Sydney Critical Mass

(280km down 520km to go)

Hipster Olympics

(250km down 550km to go)

Innocence and Experience: with apologies to William Blake

I started my long distance training rides today however, instead of going to West Head I decided to go up to the Blue Mountains to see Ruth. For the first 30km I was feeling a little a bit off and wasn’t sure if I was pushing myself too much after having the flu. Riding on the M4 reminded me of playing a computer game called Frogit where you have to dodge cars and crocks. However in my M4 Motorway game you dodge the bricks, truck tires and broken glass that makes up most of the cycle/break down lane. And there are the cars and trucks at the onramp/off ramp intersections. These are nasty to deal with, as cars pull off them at 100km/h through heavy traffic while your trying to guess if they’ll even bother indicating. Working hard to safely negotiate these intersections reminded me of something Charles Baudelaire said about streets, cars and the smell of death, but I can’t remember what that was. Anyway, the trucks smelt like death on wheels. What I like about the M4 is the rhythm I get into on the flat/straight ride, but for all the stress its really no good for training. I only saw one other cyclist out there. When I got to the hill (aka Blue Mouuntains) at Lapstone I felt better as if my body had woken up after what have been some sluggish weeks. Around 1pm I pulled into Valley Heights to see Ruth then at 3pm I turned around to head home. I felt comfortable on the highway but pretty soon had to negotiate the fast decent at Lapstone. About 400m from the RAFF base the side lane turns to gravel and I had go on the highway amongst heavy traffic. I put my superflash light on and thanged as hard as I could on the downhill. I caught up to one car descending at 72km/h. It was a huge adrenaline kick but it less fun because of the heavy traffic. I got down the hill and then something strange happened. I started to get stomach pains like I’d never had before. I’d clearly eaten too much or the wrong type of food because I was in total agony. I thought it was just a cramp and I’d pass through it so I pressed on. But it got worse and worse, so much that I could barely twist my torso. I painfully went on hovering at around 22km/h. for another 40km. Then I finally pulled off at Parramatta when it was getting too dark. This was the worst ride I’d ever done and I didn’t realise how much pain I could put myself in from indigestion on a big ride. I won’t describe what happened when I got home but I'm feeling a lot better. From now on I’m sticking with the bananas and muesli bars.

(150km down/ 650km to go)

Random thoughts

I have finally discovered bloglines ( yeah. I'm a bit slow with these things) and have been keeping a sharper eye on the blogsphere. Recently my favourite posts have been coming from a blog called Bike Snob NYC. This blogger ruthlessly rips into all things in fixed-geared bike culture. Check it out for a good laugh. I absolutely love this piss take on this picture (left) from fixgeargallery.

This morning was my first ride in two weeks since having the flu. I did the usual 35km circuit to Uni and back. The most interesting thing that happened was I rode through the middle of a swam of wasps. Luckly I had glasses on. I've been feeling very slow and I didn’t even push it into the big chain ring. I’m feeling a little bit anxious about my fitness. I've also have some soar knee problems but they seem to have improved since I stopped riding the single speed (up nasty hills) and started taking fish oil tablets with glucosamine. In one month from now I’m going to be doing the Grafton to Inverell race (again). So, this Sunday I'm going to start training with the first of some long training rides out of Sydney. I intend to go West Head for lunch then I'll ride back to Manly. I estimate I really need to do around 800km in the next few weeks to prepare for the race.

(35km down / 765km to go)

Get out and walk!

Just read this excellent article from the Guardian Online.

The fume-spewing, fattening car is also utterly expendable
The real enemies of the environment are the obdurate millions who refuse to accept they can function without driving
By Lynsey Hanley @ The Guardian

By the year 5555, prophesied the one-hit wonders Zager and Evans in their queasy late-60s record In the Year 2525, our arms will have gone floppy and our legs grown useless because we'll have "some machine" to do the work that once kept our limbs healthy. That machine has already been invented. It's called the car, and it does more damage to our bodies, our built environment, our climate and our communities than anyone who drives a lot seems prepared to admit, even to themselves. A case in point is last week's revelation that excessive car use is a greater contributor to obesity than excessive cake consumption, because of all the calories that drivers are failing to burn off over the course of countless walkable journeys. Research carried out by the Institute for European Environmental Policy shows that, in the last 30 years - when all but 19% of households have become car owners - the amount of time we spend walking has decreased, from 67 hours per person per year to 47, while time spent driving has increased precipitously, from 91 to 151 hours per driver per year.

As a lifelong pedestrian and user of public transport, the only trouble I tend to experience in getting from A to B is having to listen to people who usually drive describe pleasant, speedy journeys as "a bloody shambles". Methinks they protest too much, mindful that to be caught sharing transport with other people is to show the world what a loser you are. Anyway, these serial complainers have presumably never been in a traffic jam, or been subject to roadworks.

People who have always driven, and were driven around as children, have no idea what it's like to be a pedestrian. They don't care about the fumes they emit, because they can't smell or sense them inside their cars. They don't care about the noise they make, because all they can hear while locked inside their car is a low, comforting purr. They don't care about the fact that the one-way system and the inner ring road make getting into and around towns a dirty, stressful ordeal, because the first they know about it is when they emerge from the car park into the shopping centre.

.... continued here

The idea of the average UK resident doing an average of 67 hours per year seemed truly shocking. I did some quick sums and I reckon I'd do at least 400 hours a year on the bike, so I guess I won't have to buy another machine to keep my limbs healthy.

The Cyclists Special excursion to Rugby

(Part 1)

(Part 2)

A new bike reality!

Well, after for all my complaining, I've finally finished paying off my track bike which I put a deposit on 4 months ago. Its an Apollo Record. It used to be called a Raceline, but its really just a rebadged Monoc track frame (made in Taiwain). With all this relabbeling, it doesn't exactly scream authentic pista fashionista, but its made with good quality parts and its good enough for me. Can't wait to get out on the track next week. If only I could get over my man cold.

New bike dreaming

I have been thinking a lot about getting a new bike, or more specifically an everyday (city/commuter) bike for long commutes. I realise that a perfect bike, like many desirable things is an impossible ideal. The quest for the perfect bike is pointless, you’ve got to work with what you’ve got and I've got bugger all disposible income. However, if I can indulge in some fantasies, I’m hoping that there might be a new bike that will make my commutes a little more joyful.

I’m currently riding a 96’ Trek 1200 road bike and a 1970s Malvern Star single speed. I also have a mountain bike that needs major repairs. The Trek is naturally fast but its not comfortable on my 20km commutes to uni. I get some lower back pain and sore shoulders when I ride it a lot. I’d also prefer not to ride in road bike shoes which are a pain with the stop-start nature of urban commuting. I could change them, but don’t want to fiddle around between road and MTB pedals every week. Currently, I ride the Trek most of the time but I’d rather keep it in good condition for Saturday crits and long Sunday training rides. The Malvern Star is a much better commuter bike, despite its age. The tyres go up to around 90psi and they're a 32c which give you nice balance between traction and speed. Even though it looks like an old piece of junk, its perfect for short rides on the flatlands between the inner-west and the city. It’s strong and comfortable with an relaxed riding position. However, the single speed (despite being somewhat fashionable) is not that good for me when I’m riding up those steep hills on the way to Macquarie Uni or if I'm riding with Ruth in the Blue Mountains. I’ve already snapped one quality steel pedal and I’d rather spin my way up hills that leverage every bit of my body weight through the 70 inch gear. Also, the coaster break does not scream confidence when I’m riding amongst the traffic. The Malvern Star is really the perfect bike for riding into the city at night as I never worry about it getting stolen, but its not a long distance commuter bike.

So, back to my ideal bike. The problem is I’m strapped for cash and so the options are somewhat limited. What I’m looking for is some balance between price, comfort, reliability, speed, strength and durability. I guess this is a pretty big wish list for someone who doesn't want to spend over $1000. Looking around many of the big bike companies I’m actually struggling to find anything that resembles my perfect bike. While there has been an explosion in the development of new hybrid/city bikes, there are very few that I’d really want. Although I’m sure that these bikes are perfect people who do short commutes, they're no good for me. Almost all of the hybrids (like the many Giant models) have heavy low quality suspension, which will slow you down and doesn’t do much in terms of comfort when compared to a good saddle. Then there are some really nice flat bar road bikes that are really quick (such as the Trek SU300, Scott Sub10) but they tend to cost quite a lot (i.e. well over $1K). Some of them are made out of carbon fibre which seems pointless to me. Why would you bother going carbon for somethings that’s meant to be a commuter workhorse? And disc brakes, no thanks! Of course, if I had lots of money they’d be no problem. But I want something that I can afford and something thats going to last a long time into the future. Doing lots of searching on the net, I think the closest thing I found is the Jamis Coda Sport. Its fairly light (around 11kg), strong and durable (Renyolds 520 double butted steel frame and fork), quick (700x28c), fairly priced ($1000) and appears to have realiable components (Shimano Deore and SRAM). This strikes me as a fairly well matched bike as least from looking at the specs. I don't know if this is the bike of my dreams but I'm willing to give it a test ride.

Pedal-powered washing machine

For details on how to make one, check out: http://homelessdave.com/hdwashingman.htm

A song for all the dopers

Does this cat remind you of anyone?

From http://icanhascheezburger.com/

Team Borat

With Vino out of the picture it seems that everyone in Astana is now going for Kloden. He even has his own Team Astana Fanclub. So, how many more mankini's can we expect to see between here and Paris?


Taken from cyclingnews.com

Human Powered Cycles

Just got back from Melbourne where there are lots of cool people and cool bikes. Amongst them, I've come across a bike shop called Human Powered Cycles. The shop seems to have a very different work ethic and is aimed at fixing up everyday bikes, recycling, training people in bicycle repairs, and ride to work presentations. They even lend you a spare bike when your's is getting fixed.

A song for all the bike theif arseholes

A very bikely office

There is nothing more enjoyable than opening your office door to find both your colleagues with their bikes. After a sustained period of being the odd one out, I’m starting to get some more company in the bikely tribe. The disease is spreading and it’s highly contagious.

An end (beginning?) to my bike.

I started on this blog late last year and I've been very bad about it... I've also spent most of my time sick, working, or wedding planning and it's meant very little time to bike, let alone write about it. Things being the way they are, I am selling my bike for $550 (ono.) to whoever wants it -- it's a Mongoose Randoneur, with new brakes (Shimmano). The drive train has Shimmano Deore parts. I bought the bike with a number of non-stock parts: the forks are Mozo c7120 and a set of Ritchey Comp handle bars. The crankset has three rings (Also Shimmano Deore, I believe), but I also have the original crank set that came with the bike. The frame is 53 cm (measured top of the seat post to the middle of the bottom bracket). Anyone interested can email me at randy.olson42 [at] gmail.com. Replace the [at] with an @, of course.

All hope isn't lost, though. I'm shipping my 'good' bike, a 2000 Devinci Chameleon from Canada in July. Maybe I will post a pic of that when I get it over. For now, though, it looks like I might be walking until then. I did like my bike, but I found the more I rode it, the more I missed the one I've had a lot of fun on back home. Like anything, biking (or cycling to Australians) is all about what one is passionate about.

Randy

ps.- Here's a photo. Adrian reminded that I might want to put up some specs.. It's got Shimano Deore parts, the person before me also added a set of suspension forks. Its roughly a 56cm frame suitable for rider over 5"10.

World Environment Day Cycle Breakfasts

5 June 2007

7:30 AM – 9:00 AM (Doors Open 7:30 AM)

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Get on your bike this World Environment Day and join the City of Sydney at two breakfasts especially for cyclists this June, 5th.

To thank cyclists for keeping another car off the road, the City is providing a free, hearty breakfast and conversation with fellow cyclists at two venues across Sydney.

Find out more about the plans the City has to make it easier and safer to cycle on our streets as part of its ten year cycle strategy.

And, as the short winter days close in, it's important to be visible on the road. The City has a limited number of safety kits to hand out on the morning.

Venues: Union Square, Pyrmont & Hyde Park South (Oxford Street end)
Time: 7:30 - 9:00am

From City of Sydney website

Welcome to Tempe Velodrome

Track cycling is fun, fast, but not that glamorous in Sydney (if we are to believe reports in the latest edition if RIDE magazine). This is an example of a 7 person lead out sprint which is three laps of the Velodrome. No rider is allowed to overtake for position until the first rider kicks at around the 250m mark on the last lap.

OneLess4WDmum

For the last year I’ve been harassing my sister (and everyone else I know) to join the bikelove cult. Unfortunately, she and her husband had their bikes stolen around 2 years ago and have not been in the position to fork out for new bikes. So what to do? After reassessing my stable, I decided it was time to let go. That black Trek mountain bike that I’d bought for a few hundred dollars was way too small for me but perfect for Ellie, and a perfect present for her 30th b'day. I also noticed that my 1 year old nephew (Josh) had taken a liking to the bike and would always crawl across the room to touch it (much to our concern).
Last week we took the Trek up to Ashfield Cycles to get it fitted out to become a “OneLess4WDmum” machine. With a new childs seat, helmet, rack, and womens saddle, the conversion was complete. Yesterday we took teddy out for a quick spin to build up Ellie's confidence on the new bike. Today we took Josh out for his first bike ride.

From 6th to 2nd

Last Saturday was my second criterium race at Heffron Park. The Dulwich Hill club was well represented in D grade with Grant and Lindsay racing with me. My race almost didn’t begin as I got a flat half way around my warm up lap. Thankfully, the starters waited for me and Lindsay quickly put in my ‘three-patched’ spare tube. I was paranoid for the first few laps that I’d get another flat. The D grade race was a lot quicker than the previous week. All the Dulwich Hill riders did a lot of work at the front. I did several turns at the front although this week I was weary not to do too much work. The first real move in the race came at lap 10 (although due to a counting error we did 11 laps instead of ten). One of the stronger Randwick-Botany riders (Rocky) did a really hard turn at the front and winded up the pace to weaken the field. He then returned back into the pack halfway down the main straight before the final lap. I was now at first wheel and I noticed the pace drop off immediately from the rider in front.

At the first turn I decided to attack and push myself all the way back to the finish line. I choose this point because it was just before a series of sharp turns so I thought that the pack would be slowed down and I’d have the most chance of sustaining a break away. I rode with everything I had until I got to ‘the pimple’ (i.e. the little hill) where I was really starting to hurt. I knew there was only one rider on my wheel, but I didn’t know who it was? As I came down the hill I realised it was my clubmate Lindsay and I found out latter that he was on my wheel when I attached. As we turned to the main straight it was clear that the pack wouldn’t catch up so it was down to the two of us. At this stage I was thoroughly rooted and happy to concede defeat in the sprint. In true trackie style, Lindsay passed me at about 100m to take line honours. I knew Lindsay would pass me and I was happy for him to win. One thought entered my mind after the race. The most important piece of equipment in cycling is your head. Cycling is not just about grunt-work but is much closer to a tactical game like chess and thats what makes it so exciting.

In other bike related news I got rid of my car this week. I sold it for scrap for $100. So while I've barely used it in the last year, I'm now completely detached from the automotive wet nurse. The pick-up guy asked me 'what car do you drive now'... I told him that I didn't drive anymore and to my suprise he responded: 'thats the best way to be'.