Hellbound And Pedalling
As promised. Here’s the new CX steed in show-pony mode. The tyres are far dirtier now, and the frame has had a semi-decent coating of grit and mud. After Tassie’s endless wet winter I feel somewhat bad that I’m spending my days secretly hoping for rain.
A random link showed up in the BnC inbox today, which looked a little dubious. Pretty Boy promptly sent through a message re-stating the link, which could either be a seal of approval or a suggestion towards a healthy dose of BnC-style cynicism and heckling. Either way, I went and visited this website and saw what looks like a bunch of Alien and Leader frames built up with custom colours, fancy spoke patterns, painful saddle angles, dubious brake set up and odd rim drillings. There’s a lot of talk about lifestyle and aesthetic and paradigm shifts and other such stuff. It’s difficult to avoid getting a little BSNYC about it all, so instead I think I’ll just open it up to the discerning readers of this fine website and allow you to start flinging the stinky stuff around. Have at it!
Continue reading this post…it has lots of big pictures and I can’t be stuffed resizing them.
‘Tis the season to get muddy. Brendo’s got some new wheels and I’ve just spent the evening building mine. Here’s a sneak peek at all the gears on mine, and the clean lines of Brendo’s. Where’s yours?
Courtesy of Benny’s Facebook photo collection. Reminiscing. Rad day. Gotta do it again soon.
For those who haven’t noticed, PDX Cross is back for another season. As we ease (very) slowly towards warmer weather, we can entertain ourselves by browsing plentiful images of people covered in mud and grime, tearing themselves apart on the cyclocross courses of Portland. Naturally, they always seem to be enjoying themselves (when they’re not bleeding, and sometimes even then). Roll on over for all your tasty CX needs.
To keep on with the theme, I just dropped a heap of magic beans on a new frame and some cantilever brakes. I’d say bring on the mud, but given the weather over the last few months, there’s really no need. Might need to up the cowbell content though. Now to start pondering components and colours…thoughts on black?
I found out tonight that Wade, who owns the blue fixed conversion I spotted rocking a DIY BnC spoke card yesterday, got collected with a car door later in the day. He’s down and out with a broken collarbone, which sucks a big one! Getting doored is one of the constant risks when you’re riding in the city, and it’s shit to hear of someone getting done in by it. So best of luck to ya Wade, hope the recovery is a quick one and you’re back on the bike soon!
Also, cheers to Jono for hooking up a sweet full moon ride tonight. Small turnout, but it was perfect weather and good fun. Ended up with a fair amount of mud on the bike after a backstreet detour went a little stray, but the moon was shining and the breeze was minimal, making it a ripper night for a ride.
Feedback for the draft Tas MTB Plan closes on October 11, which is only a week away. Worth checking out if you’re a mountain biker in Tassie. Actually, probably worth a read regardless of what you ride. Go check it out, and throw some words at them if you’ve got any thoughts. The more voices, the better.
Naturally BnC featured in a small way, with clogs mcgee Timmy getting one of his fine Wildside photos featured on the title page. Nice one mate.
Don’t forget…
Sun came out today. Life ain’t all bad. Still want a ‘cross bike. Still gotta get the MTB dirty again before I can justify any new wheels.
This is happening around the place, but not Hobart. If it’s near you, I’m sure you know about it already, but maybe not. If you go, I’m sure there’ll be something good.
And here’s an interesting blog post about laser cut dropouts, if you’re into that kind of thing. Forwarded on by my old man, aka the Man In Black, aka BP, aka Bruce Pringsteen. Respect.
And from the same site, here’s an amusing video. Should be replicated around the world for worthy chuckles and good times.
Also, spotting custom BnC spoke cards on bikes in the city makes my day. Rep it and roll it.
Don’t forget daylight savings starts tonight (clocks forward 2am). That means more light, and that summer is going to drag its sorry arse out of the shed eventually. Which means more riding time, more drinking time, and hopefully plenty of hot weather (yeah right!). A PSA from BNC. That’s how we do it.