Greetings brothers GFC. Today I had my first exposure to "Open" aged racing. Yep I raced Glenvale with Caulfield Carnegie in D grade and it was different but the same...I'll explain. Ben wanted to race with his mates in E grade..the learner grade and that starts at 8.30 for 30 mins D grade follows straight after so I thought I'd have a go. Firstly to Ben's effort.
The road was wet but no rain and there was one corner coming off Springvale Road that was really dodgey. The Marshalls tried to explain lines to the kids, about 15 of them and the importance of being smooth. Ben rode off with the 2 x Jones boys, son of Damo of Hampton cycles. He was marshalling along with some of the dads. I was able to ride alongside and keeping on the outside of the orange cones and watch and support Ben. I was actually surprised of the speed that they maintained...about 33-35 and I found myself thinking I'm going to have to slow down soon, I was getting tired. Well I got the opportunity to stop when 2 kids went down in the aftforementioned corner. A 14 yr old boy had got a bit reckless and the 14 girl followed him over the handlebars. No real damage but I stopped to help as the rest of the kids managed to miss them. Thank God.
The last few laps had the pack whittled down to about 6 with the 3 Hampton Team boys still there with a chance. The last lap had the fat 15 yr old bludgeon his way past team Hampton and another slightly older boy then came Tom Jones, 3rd, Ben 4th and Ben Jones a few lengths back. It was a really solid performance today and I was proud as. Now all he wants to do is place because he saw Tom got money....
After that it was my turn and I didn't really know what to expect. There was about 30 in our grade and all shapes, sizes and ages. There were a couple of kids riding with their dads which pricked my ears up to and then a few teenagers of 14-17 age range. A couple of chicks and a few old Fatties like yours truly. The race has 10 minutes of neutral and then it's on. The neutral was in the early 30's then the race was in the high 30's. You really only race for about 40 mins then it's finished. The 1 km circuit was boring compared to Casey and there was another stack in B grade at the same corner when they were passing us. Of course it was the guy winning that went down. As he entered the corner I thought he was going in hot...yep I was right, splat. The young fellas like to surge and in that way it was different to the Oldies but they don't seem to have the ability to keep up the pressure. As the laps got to 3 to go i was handling the speed reasonably comfortably and then with that sign for 3 they took off. I was expecting the lull like with the Oldies....no it was the Opposite and I was caught out a bit and found myself out the back of the front 10. Damo was also marshalling D grade comes up alongside and gives me words of encouragement. I was doing about 46 trying to get back on when this kid no bigger than Ben rolls on past like he was riding to the shop to get milk. Well I wasn't going to get beaten...well not by much, so I put in a second effort and managed to get back on. Onto the bell lap and they were up again into the 40's and that was enough for me and I rolled over the line just out of the top 10. That went according to plan because when I signed on the race controller told me not to place and not to "power the pack". No fear of that.
$17 to race was a bit steep but it was quite good fun. Had an average of 36.5 over 27 kms...I still prefer the Oldies.
GFC boys....this time in 2 weeks. All will be revealed...
Pushing Pedals
Sunday, March 04, 2012
Saturday, March 03, 2012
Miyagi's new Venge
You know when you first see something and you immediately fall in love. Yes, When I first saw Miyagis new Venge I thought...Fuck that's a sexy looking bike and the I was the first Foster to swing a leg over it because Miyagi wont be taking on any challengers for a few more days as he's done his back. He was walking around like an old mole....he he he.
So watch out for Miyagi with a hard one in the next few days riding up the highway...how hard is he going to be....to beat that is.
On another note Jnr is still training with Caulfield and last night had his second go at Motor Pacing...this time he hit the roller with the front wheel and hung on for a lap at a fair clip....I would reckon mid-high 30's Unfortunately track racing for Jnr was cancelled today because of the rain.
Dom, le Butch and I rode this morning..no sorry, Dom and I waited this morning for Le Butch who turned up 30 mins late then we head south into the wind, tacked onto a group doing high 30's and shouted at Nugget who was heading North. When we get to frankston, Le Butch says.....I'm turning I don't want to do the hills I'm going to black Rock. I say I'll go and get Mick who is up the middle of the pack and we can sort out something. So off I ride and then get Mick, slow and no Le Butch. He's turned and gone!!
Bloody butcher. So we keep going into the Hills. We had a nice ride which was a bit wet and ride home to the GFC Garage where we find Le Butch who reckons he had 2 punctures, no pump so had to blow up his tyres by mouth and only one leg able to pedal. A Mal if I've ever heard one. How come he can't admit that he's struggling. I've done it for years. Oh well he reckons he's coming to Buller....
Now there's only 2 weeks and I'm getting really excited about getting the boys back together. I know the climb will be tough and I'll be fighting Wisey for last possie but for me I more looking forward to the shenanigans. Those memories of past Bullers come flooding back and we will make more boys...yes we will make more. I'll bring the Port.
You know when you first see something and you immediately fall in love. Yes When I first saw Miyagis new Venge I thought...Fuck that's bloddy
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
You've got 18 days to break 1 hr
18 days till the big day and for those of you not on Twitter may not be aware of the fact that the Organiser of the Buller event, Bruce HALKET and I have been tweeting each other. Generally it's been about the competition between Andrew and I. Well, last night he tweets a photo of a polka dot jersey for the first up Buller. So I tweet him with a challenge. If our Dom can beat Bruces best time up Buller then Dom will win the Polka dot. His best is 57.23, Doms is around 1.04 I think so theres a fair difference. BUT, our Dom is climbing extrememly well so I threw it out, the Challenge.
Go for it Dom not only the Trophy is waiting but so is a Polka dot Jersey.
Its drawing nearer and I'm really looking forward to the Saturday........night. after party.
GFC Fozzy
Go for it Dom not only the Trophy is waiting but so is a Polka dot Jersey.
Its drawing nearer and I'm really looking forward to the Saturday........night. after party.
GFC Fozzy
Sunday, February 26, 2012
The Casey Cyclone
Greetings Brothers of the GFC,
As many of you will be aware today was quite windy, but I am sure that the wind hits Holland and turns and goes straight to Casey Fields. It was insanely windy there today and lots of the usual B grade field may have opted for a bunch ride instead because numbers were down to about 18 starters. Over the course I would estimate 15 % tail, 50 % cross, 35% block head wind.
I knew this type of day would be a day to split the field and ride others into the gutter. I just had to try and keep my work load to a minimum.
First lap JP winds it up when he hits the short section of tail wind and Andrew Cathiness goes with him, I thought whats JP up too, it's far to windy to go it alone as Andrew isn't that strong and on the first lap. JP does like to retire early on the windy days and have a beer.
After a couple of minor surges we were rolling around as a bunch when Ronnie attacked into the cross wind and took one riders with him (older ex A grade don't know his name). It was still very early and the condition tough, very tough. As their gap grew I started to move forward through the pack and come up along side JP and he goes that's the race those two love these conditions and nobody will chase them down. (In the back of my head that tripped a switch) but I resisted for the moment, but a lap later when they had almost 500 metre's on us I had to go to the front to see If I could get a chase group going - nobody wanted to work so after one lap I slowed down and again tried to encourage to bunch to get some sort of roll going. That fell on deaf ears so when I got to the next section of cross I put the hammer down and took Sprio, Asian Geoff, Chris Ross and two others with me and the chase began.
That resulted in the remainder of the B grade field getting dropped and most withdrawing. Ronnie & co had amassed a good lead and it was difficult getting a smooth roll going. Spiro and Chris would come through with the others sitting on the back getting a free ride. I was doing probably a little too much but I though if we can get within striking distance I can slip back and recover.
We were starting to make headway when Ronnie co-escapee popped and drifted back to us. I had just finished a turn into the head wind and must have been showing signs of fatigue because as I turned into the finishing straight when Spiro and Geoff attacked us and got a gap and put some serious pressure on. The others did not respond immediately and we had a situation on our hands.
The next lap was a Mr T lap (Rocky 2 "PAIN") So hard to get anything going when everbody is trying to saver themselves for the end of the race. Ronnie had popped and was getting caught by Spiro and Geoff and I was being used a a wind breaker.
The combination of heat, wind and no recovery caught up with me and I found myself hanging onto the back by the skin of my teeth. When the Bell lap came Chris Ross had enough left to split from our group towards the end and pick up 3rd, while Spiro rode a great race and won easily over Geoff, who did the right thing be not contesting the sprint as he didn't assist Spiro much. And I limped in like a roasted chook.
With Buller approaching the Hills of the Peninsula will be sort out in favor of criterium racing.
ride safe
DOM
As many of you will be aware today was quite windy, but I am sure that the wind hits Holland and turns and goes straight to Casey Fields. It was insanely windy there today and lots of the usual B grade field may have opted for a bunch ride instead because numbers were down to about 18 starters. Over the course I would estimate 15 % tail, 50 % cross, 35% block head wind.
I knew this type of day would be a day to split the field and ride others into the gutter. I just had to try and keep my work load to a minimum.
First lap JP winds it up when he hits the short section of tail wind and Andrew Cathiness goes with him, I thought whats JP up too, it's far to windy to go it alone as Andrew isn't that strong and on the first lap. JP does like to retire early on the windy days and have a beer.
After a couple of minor surges we were rolling around as a bunch when Ronnie attacked into the cross wind and took one riders with him (older ex A grade don't know his name). It was still very early and the condition tough, very tough. As their gap grew I started to move forward through the pack and come up along side JP and he goes that's the race those two love these conditions and nobody will chase them down. (In the back of my head that tripped a switch) but I resisted for the moment, but a lap later when they had almost 500 metre's on us I had to go to the front to see If I could get a chase group going - nobody wanted to work so after one lap I slowed down and again tried to encourage to bunch to get some sort of roll going. That fell on deaf ears so when I got to the next section of cross I put the hammer down and took Sprio, Asian Geoff, Chris Ross and two others with me and the chase began.
That resulted in the remainder of the B grade field getting dropped and most withdrawing. Ronnie & co had amassed a good lead and it was difficult getting a smooth roll going. Spiro and Chris would come through with the others sitting on the back getting a free ride. I was doing probably a little too much but I though if we can get within striking distance I can slip back and recover.
We were starting to make headway when Ronnie co-escapee popped and drifted back to us. I had just finished a turn into the head wind and must have been showing signs of fatigue because as I turned into the finishing straight when Spiro and Geoff attacked us and got a gap and put some serious pressure on. The others did not respond immediately and we had a situation on our hands.
The next lap was a Mr T lap (Rocky 2 "PAIN") So hard to get anything going when everbody is trying to saver themselves for the end of the race. Ronnie had popped and was getting caught by Spiro and Geoff and I was being used a a wind breaker.
The combination of heat, wind and no recovery caught up with me and I found myself hanging onto the back by the skin of my teeth. When the Bell lap came Chris Ross had enough left to split from our group towards the end and pick up 3rd, while Spiro rode a great race and won easily over Geoff, who did the right thing be not contesting the sprint as he didn't assist Spiro much. And I limped in like a roasted chook.
With Buller approaching the Hills of the Peninsula will be sort out in favor of criterium racing.
ride safe
DOM
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Pedal servicing
Greetings brothers of the GFC
Prior to going to compete in the National Masters track series in Sydney Nugget dropped off a set of 105 SPD SL pedals and a packet of ceramic bearings.
Dismantling the pedal is quite simple. A plastic sleeve screwed into the pedal body secures the axle assembly. Unscrew and removed the axle the unscrew the cone lock nuts and pull the axle apart.
The stainless bearings are replaced with 24 x ceramic bearings (caviar) grease applied and the axle reassembled. The allen key hex in the rear of the axle in crucial for holding the axle while the bearing preload is set and the lock nut tightened. The axle is simply the screwed back into the pedal body.
I then made a comparison to my Dura Ace pedals.
105 axle (cro moly) 24 x stainless bearings plastic axle carriage housing
Dura ace axle (titainium) 24 x stainless bearings + needle roller bearings supporting the axle end in the pedal body. Alloy axel carriage housing.
The is a big difference in quality and price between both. The Dura Ace pedal is certainly made to by very durable. While the 105 pedal is a great pedal it would have a limited life, but great value for money.
Ride Safe.
Buller awaits brothers can't wait for the week end away.
Prior to going to compete in the National Masters track series in Sydney Nugget dropped off a set of 105 SPD SL pedals and a packet of ceramic bearings.
Dismantling the pedal is quite simple. A plastic sleeve screwed into the pedal body secures the axle assembly. Unscrew and removed the axle the unscrew the cone lock nuts and pull the axle apart.
The stainless bearings are replaced with 24 x ceramic bearings (caviar) grease applied and the axle reassembled. The allen key hex in the rear of the axle in crucial for holding the axle while the bearing preload is set and the lock nut tightened. The axle is simply the screwed back into the pedal body.I then made a comparison to my Dura Ace pedals.
105 axle (cro moly) 24 x stainless bearings plastic axle carriage housing
Dura ace axle (titainium) 24 x stainless bearings + needle roller bearings supporting the axle end in the pedal body. Alloy axel carriage housing.
The is a big difference in quality and price between both. The Dura Ace pedal is certainly made to by very durable. While the 105 pedal is a great pedal it would have a limited life, but great value for money.
Ride Safe.
Buller awaits brothers can't wait for the week end away.
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Building Stiffy
A Dick and his bike.
In his element the Team Mechanic
Starting to take shape now
Just the seat and gear cables to go
The attempted artist shot....Fail.
A proud Dad.
Monday, February 20, 2012
Stiffy Days
Firstly let me say this….Farck it feels great to ride a Stiffy. Now I never thought I would say that in a sentence and not think I was losing my mind and turning to the dark side. Obviously I’m referring to my new wheels. Dom has all these names for his bikes, The Phantom, Black Betty, Wisey has Mary, me I’ve got Stiffy.
In the interest of keeping Mike and the The Mechanics happy I’ll have to give you a quick run down on the lead up to this morning’s Maiden voyage. Well I bought a new frame, from Santa and it sat in my room for a month or so. Mr MIYAGI made all these promises to give me a group set etc and I gave him an iphone that he gives to his daughter for Chrissy…..also he tells here it’s brand new when it’s actually 3rd hand. (Dad why does it have a scratch on the case?) Anyway the Indian giver doesn’t deliver and I’m left to source other avenues for parts for the bike. Enter Dom and Nugget. As usual Dom has been keeping ebay in business and he and Nugget have been conspiring to purchase some bits and pieces. As a result of this I become the proud owner of Dura levers front derailleur, ultergra cranks and heaps of other stuff from Nugget. Dom throws in the stem and handlebars cogs, cassette and his loving attention putting the bike together, so with minimal loss of parts to the old Scott I’ve got a new bike and a big smile.
So to the Maiden ride this morning after a night at the GFC garage. Dom has fitted a 12-27 cassette for the Buller Assault and I’m greeted to a lovely bright sunny day and I head south to keep up the training. My offer to join me is politely declined by Andrew who reckons he’s not been riding for the last few weeks after I gave him a lesson like one of the SCHLECKS in the Alps of Frankston south. I know he’s been out, he’s foxing for Buller, of that I’m sure. He won’t roll over that easily, even though he would roll quite well with his belly……Oh stop it Phillip!!!
Back to the bike. So I head south into a 15 knot southerly. I’m in the small chain ring I suppose at about 30 when the chain skips from time to time but it only seems to be in the higher gears, 14-15-16. When I get to the base of Overport Road ready to smash my P.B. Dom calls to see how I’m going. We try to diagnose the problem but we soon come to the realization that I’ll stuff it up more and decide…..DON’T BLOODY TOUCH ANYTHING comes down the phone. So I get back on the bike and start the climb. The bike felt lovely and it doesn’t have any scuttle shake over any bumps like the Scott and the power delivery felt strong but I was a bit wary about getting out of the seat with the skipping…..You guys have seen me climb, you know the power.
Well about half way up my bladder is complaining and I see that time is getting away so I peel off into a park to try to find a toilet. All I found was this old dear walking her dog saying “You alright dear?” Yep I’ve done it again, fallen off the bike whilst changing to the 27 the chain has skipped off the cassette onto the rim and I was still clipped in with no forward momentum. Arghhhhhh down I went. The bike thankfully fell onto the grass and me onto concrete….you alright dear….Piss off old lady…haven’t you seen a fat 40+ on his back before struggling to get up?
So I ring Dom…guess what I did? His reply “Is the bike alright?” Yes Michael it’s fine….But I’ve got a sore thumb. Stick that up your arse he says…..not really but I bet that’s what he was thinking.
Heading home now, Seaford time trial and in the Big ring the skip wasn’t as bad. Apart from that the bike was great, the position was almost the same as the old bike and I felt right at home. I even raced a train along Station Street, well for a few seconds anyway.
Dom came over and diagnosed the fault straight away….BUTCHER!!! (Insert NEWMAN voice) He has mixed up the 12-27 cassette and put old second hand 14-15-16 cogs in the good cassette. Doh!!!
Tomorrow time for Dom to fix the problem…as he always does.
Where would we be without our Fuckabout?
I would like to finish by saying a heart felt thanks to Nugget and Dom for helping me get this bike on the road for I wouldn’t have been able to do it for myself and they have saved me thousands.
GFC Fozzy
Post written from work so some photos will be posted later
In the interest of keeping Mike and the The Mechanics happy I’ll have to give you a quick run down on the lead up to this morning’s Maiden voyage. Well I bought a new frame, from Santa and it sat in my room for a month or so. Mr MIYAGI made all these promises to give me a group set etc and I gave him an iphone that he gives to his daughter for Chrissy…..also he tells here it’s brand new when it’s actually 3rd hand. (Dad why does it have a scratch on the case?) Anyway the Indian giver doesn’t deliver and I’m left to source other avenues for parts for the bike. Enter Dom and Nugget. As usual Dom has been keeping ebay in business and he and Nugget have been conspiring to purchase some bits and pieces. As a result of this I become the proud owner of Dura levers front derailleur, ultergra cranks and heaps of other stuff from Nugget. Dom throws in the stem and handlebars cogs, cassette and his loving attention putting the bike together, so with minimal loss of parts to the old Scott I’ve got a new bike and a big smile.
So to the Maiden ride this morning after a night at the GFC garage. Dom has fitted a 12-27 cassette for the Buller Assault and I’m greeted to a lovely bright sunny day and I head south to keep up the training. My offer to join me is politely declined by Andrew who reckons he’s not been riding for the last few weeks after I gave him a lesson like one of the SCHLECKS in the Alps of Frankston south. I know he’s been out, he’s foxing for Buller, of that I’m sure. He won’t roll over that easily, even though he would roll quite well with his belly……Oh stop it Phillip!!!
Back to the bike. So I head south into a 15 knot southerly. I’m in the small chain ring I suppose at about 30 when the chain skips from time to time but it only seems to be in the higher gears, 14-15-16. When I get to the base of Overport Road ready to smash my P.B. Dom calls to see how I’m going. We try to diagnose the problem but we soon come to the realization that I’ll stuff it up more and decide…..DON’T BLOODY TOUCH ANYTHING comes down the phone. So I get back on the bike and start the climb. The bike felt lovely and it doesn’t have any scuttle shake over any bumps like the Scott and the power delivery felt strong but I was a bit wary about getting out of the seat with the skipping…..You guys have seen me climb, you know the power.
Well about half way up my bladder is complaining and I see that time is getting away so I peel off into a park to try to find a toilet. All I found was this old dear walking her dog saying “You alright dear?” Yep I’ve done it again, fallen off the bike whilst changing to the 27 the chain has skipped off the cassette onto the rim and I was still clipped in with no forward momentum. Arghhhhhh down I went. The bike thankfully fell onto the grass and me onto concrete….you alright dear….Piss off old lady…haven’t you seen a fat 40+ on his back before struggling to get up?
So I ring Dom…guess what I did? His reply “Is the bike alright?” Yes Michael it’s fine….But I’ve got a sore thumb. Stick that up your arse he says…..not really but I bet that’s what he was thinking.
Heading home now, Seaford time trial and in the Big ring the skip wasn’t as bad. Apart from that the bike was great, the position was almost the same as the old bike and I felt right at home. I even raced a train along Station Street, well for a few seconds anyway.
Dom came over and diagnosed the fault straight away….BUTCHER!!! (Insert NEWMAN voice) He has mixed up the 12-27 cassette and put old second hand 14-15-16 cogs in the good cassette. Doh!!!
Tomorrow time for Dom to fix the problem…as he always does.
Where would we be without our Fuckabout?
I would like to finish by saying a heart felt thanks to Nugget and Dom for helping me get this bike on the road for I wouldn’t have been able to do it for myself and they have saved me thousands.
GFC Fozzy
Post written from work so some photos will be posted later
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