Here's some nice footage of Melbourne trials rider, Andrew Dickey, jumping on things all around Melbourne.
The only thing that would improve this video is if he jumped onto the Ferrari at 2"45'. Oh, and if the music were different.
Enjoy.
Thursday, September 20, 2012
Monday, September 17, 2012
MKS Titanium Aero Bell
Every once in a while, a new product comes along that makes so much sense you can't help but wonder why it took so long to be invented.
This is the case with the MKS Titanium Aero bell. I'm sure I'm not alone when I say that I've often looked down at my standard non-aero bell and cursed it for being heavy (making the handling of my bicycles unpredictable) and substantially reducing the aerodynamics of my hybrid.
The MKS Titanium Aero bell solves both of these problems. Made from aerospace-grade titanium, this little beauty tips the scales at a measly 16 grams.
And its aerodynamic properties are truly mind-boggling. The Weekly Cycle tech department have conducted tests in a wind tunnel and found that over a 40 kilometre time trial, the MKS Titanium Aero bell will save a cyclist between 45 and 60 seconds over other leading bells.
What's even more extraordinary is that it's actually faster running the MKS Titanium Aero bell than no bell at all. 15 seconds as it happens.
Unfortunately, due to UCI Article 1.3.024, which states "Any device, added or blended into the structure, that is destined to decrease, or which has the effect of decreasing, resistance to air penetration or artificially to accelerate propulsion, such as a protective screen, fuselage form fairing or the like, shall be prohibited", professional cyclists will not be able to take advantage of this new piece of equipment.
That said, there's nothing stopping us mortal amateurs (and triathletes) from using one. And at only $60, why wouldn't you?
The MKS Titanium Aero bell solves both of these problems. Made from aerospace-grade titanium, this little beauty tips the scales at a measly 16 grams.
And its aerodynamic properties are truly mind-boggling. The Weekly Cycle tech department have conducted tests in a wind tunnel and found that over a 40 kilometre time trial, the MKS Titanium Aero bell will save a cyclist between 45 and 60 seconds over other leading bells.
What's even more extraordinary is that it's actually faster running the MKS Titanium Aero bell than no bell at all. 15 seconds as it happens.
Unfortunately, due to UCI Article 1.3.024, which states "Any device, added or blended into the structure, that is destined to decrease, or which has the effect of decreasing, resistance to air penetration or artificially to accelerate propulsion, such as a protective screen, fuselage form fairing or the like, shall be prohibited", professional cyclists will not be able to take advantage of this new piece of equipment.
That said, there's nothing stopping us mortal amateurs (and triathletes) from using one. And at only $60, why wouldn't you?
Thursday, September 13, 2012
Keirin racing
This is a fascinating documentary about Keirin racing in Japan. The sport was developed there in 1948 (according to the internet) or 1949 (according to the film) as a way to raise money to help the war-ravaged nation recover.
It's interesting to see such a culturally-specific and unique interpretation of the sport of cycling.
The doco features the Japan Keiren School. Apparently, the 10% of applicants who are accepted into the school endure intensive 15-hour days in the hope of graduating to become professionals.
The Japanese spend close to 10 billion dollars on bets each year.
Monday, September 10, 2012
SEX SEX hire a bike SEX SEX
Ah, OK, I should begin by saying that you shouldn't watch the video below while at work unless you're a colleague of Ron Jeremy or something.
This clip is an advertisement for a Russian bicycle hire company. The voice-over states, "It's not important how you use the bicycles you rent from us. What matters is that you return them on time and intact."
So there you go. Next time you're in Russia and after a hire bike, you'll know where to turn. Or not.
All I can say is, if sex sells, these guys will rent out a lot of bikes...
Prokatvrostove - Bike season 2012 open from prokatvrostove on Vimeo.
This clip is an advertisement for a Russian bicycle hire company. The voice-over states, "It's not important how you use the bicycles you rent from us. What matters is that you return them on time and intact."
So there you go. Next time you're in Russia and after a hire bike, you'll know where to turn. Or not.
All I can say is, if sex sells, these guys will rent out a lot of bikes...
Prokatvrostove - Bike season 2012 open from prokatvrostove on Vimeo.
Thursday, September 6, 2012
iCycling
Well before eBooks and iPhones, cycling had its own phenomenon that was named by taking what it was and adding a single-letter prefix; iCycling.
Unlike the 'e' in email and the 'i' in iTunes, which simply stand for 'electronic' and nothing really, respectively, the 'i' in iCycling not only stands for 'ice', it also gets you saying 'ice' as you read the whole name. How cool is that (pun intended)? You could even read it as icicle-ing, if you were that way inclined.
It would be like if someone making a new sport that required contestants to kill people in the most cunning or proficient way. They'd be mad not to call it 'sKilling'. Killing with skill. Yep, they'd be mad...not to...
Anyway, someone did invent iCycling way back in ancient times. And to prove it, here is some archive footage from 1939.I'm not sure where it's from but I would guess France based on the Pathé stamp on the footage. It turns out this footage is most likely from Canada (thanks to "British guy" for the information).
Unlike the 'e' in email and the 'i' in iTunes, which simply stand for 'electronic' and nothing really, respectively, the 'i' in iCycling not only stands for 'ice', it also gets you saying 'ice' as you read the whole name. How cool is that (pun intended)? You could even read it as icicle-ing, if you were that way inclined.
It would be like if someone making a new sport that required contestants to kill people in the most cunning or proficient way. They'd be mad not to call it 'sKilling'. Killing with skill. Yep, they'd be mad...not to...
Anyway, someone did invent iCycling way back in ancient times. And to prove it, here is some archive footage from 1939.
Thursday, August 9, 2012
To commute…
verb (used without object)
-to travel regularly over some distance, as from a suburb into a city and back: He commutes to work by train.
-to put my head out the door and check the temperature. It’s cold so I put my jacket on. Almost as soon as I start pedalling, my legs burn a little. That happens every morning. It’s their way of waking up. Soon after I settle into a rhythm and take in the morning. It’s been raining. My clothes let me cheat the fresh, cold air. I love the contrast I can feel between my covered skin and the few exposed parts that sting slightly. As usual, I’m too warm by the time I arrive at the traffic lights under the bridge. I pull over, remove my jacket and stuff it in my bag. As I’m doing this, a girl on a cruiser pulls up in the bike lane. The lights change to green and I pedal past her on the footpath and then hop onto the road. I ride around the corner and down the ramp then across the bridge over the river. As I approach the bike path on the other side, I notice the girl on the cruiser riding along ahead. She’s taken a route I didn’t know about. I’ll have to try that tomorrow. Soon after I pass the girl again, feeling a bit silly, even though she probably doesn’t recognise me from earlier. I ride along the edge of the bike path because that bit avoids the ripple strips before each of the pedestrian crossings. Lots of people ride along the edge. It’s nice and smooth there. Near the construction site, I come across the fat construction worker. I see him a few times a week. He doesn’t work at the construction site. I’m not even sure if he’s a construction worker but that’s what he is to me. His right knee bends out each time he pedals. He must have an old injury. From a car accident in my mind. Then the English guy who used to come into the bike shop I once worked at passes in the opposite direction. I often see him but I don’t think he recognises me. I’m getting even warmer now. I remove my gloves and stuff them into my pocket. The wind is blowing quite hard this morning although not as much as yesterday. It’s a north-westerly. Which of course means it’s travelling south-east. I’ve always found it odd that wind is defined by where it comes from rather than where it’s going. Then I get to thinking about what gets described like wind. Not trams or buses. No one cares where they’ve been, unless they've picked up a crazy person or someone who's spewed. Maybe people. They are usually defined by what they’ve achieved rather than what they hope to. That’s all I can think of. My nose starts to get runny. I blow it into the air and watch the snot glisten in the sun as it’s carried south east by the north westerly. Then I see Hugh coming in the opposite direction. I met him in Timor last year. We see each other most mornings. Today, we give each other a high-five as we pass one another. Hugh’s hand hits my wrist. It stings a bit. It’s our first high five though. I’m sure we’ll do better next time. My nose is runny again. I blow it again. I reach the end of the bike path so join the road. There’s a bit more traffic than usual because it’s been wet. Cars stream past me. Then I turn right and the traffic is banked up. I pedal past the cars. A truck’s engine is making a high-pitched noise. It sounds like there’s a miniature traffic jam inside it replete with angry horns. I ride on. I pass by the 1965 Ford Falcon. Its number plate is NEATXP. It is neat. It’s been driven since yesterday. It’s facing the opposite direction in its driveway. As usual, the bus and I have our little battle along this stretch of road. It passes me. Then I pass it when it stops to pick up passengers. This repeats four or five times. Near the end I turn right then left and I’m almost there. I ride the last stretch directly into the wind. Then I cross the road at the crossing while giving a nod to the crossing lady. I arrive at work forty-five minutes after sticking my head out the door to check the temperature and it’s time to start work.
-to make substitution.
-to serve as a substitute. .
-to make a collective payment, especially of a reduced amount, as an equivalent for a number of payments.
-to travel regularly over some distance, as from a suburb into a city and back: He commutes to work by train.
-to put my head out the door and check the temperature. It’s cold so I put my jacket on. Almost as soon as I start pedalling, my legs burn a little. That happens every morning. It’s their way of waking up. Soon after I settle into a rhythm and take in the morning. It’s been raining. My clothes let me cheat the fresh, cold air. I love the contrast I can feel between my covered skin and the few exposed parts that sting slightly. As usual, I’m too warm by the time I arrive at the traffic lights under the bridge. I pull over, remove my jacket and stuff it in my bag. As I’m doing this, a girl on a cruiser pulls up in the bike lane. The lights change to green and I pedal past her on the footpath and then hop onto the road. I ride around the corner and down the ramp then across the bridge over the river. As I approach the bike path on the other side, I notice the girl on the cruiser riding along ahead. She’s taken a route I didn’t know about. I’ll have to try that tomorrow. Soon after I pass the girl again, feeling a bit silly, even though she probably doesn’t recognise me from earlier. I ride along the edge of the bike path because that bit avoids the ripple strips before each of the pedestrian crossings. Lots of people ride along the edge. It’s nice and smooth there. Near the construction site, I come across the fat construction worker. I see him a few times a week. He doesn’t work at the construction site. I’m not even sure if he’s a construction worker but that’s what he is to me. His right knee bends out each time he pedals. He must have an old injury. From a car accident in my mind. Then the English guy who used to come into the bike shop I once worked at passes in the opposite direction. I often see him but I don’t think he recognises me. I’m getting even warmer now. I remove my gloves and stuff them into my pocket. The wind is blowing quite hard this morning although not as much as yesterday. It’s a north-westerly. Which of course means it’s travelling south-east. I’ve always found it odd that wind is defined by where it comes from rather than where it’s going. Then I get to thinking about what gets described like wind. Not trams or buses. No one cares where they’ve been, unless they've picked up a crazy person or someone who's spewed. Maybe people. They are usually defined by what they’ve achieved rather than what they hope to. That’s all I can think of. My nose starts to get runny. I blow it into the air and watch the snot glisten in the sun as it’s carried south east by the north westerly. Then I see Hugh coming in the opposite direction. I met him in Timor last year. We see each other most mornings. Today, we give each other a high-five as we pass one another. Hugh’s hand hits my wrist. It stings a bit. It’s our first high five though. I’m sure we’ll do better next time. My nose is runny again. I blow it again. I reach the end of the bike path so join the road. There’s a bit more traffic than usual because it’s been wet. Cars stream past me. Then I turn right and the traffic is banked up. I pedal past the cars. A truck’s engine is making a high-pitched noise. It sounds like there’s a miniature traffic jam inside it replete with angry horns. I ride on. I pass by the 1965 Ford Falcon. Its number plate is NEATXP. It is neat. It’s been driven since yesterday. It’s facing the opposite direction in its driveway. As usual, the bus and I have our little battle along this stretch of road. It passes me. Then I pass it when it stops to pick up passengers. This repeats four or five times. Near the end I turn right then left and I’m almost there. I ride the last stretch directly into the wind. Then I cross the road at the crossing while giving a nod to the crossing lady. I arrive at work forty-five minutes after sticking my head out the door to check the temperature and it’s time to start work.
-to make substitution.
-to serve as a substitute. .
-to make a collective payment, especially of a reduced amount, as an equivalent for a number of payments.
Friday, August 3, 2012
VicRoads Melbourne bicycle survey
I was stopped on my commute to work this morning by a guy conducting a survey. He asked me if I had two minutes to spare to answer his questions. I didn't - I was running late. But I like surveys and I figured it was about bicycles so I lied and agreed to answer his questions.
The "survey is about your cycling travel and particularly about how you perceive different types of cycling facilities such as shared paths, cycleways and on-road bicycle lanes. The information you provide in this survey will be used by VicRoads to inform the development of policies and guidelines and ultimately target investment towards areas that will make cycling a safer, more comfortable and enjoyable experience."
The "survey is about your cycling travel and particularly about how you perceive different types of cycling facilities such as shared paths, cycleways and on-road bicycle lanes. The information you provide in this survey will be used by VicRoads to inform the development of policies and guidelines and ultimately target investment towards areas that will make cycling a safer, more comfortable and enjoyable experience."
If you're like me and like bicycles and surveys (and live in Melbourne), you can do an online version here. It's a bit long but it's a survey so it's fun.
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