle. Sold in late 2011 too help fund my 2012 Africa Misadventure. I would love to be able to go out again and enjoy a good 20+ kilometre Uni ride, but I’ll be happy to manage 10 minutes of riding before having to take a…
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Freedom
The freedom of riding on just one tyre is hard to give up and a load easier than it may look. I had to stop riding my mountain unicycle after my 2017 bicycle accident because it was too much of a brain overload and extremely frustrating. But now after 6 years and a load of…
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Drive In The Green Zone Is More Efficient & Better
As a former Motorcycle Engineer and Mechanic it was very surprising, how many customers motorcycles needed to have the Italian tune. In fact, once I had a visit from the local police officer about a motorcycle going along the bypass putting out so much smoke that no one could see where they were going? Bobby…
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Leaning Tree
Mid winter’s day ride over 2 years on my Retro build up Ritchey Ascent, with Nitto Bullmoose handlebars, NOS 1990’s Ritchey Brake Levers, Brooks C15 Cambium saddle, Kent Erickson Titanium seatpost, Paul Components Thumbies Shifter mount’s and Shimano 9 speed Barend shifters. Build the retro way with Shimano XT 3×9 mixed set-up.Wheels are DT Swiss…
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Project Ultra Micro Overlander July Update
My Ultra Micro Overland project is at long long last taking shape.This is my first test off my storage/sleeping system. The front section that covers the front passenger seat is very easily removed in under 40 seconds. The rear opening lid is to access soft bag storage. This design is lightweight, make maximum use of…
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Live Life To The Fullest When You Can
In July 2017 (before my Brain Injury) I used to go out and enjoying Mountain Unicycling. On this day I was riding part of the Great Lakes Mountain Bike Trail. I do miss being able to ride and enjoy the simplest form of cycling ⛰️
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A Sunny Day Out In Middle Of Winter
A day out in XPLR and a short walk/jog with Zippy along part of the Great Lakes Trail on a beautiful sunny afternoon today over looking Lake Taupo.
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The Pie’s 🥧 Of New Zealand
One of the best things about Touring in New Zealand is the World’s best Pie’s and the Hunt for them
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A Shocking Experience
This week’s adventure with Zippy was a short 4+ kilometre walk. It also was his first time to see Sheep in paddock’s Here Zippy’s sitting/standing watching the Sheep eating away at the grass Unfortunately Zippy also touched a live electric fence! despite explaining to him, not to touch it! He jumped about two metres, cried…
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Exhaust Design & Performance
With my background as an ex motorcycle engineer and now having a brain injury it’s extremely hard for myself to explain how a more open and noisy exhaust does not equal more power. Now I’m not sponsored or use any Magnaflow exhaust systems! But I believe this video explains a lot of the engineering and…
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The Perfect Bicycle Stand
Are you still looking for the perfect bicycle stand?The best one is just around the corner!
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Overlanding Morocco
I loved my time in Morocco and North Africa back in 1993. It’s the one place that I have always wanted to return too. This video is inspiring 👍
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You Would Not Believe It – History
When I worked in Wellsford (Northland) in the local Honda motorcycle shop the Honda Car dealership across the road could not believe that he just sold a brand new Honda City to a local customer who had a Honda City that was two years old and the Vin number (chassis number/production number) off the new…
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Five Reasons Why You Should Ride A Hardtail Mountain Bike
So right! Mountain biking becomes so much more fun riding with less. Why have rear suspension? I switched to running a suspension forks in 1990 for hand comfort, substantial increase in speed and control. But my first full suspension mountain bike in 2013 just added service costs and I loss the feel of the ride…
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My Suzuki Jimny Affair Started With A LJ10
My love affair started in 1972/3 with a LJ10 as a youngster in the local engineering supplies that were selling Suzuki four-wheel-drive’s and motorcycles at the time in Wellsford. In the 1980 as a Motorcycle apprentice going to Petone for six week block courses I member being impressed for the three cylinder two-stroke LJ50 engines…
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Inspiring Videos of Some of New Zealand Offroad Roots
This is just one of the future planned adventures I have for myself and my ultra micro overland adventure Jimny. Marcus has videoed some of the great roots/tracks of the South Island.Like the one below.
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TIG Welding Art & Projects
So after years welding with O-A and MIG welders for work and personal projects. It’s time to start a small business and after having registered business name, years ago and working through a few options!I have got myself a TIG welder and gear. First off it’s built a welding table (almost finished) than it’s built…
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A Cracking Day
It was a cracking day in Taupo.Beautiful clean crisp air and sunny.Taupo has to be the best place to live in the world.Also time to look forward and change my instagram name to Pete’s Overland Adventures
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Overloaded Camping Adventure’s In NZ
So below is myself riding in a self supported cycling event called the Kiwi Brevet. I was riding the short course a 750 kilometre long loop of the upper part of the South Island in 2015. I learned about trying to ride with too much camping gear and this photo is of myself with my…
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Paradise Is New Zealand
I’m so lucky to live in Paradise and having traveled the world over the last four decades I have come to the conclusion that New Zealand is the best country to live in. Love Taupo (North Island of NZ) but one day I may look to move to Central Otago (in the South Island of…
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Ultra Micro Overland/Camper
Out for a walk with Zippy this last weekend.Looking forward to finishing off my Ultra Micro Overland/Camper.No rooftop tent ⛺️ going on here!After after all we have no Lions or Hippos in New Zealand to keep safe from.So like in my last two Jimny’s it’s a simple sleep inside with a full size bed.Adventures are…
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Ultra Micro Overlander Table Solution
Next step in the built up of my Ultra Micro Overland/Camper Jimny.A rear door mounted folding down Table so that I can cook and eat without needing a space for a separate table to pull out, put up and put away all the time. I was going to make my own folding table and an…
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Front Winch Finally Finished Mounting
Well finally I have finished my Warn Axon 55-S winch mounting and relocated the front number plate from the standard number plate position with a Kaon Australia hinged number plate mount. It now pivots up out of the way when I’m using the winch to recover myself or clearing trees or branches of the road/track.…
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Large Self Loading Stock Truck (Bus)
I once drove an almost identical Vanhool Double Decker powered by a marine spec Mercedes turbocharged V8 engine.It flew when empty and was still a rocket when loaded with 85 passengers!Had many adventures in the 12+ months I worked for “Tracks UK/Europe”Had to sign a secrecy agreement with a government organisation on a few occasions,…
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Why Have I Have Changed In My Websites Name From Kiwi Pete’s Adventures?
So why have I renamed Kiwi Pete’s Adventures and moved all three of my websites into one? First of the rename is after a second person contacted me asking if I was the Kiwi Pete who had left them on the side the road in the middle of the USA? or I was the Kiwi…
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New Sliding Windows With Guards
So after one year of ownership of my Jimny it’s was finally time to upgrade my rear side windows to sliding open Explore Glazing windows with security grills in place. Now I have to point out that they are normally just bonded in like the standard side windows! I have not just bonded in the…
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Lightweight Recovery Winch Setup
Having learned from my previous Jimny experiences one of my main goals is to keep the complete built weight as low as possible and the centre of gravity as low as possible too. So I went to a lot of trouble to import one of Taubenreuther Germany front winch mounts for one of Warn Winch’s…
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Therapy Dog Trying Too Hard
My Co-Driver asking for the keys!Zippy would appreciated an automatic transmission, but I’m glad I have a manual transmission so that we don’t have a fight about who is driving each day.🥰Zippy having a little bit of fun with me after a good morning walk.
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The Scandinavian Christmas Can Surprise You
A Merry Christmas from the Finnish Police a few years ago. A nice way to say be safe. I can remember the Finnish Police (and the Swedish and Norwegian) were all very friendly when I was driving Scandinavian Tours about north of the arctic circle in 1994. We just missed seeing the Snow ❄️ and…
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Overland Adventure New Zealand
So because I have not been able to fully recover from my severe traumatic brain injury (over 5 years last August) and still not able to enjoy cycling any more outdoors because of extreme brain fatigue from riding a bike or motorcycle.I have returned to four wheel driving and camping with Zippy my assistance dog/puppy.I’ve…
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Billingham Bag & My History With Them
Billingham Bags I got my first one back in 1995. I used it for years when driving adventure tours around Europe, Scandinavia, United Kingdom and New Zealand. I used it as a pillow when sleeping under the stars and under Canvas on all the great camping trips. Comfort and security know my cameras, is just…
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When The Dirt Road Ends In A Grass Track
At the of a dirt road is a grass track leading to a fenced in parking spot and a remote track leading to a large pond! Ok the large Pond is in fact, Lake Taupo. Zippy and I were just back from a walk towards the lake and back. Still learning about my Canon R5…
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The Solution // Craig Bierly’s Wanderlust Way
So Right, live life when you can! Live it to the max now not later! I’m glad I have in the past! Life can change in a second! So live it now!
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First Overseas Experience
In 1987 I left my parents home, hopped on a plane and flew to the UK. Yes that’s the first time I rented a room (bedsit) and started my first O.E. (overseas experience)Cycle Toured around and about the UK for over two months. Then found a Job and saved up for a Tour of Europe…
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The Persuader
Just arrived from the USA today is one of the upgrades planned for my Jones LWB Spaceframe 29+ upgrade project! Yes I’m going to be running a pair of Tumbleweed Persuader handlebars. I sold off my Titanium Jones Loop H-Bar handlebars because of my discomfort riding with them. I’m looking forward to hopefully being able…
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Past Life
When looking for something else I surprisingly found this inside an old book! A custom handmade very cool birthday card, that someone or a number of someones found time to make when we were all on TT1 1993! TT for Training Trip, 1 for the first of two for 1993. So “Top Deck Travel” and…
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My Micro 4×4 Camper Project
The start of my Micro 4×4 Camper The Removal of my Suzuki Jimny rear seats, rear box, tuck the seatbelts away into the bodywork and secure with a few zip ties. Place on the bathroom scales and weigh them all up! Removed parts came to 16 kgs. Now it’s time to make the rear removable…
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Muni Means…MUNI
I started Mountain Unicycling in 2004, because I was looking for a simpler riding experience! MUNI is fun and a challenge all in one, I last ride 6 months after my Bicycling to work accident in late 2017. I miss it so much 🤔 Life is full of circles.
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DEAR BICYCLE
So right, this is a great video about the Bicycle! It got me thinking about how a Bicycle has taken me about this World. The uses a bicycle is used for every day about the world and how I have used a bicycle! For Work, picking up parts to going to a post office and…
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Jones LWB Rebuild – Rebirth
So a little bit of history on my love, hate, ok and love again affair with my Jones LWB Spaceframe adventure/mountain bike. So I have extremely long for my height, femurs and because of this are one of the few that need a slack seat post angle bicycle. Now I could have a custom built…
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Henri & His Leica M3
Inspiring. A different way at looking at the world around us. Enjoy Pete
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Is this the END of hiking boots?
The future is zero drop, foot shaped shoes and boots. Be foot happy and not fashion style driven unhappy feet.
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Suzuki Jimny
Well back as a kid in 1972 I first saw a Suzuki LJ10 or may have been a LJ20 in Wellsford (Northland) and if I had been older I would of got one for myself, but at 8 years old I was too young! So I did get my first Suzuki TS100 motorbike in around…
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Morocco Adventure
I tried a number of times to pass my UK DD Bus licence in the late 1980’s, returned home to NZ and once my Workplace closed down, I passed the NZ bus licence in 10 minutes!Flew back to the UK and drove DD Buses before moving onto driving with Africa Explored 🙈(renamed Africa Exploited by…
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Four Years Today
Well 4 years ago today my life changed riding to work. I would like to thank Mark and all my workmates over the last 4 years for their support at Top Gear Cycles. At long last I have support going forwards, help with learning about the new me. @postconcussioninc & @hopeafterheadinjury thanks for your podcasts,…
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Walkabout
Mount Tauhara and a sunny winter’s afternoon in Taupo.Out Barefoot walking in Vivobarefoot Primes Lite III Barefoot/Minimum shoes.Working on foot muscle strength and flexibility, before trying to run again.Why Barefoot or minimalist shoes?Because it’s helped big time with my Balance walking since my accident ending up with a sTBI.
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First Modern Olympics, Greece
Panathenaic Stadium, is All-Marble was build to hosted the First Modern Olympics in Athens, Greece in 1896 Panathenaic Stadium is also known as Kallimarmaro can seat up to 50,000 people. Is white in a horseshoe shape and stands triumphantly under the shadow of the Acropolis and remains the world’s only arena made completely from marble.…
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Life
Well i’m glad to have traveled overseas and have had some extraordinary adventures. From having a Gun to my forehead crossing into Italy from former Yugoslavia in 1987 to four person bobsleighing in Lillehammer in 1994. Driving to Euro Disney (Disneyland Paris) from the day with a Contiki Bus full of only three staff members…
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Retro Ritchey (ATB) Ascent Build
Mid winter’s day ride aboard my Retro build up Ritchey Ascent, with Nitto Bullmoose handlebars, NOS 1990’s Ritchey Brake Levers, Brooks C15 Cambium saddle, Kent Erickson Titanium seatpost, Paul Components Thumbies Shifter mount’s and Shimano 9 speed Barend shifters. Build the retro way with Shimano XT 3×9 mixed set-up. Wheels are DT Swiss 350 hub’s,…
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Sun Is Shining So Time To Go Walking
So yesterday my new pair of Altra Lone Peak 5 turned up from https://www.furtherfaster.co.nz/ Thanks to their help over the phone the size is bang on! Thanks team. So the Sun was shining in Taupo today so I planned to go for my first short walk towards Huka Falls and back again. I enjoyed the…
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Surly Corner Bar
So it’s been a compromise running Shimano XT 2×11 with drop handlebars and over the weekend to have fitted new Ritchey Venturemax XL (52cm) drop handlebars. But to make them work I’m having to go back to my parts bins and run old Suntour Bar Con Power Shifters (6 speed barend shifters) in friction mode…
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Jones LWB Spaceframe
So this is my Jones LWB Spaceframe bike that I have improved with changing out the over stuff Jones Truss Forks to much more comfortable Jones Unicrown Forks. I have also upgraded the handlebars from Jones H-Bar Loop to a Salsa Woodchipper handlebars and only because the Woodchipper drop handlebars come in a Max is…
