531Aussie

i reckon it depends on the size of the bunch: the bigger the bunch the less they should mind one more dude stuck on the back. If it's just 2 guys I usually won't sit behind them, or at least I won't so so for very long. If it's 4 to 6 people and I wanna sit there, I might break the ice with "are you guys all together -- hope I'm not gate crashing", then I might say some crap like I'm exhausted, or I'm scared of the traffic and I feel safer in a bunch. I sometimes really like riding close to the gutter behind a 'two abreast' group, because I can have a break from looking over my shoulder for cars for while.

People go on and on about Beach Rd being grouse, but it's not the safest road out there; there's not even a bike lane. I just like it because there are heaps on Freds to mow down , otherwise I'd go elsewhere. It's nowhere near as peaceful as it was 10, 15 or 20 years ago.

ecnetsixe

Ive never really looked at other cyclists like that - im more likely to run the other way from them lol but its funny to hear you say that.

I wont ask you how far you ride in future, more like 'Hey Nev how many freds did you mow today?'

Johnny_Monkey

Yeah, but so did every man.

531Aussie

fark all today. Maybe only half a dozen
Mondays is a bit quite.

ecnetsixe

I wonder what would be a good day for 'fred hunting' lol fred/friday?

Any preferred 'fred mowing' technique....there is obviously the 50kmh vs 24kmh 'fastfred'...what about the 'rope-a-dopefred'??

It cracks me up picturing you heading out 'fred hunting' lol

classic1

What caliber rifle do you use when 'Fred Hunting'? Some of our gun-nut seppo friends might have some idea.

ecnetsixe

Guns are really foreign to me. I sometimes hate going into foo in particular when they have posts of shooting guns and stuff...freaks me out!!!

classic1

Same with me. I wouldn't even say I'm anti-hunting (I don't mind wild duck!) or anti-gun, I just wouldn't have one. I have some friends and relos who hunt or shoot, but none of them carry on and get a ***** for guns like some of these NRA characters. Home protection lol.

One thing I can appreciate the craftsmanship on a nice rifle (same as on a good bike frame). Some of these clowns going on about rapid fire rates and impact power of their Glock 9mm or whatever are just weird.

ecnetsixe

I appreciate the arguments made for the 'need' or even 'right' to hold guns and I also dont have anything against guns but 'gun loving' is about as rational to me as toilet bowl appreciation.

531Aussie

I told ya -- 53/11

classic1

Be vewy vewy quiet, I'm hunting Fweds

ecnetsixe

jeezzzzzzzzuz Nev how many times do I have to tell ya? Put the bloody sub-machine gun away!!

ecnetsixe

531Aussie

for evenings, tues and Wed are the best nights, but Sat and Sun mornings are the better


Aboslutely!! I could write a book on it. I've been grinding up and down Beach Rd for 20 years, and I know all the false flats, all the wind affected sections, the wind protected bits, etc, and I obviously know exactly where the small rises and traffic lights are.

Best done with a strong tailwind because 90% of riders don't seem to realise that drafting is very much reduced with a 60 knot tailwind. This means if you're creaming a bunch, they're not really helping each other that much by working turns -- it's almost each man for themselves. What usually then happens with a bunch on Beach Rd is that only 2 or 3 guys with any zip in them, so the rest will start spewing a dropping off after my first 1:06 flying km. . Then -- you guessed it -- after a few more kms, someone else will blow, so....you just go from there. If the last couple end up being any good, try to at least make them really hurt so they'll never forget you, then say at the end, "that was grouse fun", and they'll think you're a loon

Another good trick to p1ss them off is, if they get in front after a red light, or something, sit behind them for a bit as they're killing themselves, but sit up no hands, casually taking a sip from your bottle. This gets some strange reactions when they look over their shoulder




As a matter of fact I do have a "rope a dope" trick: go past a dude at a reasonable pace, but not flat out, then sit it front on about 40kph, but pretend you're red-lining and totally dying, by thrashing your body all over the joint, and maybe pouring some water over your head. The dude then thinks you've toasted yourself, thinks you're easy meat, and tries to cream you. Then you hook onto the wheel, wait till he's cooked himself a bit, then BANG!! BOOM SHANKA!! Fly right by


I've gotta get a life


all this stuff is one of favourite training techniques, because the adrenalin-fueled 'competition' gets much more out of the legs, and is the next best thing to racing, i reckon . Maybe I could write Nev's Cyclist's Training Bible

ecnetsixe

I think you should team up with someone with some literary skills cos you could write a seriously funny half serious half take the piss book about storys of cycling on beach rd. It would sell trust me.

Oh and I just KNEW you would have a 'rope-a-dope' fred mowing routine!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

matagi

Nev, you are an evil, evil man.

I reckon a book would be a goer - you should give ecnetsixe's suggestion serious consideration.

ed073

True.

Went up against the QLD mafia....so around the back of the circuit while on McGrory's wheel he "mysteriously" hit the deck..

No love lost between him and Robbie.

ed073

Crikey.

Get Dave Sanders on line 1!!

ecnetsixe

Who is dave sanders?

Is he the brother of the Colonel? I do like chicken

ed073

sorry....he's the labrats head coach.

Large, balding dude with a gruff manner bike racers are afraid of.

Can spot a potential Pro Tour professional at age 13.

ecnetsixe

bahhh i eat balding gruff scary coaches for breakfast...seen enough of them in my time - all the same. if only i was 13 and talented lol im 13 years too late mate

And I dont mean that in a disrespectful way to the guy. I do need help with my riding though!!

ed073

permanently grumpy

ecnetsixe

him or me?

it is the old school approach. tough love etc. the last 10 years in football at least there has been a real shift - where head coaches are allowing themselves to make personal connections to athletes. In years gone by it was a big no-no. i still prefer the old way because it has a certain sense of 'honesty' in the relationship. I like to call it the 'I am here for you dickhead but only if you work your ass off in accordance to my wishes or I will walk right out of here' coaching philosophy. Today you see a lot 'please put your body on the line for me because i really care about your development as a player and as a person in a holistic sense...now give me a hug' coaching philosophy. The latter can we very easily seen through and if its not done right you get major breakdowns in relationships where everything from the athletes point of view feels 'fake' and 'contrieved'.

Give me a grumpy old bastard anyday of the week. Id rather work my ass of for someone like that than these new age 'career' coaches

I think ive seriously seen it all on a coaching front

ed073

Davo.

ecnetsixe

Being around someone grumpy puts you in the mood to 'check yourself' and helps you break out of your daily routine and switch onto the task at hand. Plus is funny hanging around a coach who is always grumpy - your on your toes!!