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)

---

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'.

The Autumn double

After much huffing and puffing about not having a red jersey, I've finally got my hands on a DHBC jersey from on of the veterans. I like the fact that the jersey has no bloody advertising on it. My racing license also arrived in the mail today, making it an Autumn double. Now I just need to do some training.

My first race

Well, I finally made it to my first race after many delayed starts and rainy weekends. Before the race I wasn’t well prepared as I hadn’t been on the bike for a week and I had a sore knee from a bushwalking hike over the Easter long weekend. I had no idea what to expect but I found the pace of D grade quite easy. In fact I really wanted to speed things up a bit because I don’t like holding on the breaks. If a breakaway had have formed I would have definitely gone with it as I prefer to ride fast race rather than leaving it all to the final sprint. I sat and second and third wheel for almost the entire race until I followed Geoff on his cramp interrupted breakaway and was sprung to the front. For the reminding two and a half laps I would lead the race until the final straight. I was comfortable but I wasn’t feeling too good as the contents of my lunch (salmon on toast) were making themselves known to me. Leading the bunch was tactically stupid but I had no interest attempting to win the sprint. I was keen to first get a feel for racing and then work towards getting some good results in the future.

Improving workplace facilities for cyclists

(Image from SMH online)

While I havn't seen the details, I was pleased to hear that a commercial development has just been approved with the purpose of raising the standards of ecologically sound development in the city. The development will be called Workplace6 and it will be located in Pymont near the Casino. The "6" in "Workplace6" refers to the "6 green star" rating of the Green Building Council of Australia. Amongst the many design measures adopted in the development I was most pleased to see the following sentence:

The building's premium amenities will include showers and change rooms with lockers, 135 secure car spaces and 120 bicycle racks.

Now thats the kind of bike to car spaces ratio that I like to see. The development will be something to be admired but the critical issue is whether the planning legislation will follow it.

Bike eBay

I have watched this bike be stripped piece by piece over the last few days. On Sunday it was just missing the front wheel. Today it’s missing the front fork and headset. Next time I see it, I imagine the pedals will be gone as well. Watch out for orange KHS forks on eBay. Every bike has stories to tell and I’d love to know what happened to this one? Why didn’t the owner collect it? These bike racks at Summer Hill station were only installed two months ago as one of ASHBUGs little victories with the local council. However, the abandoned and stripped bike has quickly turned this infrastructure gain into an advertisement for not cycling.

Chippo trike

'So, you're dreaming of being a f*ckin trackie?'

I guess it was only a matter of time before I hit the track. Maybe there is something in the water? Tonight was my second spin at Tempe velodrome. The previous week I arrived 30mins early. As I was sitting next to my road bike gazing across the velodrome an old guy came up to me and said ‘So, you're dreaming of being a f*ckin trackie?’. I didn’t know what to say but ‘Yes’. In my first week I just got used to riding a track bike and knowing the basic rules of the velodrome. I was fortunate to have Lindsay Monks as my guide. Riding up the bank for the first time was really trippy but within no time it felt second nature. This week I learned how to do sprints, ride in a paceline and stay on the rollers. The track is a lot fun but I’m not sure if I’d take it to the competition level. For roadies at least it’s a great way to learn how to do sprints and its also a good place to get some training in through the dark winter months. I’m surprised that so few roadies ever try it. However, this has not been the case with Dulwich Hill Bicycle Club where track riding has undergone a bit of a renaissance in the last year. I’m just the latest of a number of newbies who have joined the ranks of the f*ckin trackies.

Ashfield Stylin' III

Ashfield Stylin' II

Ashfield Stylin'

Motoring fantasies and the politics of enjoying the road

Last Saturday was meant to be the beginning of my racing career with the Dulwich Hill Bicycle Club. I was going to be racing in the Heffron Park criteriums but it was rained out. Despite this, I did manage to get a spin with my local bug group. It was our ‘Seniors Week’ ride and although I was seriously lacking in seniority, I couldn’t say no to free coffee and cake at the Adora Chocolate shop. There were about eight of us and during our coffee one passing motorist yelled out: ‘I’m going to slash your fucking tyres’. This was third of a number of interjections that I had experienced in the last week. I raised the question of what motivated such behaviour beyond the simple ‘dickhead factor’. One of the Ashbug member (Leonard) suggested that he thought cyclists had become the new ‘outgroup’ because ‘multiculturalism’ had stopped people from expressing other forms of hatred. Cyclists were soft-targets and they had filled ‘the gap’ as objects of societal hatred. One could believe such a hypothesis if one were to only to read articles in the Daily Telegraph, however my initial thoughts were that this was not the most plausible explanation. Cyclists come in many shapes and sizes and I don’t think of the carbon fibre boys as much of a ‘minority group’. They are unlikely to be subjected to discrimination on the basis of ethnicity, gender, race, class or sexuality. Secondly, I was not of the opinion that multiculturalism had really censored racism, rather, it has just made it more unacceptable in public discourse (think John Brogden’s infamous comments on Helena Carr). However, if we are to compare the fate of the cyclist with certain racist fantasies, I do think we could draw some similarities. Both cyclist and some migrants are objects of fear amongst many people. In drawing these connections, my thinking comes from the Slovenian philosopher Slavoj Zizek, who has developed a unique way of analysing racism as a form of psychic fantasy. According to Zizek:

What is therefore at stake in ethnic tensions is always the possession of the national Thing. We always always impute to the “other” an excessive enjoyment: he wants to steal our enjoyment (by ruining our way of life) and/ or he has access to some secrete, perverse enjoyment. In short, what really bothers us about the “other” is the particular way his enjoyment, precisely the surplus, the “excess” that pertains to this way: the smell of “their” food, “their” noisy songs and dances, “their” strange manners, “their” attitude to work. To the racist, the “other” is either a workaholic stealing our jobs or an idler living on our labour, and it is quiet amusing to notice the haste with which one passes from reproaching the other with a refusal to work to reproaching him for the theft of work. ... What we conceal by imputing to the Other the theft of enjoyment is the tramatic fact that we never possessed what was allegedly stolen from us... (Slavoj Zizek, Tarrying with the Negative, Duke: 1993, pp202-3)

Offering a comparative analysis, we could say that for the motorist, the road has become his Thing. For the motorist, the road is a point of identification and source of enjoyment. The cyclist threatens to ‘invade’ and ‘steal’ his precious ‘road-Thing’. The cyclist, as is so often claimed, doesn’t know how to follow the road rules, she doesn’t pay rego etc. The cyclist appears to have a ‘perverse’ way of being on the road that the motorist does not have access to. The cyclist also has the freedom to get around the city with much ease. The cyclist has simply ‘too much enjoyment’ of the road and is envied for this. In contradiction, however, the cyclist may also be seen as the one who doesn’t have enough ‘enjoyment’ of the road, or at least doesn’t know the ‘right way’ to enjoy the road. Rather than joining in with the line of cars and their air-conditioned bliss, the cyclist risks ‘life and limb’ sweating it out just to get around. She is the strange, smelly ‘vegan koala’ who is determined to ride through the heat, rain, and pollution in spite of more comfortable options. The cyclist doesn’t take the easy way. Her strange ways makes the motorist feel uncomfortable and a little paranoid. What is she doing there? Why does she do it? What it is that she really wants? Is she secretly plotting to steal the road from me?

While I don’t know if such comments makes for a very apt comparison with Zizek’s analysis of racist fantasies, I think that a certain hatred of cycling does provide some form of libidinal satisfaction for the motorist would be otherwise be pissed off for being stuck in traffic. The motorist’s fantasy of having exclusive enjoyment of the road provides an imaginary framework whereby the cyclist is positioned as either a troublemaking trickster or a shady road theft. Rather than recognising the cyclist as another legitimate road user, this framework allows motorist deflect any sense of responsibly for being part of the traffic, being part of the problem, or imagining another solution.

Bicispot Track Carnival

Here are some photos from lastnights BiciSport Tempe Track Carnival. A great event where everyday club riders can mix it with international champions. Unfortunately, my camera's not to crash hot for this kind of fast action cycling.

Simon Llewellyn (from Dulwich Hill Cycling Club) at 4th wheel one lap out in the final of the 2000m Wheelrace.

Ben Kirsten piping out Daniel Ellis in the Men's 2000m Kierin Final.

Ben Kirsten makes a late entry (marked -15m behind the limit man Daniel Ellis) in the 2000m Wheelrace Final .

Mixed blessings

Sydney Body Art Ride has posted a really nice blog about the difference experience of life that comes froms driving cars and from cycling in the city. These the words and image resonate with my week on the bike. On Sunday, especially, I had one of those amazing days on the bike. I’d left home at 6am to ride the Royal National Park loop with DHBC. I then meet up with my friend Pete and we rode down to Wollongong. During the day we caught up with several friends, went to the beach, visited my Gran and were showered with hospitality by all we meet. I just managed to get home before 10pm, only two minutes before the massive electrical storm broke. Yesterday, however, was not one of those perfect days. I left Uni at 4 pm to avoid the storm and as I passed down Wellbank Street in North Straithfield, I was blasted by a motorist honking his horn. I had taken the lane and was turning right within another 50m. I had indicated my intention to turn but the thought of waiting another 10 seconds was too much for this hot-head. He blasted his horn again and again and called me a fuckwit. Of course if I were turning a semi-trailer around the same corner, there is no doubt that this idot would wait patiently for several minutes, but idea of the cyclist asserting their right to the road was out of his comprehension. Thankfully, these things only happen every so often and a cool head can overcome the sense of moral outrage and indignation that stirs at such times. This was only the second time such an event had happened this year. Oddly, the previous event was also around the same time and place. I have come to call it the ‘ute hour’ and I even joked about it with my workmate as I left the office yesterday. It encompasses the lull before the storm of peek hour traffic. At this time, thousands of aggressive rat-running motorists hoon across Sydney’s backstreets trying to outrun the impending doom of total congestion. It’s not the best time to be on the road. Later at Lyons Road West, I signalled to turn right and was thankfully let into the lane just before I turned at roundabout onto Harris Rd. The driver acknowledged my presence, I acknowledged his with a nod and I felt much better in the knowledge that only some of Sydney's motorists are complete psychopaths.

A Cheeky exhibition?

It's not everyday you see a recumbent pulling a trailer laden with paintings on the way to Cheeky Transport. A bike art exhibtion perhaps?... I hope so.

[nb: looks like its on this friday night.]

3 bike family

(Photo from Barcelona 2006)

Grafton to Inverell Cyclosportif Challenge

After spending two days driving up from Sydney I finally registered for the Grafton to Inverell Cyclosportif Challenge on Friday night. At this point I was very annoyed to find out that there was no bus to get us back to Grafton the following day. The event organisers claimed that they didn’t have enough people to warrant a bus. That’s ok, but they didn’t bother telling anyone that this was the case, so a few of us were left scrambling to try to organise lifts with other cyclists. I was fortunate enough to find two meet two kind cyclists from the Grafton Cycling Club who were able to drive me back that night. My co-rider Sergio – who’d also driven up from Sydney – was also stuck having to beg for a lift. There were some other problems with the event, but I had a wonderful time so I won’t dwell on them.

On Saturday morning, Sergio and I started the ride at 6:50am. We were a bit late and missed the first three bunches. The morning was dark and foggy. Unfortunately I left my sunglasses in my back pocket and they fell out somewhere over the first 20km. Expecting that they’d probably been turned into roadkill, I pressed on and did not go back to look for them. At the beginning of the ride there were many rolling hills that made it hard to work together. Sergio was setting a cracking pace and I suggested we slow down (at least) until after the climb. At 70km we were at the base of the Gibraltar Ranges National Park. From this point, there was a 1000m climb straight up onto the tablelands. Thankfully, the gradient was just right and my 42/25T granny gear managed to make it up without forcing me to stand out of the saddle (very often!). We hit the summit in around 1hour 15mins (maybe less?) and we passed a lot of riders on the way up. From there, we passed along some nice downhills and flats out to the Mt Michell feed station. At 120km we had our first feed, but I didn’t feel that hungry.

On the road to Glenn Innes we joined up with two cyclists from Sydney (the brothers Davin and Joel) and established a little bunch that would ride together for the next 100km. It was nice riding in a group as our chatting was a distraction from all the effort we were making. As we passed over the tablelands it was amazing how quickly the scenery had changed from lefty rainforests into dry open cattle country. There was one cowboy herding cattle along the road. This was the first time I’d even signalled to the bunch to watch out for a cow on the road. At approximately 170km we passed through the town of Glen Innes. Our bunch had grown to around 6-7 riders and we did some really nice group riding over the last 50km. I was feeling stronger as ride continued and so I was keen to set the pace at the front. Although there was one rider (nicknamed “Sponge”) who didn’t make even the slightest effort to share the work. The only thing that was bothering me over the last 20km was a cramp in my left foot. I tried to move it around as well as off the pedal but I was in agony over the last 10km. As we came towards Inverell I passed the 200km mark for the first time. There were only two minor hills that we climbed over from there. Sergio and I ended up riding ahead over the last 5km, however, I had to stop 1km from the finish when the sensor from my bike computer fell off the fork. I’d already lost my sunglasses so I wasn’t going to loose this as well. We finished the race in 8 hours and 30mins. The distance was 228km with an average speed of 27.1km/h. After the ride we jumped in the Inverell pool to cool off and do some stretching. Despite a few hiccups at the beginning it was a great day and I’d easily do it again. We were very lucky to have perfect riding conditions on the day. My only regret was carrying copious amounts of weight on my bike, however I was prepared for anything that day and the only prize was finishing.

On the road again

After 15 years in retirement and two months of fiddling, the Star has finally made its way back onto the road again. Thanks to Mark and the people at the Nunnery for helping me make the final adjustments. Here are some photos from its maiden voyage to Ashfield shops this morning.

A new Mr Sydney?

A recent article in the Sydney Morning Herald has created a bit of debate on the Sydney critical mass list. Professor Jan Gehl has been commissioned to undertake a study of the city that will focus on the needs of both pedestrians and cyclists. The study will cost $210,000 and take 10-months to complete. Several cyclists expressed a concern that the new study would just delay time and money from the existing bike plan policy which has already been lagging over the last year. Put another way, the perpetual attempt to solve problems by coming up with new plans stops any plans from ever being implemented. This is true, but I don't think we should dismiss Professor Gehl too qucikly. He could do some really exciting things in the city, but one wonders how he could ever make logger-heads of the complex web of intrigue that is Sydney’s planning culture. Even the smallest road change is likely to require the cooperation of city council, the RTA and the Department of Planning. However, as we saw in the fiasco over the removal of bike lanes in William Street, there are some very powerful and competing agendas within the city and so the possibility making even minor urban policy changes is likely to run into trouble. Professor Gehl’s appointment represents an exciting opportunity for the city to tackle many of its urban woes, however, his appointment could be seen as a symptom of the city’s problems in that we repeatedly hope that international experts will give us 'the cure' rather than confront the real issue of just how the city can be governed in a coordinated and democratic way. If Professor Gehl is not to go the way of his Danish predecessor he will need to focus on the complex political ‘life between buildings’.

More fun playing with bikes

On Saturday I sawed through the stem to get the rusted fork out. Hacksaws are fun especially when you don't know what you’re sawing into. I striped the bike back to the frame and sprayed inside with WD-40. I also cleaned up the wheels with WD-40, metal polish and some fine steel wool.

On Sunday I headed over the Bicycle Recycle, where Karen was able to give me all the bits and pieces I needed – a Malvern star fork, stem, axles and a bottom bracket. She also gave me a new frame for a fixie. Fixing up bike is a lot of fun when you can get the right parts. It helps if you can make contact with the right people. A lot of bike enthusiasts are only too happy to help share their knowledge. On Sunday afternoon I got back to putting it all together. I picked up some industrial grease for the bottom bracket. It was a little bit like playing that boardgame 'Operation' as you push the ball bearings around the cup with a pen and aim to keep them all in place. The grease makes it easy and I got it to work on the second attempt. This time when I put the chainring and crankarms back on there was no wobble. I then cleaned and regreased the ball bearings in the fork and headset and put it all back together with the new fork. The bike is basically ready to go, I just need to put the chain back on and do a few tightening adjustments. Will head over to the Nunnery this afternoon to finish it off.

Back to work

With some encouragement from Karen at Bicycle Recycling, I've got back to work on the Malvern Star. The odds are that it is older than I thought and could be from the 1960s or earlier. While I’m still looking for a new/old axle, I’ve realised that I shouldn’t waste time and use this opportunity to do other things such as clean up the chainring.

This week is the one year anniversary of my ‘conversion’ to cycling. Its easy to remember because I started riding the first week I started a PhD at Macquarie Uni. A bit of a 'lifestyle change' as they say. I’ve gone from being a ‘haven’t cycled since I was a teenager’, to a ‘200-300km a week commuter/leisure/sporting cyclist’ and some would say ‘cycling evangelist’. I’ve gone from just one bike to four (but only two or three ever work at the same time). Yes, it’s a bit of an addiction but I’m trying hard not to become a 'cycling fetishist’. I used to drive everyday but now only once a fortnight. I’ll get rid of my car soon. What prompted me into cycling was a simple mixture of factors; 1) time it was quicker than driving and less stressful; 2) costs: when petrol went over 1.40 a litre I knew I was wasting too much money, and; 3) fitness: I hated gyms, got bored with swimming and was not into team sports. Getting into cycling has completely changed the way I see the city, in fact I like Sydney a lot more than I used to. Its a much more interesting place when you get around on a bike. I can talk the benefits of cycling forever, but at the end of the day, I simply enjoy my time on the bike.

Sydney Body Art Ride

So here i am in silver making my big exit into the world of body art at the Sydney Body Art Ride. All for a deserving charity... well yes... that and the $5o bet I made with Therese. The day was heaps of fun although I did sense some irony in that we were standing out in the sun for three hours in an event that was to raise money for a cancer charity. As a ride marshall, I only dealt with one irate car driver (4WD of course). Everyone else loved the spectacle. Going for a swim at Maroubra was just the best. Felt like I was in some strange religious festival as 200+ coloured cyclists ran into the water to wash off their painted bodies.

If your reading this T, the check can be made out to:

Children's Cancer Institute Australia
PO Box 81
Randwick NSW 2031

More cycling adventures

It looks like this blog has been bequeathed to me. No much has happened on the Malvern Star as I've been at uni, but the wobbly crank arm was annoying me so I took the bottom bracket off and have failed to put it back together. The real problem is actually the axle which has worn away and needs replacing. But where to get a new one???

In the last few weeks I've done some awesome rides including a ride through the Royal National Park (photos to come). Big thanks to Emma Power for lending me her Giant, as my bike was being repaired. Last week I also rode from Ashfield to Bobbin Head and back (see photo of my bike a the Empire Marina). This is a classic training ride for people on the North Shore. The roads a bit rough but the scenery is fantastic. Last Sunday I went for my first cycling club ride with the Dulwich Hill Bicycle Club.
We rode 60km from Marrickville to Waterfall south of Sydney and back again. The group ride was an amazing experience. I'd never ridden at such a hard pace. We averaged over 30km/h and hit top speeds of 60km/h on some of the downhills. I'm completely taken but the experience and plan to go every sunday morning. One of the amazing things about group rides is when you pass another large group of cyclists. You feel like your in this massive hunting pack all working together. Yes. its a very masculine affair. The other nice thing is taking over the whole lane and not feeling worried about traffic running you down. The ride speed up towards the end and slowly more riders dropped of the back of the group. I managed to stay with the front group for most of the ride but got dropped on a hill on the way back to Sutherland. Once the main group passes you, its like missing a train and it doesn't matter how hard you try its almost impossible to rejoin them. We finnally meet up at the 7/11 in Sutherland where almost 200 cyclists from all over Sydney converged to drink buckets of powerade. I wish I had my camera then but it was amazing to see.

This week I placed my entry form in for the Grafton to Inverell challenge. Its a 230km ride across the great dividing range and is rated as the toughest cycling event in Australia. A nice way to begin ones riding career! Of course I'll be riding with the slackers who'll leave at 5:30am in the morning while the real race will kick off at 8:30am. I think I can manage the distance but I really need to do some hill climbing in the next few weeks. Unfortunately one of the lesser charms of my ('crappy' old Trek) is its lack of gears. Oh we'll at least I've got some sexy new pink haddle bar tape and not every bike has that!