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!