Colnago CX-1 Review

So, I've been threatening to do a write-up about my Colnago CX-1 since the first day I got it, but having now owned it for a more suitable length of time in which to appraise it (some 8 months), it's time to put down my impressions.

My CX-1 was a frame only purchase, so it's a mix of some new and some previously used equipment. For those wanting to take a browse of the CX-1 full specs, below is the link:

Colnago CX-1 2010 Model.

Mine is the 2009 model, so the colour scheme (.ACRE) is a little different from the 2010 model: the BB area on mine is black where the 2010 is red, and the 'club' logos preceding the Colnago name decals are also black where again, those of the 2010 are red.

General Details

My CX-1 is the 2009 .ACRE model in size 54s (sloping). Definitely a smaller size in terms of designation, but in reality the measurements are in fact slightly longer in the wheelbase and TT than most bikes I've owned. So, if you're interested in going the Colnago way, do some fit research: they are definitely a slightly unique defined sizing.

Equipment

As I said, I purchased the CX-1 as a frame/fork only, and hence it is a mix of previously used parts and newly purchased ones.

Derailleur mechs, brifters and brakes are good old Shimano Dura Ace 7800 – I really love this equipment in terms of functionality, fit and form: just feels really good to me particularly in the hoods area. Rear cluster is an Ultegra 12-23: DA is just a bit too expensive in this area. Chain is the new 7900 DA – wanted the master link: it works fine with the DA/Ultegra mechs and cluster.

Cockpit area is a 3T Ergosum Team shallow drop bar, with the aforementioned DA 7800 brifters, Fizik Microtex tape, and Shimano Flight Deck mated to a Ritchey WCS alu 110 mm stem.

Seat and tube are a Fizik Arione Ti and Ritchey WCS carbon 31.6mm two-bolt respectively.

Chainset is a FSA SL-K double (53-39) on a Hope Ceramic anodised red BB.

Wheels are newly purchased Campy Eurus 2-Way Fit mated to Vittoria Rubino Pro Tyres.

Here's what it looks like overall:



Clearly I'm into red, white and black :)

Frame Structure and Finish

The CX-1 is a front monocoque triangle mated to a lugged rear bonded triangle: front mono and rear assembly is manufactured in Taiwan and bonded in Italy. Not sure what it actually weighs, but then at 90kg, I'm not that much of a weight weenie: can't say I've ever bought a component based on its weight (or lack thereof).

The front triangle tubes are what is termed of a 'polygon' shape: a cross between a square and circular cross section, with the top and bottom sections being flat and the sides being an arc of a circle. The idea is that as a square beam it resists vertical bending, and as a circular based shape it resists twisting. Below are a couple of pics of the DT and TT which sort of illustrates the shape.





It is a fairly hefty architecture, certainly not what I'd term aero: looks like a beefy sprinter's bike. Mated to a massive bottom bracket and a substantial head tube 1 and 1/8 top and bottom with Colnago's HS2 semi-integrated design, Colnago's own carbon fork, and large rectangular chain stays, it all spells Stiff.





The finish is gorgeous: lovely deep colours and tasteful bits of naked carbon show through via all the logos and BB. Only downside is the white paint: one or two small chips show thru' the black carbon of the forks. To ameliorate that I purchased some of that protective vinyl coating used on car fronts and installed it on the front of the forks, the head set and under the downtube.

Rider Interface

The cockpit as set up is simple and basic and well suited to me: always been a fan of Flight Deck. The 3T bar is great, shape and appearance wise, and the compact short drops are perfect for someone a little less flexible. Am a big fan of the Fizik bar tape: grippy with enough cushioning and easy clean.





Have owned an Arione since they first came out, and it's the first seat I've never really had to think about. It basically disappears under me, which is probably the best recommendation for fit one can give. I'm not into huge long rides, but 140km journeys haven't raised any issues at all.



Mechanicals

Not much to say here: the DA 7800 stuff mixed with the FSA chainset and the Ultegra cluster and the 7900 chain just work very well, and that's all.



The Hope Ceramic BB setup is really nice: a straight fit onto the FSA chainset spindle, and certainly feels smooth and free-spinning. I'm not much of a foul weather rider, so exposure isn't an issue. Interesting to see how long it'll spin for.

Ride

The bike as set up is a revelation to me. Absolutely the stiffest bike I've ever owned, the frame and wheelset cope with my 90kg with no issues at all. There is no evidence of twist, slump or bending at all from the head tube, BB or anywhere else, either in or out of saddle. This is a frame that is designed to handle way more than my meager power output – frankly it's overkill for me.

And yet, along with that extreme stiffness comes a degree of vertical comfort and compliance which is a little surprising: I'd seriously expected the bike to have been slightly compromised compared to my other previous carbon bikes in this regard, but it isn't. Obviously, the carbon bar and seat post are helping, but I certainly don't think that's the complete story. The convex rear seat stays are clearly working well here and there is some 'magic' in the frame that provides a level of stiffness with compliance which is just great. I could ride this bike for as long as I wanted over all but the most broken tarmac and not be at all phased.

And even if it wasn't as vertically compliant I doubt I'd complain: the CX-1 is just the most sharp and deftly handling bike I've ever swung a leg over. Its ability to follow a line – any line – is telepathic, and even when the choice of line isn't the greatest it'll eat up whatever you throw at it. It is a quick steerer, but not at all nervous – there are no over-corrections or adjustments required.

Downhill it is an absolute rock: not a twitch, wiggle or millimetre off line. You just look to where you want to go and it does the rest. It just 'flows'. Without a doubt the most stress free ride at 75km/h and plus ever for me.

And it soaks up road imperfections and significant lumps and bumps with outright ease. Not a good thing perhaps, but I've pretty much stopped looking out for stuff to dodge on the roads: only very large imperfections or objects would have me taking active evasive action.

Whilst I'm no mountain goat, the bike throws up no obstacles to my climbing: however good or bad I am on the day, it's all me.

It is the complete bike for me and I'm all the better for riding it. This bike makes me a better rider full stop. And every time I swing my leg off the bike I've felt the best I ever had about a ride – and that says it all.

Thanks Ernesto!



Ride safe!

Happy Xmas and thanks for all the Wheels

Well, it's that time of year again so Happy Xmas and New Year to all.

As is typical with me, I also gave myself a Chrissy present: this time the often lusted after Campagnolo Eurus wheelset.

Here's a linky to the Eurus page on the Campy site, for voyeurs of bike porn:

Eurus Wheelset.

Below two pics of my 'Nago CX-1 complete with the Eurus wheels: perfect fit for the colour scheme!





More later as I write up my experience of the bike and wheels.

Once again, Merry Xmas, Happy New Year, and:

Ride safe!

2009 Great Victorian Bike Ride

So, time to report on the 2009 Great Victorian Bike Ride (GVBR) I participated in from the 28th Nov to the 6th Dec inclusive.

A 9 day ride along Victoria's Southern Coastal region starting from Portland, terminating in Geelong, and amongst other things, traversing the Great Ocean Road, the GVBR was a rolling barrel of fun for 5,000 riders (with a bit of water chucked in)!

Here's a linky for the route and other ride details:

2009 Great Victorian Bike Ride.

I participated as a WARBY (We Are Right Behind You), a volunteer rider assisting paying participants with minor mechanical and minor/major psychologicals whilst they tootled along the route. Yes, I say 'paying' participants because, amazingly enough, WARBYs get to ride the tour for free, in exchange for a bit of work and TLC dispensing! Gotta luv that gig! Obviously, there is work and assistance to provide everyday along the route, but that's an integral part of the fun: and there's also the benefit that people seem to love WARBYs :) (No, not in that way perverts!).

Arrived the Thursday before the start of the ride and was most kindly provided accommodation for the night by two lovely people I'd met on the WA Great Escapade Ride in March: many, many thanks David and Lynn. David was also WARBYing on the GVBR which was cool.

Next morning it was off to the train to get to Melbourne Southern Cross Bus Terminal for the loading of bikes and humans onto the trucks and buses transporting all to the Portland start point. This was the gathering place for the ride officially commencing on Saturday the 28th Nov. On to a synopsis of the ride proper!

Day 1: Portland to Cape Bridgewater to Portland Loop - 53km

The first day was a loop ride along a scenic and rolling road down to a beach point and back. Not that I got to see the beach point: I just followed the loop back to Portland as I was one of the last WARBYs to leave and a series of rider mechanicals (mostly punctures) left me at the back of the bunch. I'd also seen enough water on the road and on me to not have a great deal of interest in seeing the salty variant – it pissed down most of the way. Which was strange – some people reported only getting drizzled on? I'm surmising the main rain front sussed out I hated water more than a manicured cat and parked itself above me on most of the loop! Me wasn't happy! But a t-shirt I saw later in camp summed it all up: it read "Suck It Up, Princess!".

Day 2: Portland to Macarthur - 66km

Don't remember much about Day 2 – I think I was still trying to come to grips with the "Suck It Up, Princess!" ethos and hadn't quite got my head around it yet: the patches of drizzle didn't help. It was genuinely flat I recall, and a little busy with mechanicals again.

Similarly I don't recall seeing the township of Macarthur at all – my enduring memory of the destination was of the campsite.

In March 1942, General Douglas MacArthur landed at Batchelor, near Darwin, in the Northern Territory and during the subsequent rail journey south stopped at Terowrie, South Australia and gave his famous speech which included in part the words "...I will return".

Well, unlike MacArthur, I resolve never to return to this campsite. Not knocking anyone, but a bovine's version of heaven-on-a-stick is diametrically opposed to mine! I believe I spent the night sleeping on a mound which coincided with the exact middle of my tent, and radiated outwards to a sufficient degree that no matter where I placed my mattress and sleeping bag, I ended up likely looking like Homer Simpson in that episode where he falls back on a rock and is arched over in a monstrously agonizing position!

I also remember cow turds...LOTS of cow turds...

Day 3: Macarthur to Port Fairy - 48km

Day 3 saw me slowly uncracking myself and crawling out of the tent into...Rain! Oh FFS! Now, starting out dry and getting wet is one thing, but starting out wet and getting wetter is another! For God's sake, I come from WA! Rain is something that you see on the horizon, and question the authenticity of!

Still, the profile said mostly downwards today. Which would have been good, except for the unrelenting headwind which turned a 48km downward blat into a 80km-like uphill grind for a lot of the riders. An unrelenting headwind which by all local's accounts, was the only recorded headwind ever in known history at this time of year in these parts! It was tough for many, and the motivation was a little low towards the last 10km or so. Which is where WARBYs come in – we are there to motivate people and get their engines revving with renewed vigour. Strangely enough my verbal encouragements of "Suck It Up, Princess" went down like a lead balloon?

NOTE TO GVBR ORGANISERS: This is obviously entirely fictional and written as such to make me appear witty. I personally claim that my good cheer, and fervent and appropriate encouragement got at least half the 5000 to the line! :)

I actually really liked this day: started out wet but dried out, and a lot of people where very grateful for assistance and encouragement WARBYs gave out, which is just what we want to happen.

Arrived at Port Fairy well satisfied, but was soon severely disillusioned when I didn't see any :(

Day 4: Port Fairy to Port Campbell – 100km

First of the big days in the saddle, and it was thoroughly enjoyable, Started with a nice little climb and then onto rolling terrain thru the rest and lunch areas before another final little climb at day's end. Getting onto the Great Ocean Road was fantastic, and many riders enjoyed the coastal scenery, including the Twelve (minus a few) Apostles.

A long day, but many riders commented it wasn't as tough as the day before with its unrelenting headwind. Good cycling weather combined with a relatively trouble-free day and happy riders: perfect!

Day 5: Port Campbell to Apollo Bay – 97km

One of two consecutive highlight days. A day of climbs and magnificent scenery, it was just magical.

Pre-lunch, and it was two climbs. The second of the climbs, Lavers Hill, was an absolute picture: a nice even pitched 15km switchbacked road set amongst the most beautiful forest. The climb was interspersed by three flat sections which afforded rest to riders. A fair climb for moderate riders but also very rewarding – many people spoke to me at days end with obvious pride that they'd done it. If I lived in that area, I'd do it everyday: it really is that gorgeous.

After lunch a LONG downhill of around 15km which was equally fabulous, then a lovely 8km or so with the road winding through flat dairy cattle lands. And then a nasty little surprise for many: an 800 metre climb of around 8-9% gradient to a rest area, followed by the continuation of said climb for another 4kms! At the end of a longer day that was a tough assignment for many riders.

But it was all rewarded by the final 10 or so kms – a downhill into Apollo Bay with the most spectacular views over the Southern coastline and Ocean. The term "Picturesque" was invented for such a view.

What a day – what a ride!

Day 6: Apollo Bay – Rest Day

We Came, We Saw, We Rested.

Lovely place with beautiful views and great promenade. Ate, drank a little, and splashed out on a lovely metalwork dragonfly sculpture which was inordinately expensive but irresistible. Should be arriving soon in Perth for hanging up on the wall!

Day 7: Apollo Bay to Anglesea – 78km

Of all days on this tour, this was the one I'd been waiting for: the Great Ocean Road at its most iconic. This was the day of the tour which motivated me to do the 2009 GVBR – I would've happily paid to be a participant just for this day. Bonus – I was a WARBY!

Sometimes, things come together just so: there are those few special times when expectations are met and exceeded by reality. This was one of those days. The weather was PERFECT, the rider mood was ebullient, and the feeling was one of exhilaration and deep calm all at the same time. Kilometre after kilometre of rolling roads backdropped by the most magnificent, majestic coastline and ocean views. I can't adequately describe what a day it was – the full picture resides only in my memory. All I do know is I won't ever lose that day – it'll be crystal clear for as long as I have memory.

Day 8: Anglesea to Queenscliff – 64km

A nice flat little ride to a lovely old seaside town, and the final night of the tour. Got into town and simply rode for about 30 mins slowly around the place, ostensibly looking for a hardware store, but in reality I just didn't want to get off my bike. I wish I could do this everyday!

Day 9: Queenscliff to Geelong – 41km

Little jaunt along increasingly busy roads into the final end of the journey.

As usual, the ending was bittersweet. Stood at the final gate cheering the remaining riders in – it was lovely to see their happiness and joy coming out :)

My narrative rightfully ends on that high note :)

So, thanks to:

• BV for the event;
  
• the 5000 riders who made it all possible;
• the hundreds of volunteers who kept it going;
• the WARBY team for their presence and team spirit;
• Sue, for being the most charming rider I ever changed a tire for; and
• David and Lynn for their absolute kindness.

Ride safe!

2009 Great Perth Bike Ride

Once again, the year rolls by and the Great Perth Bike Ride rolls up!

Sunday, 22nd November and perfect weather for the ride: sunny, not too warm (low 20's C I think), and a light easterly. Around 4000 people showed up to enjoy the chance to blast around the river with a little bit of traffic control here and there.

As per usual, I chickened out and stuck to the 53km 1-lapper: early wakes aren't my style. Met up with a few people from my Saturday morning ride club and waited around the 15 or so minutes in pleasant conditions for the start. The organisers will have to start allocating larger spaces for each allocated group – quite a few of us had to stand off the road to the side of our respective groups until they rolled forward to the staggered start, due to the space being packed with riders.

Anyway, inched up to the start, got the 'go' signal, and a guy in front of me promptly fell off and did the old 'domino principle' trick to the two guys next to him! So, within the first 30 seconds, I'd lost my mates. Not sure what happened to them – I know I must have passed them early on without seeing them, but not matter as I'm sure they enjoyed themselves.

Had a good ride: very uneventful although a little on the slower side at times. Spent most of the first half of the ride chasing down a group, finding it a little slow and then pulling across to the next, rinse and repeat. Got into a slightly more motivated group after half way and had a reasonable speed ride from there on. Not that the recorded time is important (cough), but it was a little slower than last year – oh well! No fault of my Colnago CX-1 - since I've owned her I literally jumped at every chance to ride her. I need to put down a ride impression of the 'Nago one of these days - just have to find time when I'm not riding.

A couple of guys from the Sat. morning ride did the 106 km two lapper and really enjoyed it, so I resolved to bite the bullet and go for it next year: might as well celebrate my 50th year with an early morning scoot!

So, thanks to the organisers for another successful Ride – 106km 2 lapper in 2010, here I come!

Ride safe!

So Long, and Thanks for All the Fish - Edward Woodward

Edward Woodard passes away at 79. Not entirely non-bike related - after all, Edward did ride a bike in his classic film "The Wicker Man".

That film, along with the searing "Breaker Morant", and his portrayal of a hard-nosed yet sometimes reluctant servant of 'The Section' in 'Callan' (in which he virtually invented the 'complex hard-man' TV serial genre) endeared me to him over the years. To this day I still recall the classic 'light-bulb' intro and hypnotic theme score of Callan, which I sneakily try and sit-up to watch as a younger lad way back.

So, thanks Edward, and cheers. You shot straight...and never made a mess of it!

2009 Great Victorian Bike Ride

Well, lucked out and landed the WARBY gig for the upcoming Great Victorian Bike Ride spanning 10 days from November 28th to December 6th. WARBIES (We Are Right Behind You) are volunteers who ride along with the participants and assist with mechanicals, offer a smile and encouragement etc. Mucho thanks to the Bike Victoria organising team for choosing little ol' WA-based me :).

Had a great time doing those duties during the Great West Australian Bike Ride in March of this year, and am really looking forward to this upcoming experience. Especially looking forward to tootling along the Great Ocean Road. I did the road many years ago on a motorbike – needless to say, I was younger and the challenge wasn't what you could see, rather how fast one could go. So, this time I will definitely get to see a whole lot more.

Apparently there's also the 'famous Laver's Hill'? Meh – don't know and don't want to know: if it's just called a hill, it can't be all that bad, and anyway, I've whacked on a wimpy 50-34 compact crankset on the front of the Dean so I'm all set to climb goat tracks!

The GVBR this year is going to be huge – all sold out, and I think something like close to 6,000 participants! Man, that's an awful lot of potential punctures requiring repair! The WARBIES will be up for it – my past experience definitely confirms it as one of the best volunteer roles in terms of mixing it with the people, and also of the most enjoyable: sometimes hard but always rewarding and fun.

Roll on November 28th! (And the sun and good temps).

Ride safe!

Cadel you bloody beauty!

Cadel is the 2009 road race World Champion! Too bloody amazing!

After a year which bore some heartaches and some near misses, along with luck that, at times, would test anyone, at Mendrisio, Switzerland Cadel scores the biggest win of his career thus far.

24 hours after the final stage of the Le Tour, I'd thought Cadel's year was done and dusted, and that he should take a break to recover from the mental bust-up he'd clearly experienced.

The Vuelta proved his resurgence, with a hugely gutsy effort to claw back onto the podium after some less-than-average luck which cost him all but 9 seconds of the final gap between himself and the winner Valverde. After the melt down of Le Tour, that was truely a marvellous effort to turn around his year.

And now, with some wonderful support from his Australian teammates, and a huge move on the final climb up the Novazzano to break his rivals, Cadel climbs on the top of the podium and has gold hung around his neck atop the WC jersey. Pretty epic by anyone's standards.

Cadel and the Australian team, Oz salutes you!

Ride safe!

Tangoing with Canis lupus familiaris...

...or, doing the dance of death with the dog (alliteration be damned).

I have always been well alert of dogs whilst riding: keen eyed, sharp, even vigilant. Whilst never having had a run in with the mythical beast whilst on my beast, I've had a few close calls: anything primarily driven by a sense of smell which relegates the miracle of sight to the back row of the central processing unit cannot be trusted. I've seen my own mother's hounds-of-hell crack their heads on cupboards whilst sniffing out treats she'd dropped on the floor, and had always assumed that was not atypical behaviour solely confined to her mutts: in all other aspects they seem typically 'dog'.

So, seeing free-roaming dogs whilst riding has always made me extend the collision detection radar outwards without fail. The problem with this is one has to see them first. Tooling along on my Dean titanium the other day, on a well known road, I encountered a furry fury in the most unfortunate of ways.

Now, I'm assuming the hound was definitely not out to get me: if it had been I feel sure it would've taken advantage of the situation it caused, and been gnawing on my flesh post-haste as soon as I hit the dirt. Nevertheless, it did 'get' me.

I'm not 100% on the actual details – one second I was on my bike cruising at 30km/h, and the next (subsequent to a flash of black fur) I was lying prone in the dreamlike aftermath-of-crash mental state one experiences.

I'd been riding in the middle of the lane, parked cars to my left, and I'm assuming the dog tore out of a small gap between cars just as I arrived adjacent to it. I only caught a fleeting glimpse of a furry blur appearing directly in front of me, when all hell broke loose. Next, I'm sitting up on the road, blinking and computing whether I had all my body parts in their correct place and orientation.

It seemed as if I did, so my thoughts immediately turned to my bike. I stood, picked it up and started examining it, at which point it began to acquire a haphazardly applied blood paint job. Hmmm, OK – it seems that that warm feeling on my face isn't the flush of adrenaline, but rather the flow of blood.

Hands to face, I felt for where the stuff was coming from, coz' it was now a decent little flow. Two places – a rather large gash in my top lip, and a rather larger gash in my chin. Seems like I'd used my face as the initial landing point. Running my tongue around my mouth, I discovered a certain grittiness to its contents: luckily this was sand picked up rather than the remnants of teeth. There is not a mark on my hand or arms, so it looks like it happened so fast I didn't even have time to get my hands down in the usual reflexive protective way.

At this point, it suddenly became imperative that I make sure my bike was OK, get on it, and get home - *shrug*. So, grabbing the cleaning cloth from my seat bag (luckily it was clean), I wiped what blood I could from my face, held the cloth onto my upper lip and chin with one hand whilst I inspected my machine. Chain was half off the crank, but that was quickly remedied, brakes were rubbing but they had just been forced off centre, everything else looked OK. So, of course there is nothing else to do but ride home, yes?

And ride home I did, in one gear and with one hand (my right hand occupied with keeping the cloth to my face). I have no idea of the thought-process-control my brain was exerting – somewhere in there was a message that should've been of prime importance being ruthlessly suppressed: that message was "Riding home 15km with one hand whilst pissing blood isn't conducive to one's continued good health".

But make it home I did, and ring the local medical centre I did, and arrive there I did. 2 hours (1 hour of waiting) and 12 stitches later I was back home.

It's been 3 days since the off, and my upper lip (which was punctured clean through by a tooth) is now more lip and less trunk-like in appearance, and the big chunk separated from my chin is firmly back in place. Some swelling and a bit of road rash remains but it's really nothing: it could've been a hell of a lot worse.

Turns out the bike made it home with a very bent RD hanger – as I didn't change gear I didn't notice at the time. A few little scratches on the shifters, a skewer and the RD hanger housing, but I'm amazed at how little evidence of a 30km/h road hit there is: it certainly faired better than I. I assume the dog hit my front wheel a glancing, sliding blow just enough to send my wheel in one direction and my mass in another, because it is dead straight – not a smidgeon of truing required.

As for the mutt – I have no idea: I never saw it again. It's probably still running around chasing whatever the hell its olfactory engine senses.

Ride safe!

Le Tour is killing me!

My eyeballs feel like they are cracking, and my head is dull and pounding with the lack of rest. I have no energy; the legs are listless and barely manage to rotate, and my entire body aches from the exertion of the previous two weeks. It's interminable: day in and day out I push myself onwards and upwards with no end in sight. Why am I subjecting myself to this?

Watching Le Tour that is!

Man, if this is how the riders feel, then I'll shelve my plans to do Etape du Tour one of these days! All these late nights are turning me into a zombie (mmmm – brains!).

Tiredness aside, it's been a fascinating Tour: all the drama, contrivances, wheelings and dealings and egotism of a soap opera at its finest.

So, after stage 15 ending on the climb to Verbier things have gotten more than a little clear – well at least logically.

'Bertie' Contador has shut the door on who should be the leader of Astana – we'll see if that pans out – and with the team's support looks set to be a winner come the finish. Unless he forgets to eat (pretty sure his mistake during the Paris-Nice this year won't be repeated) or has an off, he looks the goods.

Andy Schleck is my next favourite, with a proven climbing record, and a strong team including his dedicated brother Frank. I think he'll flourish on the remaining climbs: still, his individual TT prowess (or relative lack thereof) may be a weak spot, so he'll need to climb into a strong second prior to that. But, 2nd for mine.

Third step on the podium is a bit of a lottery, but:

Carlos Sastre is a dark horse: I liked his climb up Verbier after the early pace put him back on his heels. He didn't panic, got himself below the red line, and motored back toward the end. Plus, he strikes me as more of your diesel style climber, which I think the final stages will suit. He can also ITT OK, and he's had a pretty quiet time of it up 'till now. My best guess for 3rd.

Bradley Wiggins has been a bit of a climbing revelation thus far, but his new-found ascent abilities haven't been really tested: Verbier isn't the primo grind and there's more 'to-the-sky' stuff to come. Plus the individual TT, a strength for him, comes a couple of days before a jaunty little plod up something called Mount Ventoux: overcook it at the ITT and he may not like that particular ascent. Maybe a podium?

Lance Armstrong isn't going to hold second and I think will finish off-podium. The leadership 'battle' at Astana is over and he's gotta work for Contador now, so he can't really expect Kloden to drag him around on the coming climbs anymore. I see him slowly losing time to some of those currently below him in the standings over the next couple of days: guys like Cadel Evans, Frank Schleck, Nibali, Kloden, and possibly Kirchen, Martin and Krueziger. Maybe his ITT will gain him back sometime, but I don't see a podium for Lance. Mind you, at 38 and after a prolonged lay-off, I don't really care – it's been a great effort in and of itself.

As for Cadel Evans: well, it's been a good effort, but after the more than 2:30 timesink of the TTT, plus some losses on other climbs, I can't see him clawing back 4:27 on 'Bertie. Plus, Andy Schleck and Carlos Sastre are at least his equals in climbing, so unless Cadel has a phenomenal ITT I think there's no podium for him. Still, there's hope whilst he's still on his wheels: guts and determination count for a lot, and he's got that in bucket-loads, so we'll see how far he can climb up the GC standings, which I'm sure he will.

Good luck to all, and here's to another couple of sleepless nights!

Ride safe!

Lest We Forget - 2009

ANZAC Day - 25th April 2009

ANZAC Day is upon us again. A day filled with great pride and tinged with sadness for me – I march in memory of my grandfather Jim Seiver, who fought in World War 2 as a member of the 2/11 A.I.F Battalion in Crete, and who passed away in February 2007.

Mum and I caught up with the remaining diggers from the 2/11th (sadly the numbers had dropped since the past march) for a pre-march chat and general swan around on the march route before the official parade commenced at 9:30 am. Took a little while for the preceding elements to go through, but then we were on the move, and the old fellas did splendidly over the km or so of the route.

Weather was excellent – slightly cloudy, mild and no wind – and the crowds were wonderful; large, appreciative and happy. Towards the end of the march we spied my brother and nephew in the crowd and said a quick hello. The little dude seemed to really enjoy the experience, so I hope it's something he continues to want to come to.

Couple of piccies from the day below:



The 2/11th diggers and mum, and the Battalion banner.




Mum and Des in front of the banner. Des is a great fella – excellent sense of humour and a real character.

So, once again...

LEST WE FORGET.

Ride safe!

Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday Dear...

So, was my birthday recently: made the old 49 years! Title refers to a scene in a film (can't remember which) in which some nerd is asked his name, and can only remember it by singing 'Happy Birthday' to himself in his head. Always a chuckle.

Anyhoo, lot's of stuff since the last post, but too much to cover in a single entry.

2009 Freeway Bike Hike for Asthma in March again has been and gone. I really love this event, but at the same time harbour some significant concerns about it, chiefly related to safety.

It's generally very well organised, although once again those waiting for trains on stations south of Perth city seem to get shafted. I was on the second to last train to leave from the city station, and it was packed. We went through the farcical procedure of stopping at stations between Perth and the destination Kwinana to illustrate to those waiting on the platforms that indeed the train was full (perhaps we occupants should have been handed placards reading 'It's FULL suckers' to hold up to the unfortunates). Personally, if this didn't demonstrate to those poor sods the specific shortcomings in this aspect of the event, I don't know what would?

It's also a lovely and, at times, picturesque trundle: roads are excellent, views are nice (river crossings, Perth skyscape etc).

It's fun too, and riding in a large co-operative group should be enjoyable.

Problem is - it's sometimes not. I've done all of the Hikes, always in the 'A' (slightly more rapid) group, and on each occasion there has been at least one pileup. I've never been directly involved - all bar one of the crashes have happened further back in the pack I've been in - but this year there was a severe fall ahead of me which required some rather boisterous active avoidance.

Riders just get way too aggressive: the competitive urge transforms many from hack riders, like most of us are, into imagined pros who are elbowing, wheel sucking, and generally barging around as if it's a professional peleton (which is ironic, as I'm pretty sure a lot of stuff that occurs wouldn't be tolerated in a pro pack). That, plus the fact that a lot of riders are on their limit just staying with the pack (a fact evidenced by the constant speed changes and rubber banding, people pushing past and then dying in front of you etc) means shit is all over the place.

It makes for a very trying time - I think I enjoyed the slow 35 km trundle back home more!

I also participated in a little shindig called The Great Escapade in late in March/early April, a 9 day Tour in South West WA run by Bicycle Victoria. I say 'little' with tongue firmly embedded in cheek: over 2000 paid-up riders, lots of volunteers (of which I was one), close to 600 kms, and a whole bunch of fun! I was a WARBY (We Are Right Behind You) - a riding assistant to all the paying customers, and it was one of the best cycling experiences I've had! More about my experiences on this event in the coming weeks.

Lastly - I have a new bike! The Colnago CX-1 referenced in my previous post dug its claws into me and wouldn't let go, so I am now the proud owner of one of these gorgeous 'machinas'. Many more kms required yet (naturally it arrived two days before I headed off on the Great Escapade, on which I was using my Dean Ti frame, so it hasn't seen a lot of action) but it looks beautiful, fits great, is feathery light and is very stiff; it takes off like shot when I put my full (albeit measly) output through it. Climbs, here I come!

Kudos and praise to the guys Angus and Chris at Cycles Bespoke for turning it into a bike from various bits. A fantastic, accurate and fastidious build of which I'm extremely happy. Cheers guys!.

Hmmm, maybe some nice Campy Eurus wheels would set if off just fine...

That Genuine Guitar God, More Bike Porn, and the Freeway Bike Hike.

Bloody hell x 2!

Now Jan and Feb 2009 have howled by - *sniff* – bye bye!.

OK, first genuflections to the maestro, the God, the One and Only Jeff Beck! He came, I saw, he conquered. So glad to have seen a living legend in the flesh and whipping up a storm. What has always appealed to me about Jeff is that he sounds like NO-ONE else. He is a singularly unique and immediately recognizable player, yet with a vast variety of sounds, styles and tempos at his disposal. I rate his interpretation of the Beatles Classic "A Day in the Life" as one of THE best covers of an original ever. He played his heart out, and by the end of the concert he was more than a little knackered! But he came back for one more encore! Cheers Jeff!

Next, More Bike Porn!

This time, what may very well be my next bike - the Colnago CX-1.

Since I first clamped eyeballs on this beast, it's dug its claws into me. First off, there's the mythical Colnago name and aura: Merckx's 1972 World One Hour Record Breaker 'Nago, their straight-bladed fork, the revolutionary C-40, and their presence in most any Euro peleton. Next, well I'm a sucker for a red, white and black bike, and the CX-1 in ACRD does it for me. Third – well, most everyone longs for a bike that is a thousand times more capable than themselves! Colnago lust just happens to be my poison! Check out the site:

Colnago CX-1 in ACRD

And, a piccie ripped from their site:



Also, a review up at Bicycling CX-1 Review

Finally, once again the HBF Freeway Bike Hike for Asthma is looming (no - you don't do it to get Asthma, although it can tend to be a lung buster!). March 22nd – the countdown is on!


Ride safe!

Zooming into 2009: TDU, Bike Porn and a Genuine Guitar God.

Bloody hell!

Was that Xmas 2008 and New Year 2009 that just howled past? Glad I wasn't standing in the road! So, now that I've lost that part of my life forever, time to get back into the swing.

First up, the Tour Down Under.

Really looking forward to this, mainly because the presence of the 'Lance-man' has actually galvanised the freekin' TV stations into providing some much needed coverage. That may explain why I actually saw a good little segment of the final of the Bay Cycling Classic on tele on the weekend! Yay Lance!

Seriously, love or hate the guy (I'm just thankful he turned up!), his presence has made a massive difference to the profile of this race, and all for the better. The field has some quality riders in it, and more importantly, gives our home-based riders a real chance at being exposed to racing Tour-style at something near its best. Now, if Oz could suddenly sprout a few decent sized Mountain passes, we'd be set!

Speaking of sprouting things, my favourite little pocket-rocket Robbie McEwen acquired an extra pair of quads and did his now-famous 'invisible man' act to take out the Cancer Council Classic over 51km in Adelaide over the weekend. After a tough season last year with Lotto, in which he didn't receive a lot of on-road support, and got beat up by Mark Cavendish at the TDF (altho who didn't?), he's bounced back with a new Team and a first up win: here's hoping 2009 is a good one for the little master. Mind you, he definitely looks like he's muscled up a little! - check out the pics and all the TDU news at:

Cycling News

Next, Bike Porn!

Specifically, the new entry level bike by Look - the 566.

Billed as a 'relaxed geometry' frame (translation = more upright stance, longer wheelbase and more comfortable for old farts like me!) there's something about this bike that I really just dig! Skinny, almost slightly ant-ish side profile, weird flat top tube, X chainstays, slightly 'leaf-spring' seat stays as per the Cervelo RS: it all looks curious but rather irresistable. Hmmm...how's the bank balance? Piccies at:

Bike Radar

Also, a preview up at Road Bike Review

And finally, three days until Geoffrey Arnold 'Jeff' Beck hits Perth at the Perth Concert Hall. Man, I am SO looking forward to this!

Ride safe!