Paolo Savoldelli wins prologue of Giro 2006
On of my favourite cyclists Paolo Savoldelli has won the prologue of this year’s Giro de Italia. Paolo won the Giro last year and I hope this year he can do it again.
Another one of my favourite cyclists, Australian Brad McGee had a fantastic ride to grab second place. So far I am having an excellent Giro!
Here’s Paolo enjoying the spoils of victory. Mmm, Italian sparkling wine!
Mt Donna Buang
A foggy drive north-east of Melbourne to the town of Warbuton at the base of Mt Donna Buang. We drive passed Richard resting on a park bench. It looked as thought his ride from Lillydale was tougher than usual.
We delay our ride to appreciate our heroes from wars past and present. Our helmets removed we clap as they pass by. My arms get goose bumps as a frail, old digger refuses a chair and a trumpet plays The Last Post.
Our ascent is leisurely but only just. After a while I catch up to Melissa. Cockily I expect her to be out of breath and reluctant to make conversation. She tells me that she likes the ferns that line the road and is pushing a gear 3 higher than I am. She is making a mockery of this ride.
We all have bad days on the bike and after nearly two years of regularly riding with Richard I finally get to see him have one. Haha! Am I unsporting, vindictive or both? Possibly. However most cyclists will understand where I am coming from.
After 20 minutes enjoying the view we descend into the freezing cold air, darting in and out of the indifferent sun. My bike was shaking and for a moment I suspected brake problems only to realise it was me… not my bike.
A couple of meat pies and a kiss from the lukewarm sun moves the numbness from my muscles to my brain. Coffee is needed for the drive home. I purchase a round of 3 for $10.50. Has the price of coffee been linked to the price of petroleum?
Now I am sitting in front of this computer. I want to go for another ride.
Hell of the north
Tomorrow the most insane bike race in the world is on - The Paris-Roubaix or Hell of the North as it is affectionately known.
Basically around 200 professional road cyclists ride 260kms around Northern France and Belgium. The weather is usually dreadful and a good portion of the ride is over bone jarring cobblestones that are often covered with water and mud. Punctures are frequent and so are stacks.
The men who compete in this race are tough, brave and completely insane.
Will anyone get near Tom Boonen? No! Will anyone get near him in July for the Maillot vert? No!
Australia’s Allan Davis enjoying a cobblstoned section of last years Paris Roubaix.
April fools
On Saturday April 1st Ben and I were among 55 teams of cyclists who departed Mildura as part of the 20th edition of Woody’s Murray to Moyne.
For those who can’t be bothered with the link, the aim is to start at one of three points along the Murray (Echuca, Swan Hill or Mildura) and ride in a relay, arriving in Port Fairy within 24 hours with a mandatory rest stop in Hamilton.
Here are some general thoughts about the experience:
Riding into a headwind is one of the most demoralising experiences a cyclist can have
The best things about country cooking are also the best attributes of the people who live there
Cycling in the darkness beneath the pin-holed blanket of the milky way is a memorable experience
The human spirit is an amazing thing
Paying tribute to volunteers is not a cliche
The human anatomy would be completely different if bicycles existed before the evolution process
Writing a blog the day after will take approximately 11 times the time required for a normal post
Bicycles and newspapers
5 days in Bright. My activities go something like:
- Ride my bike with Richard – climbing several thousand vertical metres.
- Read the newspaper
- Have a swim – in the crisp, clean Ovens River
- Consume – chips, coffee, pies and pasta
- Sleep
- Visit some of Victoria’s more stylish tourist attractions.
I don’t know how I managed to fit it all in.
Rich enjoying the view from Tawonga Gap
Victoria’s highest peak Mt Bogong - 1,986 metres (6,516 feet)
Me looking rather tuff in Glenrowan. A fantastic destination for tourists of all ages!*
*Not!
Fuck you and your H2
I am a cyclist so for obvious reasons I really dislike 4WDs.
I appreciate that some 4WD owners need their 4WD but the reality is that most 4WD owners simply want their 4WD. Why? Because they are selfish and consider their needs and rights more important than yours or mine.
Now clearly I am over simplifying things here but I don’t care. Naomi Robson over simplifies stuff all the time.
I digress.
As with widescreen TVs, Telstra shares, Delfin developments or really, really fat people, the proliferation of 4WDs on our roads is a fitting symbol of what is fucked about Australia.
That is why I enjoy Fuck you and your H2.
The H2 is a gas guzzler. Because it has a gross vehicle weight rating over 8500 lbs, the US government does not require it to meet federal fuel efficiency regulations… So while our brothers and sisters are off in the Middle East risking their lives to secure America’s fossil fuel future, H2 drivers are pissing away our “spoils of victory” during each trip to the grocery store.
Up yours 4WD owners and stop eating so many cookies!
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