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Bike Workshop Digital Resources

As part of ‘My Ultimate Bike Tool Kit’ project I’m conscious that digital resources are as important as any other tool in a workshop. I constantly find myself following manufacturers videos and How To Guides when working on bikes. As part of My Ultimate MTB Tool Kit project I’m looking to have a mount for my phone or a tablet so I can easily access/view these resources while working on bikes even if my hands are mucky. In this post I’m looking to collate some useful links along with some resources I find really useful (and why)

ok, lets get into it

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Excellent ‘how to bike’ video series by Ben Cathro for Pinkbike

In this ten-part series for Pinkbike, Ben Cathro is breaking down fundamental bike skills and techniques that will make you a better rider. I’m saving these here so I can easily find them in the future. As a coach they are a great resource both for clients and for myself. Ben’s thoughts and processes largely align with my own and so the information is great to have to hand both for someone I’m working with or as a refresh for myself prior to a coaching session.

On top of the content the production value from Pinkbike is excellent. Its well shot and edited plus those neat little graphics sprinkled liberally through out add real value. Well done Ben and Pinkbike High Five!!

OK, grab a brew and lets get into it

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My Ultimate MTB Tool Kit – Initial Contents List Plan

I’m in the process of putting together my “ultimate MTB tool kit” and I thought it might help folks if I share my thoughts along the way. In this post you will find the list of tools and parts I’m putting together.

https://www.parktool.com/assets/img/product/_productDetail/EK-3_001.jpg
Park Tool’s EK-3 Tool Kit will provide the base

The immediate motivation for this process is that last week my vehicle was broken into and a bag with all my favourite, my daily use bike tools was stolen.

I’ve always had a desire to create a race mechanics travel style kit so as the tools need to be replaced anyway this seems like a good opportunity to do so, a silver lining to the theft.

So ok, lets have a look at my plan and what I’ve ordered so far

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Should you keep a personal PPE gear register? – GearLog

If you work in a professional environment using your own Category 3 PPE (most harnesses, helmets or PFD’s) then in my honest opinion you should keep a personal PPE Gear Register and it should be accessible for employers to view.

In this post I’m going to look at some of the detail around PPE Gear Registers I find interesting, why I think you should log your gear and a simple, free solution for you to use. OK, grab a brew and lets get into it

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Framing Leave No Trace – The Why

In this post I’m going to outline how I frame Leave no Trace to students I work with. Why? Because all to often I hear outdoor staff detailing the 7 Leave No Trace Principals without connecting participants to “why its important”. I have a bit of a spiel I do and I feel like I get a good response from my students both in terms of applying the principals and connecting with the reasons behind it. By sharing the framing I’m aiming to help other instructors find their way of framing the “why” and contribute to improving the delivery of Leave No Trace.

Leave No Trace NZ
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Te Ahi Manawa Video trail guide – Grade 5 Rotorua Redwoods New Zealand

Te Ahi Manawa, “The Burning Heart”, is another favourite trail of mine although one I don’t ride enough. It takes a technical line through some beautiful forest on the South Eastern side of the trail and descends down to Lake Rotokakahi (Green Lake).

In this video it looks like I’m just pootling along, I’m certainly not pushing the envelope!! Its a narrow trail with lots of nadgery bits and trees to clack your bars on. When pushing hard it is a significant challenge.

The A line branch hop seen at 00:01:14 is actually easier than it looks but requires good commitment. I’ve ridden it before easily enough but forgot it was coming this time down and its definitely something to be ready for.

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Billy-T and G-Rock Video trail guide – Grade 4 Rotorua Redwoods New Zealand

Billy T starts just up the hill from the drop off of the Hill Road shuttles and is, therefore, a popular well ridden grade 4 trail in the Redwoods. It starts through native bush before popping out into the post apocolyptic wasteland of recently harvested forest. G-Rock continues on through the nuclear winter-esque landscape via some big corners.

As a Grade 4 trail its fun technical and flowy then gets fast and loose as it breaks into the open. The big drop (seen in the video) has been replaced since filming with a big table top boosting into a super fast lander. I preferred the drop but the new feature is still fun.

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K2 Video trail guide – Grade 5 Rotorua Redwoods New Zealand

K2 is a steep grade 5 on the open side of the hill with fun, technical riding but lots to catch you out, it’s a good challenge.

In the video you’ll see the awkward, steep, tight corners and big off camber roots that make this a challenging track. When thinking about the days route its a very useful link from the Katore Road area over to the Hot X Buns and Hill Road Shuttle areas.

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Box of Birds Video trail guide – Grade 3 Rotorua Redwoods New Zealand

Box of Birds is one of my favourite trails in Rotorua. It has fun technical sections and loads of flow.

Its given grade 3 on the Whakarewarewa Forest maps but I think it definitely deserves grade 4. Have a look at the video and see what you think, let me know your thoughts in the comments below or on the YouTube video. I’ll put trail data and trailforks links below so you can easily find it and ride it for yourself.

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