Mad Dogs and Englishmen

All primed for the 6.20am start

A highwater mark in Australian contemporary writing
Presenting Hawthorn Cycling Club ...
Roy & HG: The Alpine Dream

We're returned from swanning around the delightful locale of Bright. Unfortunately we missed out savouring the Bright Brewery but there shall be always be a next time. Maybe the brewery will actually be in-situ by 2007?

Now this incredible news. Bikesoiler completed the 200km Audax Alpine Classic. I'll type that again.

Bikesoiler completed the 200km Audax Alpine Classic.

He completed the epic 200km in unbelievable conditions, and as he duly remarked, it was bordering on being too "Hieronymus Bosch" for comfort! Read his stirling tale of achievement here. Bikesoilers previous transcontinental desert training from last year was excellent preparation. Despite that I felt a uncomfortable combination of apprehension and pride, ie: repeatively whinging mentioning to him beforehand: "if you feel sick, please stop at the 130". I've suffered heat stroke, resumed consciousness attached to a drip and therefore can attest it's a injury I wouldn't wish upon anyone. Well, there's at least 4 -5 fucktards on the face of this planet but that's another story..

Meet the friendly Wandi locals

Surviving the heat. Victoria is currently being parboiled by the elements. When up in the high country I thought it wise to commandeer the kiddies pool at our motel and immerse oneself in it fully attired + cowboy hat. That's one method to stay très kewl. On Sunday, while waiting for our partners to return, Troy & I went on a wander around the wilds of Wandiligong, ate jelly at the Wandiligong Maze and went single tracking along a local path. Piece of piss on a MTB, but it required 'advanced technical skills' on a road bike with 23mm treads! The Ninja is nicely kitted out with bullhorn bars, salsa cyclocross levers and Rubino treads, so the rig is halfway there. I dreamily fantasised about missing the blackberries Belgian pave .. cheering crowds on the Paris-Roubaix... Yeah, right, well, this ploy worked. The only real problem was dust and smooth river pebbles washing out the rear wheel. Hence, I dabbed a lot.

So what's on cyclists minds presently? Fer starters, there's the looming issue of lane splitting which may affect cyclists in the future. Gutter journalism. Which really isn't a surprise. Inadvertent champagne comedy from clueless letter writers. We also received preview tix to the TdF themed Overcoming. My 'precis' movie review: an intense portrayal of complex emotional, psychological and physical effects on a TdF team, it's a different perspective to Hell on Wheels.

The Melbourne Aeolian Ride is all ready, set, go for Saturday 11 March 2006. All that is required now is a recce ride, but that will be completed when this feral weather calms down.

Stuff of interest :: USA: Coffee on Wheels:: Recycled Gear Clock :: From Bangladesh: Popularising bicycle :: Salvation via the bicycle :: Al Gore - Executive Powers speech: This should be of interest to activists et al :: Photographic study of bikes in Amsterdam :: USA: I don't care what the trendy kids say, bicycle riding helps liberate my mind

Now, all frivolity aside, today a huge battle is raging in Victoria, so please support the CFA. And our innocent wildlife caught up in this terrible disaster.