A bunch of us headed out for a loop of London on Christmas Day. Top idea from Object and a nice ride with quite a few more people than I expected joining in.
Thanks for the pics Horatio. Merry xmas all!
Condor Pista
I went for a short ‘tweaking’ ride on the Condor on Sunday before Mal and I ventured to Tower Bridge for fasteddy’s xmas lunch (2am home, for LUNCH?! :)).
Today was its proper debut as my new commuter. The bike really is nice! It’s larger than the WAC Langster I was using so it fits me better and it’s reasonably light for a steel frame (none of this 531 guff, it’s some reasonably stiff SAT14 bollocks – now I’d love to try their EOM version). So, it handles really well, it’s very comfortable (tyre pressure was on the low side before you aluminium haters jump up). The 47×17 (74″) gearing is higher than I was previously using 48×19 (68″) and with clear roads it’s great. In heavier traffic (London peak) the stop start might start to wear me down. I had planned to run 47×19 but I might leave 47×17 on for a while. I’m yet to fit the Planet-X rear track wheel so it’s still using my old Open Pro. The half-link chain sounds great when you ‘go gumby’ slowing down as it vibrates through the tubing but I think I should swap it out for a smoother running chain given its roadie-esque design spec. The drops are much better than the silly track drops I had on the Langster although the brakes are shite – probably due to the cheap brake pads. Had to adjust the slipping post this morning (torque wrenches on xmas list). I wouldn’t mind swapping the caliper out for something a bit nicer and running replaceable-pad holders. All in all I’m pretty happy with it!
Cheers Hammo (frameset), BMMF (cog), Bobob (bars), BDW (post), craignasty (wheelset), dodanto37 (chainring), RPM (stem), polybikeuser (buying WAC), ebay (saddle):)
Smackdown #2
Second time I’ve crashed on my own in a month. This slippery miserable shitty weather is not just annoying, now, it’s dangerous! ๐
Of course, it was after the work xmas party and I was tanked but I’d ridden from the city to Ealing without issue. ๐ It was only when I went to suss out the chip shop and hit a very slippery patch of tarmac (I checked it out last night and it was greasy – actually difficult to stand on) that I hit the deck. I was on the Rubble and managed to break off the rear light, shred the rear derailler cable and cut holes in my brand new gloves. WAC.
Again, for some unknown reason, my left shoulder is worse, even though I hit my right hand side. I don’t get it. I’m over this cycling bollocks. I’m off to buy a BMW off a credit crunched banker.
In more positive news, my new commuter is almost ready to roll.. it’s an ’07 Condor Pista + some bits of forum members..
Tour de Ville – Grand Opening
www.tourdeville.co.uk – grand opening
After months of preparation Tour de Ville is almost ready to open it’s doors to the public on December 13th at our new location in London Fields. We will open at 10:00 am at our new address; 50 Lamb Lane, Hackney. You can expect the best in classic road, track, touring and leisure bikes. Next to our range of bikes, parts, frames, clothing and accessories we also have a coffee bar. Coffee served will be the Magnus Maximus brand by Swedish pro cyclist Magnus Backstedt. All of the proceeds from this coffee go towards helping young riders. The coffee foundation directly funds the continental professional Team Cyclesport.se.
Wind Tunnel Testing
Here’s an interesting article about a wind tunnel test at Monash (nicked from Carl’s Blog): fairwheelbikes.com – Monash wind tunnel testing review
Ed: Wanna trade in your funny hat now? ๐
Tour of Ireland Blogs
So I had a quick look for Tour of Ireland information and found these..
I didn't think it would be worse..
than yesterday, but it was.
It was raining so I assumed the temperature would be warmer than yesterday. Weather judgment fail. On the way to the Willesden clubrun I was feeling pretty bad – tired legs, no reason to spin them up, just general blah feeling. Oh, and the ride would be heading towards Wokingham, which has an even higher percentage of cockheads in cars than the Chilterns.
Running a bit late and just before getting to the start point I thought “I only have to do 80k according to my program, if they’ve already left, I’ll just repeat yesterdays A-road ride to Great Missenden”. Ha! Too easy ๐
As I rode past the start point, there were only two riders waiting there. “Bugger that” and I waved and rode on. It was heavy drizzle and by the time I got to Gt Missenden I was wet through and frozen. Turning around, at least I received the benefit of a tailwind. Back the way I came along the fast (for cars) A413 and then into the house.
Stripping off, I was bright red almost everywhere! Imagine slapping your entire body, hard. That’s what I looked like. Even my arms, which were covered by a jacket, were pink! It took at least 10 minutes under a hot shower before the pins and needles started in my toes. Another 5mins before they felt ‘normal’. Cold! I can’t wait to get back to Oz! ๐
So, I guess I'm training again..
The Law has a program for me and I’ve actually been sticking to it. Three weeks in a row of killing myself at Willesden’s turbo training so far with some longer stuff on the weekends. It’s actually the longer stuff I’m finding harder to get motivated for. It’s easier to hurt for an hour than to head outside in the chilled air and struggle with places to ride for 3 hours+.
Today’s 80k ride was straight out along the A413 to Great Missenden and back. I’d left it a bit late and not taken a front light with me so I had to haul on the return leg so as not to get caught out in the dark. Legs are feeling it. Good!
2008 Ghent 6-Day
The lovely gents at Rollapaluza shuttled a bunch of us over to Ghent for a couple of days of track racing action at the Kuipke velodrome during the Ghent 6-day. Fun times.
We left Saturday morning, arrived early afternoon and wandered to Plumes bike shop for some shopping and gawking at their little museum section. Then we ate some steak and chips or moules and frites and headed to the track where we yelled at riders, listened to great eurotrash dance music and got pissed up until 2am. Or 4am Rob?
Sunday morning was a bit rough. Drove into town and then explored the snowy city again looking for random places to eat at. Did some gift shopping and ate more than back to the track for the final day of racing. Erik Zabel was well received but not quite as well as local lad and eventual winner (with partner Robert Bartko) Iljo Keisse! ๐
Snowy trip out of Ghent, calm ferry ride, back at Caspar’s around 12-12.30 and then ride home for 1.30am.
www.cyclingnews.com results here.
LFGSS Bridges Ride V
Last night 140-ish mostly fixed wheel riders took to the streets of London’s famous London and criss-crossed the bridges from Tower Bridge to Kew Bridge. Starting at 10pm and finishing at 2am (or 5.30am if you count our detour to dj’s place for whisky and coffee).
140 people!! What a change from the Bridges Ride 3, which was just Dave and I!! ๐