Back in the land of Interweb

I recently received the following mail from my internet provider.

This is my explaination for disapearing of the radar for a month.
And of course because we've been busy.

I've been training for the Gong cycle this weekend. 90km's and a sore arse for charity (MS research).

And a visit from some of the old Karlsruhe gang from germany and holland. So we did the tourist thing and went to the blue mountains. And took some snaps of this...

Which any Australian should be able to identify as the three sisters

Oh.. and I've decided to give the American Football a miss this season. I'm having much more fun getting fit on the bike.

And because our interweb is getting cut off soon, we're getting really fast internetz (ADSL) from these guys.

AND... Just for good measure. I've now been in the country of deadly seas and (not quite) scorching sun for 6 months and 2 weeks (So I now have an Ozzie drivers license). And there is exactly 6 months left until I get married to my loverly lady 'K'.

Life goes on, and on, and on 'n on.

And because I've now lost 5 kilo's from cycling, I can now drink beer again! YEAH!

Daddy Spears.

Does this phrase,"susceptible to undue influence." , just mean that she's a bit dim?
Surely being stupid is no defence for doing stupid things?

If that's the case, I shall get myself sectioned immediatly!

Pimp My Ride - Cycle Edition

Can I just say, if you want to make your commute on a bicycle more enjoyable... maintain your bike properly.

The gains in average commute speed shown below are mostly due to proper maintainance!


Tips for increasing your speed ranked according to effectiveness!

Tip 1. Save 3km/h - If you have a mountainbike - swap the dirt treads for road tyres. Descents are much faster. Dirt tyres have great grip, through high surface area contact to the ground. Road tyres a smooth profile and less grip, but this is only needed while breaking or cornering. If you don't feel confident cornering on road tyres, then try semi slicks, with a high grip profile on the parts of the tyres used in cornering.

Tip 2. Save 1.5km/h - Keep the tyre pressure as close to your tyres maximum pressure rating as possible. The higher the pressure, the less the tyre deforms, the less contact with the ground. This reduces energy loss due to friction, and puts it into generating momentum. Be warned, as you have less grip, and reduced breaking power.

Tip 3. Save 1km/h - Check your brakes. You only want to use them when stopping. Brakes Rubbing against the wheel waste energy, and sap energy on ascents. If your wheel is buckled, you may be able to straighten it by adjusting the tension on your spokes.

Tip 4. Save 1km/h - Grease up! Buy the tools, and find out how your hubs are assembled. If your hubs aren't setup correctly, then the energy lost is actually causing damage to the Hubs. Old or missing grease, creates unwanted heat & noise. Overtightening will squeeze the bearings and increase loss to friction, more heat and noise. Loose hubs, will move off center cornering and cause uneven wear to bearings and brakes.

Tip 5. Save time - Plan ahead. Optimise your route! Shortest does not equal quickest. Consider, road surface quality, traffic and pedestrian congestion, ascents, recovery after ascents... etc.

Fun ouch fun ouch

I can thoroughly recommend the guys as Heartbreak ridge, for all you paintballing needs.

However the most important consideration is.. who are you taking with you.
People who would shoot you in the back in work, will it seems, also shoot you in the back on the field. Normally at close range.

I have a selection of multicoloured welts to prove this.

Well thought out

From the front page of the sydney morning herald.
Obviously the Ad placement guys have been working overtime.

Fringe benifits.

Apparently there's another benifit to cycling to work. One which keeps the miser in me just as content as my inner eco freak.
I don't have to pay this anymore.


And combined with the petrol price it shapes up to a neat, $12.

To work and back by car.
Toll Pennant hills - abbot rd : 2.20 * 2
Toll abbot rd - old winsor : 0.56 * 2
Distance 20 km each way
Petrol price - 1.51 (Expensive Thursday)
Petrol Consumption - 10L/100km
Time 25 - 45mins
Total - $11.56
+ Gym Membership - $16 (Month)

To work and back by bike.
Toll - $0
Distance 25 km each way (Not so many choices as by car)
Petrol price - 55cents (1 Bananna Extra)
Gym Membership - Nada, Nill, Nichts.
Time 1h 5mins - 1h 10 mins.
Total - Bugger All, and a free workout to boot!

AND BEST OF ALL - because it's all bike paths and back streets
I DON'T HAVE TO PUT UP WITH ALL THE DICKS IN CARS ON THE ROADS!!
Of course the money that's saved all goes into the kitty for our next brew of beer! Which after all that excercise, can be drunk without guilt!