Rides and Races - Toronto Fixed

(track=fixed gear) || (track=fixed gear no brake?)


Logically true


*happy dance*

To celebrate this i'm going to bike to school :)

..equinox, that is.

so today is the first official day of spring! cheers everyone! made it through another winter.

*happy dance*

Yes! It is great out right now and I rode without gloves for the first time in ages. I can see a lot better too as I am not wrapped in 5 layers of scarves, hats and mufflers, goggles and ear-flaps. Love it.

to celebrate i'm putting away the hard-core winter clothes (balaclava, tights, booties, etc).

No greenpeace style tirades please.
that was not meant to be a tirade. i was using a common literary device known as sarcasm because i was indeed referring to the race. i'm sorry that there are now known emoticons to indicate such a device.

if i felt like going on a greenpeace related tirade i would have mentioned something about the "environmentally friendly car" (oxymoron) tax break that the federal gov't just introduced yesterday. what an effing joke! if they really cared i'd be able to write my bike off as my main source of transportation.

/tirade

Fair enough

if i felt like going on a greenpeace related tirade i would have mentioned something about the "environmentally friendly car" (oxymoron) tax break that the federal gov't just introduced yesterday. what an effing joke! if they really cared i'd be able to write my bike off as my main source of transportation.

/rant

Be sure to prod Minister Flaherty with this whenever you get the chance. First the tax credit for the metropass, now the tax break on hybrid cars. Although he means well, he's got a bad case of tunnel vision on this concept. He's just not thinking outside the cage.

Be sure to prod Minister Flaherty with this whenever you get the chance. First the tax credit for the metropass, now the tax break on hybrid cars. Although he means well, he's got a bad case of tunnel vision on this concept. He's just not thinking outside the cage.

RANT POWER ON!

Conservatives are, right now, engineering this government to fall. Probably over a clean air bill that the NDP, Liberals and Bloc are going to attach Kyoto amendments too.

The budget is simply there election document and it shows a real change in strategy. Instead of attempting to become a viable party in the urban centers they are going to try and win in the suburban ridings and ignore the true urban ridings. This is the same strategy that worked so well for Mike Harris and so badly for Ontario when the PC's came into power. Suburban voters are more likely to appreciate a child tax credit and a clean air car credit as opposed to allowing a larger tax break for those who don't drive (and therefore should owe less due to them not contributing as much to road destruction).

Until the Canadian system has some form of representation by population this strategy will be the most efficient for the conservatives. For instance PEI has 135,851 residents, and 4 seats in the house of commons. My riding has, with a conservative estimate, 150,000 residents and 1 seat in the house of commons. Until cities get the representation in parliament that their populations deserve we'll never see truly innovate urban tax breaks, planning or anything else that will really change a city.

So basically Flaherty could care less about people who ride to work on their bikes. They live downtown, are probably socialists anyways and are largely not worth the time of the "new" government of Canada.

This election is going to be real tipping point for Canadians, the Green party will be included in the televised debate for the first time. The Bloc will have serious problems creating their usually amazing machine because much of their resources are already being used to support the PQ in the provincial race and the NDP is fighting for its survival.

Should be good fun.

END RANT MODE

Oh yeah I can't wait to lose horrible tonight at the race!

Hrm, interesting Offhoff, I don't really follow Canadian politics so much of that was new to me. I know all the details of the mess going on in the US right now though, I guess I just find Canadian politics to be less "jazzy", y'know?

Hrm, interesting Offhoff, I don't really follow Canadian politics so much of that was new to me. I know all the details of the mess going on in the US right now though, I guess I just find Canadian politics to be less "jazzy", y'know?

I enjoy American politics more but my knowledge of Canadian politics brings home the bread. The US system is much more interesting because of the greater effects of truly local issues on nationally important races. That and the party can't kick you out for not voting in line.

Canada still has a government that reflects a primarily rural population and agricultual economy. This is not the canada we have today, where the majority of the population is concentrated in 5 main cities. Immigration is really only occuring in 3 major cities, so the urban:rural ratio is still going up. The feds and provinces have been downloading responsiblities to the municipalities to a ridiculous extent. The only services we really receive that aren't paid for by the municipality are schooling and healthcare, and we know how poorly run those are. Cities always get the short end of the stick, and much of the taxes we pay are subsidizing areas that really don't need it, even though WE need it.

Nobody has the balls, 4 years isn't enough time to make serious changes and suburbanites vote with their ass and their wallet. Its a bad situation.

Oh yeah I can't wait to lose horrible tonight at the race!
I am thinkin of coming out of alleycat retirement for this. If so I hereby challenge you for the DFL. Altho I will be riding in the track category if I race.

I am thinkin of coming out of alleycat retirement for this. If so I hereby challenge you for the DFL. Altho I will be riding in the track category if I race.

I'm pondering ditching my lever so I can race against on a level fixed-gear playing field. But the fact I want to tape it and that requires having a camera in my bag makes me want to rethink that.

blue cheese brie. great with some spicy salami. not so great an hour later when you keep burping up air that smells like feet.

Oh yeah I can't wait to lose horrible tonight at the race!

you can't lose if i lose first!


blue cheese brie. great with some spicy salami. not so great an hour later when you keep burping up air that smells like feet.

try sliced brie/roma tomatoe/avocado/fresh basil/drizzle of olive oil/kosher salt/freshly cracked black pepper on baguette. that is the goodness. and you don't smell like an italian breathmint after. pre-ground pepper is for suckas! oh ****, i'm going to the grocery store.

pre-ground pepper is for suckas!

You can pry my peugeot pepper mill from my cold dead hands. :)

Yes! It is great out right now and I rode without gloves for the first time in ages. I can see a lot better too as I am not wrapped in 5 layers of scarves, hats and mufflers, goggles and ear-flaps. Love it.

i never ride without gloves, just different amounts of insulation. had my spring/fall/rain skiing gloves on today. still needed a hat and fleece kerchief, but i hear you on loving the non-bundledness.



...to hang out and take some pictures.

oh yesss. pleeeassse do. my turn to do some objectifying around here!

and i don't feel like such a wuss now that some of you boys are worrying about racing. i'd like to think that i ride fairly fast/well, but i'm pretty sure y'all could kick my ass no problem. stupid biological determinism.

oh yesss. pleeeassse do. my turn to do some objectifying around here!

/me wiggles it (just a little bit).

oh yesss. pleeeassse do. my turn to do some objectifying around here!

and i don't feel like such a wuss now that some of you boys are worrying about racing. i'd like to think that i ride fairly fast/well, but i'm pretty sure y'all could kick my ass no problem. stupid biological determinism.

Lets here it for male objectification!

For the biological determinism, maybe at pro/world/olympic level. But I'm pretty sure you'd show up more then a few of the guys if you race.

I always always get beaten by girls at tennis. even if I try real hard. its sad. Either they can't play at all or they just serve me my own ass.

Rob and I got dropped by this female person on the donut ride once. There was a brutal brutal headwind and we were going up hill and it was all that I could do to just hold onto her wheel. There was no chance I could have taken the lead without forcing her to slow down. Eventually we couldn't keep up at all and she just kept spinning into the distance. I needed to stop and eat a few granola bars after that. We decided to cut our losses and just turn around at that point. But damn, full respect to whomever we were wheelsucking.

edit: oh yeah, alleycats would level the playing field a bit due to all the possible variables. Women can use their inuition that I keep hearing about to predict if there will be cross traffic at red lights so they can bomb them at a speed 'strong enough for a woman' (strong!) :D

It's like I can actually feel gender equality slipping away.. ;)

huh? really? weird. did he look like an evil clown? i just spent the day shooting plates of food for a kelsey's commercial. i've been drinking. how does he knows me?

Yes, if by "look like an evil clown" you mean, "look like your old avatar where you had less makeup but still maintained some level of Krustyesqueness".

I have no idea how he knows you. But he says he's been mistaken for a guy who rides a Langster with red bar tape named Craig before. Does the evil clown go by Craig?

http://toronto.craigslist.org/bik/297840761.html

This would make a really nice project! a bit steep though...

I'm pretty sure you'd show up more then a few of the guys if you race.

haha, gee thanks... but you were saying that you were going to lose; so between you and me, i honestly doubt i'd win.


It's like I can actually feel gender equality slipping away.. ;)

well, the gender revolutionary in me thinks one thing, but the 5.5-120-pound-with-limited-muscle-mass part makes me feel differently.

and shinaz. female "person"? "woman's" intuition? :lol:

I always always get beaten by girls at tennis. even if I try real hard. its sad. Either they can't play at all or they just serve me my own ass.

Rob and I got dropped by this female person on the donut ride once. There was a brutal brutal headwind and we were going up hill and it was all that I could do to just hold onto her wheel. There was no chance I could have taken the lead without forcing her to slow down. Eventually we couldn't keep up at all and she just kept spinning into the distance. I needed to stop and eat a few granola bars after that. We decided to cut our losses and just turn around at that point. But damn, full respect to whomever we were wheelsucking.

edit: oh yeah, alleycats would level the playing field a bit due to all the possible variables. Women can use their inuition that I keep hearing about to predict if there will be cross traffic at red lights so they can bomb them at a speed 'strong enough for a woman' (strong!) :D

Dropped on the Donut.

'Nuff said.

weird

Dropped on the Donut.

'Nuff said.

You should have seen our ski jackets and floppy pannier bags. You probably would have shat your chamois!

Yes, if by "look like an evil clown" you mean, "look like your old avatar where you had less makeup but still maintained some level of Krustyesqueness".

I have no idea how he knows you. But he says he's been mistaken for a guy who rides a Langster with red bar tape named Craig before. Does the evil clown go by Craig?
I do ride a langster with red bar tape but name is Colin (that's kinda close i guess).

this is what i look like burning a couch:
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/172/429678195_76ea7bffdb.jpg

this is what i look like under the influence:
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/174/429678227_b2cf68e158.jpg

this is what a bananna surrounded with waffle and drenched in chocolate sauce looks like:
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/180/429678200_542b3e2c6c.jpg

now i really want to know who this person is. and another one of those banannas.
did you get his name?

colin, this is for you: http://www.resize2mail.com/

sorry, i fixed it. as far as pics go i just think bigger is better.

Thats true for any photos that don't have your face in them.




...

oh ****, it's on now!

This arguement can only be solved one way. Death sprints at cavern during the safety meeting.

Didn't get his name. He was wearing a Catlike helmet and riding a bike with red deep-V's, if that helps any. He also said some things that indicated that his butt has high-class taste (ie) he is a saddle snob.

Not that I'm down on having a high-class butt. I mean... if you're not going to take care of your ass, who will?

(edit) I love using "you're" and "your" properly. It warms my little black heart.

(edit2) Upon seeing proper pictures of you, that guy looked nothing like you. Except that he was white and had a well-kempt beard.

Good luck to everyone whose racing and hope to see you there. I'll have a helmet cam taped to the top of my head so I should be hard to miss!

Yay for spring and warm!!

Thats true for any photos that don't have your face in them....
:roflmao:

For any of the taller crew here. I am selling my Bianchi Volpe cross frame for cheap. 60cm. 1 inch threaded. Fender and rack braze-ons. Included is the original fork (with fender bosses) Shimano XT headset (mint) and Axiom 2 bolt seatpost. It is a good all arounder as it has a half horizontal dropout for fixed/SS. P.M. me if anyone is interested.
It is the Orange fixie I posted on FGG a while back if you want a pic. I would also be willing to throw in a Level hub/ Mavic Open Pro rear wheel for a great price.

Tempting! I don't have a cross bike...

I have some stuff to bring back to you Keith. The wheels are done and I'm very happy with them so far on the short but fun 60kms I've had time to put on them :)

For any of the taller crew here. I am selling my Bianchi Volpe cross frame for cheap. 60cm. 1 inch threaded. Fender and rack braze-ons. Included is the original fork (with fender bosses) Shimano XT headset (mint) and Axiom 2 bolt seatpost. It is a good all arounder as it has a half horizontal dropout for fixed/SS. P.M. me if anyone is interested.
It is the Orange fixie I posted on FGG a while back if you want a pic. I would also be willing to throw in a Level hub/ Mavic Open Pro rear wheel for a great price.

kool K youre still there?

Canada still has a government that reflects a primarily rural population and agricultual economy. This is not the canada we have today, where the majority of the population is concentrated in 5 main cities. Immigration is really only occuring in 3 major cities, so the urban:rural ratio is still going up. The feds and provinces have been downloading responsiblities to the municipalities to a ridiculous extent. The only services we really receive that aren't paid for by the municipality are schooling and healthcare, and we know how poorly run those are. Cities always get the short end of the stick, and much of the taxes we pay are subsidizing areas that really don't need it, even though WE need it.

Nobody has the balls, 4 years isn't enough time to make serious changes and suburbanites vote with their ass and their wallet. Its a bad situation.

http://www.citizensassembly.gov.on.ca/

And a safe ride tonight folks. I'll be out for the Saturday ride for the Aussie with the broken leg thang, but have to work tonight.

stupid biological determinism.

then you're just not doing it properly...

http://charles.pelkey.com/TammyThomas.jpg

then you're just not doing it properly...

http://charles.pelkey.com/TammyThomas.jpg
Man...lay off the testosterone. DAMN!!! :eek:

kool K youre still there?
Rollin out right....................................Now.

For any of the taller crew here. I am selling my Bianchi Volpe cross frame for cheap. 60cm. 1 inch threaded. Fender and rack braze-ons. Included is the original fork (with fender bosses) Shimano XT headset (mint) and Axiom 2 bolt seatpost. It is a good all arounder as it has a half horizontal dropout for fixed/SS. P.M. me if anyone is interested.
It is the Orange fixie I posted on FGG a while back if you want a pic. I would also be willing to throw in a Level hub/ Mavic Open Pro rear wheel for a great price.

http://www.fixedgeargallery.com/2007/feb/CavernCycles_5.htm

The seatpost in your track bike is long enough for 4 bikes ;)

hahaha yeah true... I should see if I can get the same one (It's one of those black Kalin Zoom ones, but I stripped the paint and polished it) in the right diameter for my mountain bike. Now that may sound obvious... but it hadn't occured to me yet.

Colin, I want one of those banana waffle things so bad right now. Damn you (because I don't have one).

Let's trade jobs. Go to my classes for me... i'll ride your bike for you :)

hmmm... uh.... no I think I'm good. :) Been there done that (university/going to classes etc.)

Tired of missing the Fixed Gear Symposium in Michigan every year?
Like free beers?
Have time to hang out, and then ride?

If you answered 'YES' to any of these questions, then I have fun and exciting news for you! But this is just a teaser.

Keep an eye out for a colourful poster in the coming weeks with the rest of the info...

Shortest......Alleycat......Evar. Got to the start 5 minutes late. Flatted at the Ex checkpoiont. No tube, pump or kit. Checkpoint dude had no supplies either. Waited for another racer for tube. No luck. Walked to streetcar *SHUDDER* Lamented idiocy and irony of bike mechanic having no kit on lonely ride to the shop. Posted to Bikeforums fully anticipating....nay expecting humourous jibes at my expense. YAY!

Shortest......Alleycat......Evar. Got to the start 5 minutes late. Flatted at the Ex checkpoiont. No tube, pump or kit. Checkpoint dude had no supplies either. Waited for another racer for tube. No luck. Walked to streetcar *SHUDDER* Lamented idiocy and irony of bike mechanic having no kit on lonely ride to the shop. Posted to Bikeforums fully anticipating....nay expecting humourous jibes at my expense. YAY!

damn dun...shoulda holla'd I coulda at least give you a lift man.

make sure you have a beer...that cures all!

Shortest......Alleycat......Evar. Got to the start 5 minutes late. Flatted at the Ex checkpoiont. No tube, pump or kit. Checkpoint dude had no supplies either. Waited for another racer for tube. No luck. Walked to streetcar *SHUDDER* Lamented idiocy and irony of bike mechanic having no kit on lonely ride to the shop. Posted to Bikeforums fully anticipating....nay expecting humourous jibes at my expense. YAY!

More like alleyFLAT. *wah wah* (lame pun alert)