RobiNZ Personal Blog
https://www.robincapper.net/personal/
I have a CAD, Design blog but this is for all the other stuff which interests me!en-NZdaily22024-01-27T16:35:33+13:00My best car from the 1990s?
https://www.robincapper.net/personal/2024/01/my-best-car-from-the-1990s.html
Guess, or click the link to see, which one I picked... Surprised they say ~6 left in the U.K., probably that many still in NZ? One, albeit the later 2001 year 155, in my garage. The best cars from the 1990s, but which is your favourite? - Autocar With the 80s having been well and truly plundered for affordable classics, the 90s is next up. Here’s your ultimate guide to the cars to buy now – before their prices soar out of reach...AutomobileFiat BravoMy CarsRobiNZ2024-01-27T16:35:33+13:002023 Blogging Highlights
https://www.robincapper.net/personal/2023/12/2023-blogging-highlights.html
See 2023 Blogging Highlights on the other blog.WeblogsRobiNZ2023-12-31T23:59:00+13:00A GBU letter to Car Magazine (U.K.)
https://www.robincapper.net/personal/2023/12/a-gbu-letter-to-car-magazine-uk.html
Sent to the 'letters to Editor' email 2023-12-23: CARMAGAZINE.CO.UK IN A BROWSER THE GOOD: Content, photography looks so good on screen THE BAD: Web layout and user interface. SLOW loading times even on fibre, why do I ever see a spinning load wheel? THE UGLY: Poor reading experience the way pages respond in a browser. PDF magazines from car clubs better emulate reading a high quality publication. THE ONE TO BUY: Yes, but get the pulp format if you don't live on the other side of the planet* * where it often arrived weeks late and (if on a wet...AutomobileWeb/TechRobiNZ2023-12-23T13:39:00+13:00A form I'll never fill out... UOA Body Bequest Section Two
https://www.robincapper.net/personal/2023/12/a-form-ill-never-fill-out.html
Part of my 'doing things I should have done long ago' was actually organising donating whatever collection of atoms I comprise of at the end for a useful purpose. I'm not religious so consider once dead the container I formerly occupied is just that. Now the medical school get first refusal, then transplant donations etc. if they don't want it. Still felt a bit odd to look at part two of the UOA Body Bequest form and wonder when and how it will be filled out...MeRobiNZ2023-12-16T09:00:01+13:00Tern BYB P8 Bike in a box, the Tern Airporter Slim ready for the world
https://www.robincapper.net/personal/2023/11/tern-byb-p8-bike-in-a-box-airporter-slim-ready-for-the-world.html
The BYB in my Tern BYB P8 folding bike mode name stands for 'Bring Your Bike'. The wonderful thing about a folding bike is taking it, anywhere. When I saw the Tern Airporter Slim case, on their site, the idea of an easily flyable bike really appealed. It isn't for point-to-point touring, more 'hub and spoke' (day rides from a base) but that is the type of cycle touring I like. Photo from Tern Website Trying to buy one... None of the local Tern dealers had one in stock. Rouleur, where I got my bike, were happy to order it...CyclingMy BikesTern BYBRobiNZ2023-11-08T23:08:38+13:00The Lancia Delta, Big Car YouTube and me!
https://www.robincapper.net/personal/2023/10/the-lancia-delta-big-car-youtube-and-me.html
Big Car recently released his comprehensive video on the history of the Lancia Delta and I was happy to give a small hand to the production. As a Patreon supporter, I saw an early cut of it and recognised some concept design images he'd used. Back in the 80s, when I was studying Product Design (at what is now Unitec) I used to cycle around the car dealers in Great North Rd and Newmarket to see the new cars (and still do!). When the Delta arrived in their showroom Continental Cars had some books (more than a brochure) about the...AutomobileBooksDesignFIATRobiNZ2023-10-08T22:10:31+13:00Recalling a ride in the only Porsche 911 I've ever liked
https://www.robincapper.net/personal/2023/10/recalling-a-ride-in-the-only-porsche-911-ive-ever-liked.html
A post by Swade, asking 'A question from a reader….. Which Porsche 911 should he buy?', had me remembering the only Porsche 911 I've ever liked. For some reason I'm immune to '911 desire'* as they really do nothing for me except for memories of one experience. Back in 1999 I had the fastest auto ride in my life around the Pukekohe track as a passenger in a Lighting Direct Porsche 911 GT Le Mans Turbo with Kiwi race driver Owen Evans driving in 'one arm mode'. Owen's left arm was crushed in a horrific land speed record attempt crash...AutomobileRobiNZ2023-10-07T13:11:29+13:00A new home for my blogs, Me Dot Net?
https://www.robincapper.net/personal/2023/09/a-new-home-for-my-blogs-me-dot-net.html
My blog is still on TypePad but now, after nearly twenty years of procrastination, are accessed via www.robincapper.net. The story of how that happened is here... A new home for my blogs, Me Dot Net? - RobiNZ CAD Blog (robincapper.net)Web/TechWeblogsRobiNZ2023-09-01T23:24:08+12:00Missing the link? Hobsonville Rd Proposed Cycleway and SH16 Cycle Path
https://www.robincapper.net/personal/2023/06/hobsonvillerd-proposed-cycleway-sh16-cyclepath.html
AT are currently seeking consultation on a roadside cycleway link between Westgate and Hobsonville Point. From there it will link into the existing Upper Harbour path/cycleway to connect to the North Shore. It will run along the existing Hobsonville Rd with provision for bikes added to the road intersections along its length. Hobsonville Road Cycleway | AT Site Link Auckland Transport is working to deliver a connected safe cycle network across Auckland. The Hobsonville Road Cycleway will provide safer access for cyclists to the Hobsonville Ferry Terminal and the new bus interchange at Westgate serving the Western Express. This is...AucklandCyclingTraffic Light ThoughtsRobiNZ2023-06-10T19:33:03+12:00The Big Bike Film Night Matinee ride
https://www.robincapper.net/personal/2023/06/the-big-bike-film-night-matinee-ride.html
Back in early May I, guiltily, DROVE to The Big Bike Film Night in Avondale. It was due the grim evening weather; sporadic torrential rain and the thought of sitting in damp clothes for a few hours didn't really appeal. The Hollywood is a great venue, and it was awesome to see a huge turnout for Brett's evening of cycling inspiration. The quality and wide subject range of films—from bike packing adventure, amazing MTB families, endurance cycling on vintage bikes, e-bike enabling mobility, and school commuting, to name a few—year after year is amazing. Even the pre-run promotions, many of...CyclingFilmRobiNZ2023-06-04T22:04:00+12:00Modern 'cars' aren't safer for those outside them
https://www.robincapper.net/personal/2023/05/modern-cars-arent-safer-for-those-outside-them.html
A mention in David Slack's (brilliant) More than Feilding Substack led me to an opinion piece by Auckland (National) List MP Paul Goldsmith opposing reducing speed limits 'because cars are safer' and he included the Auckland CBD in his argument. I wrote to him... Sent: Saturday, 6 May 2023 16:19 To: Paul.Goldsmith@parliament.govt.nz <Paul.Goldsmith@parliament.govt.nz> Subject: Cars are not safer, for pedestrians Hi Paul, Take issue with your 'cars are safer' and citing reducing CBD speed limits in Auckland as an example of poor policing in this recent NZ Herald article: "Auckland Transport has proposed the entire area of the CBD inside...AucklandAutomobileCyclingRobiNZ2023-05-11T17:59:46+12:00Vale to my Samsung Active 2 Smart Watch
https://www.robincapper.net/personal/2023/05/vale-my-samsung-active-2-smart-watch-1.html
Vale to my Samsung Active 2 smart watch which finally died today while I was doing housework. Technically is it still alive... I thought the strap had broken but it was the entire watch face dangling off the case, hanging by a ribbon connector! Has been a great device (does most of my ride/walk tracking) and lasted far longer than I thought it would after the 'hare incident' in Roxburgh in February 2022... After finishing cycling a leg of the Clutha Gold Trail I was riding slowly around a park paying more attention to possible 'framing' for a photo of...Time Out NZ 2021-22Web/TechRobiNZ2023-05-07T17:45:14+12:00Going green: Electric, Hybrid or...?
https://www.robincapper.net/personal/2023/05/going-green-electric-hybrid-or.html
"Big Car" (currently a Tesla owner) wonders if pure electric cars are a fad and if there is a better answer.... I wonder if the current technology pure electric is transitional but also don't think hybrid is the answer either. If you so rarely need the ICE component just buy an electric and rent an ICE car when you need range rather than carry the complication and mass of a generator? But I also wonder about the ecological impact of scrappage replacing ICE for electric. NZ power is pretty green, ~80% renewable, so if you can grid charge source isn't...AutomobileFiat AbarthRobiNZ2023-05-06T17:06:15+12:00Bing Chat GPT slips?
https://www.robincapper.net/personal/2023/04/bing-chat-gpt-slips.html
Ask the Microsoft Bing (Chat GPT powered) how up to date its database is and it seems to slip. A true answer is visually backspaced, to be replaced by PR? Watch it happen here. Bing answers truthfully Bing rolls back to thisWeb/TechRobiNZ2023-04-28T19:01:52+12:00Over a century, and about a week, of memorials...
https://www.robincapper.net/personal/2023/04/over-a-century-and-about-a-week-of-memorials.html
It's ANZAC day today and my Great Grandfather, Ernest Bock, was one of so many who went to war and didn't come back. On Saturday I attended the celebration of Paul Rodler’s life. A work colleague, friend, who drove to work on Monday 17th April and, after a tragic road collision, didn't come back. Although we both left TWG a few years ago still used to catch up occasionally. Last time, in early Feb, he gave me heaps (as was his style) for turning up to dinner on a bicycle, on my work bike/train commute, even more so when I...ANZACFamilyMeRobiNZ2023-04-25T13:48:19+12:00A Fiat 132!
https://www.robincapper.net/personal/2023/04/a-fiat-132.html
The first Fiat I drove, back in the late 70s, was a 132. A very rare sight now in New Zealand, anywhere, so had to snap this when I saw one (the white saloon in the background) this morning when I stopped at the pharmacy on the way to work. It was a newer model, but there is no way I'd ever see our family 132 on the road again...AutomobileFIATRobiNZ2023-04-13T08:00:00+12:00Memories of Antarctica
https://www.robincapper.net/personal/2023/04/memories-of-antarctica.html
When the random TV screen saver (of my content) transports you straight back to Antarctica, a couple of years after visiting 🙂 The day: Kayaking, a landing and endless evening from Antarctic Mission 2019 - RobiNZ Personal Blog (typepad.com)Antarctic MissionRobiNZ2023-04-10T10:05:15+12:00