It’s 7.30am, the weather today should be good, Bobby is already around asking me if I’m still ok to go in town, to Clevedon. I passed through yesterday :-). I hope I’m going to find a shop nearby. I still cannot believe that chain broke yesterday.
First Bobby drove me to a bicycle shop in Papakura where I repaired my bike, then I cycled back to Kawakawa bay again.
Packing everything
One hour later all my stuff is in Bobby’s car and we are drive towards Clevedon. Once we arrived there, there is no cycle shop, just a sign. Interestingly, that sign tells us that there is indeed a guy who offers to fix bikes but he switches in different cities around and will be here on the September 22th… That’s in 3 weeks! haha. Bobby offers me to go to the next city, Ardmore, which is 16km away. This man is really kind!
Few minutes later we reach the next town but we did not find any shop either… Bobby doesn’t seem to want to abandon and takes me in the next bigger city, Papakura. Somebody told us that there is a shop there, a big one. Here we go!
We finally reach our destination and find the shop we were informed of. I thank Bobby for his huge and very kind help. He helps me taking my bike and trailer before he goes on with his life. What a guy!
Less than a minute later, I’m in the shop and explain my issue to one of the technician. The guy does not seem surprise and explain to me few essential things which never occurs to me.
- Hi, I broke my chain yesterday night and I'm looking to replace it.
- Hi, I see, your chain must have stretched too much.
- I'm touring around New Zealand.
- I've done less than a 1000km and it broke, it that normal?
- Well, first of all, a chain doesn't last forever.
- Me with a surprised face.
- Your chain will stretch while your are cycling.
- The heavier the setup, the faster the chain will stretch.
- Also, the more gears you have at the back, the thinner the chain will be which means the faster it will stretch too.
- You should check your chain regularly. We have a tool for that.
- The guy goes and picks a tool from his workshop.
- Here it is (showing me the tool). With this, you can check your chain OR you can also pass by any cycle shop and they will do it for you.
- Ok, I see. For Now, I will change my chain first and for sure, I will keep an eye on that chain along the way. Thanks!
- No worries!
Wow! today, I’ve learned something. I’d never imagine I’d have to look closely at my chain while touring. I was aware that I’d get some punctures. I know how to fix that. But the chain, no idea really. This is gonna impact my initial budget for sure.
I found an article on reviewgeek.com that will explain everything better than I would.
While I’m in town I could use the facilities of this shop, which is huge by the way. I like the toilet paper support :-).
I’ve paid $89NZD for the Shimano XT chain model. Gloups!
The man told me that normally he needs 4 days to repair it but for me I will do it right now. Lucky me!
Finally I’m on the road again after having learned something important today. I will take really care of that chain now and maybe, no beach ride anymore!
This is my second time in Kawakawa bay. I discover something I didn’t see yesterday, a super fish letter box!
A LEGO head letter box!
That’s definitely my favorite until now. Very cool!
I’m finally back in the exact same place as yesterday. I have to be economic now. September starts badly… My wallet is crying!
I will change my spot this time because the other night it was so windy. Just next to the ocean should be perfect (once the tide will be back). Good night :-).