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...
Wednesday 22 April 2009
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