R&R Sport
Sep 18
Christchurch News
What’s going on..
We are officially out of our 117 Riccarton road location on September the 23rd. You will find us, and all our stock, in our newly expanded Tower Junction site. We are squeezing in for a month or so as our Megastore is due to open 16th November. This is super exciting for us - the first time we will have a great big pretty store since the earthquakes.
Camping season is around the corner and we have our new seasons Freedom Dome tents due in from the 24th of September and the Canvas tents a week or so later. We will be having an outdoor Tent Sale this year at Latimer Square on the 12-14th of October. We will be pitching all tents so great opportunity to see them pitched and compare sizes and features.
Whats on sale at the moment? Heaps…..
At least 30% off all remaining 2012 bikes
30% off the entire merino Mons Royale and Icebreaker ranges
30-60% off ALL winter stock at our Riccarton site until we move.
Whats happening in the area?
The worlds largest womens adventure race, the “Spring Challenge” is on the 28th-30th September in and around Methven, keep an eye out for competitors as they Raft, bike, hike for 3, 6, or 12hrs. Check out www.springchallenge.co.nz for more info.
What are the staff up to?
Graeme is back from a well deserved holiday and has been getting his groove on at the last original Wiggles tour with his little rug-rats.
Fleur placed 1st in the Icebreaker Quickie in the Forest and one of our part-timers/coaster-in-training, Tabitha, got 4th
Bike boys Ford, Nick, and Willy are having a “see you out there” day (this is where the boss pays!!) and taking off for a day riding the Wharfdale track in the Oxford area.
Duncan went up to Craigieburn with Hans Peter from Ski/Board Surgery and had an epic day last Wednesday. The snow is excellent according to them.
Rusty, Graeme, and Nydia are forming a socially competitive touch rugby team “Lost Property” for the summer……
Winter News
Arthurs Pass ski areas basking in fresh snow - Broken River, Cragieburn 12cm, Cheeseman 17cm, Temple Basin 45cm!! Avalanche risk is high so don’t forget your transceivers/probes/shovels.
If you want to come and join some of the staff for after work rides, keep and eye on our Weekly Rides page on Facebook.
What’s happening out of the store…
Daylight savings Sunday 30th September!! Dust off your bikes, running shoes, togs, jandals, bikinis, mankinis or what ever floats your boat for the long sunny evenings!
First 20 people to mention this mailer get a free standard bike service!
“See you out there!”
Graeme and The Crew at R&R Sport Christchurch
The view from Ohau on one of our recent Ski trips.
Aug 31
Mat our GM visits Trek HQ, Wisconsin
Our GM Mat Woods was over in the States at Trek World checking out the new 2013 Trek range, and he came back stoked - here’s why in his own words …
Trek World, Madison, Wisconsin.
Over the years I have been fortunate enough to get to visit some cool companies that make some great gear. Getting the recent opportunity to visit Trek bicycles in Madison Wisconsin, would have to rate as a highlight of companies I have visited. Trek is a company with a great story and they truly have passion for making the best bikes on the planet.
Born in a barn.
The year is 1976, Waterloo Wisconsin. Dick Burke and five employees build a culture of craftsmanship.
Raised on Rocket Science.
In the 1980s Trek grows the family by adding engineers from outside of cycling. Engineers who built Airplanes, Rockets, Spaceships. It becomes a culture of invention. Trek’s new engineers evolve the process of bonding frames together. First Aluminum. Then the emerging material Carbon Fibre.
Raced to Win.
Racing is the ultimate proving ground. 1999 Trek supplies the first Tour de France team to race exclusively on carbon frames. It’s the start of a race resume greater than any modern brand. Great athletes ride Trek.
Fabian Cancellara’s custom ‘yellow jersey’ Trek Domane
Loved the World over.
The Trek of today is a family of cyclists for cyclists. Bikes lean on desks. Lunchtime rides turn into lunch time races. They live on the road and the trail because they are a group of people who believe anything is possible - and continue to prove it, all over the world.
Warrantied for life.
They still strive to build the best bikes in the world every day. It’s the mission Dick Burke launched in 1976, when the first Trek was built. That very first bike is still under warranty today. A promise the family made to its very first customer, and with every bike since.
Today.
Trek is still privately owned by the Burke family. John Burke (Dicks son) is now the President. Trek manufactures a large amount of their Carbon Road and Mountain bikes in there factory in Waterloo.
We were fortunate on the first day of this trip to get a tour of the manufacturing plant. If you are ever passing through Waterloo on a Thursday they have tours open to the public. Arriving at the Trek offices is very exciting you are greeted by an amazing collection of race wining bikes used by Lance as well as many other pieces of history and nostigla.
From here you go straight onto the factory floor. Trek were very open at showing you everything. Design, Graphics, Engineering, Testing, Production, how they put their carbon bikes together and the race department. It was exciting to see on the day we were there that Anton Cooper (Trek sponsored NZ rider on the world cup) was there getting his bikes specially built for him.
From here it was time to try out some of the 2013 bikes. There was both Mountain and Road to choose from. Trek have 100 acres of land next the factory called “The farm” where they employ full time staff to build and maintain trails.
I test rode the 2013 Rumblefish and the all new 2013 Superfly 100 SL both in a 17”. The Rumblefish is such a beautiful bike. Everybody should have one, if you want one bike to do it all then this is my choice. The 29” wheels don’t just roll faster, they also roll over uneven terrain easier. The Rumblefish has a 5” suspension system. Trek have their own Fox suspension design called Dual Rate Control Valve, sounds like a mouthful. In a nut shell DRCV has 2 chambers instead of one. The first one smooths out the little bumps and the secound kicks in when you need it on the bigger drops. Does it work you ask? Hell yes, come demo one (available in selected R&R Sport stores from mid September - Auckland , Nelson, Christchurch, Dunedin and Queenstown)
The
Superfly 100 SL - what a weapon! This is the
ultimate cross country 4” full suspension racing machine. The Superfly 100 SL is a complete new frame for 2013. This frame was part of the
Apollo development project, the goal to make the lightest carbon 29er mountain bike. I think they achieved this at 1650 grams. This bike rides so well thanks to the G2 geometry. A custom offset fork gives you precise handling at low speed without compromising high-speed stability. G2 is the answer to enable the 29er to have the feel of a 26” wheel on tight single track.
Come demo a Superfly - we expect them in store mid September also.
Mat Woods
2013 Trek bikes currently in stock
Due soon - the performance range bikes, watch this space…
2013 Trek Madone 3.5 Road Bike
2013 Trek Superfly 100 AL 29er
2013 Trek Superfly 100 AL Elite 29er
2013 Trek Superfly 100 AL Pro 29er
2013 Trek Rumblefish Elite 29er
2013 Trek Remedy 8
2013 Trek Slash
Aug 28
2013 Giant Anthem 29ers are here……
Guess what just arrived in store??? 2013 Giant Anthem X 29er – 1,3 and 4W (the first womens specific Anthem 29er!) styles….give us a day or two to build them, then come and see the eye-candy!
Giant TCR Advanced 2 Road bike
I have the priviledge of using this Giant road bike. It’s a DREAM to ride compared to my earlier version of the TCR series. It is light but and stiff which is very important for a track sprinter. I find that I can feel the power that I put into the pedals to drive the bike forward. The Ultegra gearing is smooth and handling is very responsive. My tip for purchasing any new Giant road bike is to use the knowledge of the staff at R&R for sizing as you can’t just fit any stem on these bikes. If you need to adjust the length of the stem, you need to purchase a ‘Giant’stem. You will not regret purchasing the TCR Advanced 2! Happy riding!
Fresh tracks, no queues….sound good? Read on about Back country ski touring…..
We reckon backcountry touring is something you should try. And it has never been easier, with huge advances in equipment in recent years:
- More boot options to match your foot shape and skiing style.
- Improved touring bindings that let you climb up the hill without compromising performance and safety on the down.
- Modern wide skis which can handle varying backcountry snow conditions yet are still lightweight for the skin up.
- More split board options for the adventurous boarder.
- Avalanche gear which is light to carry but still fit for purpose.
R&R Sport has all the latest gear and knowledgeable staff in-store to make getting geared up easier than ever. Check our our great prices on G3 gear, a brand specialising in backcountry equipment.
And before you think “backcountry is too hardcore for me”… read on…
Miff our Marketing Manager has recently dabbled, here is her take:
“I thought I had better see what all the buzz was about so last year I borrowed some skins and alpine trekker adapter bindings, bought some Garmont Xena boots, and gave it a go. Skinning is like hiking on skis - it’s a great form of exercise and I loved it as much as the downhill. Helmet on, skins on, backpack and camelbak (its thirsty work), goggles, layers etc ….off up the hill. You’re in your own zone, all you can hear is the huffing and puffing of your hardwork. Yep had to stop and peel off a few layers. Get up top, enjoy the view, solitude. Ski down.
So that was phase one. Easy to do for anyone who already has a bit of ski gear.
This year I’ve invested in Marker F10 bindings, Volkl Aura skis, skins, shovel, probe and a pieps (avalanche transceiver). Next challenge, learn how to use it all, do a safety course, find some mates and head off side/back country.”
Where to go
There are excellent backcountry touring options on both North and South Islands. In the North Island, Ruapehu can have some of the best spring corn to be found anywhere, and touring can be on the cards when the big dumps come in the Ruahine, Tararua and Kaimanawa Ranges.
The South Island has a wealth of backcountry skiing. From Nelson Lakes National Park in the North to The Remarkables in the South, the opportunities are numerous. See the Ski Touring New Zealand website for some inspiration.
Also check out the New Zealand Alpine Club’s excellent guide to Backountry Skiing to get an insight into the available options - you will probably be surprised how much opportunity is out there.
But what about avalanches…
Avalanche risk is certainly a reality in the backcountry, but the risk can be managed to an acceptable level by evaluating certain key factors before heading out. The best way to get a handle on these factors is to do an Avalanche Awareness Course. Courses are offered by the Mountain Safety Council throughout New Zealand, so get yourself booked on one before you head out… see
here for more info on courses near you. If you can’t get to a course, at the very least have a read of the
NZAC Avalanche Awareness book.
The primary rule - don’t go into the backcountry alone or without avalanche gear if avalanche is at all possible.
And finally, remember to check the Avalanche Advisory before your backcountry trip.
Still not sure, and want to try before you buy?
Backcountry touring gear is available for Demo or Hire through R&R Sport in Queenstown:
1. At our Coronet Peak demo days every Wednesday and Sunday throughout July, or
2. Instore in our Rental department
R&R Sport Queenstown have skis, skins, shovels, probes, transceivers, snow shoes, packs and even split-boards to hire. See here for the rates or contact us in-store for more info.
May 10
Who wants to win a NEW season’s Bataleon Snowboard?? Yeah we knew it, you do.
Follow us on Facebook during May to find out how… More details coming soon on facebook.com/rrsportnz
Apr 27
[video]
Apr 19
Woohoo! Our brand new R&R Sport Albany store is now open!!!
Pop in and say Hi to the hardworking staff :)
Contact number and Address.
Inside look into Team R&R Sport's GODZone Journey
Apr 13
Seagate place 1st in GODZone Adventure Race
WINNING VICTORY FOR TEAM SEAGATE AT GODZONE ADVENTURE
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Team Seagate, finished the Orion Health GODZone Adventure six day race in a time of three days,14 hours and 55 minutes (86.55mins)!
Apr 11
GODZone Adventure Race Update
Amazing work guys! - 2 days, nearly 3 hours into the GODZone race and team R&R Sport has completed a 15km sea kayak, 49km road bike, 36 km whitewater canoe, 54km bush trek, 81km mountain bike ride and are currently in stage 6 working through the 48km mountain trek through the Eyre mountains, holding onto 4th place! Incredible to follow!
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