All’s quiet on the BnC front by the seems of it. We’re at that part of winter where the cold weather is no longer a new thing, but part of the daily routine. The icy morning commutes are getting a little tedious down here, and night rides seem to have lost a little of their excitement for me. It’s a two-thirds slump, and the thought of standing in the cold hosing down a mud covered bike seems to be enough to keep me off it completely. It’s completely soft and weak, but then I’ve never claimed to be a hard man. Much easier to sit inside where it’s warm, dreaming of hot weather and new bikes whilst reading about glory through suffering on the internet. Glory through sloth, much more likely.
So what has been happening? The secret project has been clawing its way towards completion. Wheels laced, frame painted, parts gathered. The final pieces are not too far away, the final prep-work is imminent, and the anicipation is building. There’s no doubt that the wallet has taken a hefty hit, and I may have gotten a little carried away, but that’s half the fun of it right? Right? Oh god.
The Hobart BnC crew rolled out a few weeks ago for a Winter Solstice ride. A multi-story carpark skid session sent Nathan sliding across slick concrete and the Newtown velodrome witnessed some hefty spin-outs from the SS/Fixed crew. In fact, the ride included only one geared bike. While we’re by no means a one-gear exculsive gang (despite many peoples mis-conceptions!), it was an interesting development.
On a global note, BnCs international borders are expanding. Early moves are being made towards the establishment of a Columbian chapter, marking the start of BnC’s South American domination. Mad kids from the shores of the Carribean, rolling wild, worldwide!
BnC caps should be sent out very soon. Once they’re away, hoody and t-shirt pre-orders will be kick started. Check behind the couch for change.
For now, that’s about it. Maybe the rest of the BnC kids have more to report? I know Gus is prepping early ingredients for the Bike Kitchen, and Ben’s been doing his best to get lost in the desert. Matt’s downing beers and listening to good tunes across the ditch, and Dicko’s probably passsed out in a gutter somewhere in France. What’s happening in Melbourne? Someone let me know! Dave’s over in London using his camera to good ends, and I’m sure there’s plenty going on everywhere else. Let me know, I’ll tell the world.
The NT Chapter of BnC has been busy. I’ve buildt a number of bikes in the past weeks, a fixed gear tourer, an 857 reynolds 29’er, a carbon 650b dually and helped Freddy rebuild his bike ready for his assualt on the Simpson Desert Bike Challenge. The remote area rides have been continuing. We’ve tackled Tjapiya, Putji, Tjuputjara,Manturu and Kata Tjuta. Another bike ride coming on Sunday/Monday …and today we’re running our third BnC bicycle community workshop in Mutitjulu. So lots happening up here.
Haven’t ridden a bike all weekend.
Went out and looked at them a few times though.
Maybe next weekend will be a bit sunnier.
Melburn dispatch: Winter still sucks on this side of the Strait. Riding to work every day but it’s too easy – less than ten mins ride. I started soft, getting softer.
European streets – Fuckloads of bikes, not many fixed, no helmets.
Most kids use a bike to get to everywhere. Public transport has bike hooks and the kids rock em relentlessly.
Even saw a hens night setting off for a long night of boozing all on bikes. From single speed cruisers to 70’s road frames, to the very occasional new bike but nothing’s too bling, just usefull.
Wish i had my bike. wish wish wish.