Tuesday the long way round OTP report

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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.

Rider of the Week #14 – NNNick

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1.  Tell us a bit about yourself

Very much English and proud of it. Lived in Singapore and didn’t want to move to Australia but was forced to as threatened with a single life and high maintenance payments. Moved here in January 2011 and it was the best decision I ever made! Now I wish we had moved earlier!

2.  What got you into cycling?

I guy in my office used to commute into work and so after practising one Sunday, I gave commuting a go on a hybrid bike I bought in Singapore.  After being dropped on the way home before the bridge by my colleague every day, I realised I needed a road bike to at least give me a chance of keeping up with him. After a trip to Turramurra Sports and a new Giant, I joined the club and started riding with the C’s.

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

I was picked up by Bullet one morning in Chatswood and he told me about the Easy Riders and asked for my email address and said he would send some details. Later that day I was copied on this email! He seemed so normal when riding with him!

I acknowledge the traditional owners of this email and keystroke with respect on this hallowed turf.

‘Twas the late bus form me this morning.

Taking a leaf out of Flesh’s manual: “Trawling – the commuters guide to the Backdoor”, I happened across an very smart Giant saddling a distinguished gent by the name of Nick Hardcastle. Nothing to report as Scribe de Bullet was busy regaling captive audience with bold tales of his exploits a’ la Old Spice. There is a chance we will never see or hear of him again, though I sincerely hope not.

Some points to note regarding New New New Nick:

  • Recently ex-Singapore and currently residing in Killara – Mr Sulu, please note
  • About to re-locate to St Ives – Schleck and El Conejo, please make yourself known to NNNN
    To the best of my knowledge he has not been made aware of standing St Ives rules that apply in relation to car keys and dinner parties – but maybe that’s just me; child of the sixties with questionable  parentage…..
  • Currently working in the city but about to transfer to North Sydney where he will be anointed in the ways of the Bullet Point, the Flashpoint, the Back Door, the quiver of “Blasts” and all manner ancient druidic Easy Riders rites
  • Most importantly he had heard or “a bunch of blokes who meet at Gordon Station” as evidence that the Easy Rider brand is in significant need of investment. Alternatively we could re-brand as “The Bunch of Blokes Who Meet and Gordon Station” – The BBWMGS (that’s catchy….). Might need to let SatNav know on this one as he is in deep pow wow with the Chinese re new kit.
  • His name is Nick. Another one. How many is that? What is the collective noun – a Knack of Nicks? Discuss.

Anyhoo, seeing Drastic’s too sulky to give me admin privs, could one of the “inner sanctum” be so kind as to invite Nick into the Google Group as I’m sure we all extend our heartiest welcome to the Peloton.

4. Tell us about your bikes.

Pinarello Paris with Di2  and a Giant TCR 2 which is for sale as I like the Pinarello so much, the Giant now doesn’t get used.

[Editor’s note – this boy needs to learn that you never sell bikes, you just acquire more. Keep the Giant as a “wet weather bike”]

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

I have only been riding about 15 months so I am still happy riding around Sydney

6, Tell us a riding story.

My first ride with Peloton Sports was on a Saturday to West Head with the C’s so having pulled up ok, a little stiff and shattered, I joined them for the Sunday ride to Calga. As a number of club members were in Italy, turnout was low so they decided that A’s, B’s and C’s would all roll out together. I was knackered by Hornsby but pride forced me through the pain barrier and I hung on with the group until Mount White where some B’s and the C’s turned back. I was completely exhausted and could hardly turn pedals and was dropped pretty much immediately and had to ride home alone. That 30k took forever, when I eventually got home, I was so tired I had to go to bed and didn’t get up until Monday lunchtime having had to call in sick as I couldn’t move my legs as they were so sore.

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

I have only been riding about 15 months so it isn’t for me to give advice, I am still learning from the wiser ones around me.

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

I represented England at full senior level at Cricket. ( England Ladies came to my club for a warm up match prior to an overseas tour and they were one short so I played for them against my club)

Rider of the Week #13 – Wilson

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1.    Tell us a bit about yourself?

Born in the 50’s (along with Sting) in Manchester (unlike Sting). Met wife to be in London, married Hunter Valley and moved to Sydney in 2000. Three kids 7,8 and 10. Who have all ridden the Bright railway line in Victoria. It was their induction with Tom (6) doing 35km on his first real day on a bike !

Always been keen on high places. Topped 6000m in Peru on honey moon. Snow holed on Ben Nevis. Trekked round Patagonia.

Picture of Torres del Paine with Lady Wilson

And still hold out hope of the 7 summits … although I have yet to do Koziosko !

2.    What got you into cycling??

Ridden since a kid, but nothing competitive. I wasn’t really sporty, although quite into alpine sports (Skiing, mountaineering, ice climbing …). But I quite liked the idea of being a jack of all trades so tried a few triathlons in UK; started with mini-tri’s, then Olympic ;London, Bath, Windsor, up to long course Weymouth half IM. Then finally Iron Man Australia 2001.  I then more or less packed in cycling for about 7 years. Finally got back into it as a health thing after the doc declared me clinically obese in 2010  !.  I’ve dropped about 10kgs, resting HR down to about 54, stopped nibbling my nails etc.  Scheduled for IM70.3 Port Macquarie this August 28.

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

After commuting solo for best part of a year, via BWH, I ran into SatNav at cubs one night and rest is history. Although it still took me a further few months to transition from BWH to the OTP in. I have also never seemed to be able to summon the energy to be at Gordon at 06:45.  I usually make the 17:15 bus home several days a week. After joining the bus home it was a short mind step to say no to the Barry, I have been clean for 3 months now !

4.    Tell us about your bikes.?

Oldest bike is Giant OCR 1 bought in Dec 2000, just in time for Ironman Australia early 2001.  Still use it as my wet weather bike. Although it now feels ludicrously long compared to my recent acquisition.

Mountain biking was my real passion before coming to Australia. Several bikes; Marin County (no suspension), then Specialized Rockhopper (hard tail). This latter beast made it to Sydney, only to be stolen from Turramurra station a few years back. It is the model on my Strava pic, from the Glenbrook classic. (this pic was used as the proof of ownership to get the insurance claim from me Westpac home insurance !).

Pic from Glenbrook ….

Replaced with Specialized XC Comp FS full suspension, recently overhauled by TSS and waiting for Manly induction.

CFO OK’d carbon upgrade mid-2012, splurged a little on Pinarello Paris DI2 BoB. Lovely. This lives in my man cave, underneath the Strat and ES335.

Soon as I can find somewhere that’s do Shamal’s for around AU$800 I’ll be upgrading … although the best strategy here seems to be to seek forgiveness rather than permission.

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

It’s got to be Glacier riding at Saas Fee , it looks awesome. Any one up for this next year ?

Think Woody sent this link earlier in the year:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0I5WXkbOzSA

6. Tell us a riding story.?

I have story similar to the rider formerly known as Flash’s boat epic. On the way to my first mini-tri it started to rain and I put my head down … just for a sec. Looked up in time to see the parked car … I did contact it but managed to carry on to the race.

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

Challenge yourself to stop at your second lowest gear, just say No to the granny . It’s a small incremental effort. That’s how I built up riding up kissing point road on my early days commute home in 2011. Took me about 4 days before I even made it without getting off and pushing. Then it was the granny, eventually I got so I could do it in a middle gear.

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

Take your pick….

I appeared in a bike advert aged about 6.  It was shoved into camera on a Moulton small wheel bike, shorts, socks round ankles. Slogan was “He doesn’t care about the steel but Moulton  do”.  The advert was really about the steel used to manufacture the bike, rather than the brand.

(That’s not me age 6 !)

Prior to moving into finance industry, I was a software developer in flight simulation for many years. One of our installations was a BAe Hawk for the Swiss Air Force.  I spent several months on site and most lunch times I would decry the schnitzels and bratwurst to fly the hawk (sim) through the Alps.  We even modelled a non-existent tunnel through one of the mountains,, now that was a little tight to fly through.. You had to lock the joystick between you knees and just use the trim controls.

I also have an interest in nature and photography… Half Dome in Winter

Thursday..

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A belated OTP report, so what caught my eye this morning…

  1. Perfect weather for a ride into town.
  2. A magnificent array of ER contenders waiting for the bazz at Gordon.
  3. Getting a clean sweep of lights from Warrawee
  4. Luxurious lack of traffic due in part to School Holidays…
  5. Satnav killing his PBs on the 4 gorges.
  6. 20 on the OTP…( ish…coulda been more but to mention it triggers issues around peloton size..girth and length )
  7. Pace at perfect pitch.
  8. SUP crowded , ER manners impeccable
  9. KOM..default option…1/4 great stuff.
  10. Rolling through North Sydney at 30kph..nearly a clean sweep..
  11. B&T on form, fast and loud.
  12. Many happy returns planned for the usual times.

Have a great one all

BT