A fine Sunday

Quite a group we had at the Yangs today. B. Dickey, J Dickey, J Jackson, A. Hayat, N. Robinson, D.C (Fitzroy Revolution), P. van der Ploeg and I cruised a lazyish 30 odd k lap. Great bunch, great fun. Feeling ok, felt like staying out there all day.

Saturday was an enjoyable social road trip to the Wall for caffiene early the a gentlemanly pace to Mordy and back. Hooking in with the tail end of the Hell ride just to lift the pace for a few k's. Pace lifted again through Elwood, then turning into Beaconfield Pde BP straight I had a great lead out from the man/machine T. McGrath,
then remembering I didn't have my two highest gears, leaving me to sprint in 54/14. Just got pipped on the line (or sign as it is). Again, feeling good and wanting more... Let's just see if I can actually string a few weeks together. Could be hard with the big work move and set-up in Collingwood (ch, ch, ch, Collingwood, ch, ch, ch... eh hmmm...)

A buonissimo feast awaits at the destination

Norfcote to Rosebud on the beautiful Scapin today, solo, strong tail wind, fine most of the way. I did get soaked from Dromana on, sure, but I was greeted by my Italian future grand parents in-laws hot shower and more tasty food than I could consume, even after the 80 odd ks I'd just smashed out. And I didn't have to ride back in the wet as 'the good lady wife to be' was nice enough to make room in the car for the trip home (even if Mimmo cried the whole way). She's good to me, I would've made me ride back.

Castlemaine discovery

After a heads up call from master of MTB photography, Camo Wells, yesterday arvo saw a quick trip up to Castlemaine with 'the good lady wife to be', Domenico Jr and I. A dual purpose trip it was, with a relo visit for 2 of us and... a discovery of new trails with the local MTB club knowledge for me. About 20 riders on a very chilly Saturday arvo enjoyed the fresh but damp trails.
The only other place I would like to have been was at the G enjoying the Pies belt the suitcase out of the Saints.
Roll on September...

Renshaw out of tour???

What the? What's wrong with a bit o headbut action to keep your sprint line?
I've watched it over and over and I reckon a stage relegation to last place or a fine, sure, but out of the tour? Come on!
If there was a reason for disciplinary action, I reckon it's Mark's shut out on Farrar.
Looking forward to tonights action, again. The 2 nights up and 1 night sleep pattern is working well.

Off to Castlemaine tomorrow with one Cam Wells to hook into some apparently new trails with the Rocky Riders Club crew. I am excited by this, yes.

The rebirth of the lightweight road weapon

The Scott Addict frame and fork has gone to Jamie for paint.
The White Industry H2 and H3 hubs have arrived and gone to Dan for a trick rebuild on the Reynolds 46mm carbon rims with DT Aerolight spokes and ceramic bearings, oooooooh.
The superlight 3T Ergonova LTD bars are planned for the cockpit, aaaaaaaah.
Undecided on the new saddle at this stage, I have been through quite a few but still searching for "the one".
Melbourne black is the goal with some custom decals, possibly...
I know I'm excited!

Brrrrrrr....

Up at sparrows after lots o rain last night paid off as it was fine (and cold) at the You Yangers on Sunday morn'n.
Bruce, Chris, Simon, Mark, Kim and I (and later, JD). The six of us took off on a 'take it easy' ride (yeah right) straight up from Stockyards, over the top, big flat loop over the back, back up and over, descend, a lap of the sweet trail and back to the car. 30k's. Even after the rain we've had, the trails drain so well. There was more puddles and water ruts than I've seen out there before but it's certainly the all year round/all weather place to ride the fat tyres.

Surfcoast trails

There was rain, cold and mud on Sunday as I discovered the growing number of trails that the Surfcoast crew are cutting around Anglesea with brother Deano. Including a lap of the enjoyable Surfcoast 6hr scout camp race course. 40k's approx. Nice to get out there.
Also, just ordered some White Ind hubs for the rebuild/rebirth of my roadie (new bike without the cost, win/win!). Repaint to match the new Signtorque kit too. Oh so pro..

Northside Wheelers

The purveyor of fine cycling wares, Malachi Moxon, has opened his doors to all who possess discerning taste in all things bike.

Shop 2, 155 Greville St, Prahran
Get in there and feeeel the energy of cycling style.

Rogers + Porte

Tour of Cali leader M. Rogers (Aus)
Giro d'Italia leader R. Porte (Aus)

Strewth Cobbers!!! Good on yers n that!!!

Porte in the Pink!

There's just too much (well there can never be too much) cycling to comment on at the mo' with the Tour of Californication and il Giro.
Il Giro was flipped on it's head after last nights stage and the Dodger is ready to pounce over in the States.
And how about the young Taswegian slipping into the pink (so to speak) after a long and tough 262k stage 11.
The Aussies are killing it!

Yeti ASR carbon 2009 - For Sale

Yeti ASRcarbon - size medium
Pretty much unriden frame and wheels.
As new, no marks at all.
Mix of XT and X9 groupo
Manitou R7 forks
Egg beaters
Ritchey WCS bar and stem
Selle Italia Flite saddle
$6000

Contact Sam 0466 664 216

Chilly Autumn mornings

Fleecy arm warmers, leg warmers, base layers, gilets, shoe covers, steamy breath, cold ears and damp roads, ahh... that's the way I like it. Somehow it feels more... real, than riding in the height of Summer. It may be controversial but I hate Summer, it's negatives far outweigh the positives. Now and all through Winter & Spring is the best time to ride. (in my humble opinion of course) Rain? Cold? So what, harden up.

Saturday, late arvo, flying solo, sticky and fast Yarra trails on the MTB, oh the joy!
+
Sunday morning with Cam W out to Kinglake (or as near enough) and return. Cruisy, chatty and a damn fine sight it was taking in the eucalypt regrowth and mist on the way up. I pulled out the Scapin for this one. It's sooo very sweet to ride despite being a good deal heavier than the Scott (about 2.8kg heavier) with it's wire beaded Vittoria Randoneur tyres. It felt like riding with the brakes on, up hill. Good training though.

Giro, love it!

Cadels campaign underway and was looking good until losing 40 odd seconds today due to being caught up in a crash.
He CAN win it! And I reckon will win it if his luck is on for the rest. (Despite his many knockers out there, you know who you are...)

Ritchie Porte smak'n it and in second on GC.

Brownie being Brownie in the stage 3 sprint
Watch the final few k's here to see what I mean.














Meet Yolanthe, also an important part o the Giro.

Spoke(n) - over and out

As many are aware of, Melbourne's greatest bike shop, Spoke(n), has finished trading. Suffice to say, there are many strong feelings around the closure that I shan't be discussing here. But what I would like to convey is my gratitude for the support that Malachi, Julie and staff have given me over the years. I have no doubt Mal will be at the heart of another great cycling institution in the not too distant future, if he so desires of course. Stay tuned...

Feeeel'n good...

After burying myself last weekend at Coleraine (or "cold n rain" as i've heard it also refered to), and a reasonably quiet week on the bike, this weekends 100k Frankston return on Saturday and today's 50k Eltham return felt good. With average normalised power for Saturday 100k at 206w and today 50k was 217w. Although not very impressive in terms of world class athletes data, sure I know, but in my sparadic and varied world o training and taking into account my weight, it's ok for me. More relavent is watts per kilogram data. Saturday's 100k was 3.3w/kg and Sunday's 50k was 3.5w/kg. Let's hope I can keep pushing them up, at the moment, I've got the drive. Allez, allez!