Rides and Races - Toronto Fixed

31kms on Christmas day? Impressive. What do you ride anyways?

a pretty standard urbanite.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v680/caniceleung2/122106_solstice_18.jpg

i wanted to head all the way up to aurora but we had to make christmas dinner at 5.

a pretty standard urbanite.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v680/caniceleung2/122106_solstice_18.jpg

i wanted to head all the way up to aurora but we had to make christmas dinner at 5.

pretty standard except for that chainring! welcome to the urbanite club...
looking at that route sheet, it looks like you live in operator's hood.

i'd like it better if it wasn't 110 bcd. goes well with the oddball headset spacers too.

and yes, i do. i shared many a high school art class with operator.

I got a wicked cool zipup polyshirt...it's Coca Cola branded and Coke has always been an addiction. :lol: As it's from a promo company it might be a sample that never may have been produced. As well a nice cozy Slim Shadyesque hoodie with all the tough removed by the application of hand painted bike wheels and 'daddy-o' across the chest. I love it. A NEW PAN, thick bottomed, heavy, with that cooking spot thingy, good walls for flicking the food around. mmmmm a new pan. Loads of food, too much drink and all the lovin' one person can handle. The look on my bouncin' daughter's face when she got exactly what she wanted from Santa was indeed worth the price of admission. Candice and operator went to school together? The world keeps getting smaller .....still wouldn't wanna paint it though.

HappY Seasons to all

Whee. Enjoyed Munich so much I missed my connection to Dubai. Had to stay in a hotel in Munich, catch a flight to Quatar in the morning, and then catch another flight from Doha to Dubai. They upgraded me to business from Doha to Dubai which was nice, and I got to my parents place a half hour before christmas day. It was about 48 hours door to door. I honestly thought I was going to have christmas at a german airport hotel!

Dubai is ridiculous. Totally insane. Its one giant construction site and 15% of the world's cranes are in this city alone. It grows exponentially, and has no planning whatsoever. They are building the biggest of everything in the world, and nothing takes longer than 2 years. Everyone loves the benevloent dictators and their pictures are everywhere. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Ruler of Dubai, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister (you have to write that every time you mention him) is an awesome looking dude, and they seem like pretty darn good rulers actually. They plan to build a comprehensive subway system, and the deadline is 2 years from now. And it WILL be completed in time.

This city is car crazy. The road is streaming with trucks full of construciton materials and people drive like maniacs. The shoulder on Sheikh Zayed road is nicknamed 'the fast lane to Abu Dabi' because cars drive along it at 200km/h (I've seen this a few times already!). Cars are king, and if you joked around on a bike you'd last less than a minute before becoming hamburger. We went and saw where they load the Katyusha rockets into wooden barges to ship to Somalia. They leave all the cargo out and theres no gates. The barges look ready to sink. Somehow it all works.

My parents live in a crazy gated community. Its called 'The Green Community' not because it uses green building principles, but because they dump so much water on it that its a veritable paradise. There are 100 gardeners in the compound, my parents have a live in maid and her husband, plus a gardener to look after the house, and my dad drives a jag, and my mum drives a big mistubish suv. Its so not 'them' its crazy!

This place is simply out of hand. I can't even explain it. Its ******** crazy.

Pics pending my return!

Back from costa rica, y'alls. No cycling gifts for me except for a copy of "The Long Distance Cyclists' Handbook". Lots of other fun stuff though (and a great vacation). I wish the site hadn't been down all morning since I was hoping to go for a little ride and some coffee. D'oh! I did however bring back a couple bags of coffee from CR... just had my first cup. Tasty!

See y'alls soon!

Back from costa rica, y'alls. No cycling gifts for me except for a copy of "The Long Distance Cyclists' Handbook". Lots of other fun stuff though (and a great vacation). I wish the site hadn't been down all morning since I was hoping to go for a little ride and some coffee. D'oh! I did however bring back a couple bags of coffee from CR... just had my first cup. Tasty!

See y'alls soon!
hmmm sounds like super coffee , so is it a coffee tasting event at your place today?

Oh yeah, it seems that His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Ruler of Dubai, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister chooses what I can and cannot view on the internet:
http://proxy.emirates.net.ae
Weeeeeak!

haw haw.. no suicidegirls for shiznaz. ;)

Back from costa rica, y'alls. No cycling gifts for me except for a copy of "The Long Distance Cyclists' Handbook". Lots of other fun stuff though (and a great vacation). I wish the site hadn't been down all morning since I was hoping to go for a little ride and some coffee. D'oh! I did however bring back a couple bags of coffee from CR... just had my first cup. Tasty!

See y'alls soon!

if you feel like going tomorrow morning, let me know. welcome back.

if you feel like going tomorrow morning, let me know. welcome back.

most likely.. what time?

most likely.. what time?

any time in the morning. i think I Deal opens around 10.

I deal scares me

Do any of you guys wear stuff like this for winter riding? I am thinking of getting something from MEC but the prices at ProBikeKit are pretty good too.

http://www.probikekit.com/display.php?code=c9539

Too many logos for me - and you'll probably get slapped with customs for clothing.

any time in the morning. i think I Deal opens around 10.
Man you must drink alot of coffee if you need to go back for more already.

those kind of winter cycling jerseys are quite good. just make sure you get one that fits snug- it's got to be flush against your body/layers underneath. If you were to wear one of those thin little Defeat undergarment sweat layer things (sold at MEC), with two normal skin-fitting short sleeve jerseys, and then this CSC thing, you'll be warm until it gets a couple degrees below zero. Be forewarned that if you stop mid-ride for a coffee, strip off your layers ASAP.

But that's just what works for me. Every body reacts differently when playing in the cold.

It is unfortunate that although CSC is my favourite pro team (well, maybe Quickstep), their jerseys are hideous.

hi

...

i'm going to ride down to I Deal in the morning to restock my dwindling coffee supplies, please join me if you would like; in the morning sometime, to be back by noon.

EDIT: nice build ronin.

I moved all the components from the DeBernardi to the Makino. Rides super smoooth...


Excellent Bike man

Thanks! It handles amazing!


Geeeeeeeeeeeeez, that Makino is hot. What are the plans for it? What kind of wheels? Did you rob Santa? ;)

Yeah, I was a good boy, so Santa rewarded me. ;)

http://img226.imageshack.us/img226/526/makino06122020bpb0.jpg

http://img86.imageshack.us/img86/714/makino06122021bee8.jpg

any time in the morning. i think I Deal opens around 10.

10:30..? Gonna go for a little ride first I think.

eeeeeeek just read this (http://www.sheldonbrown.com/harris/record-track.html)...that would kinna suck if that happened to you while riding :O

Man you must drink alot of coffee if you need to go back for more already.

it's not so much the need, it's the excuse for going on a ride. I'm going to try MEC again while i'm out.

EDIT: how was bass pro? pick up any camouflage (sp?).

10:30..? Gonna go for a little ride first I think.

where to? i may take the long way there myself.

EDIT: see you there at 10:30 then.

eeeeeeek just read this (http://www.sheldonbrown.com/harris/record-track.html)...that would kinna suck if that happened to you while riding :O

that is the stuff of legend; those track hubs are infamous for breaking at the wrong time. i'd still ride them though...

those kind of winter cycling jerseys are quite good. just make sure you get one that fits snug- it's got to be flush against your body/layers underneath. If you were to wear one of those thin little Defeat undergarment sweat layer things (sold at MEC), with two normal skin-fitting short sleeve jerseys, and then this CSC thing, you'll be warm until it gets a couple degrees below zero. Be forewarned that if you stop mid-ride for a coffee, strip off your layers ASAP.

But that's just what works for me. Every body reacts differently when playing in the cold.

Yeah, my biggest concern is getting something that will be too hot. Regardless of how cold it is, 5 minutes in to the ride and I am sweating like an ape. Right now I wear a T-shirt, a long-sleeved shirt on top of that, an Adidas polyester soccer jersey and then a nylon windbreaker on top of that. These 4 layers are great but I get a bit bulky with all of that clothing, I was thinking that the CSC thing would streamline things a bit.

Do any of you guys wear stuff like this for winter riding? I am thinking of getting something from MEC but the prices at ProBikeKit are pretty good too.

or you can go to value village and pick up something that will get you through til the spring bike show in march? i like my pearl izumi jersey i got there, but i have a fleece/wind-stopper jacket (yay for free trades!) for lower temps. don't forget about looking for stuff with reflective strips for visability...

*takes bad knees out of fixie-land (sigh)*

Yeah, my biggest concern is getting something that will be too hot. Regardless of how cold it is, 5 minutes in to the ride and I am sweating like an ape. Right now I wear a T-shirt, a long-sleeved shirt on top of that, an Adidas polyester soccer jersey and then a nylon windbreaker on top of that. These 4 layers are great but I get a bit bulky with all of that clothing, I was thinking that the CSC thing would streamline things a bit.

the fabirc is probably nice on those things but you end up looking a bit like a billboard. i have an old full zip nalini (i think) italian team jersey and it's a good weight for riding aerobically (sp) even in winter with a base layer below and a windbreaker on top.

of all the jerseys in the pro peloton i think CSC is the nicest (except for the the team bianci jersey's from ulrich's comeback year, whenever that was).

or you can go to value village and pick up something that will get you through til the spring bike show in march? i like my pearl izumi jersey i got there, but i have a fleece/wind-stopper jacket (yay for free trades!) for lower temps. don't forget about looking for stuff with reflective strips for visability...

*takes bad knees out of fixie-land (sigh)*

It's funny you mention VV, after this coffee I am meeting a friend there. I've found a couple of bicycle-related jerseys there but yeah, I will keep an eye open for something today.

Santa brought me bike porn - wee.
Boxing day suckered me into an Xbox 360 - wee.
Back to work now - boo.

I deal scares me
what scares you there /???????????????

urgh off to work in a few hours

I picked up this jacket in munich (Pearl Izumi Barrier Jacket) for 60 euros:
http://www.pearlizumi.com/images/shop/products/zoom/4521_609.jpg

I don't think I'll need more than a long sleeved lightweight jersey under it. Nicely made.

PS. I watched people skiing today...

At the crazy indoor ski slope in Dubai? That thing is SO nuts, and mostly staffed by Canadians who know where to find good bootleg whiskey.

Santa brought me bike porn - wee.
Boxing day suckered me into an Xbox 360 - wee.
Back to work now - boo.

email me back, bastard.

At the crazy indoor ski slope in Dubai? That thing is SO nuts, and mostly staffed by Canadians who know where to find good bootleg whiskey.

Yeah thats the one. Its funny seeing people in rented ski jackets who are totally amazed by the snow. I suppose deserts are pretty novel to me still. In regards to the whiskey, the liquor store would be a good place to start! UAE is pretty liberal in regards to alcohol.

Yeah I know you can find it in UAE but I met these ski instructors who fenced bootleg whiskey to Saudi at a huge mark up via the red sea (Edit: May be another sea, not close enough to a map to check) when I was there. They were rolling in dough and buying drinks for anyone that spoke english at the bar, fun times.

I would not try to smuggle whiskey into Saudi at any cost. That is just plain dangerous. Man oh man. I have no idea what Saudi jails are like, but I'd rather not risk it! Theres so many ways to get filthy rich here legally, why bother?

Hey Shiz I'm with you. I've been to Saudi its not the kind of place I'd screw around too much. Amazing country to travel in...if your a guy and Medina is awesome as are some of the things you can do, but Saudi jail scares me. But these guys were good old boys from the hills in BC scared of nothing and having a grand old time making a killing.

Don't forget our Evening Of Scotch this Friday (Dec 29). I'm thinking we meet at my place at 8:00. Just IM me to RSVP and let me know if you need directions.

I'm not sure if anyone has a bottle to bring yet other than Keith/Jeremy, but I'm totally clueless/bottleless as well. K/J maybe one of you guys could handle making sure we don't wind up with doubles or whatnot since you could potentially recommend a brand/whatever to us clueless people. :)

If anyone has any good bike-related movies on vhs/dvd, I encourage you to bring them. And I'll make sure we have some munchies and such.

Wes will late comers be welcome? I probably won't be able to get there before 9:30-10 (damn work)...

Wes will late comers be welcome? I probably won't be able to get there before 9:30-10 (damn work)...

Yeah, no worries. 10pm is probably fine. I don't think it will be a late night however, so I wouldn't plan for any later than that. :) You can always just give me a ring (IM for my # if you don't have it)

Wes.... you are having everyone over to watch bike vids and bring their own bottles of scotch at 8pm? How can this not end up being a late night? This sounds like a bunch of drunken yahoos and their bikes trying not to wake up the rest of your building at 1:30-2:30 in the morning...How do you like your eggs? :lol:

'I'll race ya down the stairs from the fourth floor.....'
famous last words

There is so going to be a game of truth or dare that ends with someone skitching a ride on the back of a garbage truck wearing only a green garbage bag...

:lol: Dibs, on not being him!!!!

here i was thinking that everyone would be on their best behaviour.

if you want to post the brand / genre of scotch you've got i'll keep a running list.

There is so going to be a game of truth or dare that ends with someone skitching a ride on the back of a garbage truck wearing only a green garbage bag...

we call that stunt "pullin' a hefty bag". "hefty-hefty-hefty!.....wimpy-wimpy-wimpy!.....".

Don't forget our Evening Of Scotch this Friday (Dec 29). I'm thinking we meet at my place at 8:00. Just IM me to RSVP and let me know if you need directions.

I'm not sure if anyone has a bottle to bring yet other than Keith/Jeremy, but I'm totally clueless/bottleless as well. K/J maybe one of you guys could handle making sure we don't wind up with doubles or whatnot since you could potentially recommend a brand/whatever to us clueless people. :)

If anyone has any good bike-related movies on vhs/dvd, I encourage you to bring them. And I'll make sure we have some munchies and such.

let me know what manner of edibles i can bring. i'm thinking something neutral and palate cleansing (oat cakes, raisins etc).

Well of course best behaviour, after injesting how much scotch, and watching all manner of bike mastery/trickery on screen..... No one has intent.... that would be...... e..v...i...l or sociopathic at the very least and he's on vacation in Dubai. :lol: