FrankenSeg on the Western Hills

With FrankenSeg dressed up with the x2 kit and Betty ready for a bit of a adventure, we packed up and went off to explore a new track. However, Wellington wasn't really cooperating with us today, over cast skies and strong cold winds prevailed, but, the thirst for adventure was stronger!

A the end of the road near the Wilton Electricty sub-station is a 4-wheel drive track leading up to the Western Hills ridge.

From the top of this track one can see the wind farm out over in Makara to the East and Wellington to the South.

The track up ahead, narrow, very narrow!  Just past the top is a fork in the track, the left going towards Makara and the other to Mount Kaukau. Due to the worsening weather conditions we had to turn back not far past the summit.

And now a video of the trip down, enjoy!

A Time to Blog - Grenada North

Time passes quickly when you're busy! Have managed to do some really great off-road glides and haven't really sat down to blog about them, so here goes..........

Grenada North
North of the city of Wellington lies the suburb of Grenada North, at the end of Caribbean Drive there is a goat track which leads into the Belmont Regional park. Starting off as a 4x4 track it quickly becomes very steep and the track/path is mostly overgrown and almost non-existent.

We managed to go as far as the middle bit, halfway towards the Horokiwi Bridleway, but had to turn back as very steep and the track almost invisible under the growth of brush and grass. Maybe another day.....

On the way down we found another track to follow, and follow it we did! After a couple of kms we reached a dead-end and had to turn back.



The way back was just as fun and exhilarating with Betty leading the way back down to Grenada North.

FrankenSeg meets a BMX Track

Somewhere out there in the Internet is a video clip of some dude gliding an x2 on a Supercross track. It looked like fun so I went to find one here. The best I could find was a BMX track, not as 'clean' or as trimmed as the other one, but, fun! Feels like what the x2 was meant for...

We had visited this park on a previous trip, but now we're back equipped with a video camera :-)

And here's the first take on the track.......



After a quick trip around the area, well....we just had to come back :-)



And Little Black Dog took a breather and met some of the boys at the skate tube... :-)

Segway Regulatory Information

In New Zealand owners operate their Segway PT as a Mobility Device, the same category as a mobility scooter or electric wheelchair. Mobility Devices must be operated on footpaths whenever they exist and are reasonably accessible, otherwise along the side of the road with traffic (in which case road rules must be obeyed). On footpaths, operators must ride at a speed that does not endanger others, and give way to pedestrians.

Kids on Segway -

It was a fine day and off to the local school grounds we ventured.



Clarinda showing off her Segway skills!



And here's Isabella going for a cruise along the sports field.

Setton-Nossiter Park - Videos

Here are a couple of experimental videos done by strapping a video camera to the fender of the Segway.

Map of the surrounding area, Woodridge, Paparanigi and Newlands


View Seton-Nossiter Park in a larger map

And of course, the Little Black Dog (LBD)  aka Betty, features during random scenes within the videos!
Most of the track could be done with the i2 tires, but, it's more fun with the 'fatties' on!

This is a definitely a fun track to do again! Hopefully next time we'll get our hands on a helmet-cam of some sort, bearing in mind that in several places the branches hang kinda low. Come to think of it, it would be interesting to find out what wireless coverage there is down there.


Part I -



Part II - Yes, this is a narrow track! In a couple of places there is only a few inches to spare. Of course having LBD leading the way helped to keep us on track! :-)



Well, that's that for now!

Breaker Bay - Wellington, New Zealand

Type: Sandy beach; Walking track

Wheels: x2

Grade: Medium

Breaker Bay is another one of those hidden secrets around Wellingtons eastern bays. It features a sheltered beach at one end for swimmers and sunbathers (and the occasional nudists!), at other end is a popular dive entry point.  The car park near the Southern entrance to the bay is a great spot  from which one can 'chill out'  and watch the ferries and leisure boats go in and out of Wellington harbor.


View Larger Map

Much of the beach is made up of fine, wheel eating sand and can be quite taxing on the batteries, not to mention, interesting to glide through! Patience and good balance are important as a momentary lapse of attention can be painful.

This was shot from the car park and gives and 'over view' of the beach and the path leading up to the lookout.

One the interesting features here is the 'hole' in the rock which can be seen in the following clip.

Getting around on the sand was a real struggle for the Segway, chewing through a 'bar' per kilometer, but no problem for the Betty, the Little Black Dog, seen recharging at the top of the lookout.

Also a the top we found these guys watching over the entrance to Wellington harbor.

And here's a view from top........

And....Segway at rest!

Looking across to the houses around Breaker Bay and Eves Bay