Monthly Archives: October 2012

Rider of the Week #17 – Blue Stratos

1. Tell us a bit about yourself

I was born in the UK, got itchy feet after a 3 month caving trip to China, and emigrated here aged 28. I work in engineering/technical areas.  I met and married an adventurous Aussie lass, have 2 teenage boys, now 15 and 17.  I mostly like sports beginning with C; canoeing, canyoning, cross-country-skiing, cycling, surfing…

[editor’s note: Ian got the name Blue Stratos because we’d just named Old Spice (for chatting up elderly ladies on the Artamon bike path) and Ian looked vaguely similar and had a blue bike!]

2. What got you into cycling?

My parents have never owned a car, so cycling to get around was the normal thing to do in our family, despite our living in a hilly town.  My earliest memories feature being on the child seat on my dad’s bike – daily over the hump back bridge to pre-school, age 4.

3. How did you come to join the Easy Riders?

I kept getting overtaken by ER riders. I usually ride solo, but the social scene of the group proved irresistible, though I understand little, having no cipher for the coded conversation.

4. Tell us about your bikes.

Not so long ago I owned various child carrying bicycle contraptions, including a double tag-along, and a triplet, but the kids grew, so I sold them – the bikes, that is.

I’ve a Giant Reign MTB which is great, but the only bike that really matters to me is my custom road Argos tourer, This was built for me in Bristol in 1982 by the fabled Arthur Needham, with the earnings from my first job out of University.  With silver soldered Reynolds 531DB steel tubing, to my eyes it is a beast of beauty, with Prugnat cut-out long point lugs, and Cinelli crown.  It has had 3 resprays in various shades of blue, 3 generations of components, and we have probably gone well over 100,000 km together… Are you sure you want to know this…?

5. If you could ride anywhere in the world, where would it be?

My tour would start in France, go via Eastern Europe, and finish in Turkey. Ideally a route with hills, views of snow capped mountains, raging rivers, frequent small quaint villages, quiet roads, good local food, and interesting locals who don’t shoot at me.

6. Tell us a riding story.

I once had my front bike wheel stolen, and reported this to the police.  “Can you describe it?” asked the constable. “Certainly, yes”, I replied.

“My front wheel was built in Bristol by Evans Cycles in 1982, using a polished silver Campagnolo Record 36 hole high flange hub, with quick release skewer.  It’s Weinmann Concave 27″ silver alloy rim is laced 3 cross with 14/15 gauge double butted stainless Sapim spokes, with DT brass nipples and Velox cotton rim tape. It has a black Continental top touring tyre, 27 by 1 and a quarter, fairly new, only light wear. The Michelin inner tube has a Presta valve with black cap, and has one patch, about a third of the way round from the valve. The wheel runs true but has a small ding 6 inches past the valve on the release lever side. The hub is clean but the rim is a bit dirty”.

The constable looked up at me, with a surprised expression. I imagined smoke rising from his pen. “That’s the first time I’ve had that, they usually say ‘Round’.”

7. Do you have any advice for the riders at the back of the ER peloton?

I’ve been there, and still am on some days. Just come along, and ride at a pace you can sustain, and the group will adjust for you. The riders just in front of you who are working close to their limits, but trying not to show it, will be delighted. The regular front runners who are cruising anyway get to chat more in their special code. Soon you’ll be answering one of these questionnaires.

8. Lastly, tell us something we don’t know about you.

I design and build mean Trebuchet’s for throwing rubber chickens huge distances, so Scouts can get hit in the face by them.

Rider of the Week #16 – Norman

1. Tell us a bit about yourself
I am an Architect, married to a very tolerant bloke who allows me to explore my sporting excesses. 2 cars, 1 dog and as of last week a 5 bike family.

2. What got you into cycling?
Have cycled on and off since I was a teenager, but a recent injury from running has thrown me into it “full time”. My brother was a keen cyclist back in the 80s which got me started, back when toe clips and Apollos were the must haves.

3. How did you come to join the Easy Riders?
I was riding up the hill in North Sydney in July, came across Teflon and Clyde and was surprised to hear that Teflon was riding to Normanhurst so tagged along.

4. Tell us about your bikes.
Giant OCR3 road bike. Giant Anthem Mountain, Roadmaster 10 speed ladies bike and as of last week WiIier Izoard.

5. If you could ride anywhere in the world, where would it be?
Sydney, on a beautiful spring morning when all the commodore ute driving bogans are in bed.

6. Tell us a riding story.
In April a girlfriend and I rode to Melbourne over 4 days unsupported, and the first day which was the hardest (260kms for me, 280 for her, over bells line of road to Carcoar) also happened to coincide with one of the wettest windiest days in Sydney history. Getting out of bed at 3 in the morning when you could hear the tempest, and know what you were about to embark on was very sobering. We arrived in Carcaor somewhat shattered, but survived to ride on and complete the challenge without misshap or puncture. We arrived in Melbourne on one of those perfect Autumn afternoons, gliding up Brunswick street with the trams and the bustle of hipsters was certainly a reward after such a difficult start.

7. Do you have any advice for the riders at the back of the ER peloton?
Being a regular at the back of the 6pm peloton all I can say is Peddle for you life haha. The somewhat mis-named Easy Riders will ensure you increase your speed and fitness, especially if you live out in the Champagne West like Teflon, Brownie and I

8. Lastly, tell us something we don’t know about you.
I like running a lot. Last big run was 54 hours without sleep.

Rider of the Week #15 – Clutters

This week we have the only ER to have both a ride (the Flutter) and a hill (Cluttersberg) named after him.

1. Tell us a bit about yourself
My Name is Matthew Scott Clutterham (aka Clutters, a bit unoriginal I know) I am 34 years old, have a wife and 2 Kids. Zachariah (Zach) who is 4.5 and Jemimah (Mimes) who is 2 next week. We also have a baby due in 6 weeks. We live in South Turramurra and have a Siamese cat named Simon. I studied Agricultural Science at Sydney University, Majored in Soil Science and now work for an Engineering consultancy as a Contaminated Land Consultant. We also attend a small Anglican church over in Concord where a good mate of mine is the Minister.


2. What got you into cycling?
I did ride bikes as a kid around the streets and through the bush. Then rode infrequently through uni and early work days. I got cleaned up by a taxi on my motorbike in 2005 and broke both my legs in 5 places. I was bolted back together with titanium (my secret weapon) and had to relearn to walk. Part of my rehabilitation was to get on an exercise bike. I pretty quickly got bored with that and as soon as I could manage I bought myself a mountain bike to start riding out doors. After that my passion for cycling increased year by year until heaven forbid I bought a roadie.

3. How did you come to join the Easy Riders?
My memory is terrible. I think it goes like this. I had been commuting to work in Waverton and then Artarmon and knew of the group but their route and ride times did not suit me. I also thought that the group was more easy and less riding. When I got my new job in the city a couple of years ago I decided to front up to Gordon station and find out first hand what the easy riders were all about. I was warmly welcomed by SatNav and have been riding with the group ever since.

4. Tell us about your bikes.
My pride and joy is my race machine. A Giant Anthem 29er. I also have a Giant Anthem 26 inch which is currently collecting dust and my roadie is a 2007? Trek 5600 and I love it too. I also have an assortment of bike attachments for the kids, seats, a trailer and now a tag along (thanks B1C!!!).

5. If you could ride anywhere in the world, where would it be?
It would have to be some sweet sweet single track somewhere. New Zealand, Canada, Whistler, Morocco? Offroad anywhere really. I would also love to ride some of the serious mountains of the TDF on the roadie. Keep dreaming I can hear my wife saying.

6, Tell us a riding story.
After a few years of riding, my mates and I started entering some mountain bike races. I felt that I was getting pretty fit and after having conquered a couple of 50km events decided it was time to sign up for my first endurance event, the 110km Highland Fling. Well this was a bad move. I realised I was not as fit as I thought I was. It was a very long day in the saddle (and lying on the ground next to the track). It was hot, the sound of the cicadas was going straight through my head and I was seriously in the hurt box. It took me 9 hours to complete the course (yes I am a determined bugger). I have since whittled this time down to 5 hours 40 minutes (I am also very competitive).

7. Do you have any advice for the riders at the back of the ER peloton?
Be careful. This cycling thing is addictive.

8. Lastly, tell us something we don’t know about you.
This is the hardest question to answer. Where do I start? Ummm. I have one leg shorter than the other. Oooh I have a better one. When I was at School my mum once stopped the school bus in Warrawee Valley in her dressing gown to give me my lunch box. My mum is my biggest fan. She can often be seen on the sides of the Pacific Highway as the 5:15 bus goes through North Sydney cheering me on. Thanks Mum.

Tuesday the long way round OTP report

The alarm went off in the middle of the night again, black as pitch, nothing to see, but YHC checking the radar which was suitably blank, rolled into gloom for some gorging.

What a perfect morning for a good hard ride, chilled to a balmy 13C no need to layer up and lovely dry road. Being still the middle of the night, no cars, nothing but me myself and I. Turning the pedals at cruise pace through the galston rollers, it was great to “push the pace a bit” as the peloton of one was having no trouble keeping up.

Dropping into the GG just as the first few rays of sunshine ( described in the manual as “Morning Civil Twilight ) were apparent by the bluish glow, not even the rooster at the bridge was game to mutter a morning call…then into the mur de Gallstone…10 minutes of turbo style pedalling. Actually reached the top without finding it hard, damn could have dropped a gear and gone faster…

A quick check on the clock, 5:30 and all is well, Hornsby is stirring, but YHC is pumping, plenty of time to gorge again, so it is off to Bobbo for the second course. Rolling on at BT pace, the peloton stepped up a notch…and hooned down into Bobbo at probably not a safe pace, but by now there was enough light to encourage a little sillyness. Once at the Bobbo bridge though but whom should show up but Herb and company..a real peloton of ridiculously fit MAMILS..Bravado over took me so I rolled to the front and tapped out my finest until the slope started to steepen and the ridiculously fit Herb and company continued on chatting easily while I dropped off the back like BamBams empty fag packet. Luckily they waited at the top, and gave me a good tow along to Turra, PBs a plenty for little extra effort..nice.

The roll down into Gordon, I hammered for the fun of keeping up with the traffic, as one does in a downhill direction, but by the time we’d joined the OTP bus, YHC was cooked, ready for a nice coffee and if I ate wheat , a croiscent. Just 18kms short of the cafe.

18 on the Bus this morning, all much too happy for a Tuesday, but perfect conditions and much anticipation of the Ride2Work day it was hard not be jollied along by the enthusiasm..The BOF was late by a good minute, but no worries the ER peloton was in the mood to make back that minute in the first attack on the hills of death, by Roseville there were 24 odd riders, and some more by the top of Tindale…all of which seemed to arrive before they disappeared…KOM was ( Default ) ¼ …he had called to the engine room for extra steam going along Artarmon road, and was probably at terminal velocity hitting the SUP..daylight second, C.Hippo cruising up not out of the saddle Third… YHC still receiving applause from the Boundary riders for arriving 5 minutes after the leaders have left the podium.

A tight peloton grouped and grinding through North Sydney, with perfect timing on the lights to be through and at SHB in near record time..SHB sprint, ¼ again finding the steam to power past umpteen “obstacles” and be first in the B&T.. the news is that our free coffee app is now being swapped for some other scheme..I just hope the 25 free cups I have saved up will not fall by the wayside..

The count down is on for what the ER riders have been practicing for all year, tomorrow is ride to work day…no excuses, drop what you have planned if you have not planned to be there. It is world record attempt time..50 minimum in the Egg and Tomato..your place has been reserved …there is a free breakfast or two just in case you need a little something extra to get you into the mood.

Return bus timetable is still current, no adjustments made for daylight saving..I for one will be on the 5pm..

Have a great day all
BT

ER does Italy

Some of you may have heard I did a ride in Italy last week. Here’s the report…
Strava stats http://app.strava.com/rides/24841224


I was once asked by a French lass who, having just found out I was a cyclist, asked me “Are you a lover or a fighter?” Not having a clue what she was talking about, I mumbled something about being both, just not at the same time if that’s alright with you thank you very much. It turns out she was asking me if I ride a mountain or a road bike. Mountain bikers being the fierce fighting, mud-loving, big hearted mob they are, while road riders being passionate tarmac lovers with a true fondness for the culture of the sport. Thinking about it now, maybe the lover vs fighter analogy typifies a lot about cycling in general. Are you a fighter like little Thomas Voeckler or do you ride with the souplesse of Franco Coppi? Are you a fan of the battle royales of the Tour de France or the scream with the passion of the tifosi at the Giro d’Italia? Inclining more towards the lover than fighter, the Giro has always been my grand tour of choice and the mountains in particular. Monte Zoncolan, Passo del Stelvio, Mortirolo, Passo Giau – all climbs with histories seemingly etched into the very road.

So when my wife said she wanted to go to Vienna for a conference in October, I was immediately planning how I could wrangle a ride in nearby Northen Italy. A few clicks of the mouse, some minor negotiations and a few minutes later, I was entered into a Gran Fondo in Northern Italy on our last weekend in Europe. Called the Prosecco Cycling (http://www.proseccocycling.it/en) and timed for the end of summer, this 120km ride aims fair and square at the middle-aged, pot-bellied rider who is more interested in chugging down the pasta than riding fast. Hills aplenty but nothing longer than a kilometre. To emphasise the point, they serve the local regional wine (Prosecco) at the refreshment points along the course and give you a free bottle of the stuff on entry. Now that’s what I call riding. And what better way to prepare for such a ride than to spend the week prior in Munich for Oktoberfest on a healthy diet of beer and pretzels. Can life get any better? No, I didn’t think so.

Fully carb loaded, we trundled into the local town the night before, having arranged the hire of a road bike and helmet from Venice. A little small in the frame, but hey, it had two wheels and it rolled, so what did I care? And so it was that an American called Dave (who was staying at the same accommodation) and I rocked up an hour before the gun. I had no intention of keeping up with Dave – it could have been the race-fit physique or maybe his stealth black Campag EPS spec’d Colnago or maybe his razor sharp tanlines that gave him away as a true racer, but ultimately it was the fancy Lightweight wheels Dave had on his bike. Those things were not wheels, they were weapons of mass destruction and some poor Italians were going to suffer on his wheel.

The parcour was tougher than it looked on paper. Set in vineyard hills of the Prosecco region, a local comparison would be the Hills of Death. But just 120km of it. The all too infrequent flats being split by winding corners, short + sharp ramps and fast downhills. A course for what the French call a puncheur and what turned out to be an energy-sapping leg-snapper of a ride.

A few speeches by the mayor, an appearance by an opera singer, a bit of Pavarotti and we were off in a shower of confetti. Apparently I was the only Aussie participant, but 18 riders from 18 countries managed to get to the start line.

The weather was high teens, misty and overcast, but with little chance of rain – great riding weather. The ride started with an immediate climb out of town which broke the mass wave start of 1000 participants almost immediately. Everyone was way too jumpy off the start for my liking and I wasn’t surprised to see a stack on a downhill in the first 10km. It was fast-going for the first 40km, and I knew in the back of my mind I was burning too many matches for my level of fitness, but I was hoping I could somehow hang on to a bunch as several rolled through. I yo-yo’d off the back of a few before giving up and riding at my own pace. I was riding a 53/39 with 12/26 rear and was spinning out regularly on the downhills trying to keep up.

The first real pinch at 40km came and went. With sections up to 15%, I was able to hold and even improve my position a little. Only to have the advantage withered away in the next 10km. No matter, I had to hold something in reserve for a monster called Il Muro, or The Wall, at 80km. A kilometre long with long sections of 15 to 18%, it wasn’t going to be easy. So famous in the local cycling lore, it even has it’s own website (Il MURO di Ca’ Del Poggio) and featured in the 2009 Giro d’Italia. Needless to say, after little training and no cycling in the 2 weeks prior, I was weaving up this puppy at a snail’s rate, posting letters across the road. The reward for such a climb? Prosecco and mussels at the top. And gee it tasted good. By this stage, I was cramping up something fierce and had to have a break. Fed and rested, I called the missus to let her know I was going to be a while getting home. With 35km to go, it was going to be an exercise in survival.

I cant say I remember a lot about the last 30km. With the kms ticking down slowly, I had my eyes on the scenery looking for familiar landmarks to indicate how far it was to go, convinced my Garmin was lying to me. False flats and slow rises required the granny gear all too frequently I’m ashamed to say. I was crawling. With 10km to go, the course veered onto some local Strada Biancha. Never having tackled loose gravel like this on a road bike, it was an effort to stay rubber-wide down. After a millenia, the 3km sign was in sight. The final ramp to the finish line was made all the more bizarre when two Italians on a tandem rushed me and another guy for the line. Kudos to them for doing the whole 120km.

I’d come 480th out of 600-odd riders and had lost a bucket of speed in the 2nd half of the ride for a total time of 4hrs 46mins. Not exactly warp speed, but hey I got to ride a Gran Fondo in Italy and drink Prosecco while doing it.

I capped off my Italian holiday with a ride up the local Mount Cesen behind the town, and was rewarded with a beautiful view and a sweet 25min descent through a dozen switchbacks. I can definitely recommending riding in this region of Italy if you have the chance. Photos attached.

Fore

Doris’s day out on the OTP

Radar said “perfect weather for a ride into town”, and it being “that special day” Doris was in for a good hard ride this morning along the OTP. There were bongo’s drumming and restless natives to contend with, but as Dawn broke over Gordon, a well wrapped impi of ERs in “traffic cone” colours assembled for the off.

A brace of Geese, ( Imagine the goose in stereo )
A bullet
A Satellite
A Stealth,
A pair of Bananas
HB and Daisy
YHC and ( one more who’s ride name escapes this aged brain, If I have missed any more slap me or wear a name badge )
And Comet.

Half and Dragon..accreting at Roseville

Departed into the gathering gloom… temperature cool and getting cooler as we bravely fought the howling southerly..Doris sliding slowly rearward as the hills of death loomed large, it may not look that steep but if you have not had a ride in year or two, any rise feels like mountain, and carrying a little extra weight on the rack is quite noticeable.

All good things come to those who wait so it was good to see the peloton waiting for Doris to wheeze up to Roseville, the Rawhiti sprint section slowing Doris to a waltz back from the cha cha cha along Werona . Luckily Satnav was busy socialising in Lindfield so was still a minute behind allowing YHC to regain normal breathing before rolling on through Chatswood. Archer St is a hill…the dip along Tindale too ..every little wrinkle in the landscape …felt gruesome. KOM ..Doris by a mile ( behind ) was cheered by the Boundary riders enjoying the spectacle I think they thought I was chasing the field that had charged past minutes before ( which of course I was ) .

Regrouping in all the usual places, there was about a dozen to cross the bridge, the temperature was now about half what it was on departure, and a wall of southerly buster to battle before pretending to be enjoying sitting in the freezing cold at the B&T.

Definably.. the second best way to start the day.

Returns booked and paid for a GG debrief departing around the 5 to 5:15 mark..

Have a great day all

BT

OTP Thursday roll in

YHC was up with the trucks this morning, bleary eyed and bushy tailed, straight into the Subi for a swift transfer to Gordon…and looking at the traffic it would be business as usual, our holiday is over, ute city, and quarry truck heaven along the double dipper of New Line Road.

Temperatures 17C Pressure Rising, sky ..clear of cloud..sun in your face warm…what more could a cyclo commuter ask for ( well a Peloton of 20 witty, like minded gents in lycra comes to mind but weatherwise ..a perfect morning for a commute into town)

YHC humbly suggests name tags…sort of like fighter pilots who paint their name on the fuselage to ensure the ground crew know who’s aircraft to sabotage..as gathering at the Gordon launch the addled brain could not put names to all the faces..welcome to Newbie Drastic, second or third ride in…doing great on a very old fixed gear MTB..

I counted to 19 as the peloton extended in front of me, being lantern rouge we had a NSW legal group in front, and a few more rolling on along the way probably put us into dubious territory, although with lights and greyhounds arguably we could say it was more than one peloton…yes judge I expect you to believe that..

Heading into the Artarmon park…plenty of foot traffic, and assorted vehicles to provide obstacle practice and opportunities to smile and wave, I wonder if next week after daylight saving kicks in if the crowds are going to be so big. KOM was more an exercise in restraint than the usual hypoxic charge of the lycra brigade, leaving the Burlington burn as a potential gasp fest..however it was too pleasant a day to spoil it with priapic feats of derring do.

B&T was well packed, stacked and racked..no seats available for the latest to arrive, the weather angle of the sun, lack of gale force winds, perfect conditions for a ride into town encouraging the general public to compete with the ER second best way..perhaps we should have an advance party to reserve the forecourt and rearrange the tables a bit before the hoards descend.

A huge 32C forecast for return busses, not much gap between cool weather wear and summer fashions…Bullet where are your people and what are they doing ?

Have a good one all..

BT

The Captain’s 2011 Xmas Address


More knee slappers than a Munich Bierkeller!

Here are links to the final AFR article on DT and the original, unedited version

Rider of the Month for September – Satnav

Rider of the Month for September is young Satnav.

According to Strava Satnav cranked out 1,591.8km and 22,804m in 61hr 46m and that’s not counting the lunchtime sessions on the Turbo Trainer. He even managed to take the last two days of the month off to mow the lawn a couple more times.

Satnav aka SOL is a Life Member of ER and currently ACFMI (Acting Chief Foundation Member Intergalactic).

1. Tell us a bit about yourself
Tight bean counter from the bush. Love the bike and a chat. And spreadsheets. Mild mannered until WBA bolts off the front. Still upset that Drastique ruthlessly flogged my only KOM before I got the chance to publicise the fact. Have been known to mow the lawn twice on the same day in search of a leave pass.

2. What got you into cycling?

Used to ride to high school (Dubbo), about 4km each way. Got cleaned up by some old duck one morning but luckily no lasting damage to the bike. Continued riding though Uni (Canberra) and then Sydney….then a long break until 2004 when I took up commuting in London. Have been riding ever since.

3. How did you come to join the Easy Riders?

Our daughter’s baseball, of course, in late 2008. The good wife was commenting to a fellow parent (HB) that I commuted by bike. HB flicked a business card, reeled me in, and I joined the (few) others at Gordon shortly thereafter. I was the 50th on the email list at that point however we were only getting a couple at Gordon each morning in those days. Haven’t commuted by train since.

4. Tell us about your bikes.

I don’t have any BMX’s, unicycles or tandems. My fleet are of the road variety. Carbon Madone 5.5, Carbon Norco, Ally Saracen, Steely Pro Ace, and soon to be released ER Steely Single Speed. (Note for the purposes of the ER Xmas Party only one of these is mine; the rest I’m merely keeping in reasonable working order for our kids when they’re big enough to fit them). Yes they’ll all insured and no you don’t know where I live.

[Editor’s note: SatNav is known for the meticulous care he takes over his equipment. On the left is one of the cogs from the Pro Ace and on the right is the infamous 3P blow-out]

5. If you could ride anywhere in the world, where would it be?

I’m as much about the company and the hitout as the whereabouts. There’s something special about turning yourself inside out with a group of like-minded souls all happy to share the toil and a coffee afterwards. Last year’s G2GGvG and Bumble Hill “magnificent 8” rides stand out in that regard.

PD’s Thredbo training camp (20 ER’s) in February provided the entree for some real climbing – that where it’s at I reckon – some of these legendary climbs in Europe being marketed by Tormey Tours look the real deal.

[NNNick once again failing to drop Satnav – ask NNNick who recently won up Macquarie Pass]

6, Tell us a riding story.
Well this one’s more of a non-riding story…..re-told now (i) for the significant number of newbies we’ve welcomed in the past 18 months or so since this one occurred, and (ii) because the victim is on holidays currently and unlikely to read anything sent by Drastique anyway.

So the victim, let’s call him “c”, used to park his bike in Coopz’ garage for convenience to Gordon. c hadn’t ridden for a while, so Coopz and TSS thought it might be a giggle to sell c’s bike without his knowledge. So TSS did one of his best sales pitches yet of the said bike, together with photo, and circulated around the group to gather EOI. (if someone can dig this out it would be great pls)

c, busy working on “matters”, didn’t notice his bike being marketed around the group. It went on for a month or so….

So someone in the group (can’t remember who) flicked it to someone outside the group who made an offer to TSS of $1000 for it. At that point TSS got nervous and suggested we tell c about the aforementioned events. “^&#*% him” was Coopz response.

Eventually c found out from which it is believed his favoured term “you ragtag bunch of misfits” was born.

c hasn’t had a break from the pedals of that duration since.

[Editor’s note:  Original email is below]

——– Original Message ——–
Subject: RE: Another bike for sale
From: “Stubbings, Captain”
Date: Sat, September 08, 2009 8:34 am
To:
Satnav/Coopz
You blokes are hilarious. I was going to delete this email as another inane bike worship email, but Coopz knows how fastidious I am in reviewing my emails (but I do it in the same calendar year as receipt – rather than his timing, which is generally on each full moon). So I checked the photo. And yes, it looks remarkably like my bike, helmet, shoes, lights, gear box, pump and brand new *?!%ing tyres which I put on 2 weekends ago and haven’t even rolled on yet, propped up neatly in Coopz garage!!! Nice sting boys.
I am typing this on yet another Saturday morning at work, but I will finish this deal mid-week and then I’ll be back in my rightful place leading this rag tag bunch of misfits (from the back of the pack).
But if you want to know more about The Stallion, it is a beautiful looking bike (as the photo taped to my filing cabinet attests). As I say, it has new tyres and tubes and I have matching red and black high speed cycling clothing to match (for anyone who has the same buff physique as me). My only concern with the bike is that it seems to go better down hill than up hill. Not sure if I bought specialist down hill wheels…
Anyway, back to work.
Enjoy your weekend (and your belly laugh at my expense) you jokers.
Captain
– hide quoted text –
>
> From: Sat Nav
> Sent: Friday, 7 September 2009 10:26 PM
> To:
> Subject: RE: Another bike for sale
>
> Matt / Captain
> Brownie’s latest offering looks to be an Avanti similar to yours. Can you pls provide a product review on this model?
> Much appreciated.
> Thanks
> Mark
>
> From: Brownie
> Sent: Thursday, 6 August 2009 11:39 AM
> To:
> Subject: Fw: Another bike for sale
>
>
> Hello All,
>
> I forgot to add in a bike to the spreadsheet that I sent out last night. The bike is a Carbon road bike with Shimano 105 groupset and Fulcrum Evolution wheels and is approximately 12-18 months old.Frame size is 56cm with sloping top tube. The bike was intended to be used for occasional commuting with weekend wine tours and local coffee rides in mind and has been kitted out accordingly. The bike will be sold as a package deal with the following additions included: Two rear Smart LED lights, Saddle bag complete with spare tubes and tyre levers, Two biddon cages, Clip on Aluminium mini pump, Small front LED light and a brand new AYUP lighting system that has a seperate light set for both the bike and the helmet. The helmet is near new Giro Atmos and there is also a pair of Shimano RO-72 shoes in size 43. The bike has barely been pedalled in anger if pedalled at all and is in immaculate condition. You could count on one hand how many times it has been used this year. The bike is being sold due to lack of use and really needs to go to a rider who would actually use it on a regular basis to its full potential. It would be ideally suited to a fastitious commuter who is looking for a quality machine. Asking price of $1000 ono and if not sold prior to next weeks BBQ will be auctioned to the highest bidder at the BBQ (phone bids welcome).
>
> Cheers,
> Brownie.

This is the matching eBay posting.

7. Do you have any advice for the riders at the back of the ER peloton?
Keep at it and you won’t be there for long. Take a look at the motivational readings of our BT, VD, and a myriad of others who have significant success stories to tell. And if I still see you towards the back after that, I’ll bore you to death with stories of pivot tables.
[Editor’s note: This is not actually true – all new ER’s wax lyrically about how Satnav looks after the rear of the peloton]

8. Lastly, tell us something we don’t know about you.
Lived in Moscow for a year in the late 90’s; timed perfectly when the Russian economy went to pot.

Only had a handful of frightening experiences – being taxi’d (i.e. hitch-hiked, as the norm then) around the outskirts of Omsk at 3am when I knew it wasn’t the route to the hotel; seeing the inside of a Moscow police cell when a mate didn’t have his papers and I thought it rude to leave him on his lonesome; Taliban supporters club demonstrations in Tashkent; foot long fishing knife shown to me by some random bloke I shared a cabin with on the train to Smolensk…..combination of the above has driven my passivity when getting cut up by utes on the OTP – you never who you’re up against so best not to find out.