hmmm an anti-operator? Strange things are afoot on teh interwebs.

what date did we settle on the for long ride (was it the 20th)?

ok this isn't exactly fixie stuff but who doesn't love bike videos for free. Looks like the Rip.tv dudes are making their latest season of Dropin free to download in ipod and HD. http://www.rip.tv/events/downloads

It looks great on my ipod. Not quite ROAM but still entertaining.

Hey Dan.....I have a big ***** box here with yer name on it.

HOly Schnikes!! Sweet!

Operator == banninated?

That is of course until we start throwing them some street bike vids ;)

Hey guys, really interesting post on Pedal today that has the potential to positively impact all of us if it gets enough interest. I'll post some snippets, and also the link to the full article. Basically the summary is that the Midweek Cycling Club is holding a public meeting with Parks, Forestry and Recreation to try and get more cycling-related facilities in Centennial Park's new Masterplan. The meeting is taking place at 6:00pm on Thursday, November 1st at the Centennial Park Olympium.

"TCAT has learned that the plans do not currently incorporate the needs of cyclists - a proposed loop for bike races was opposed by staff and there is little to no bike parking. Also, the trail link across Etobicoke Creek into Mississauga is opposed by staff. "

One of the most interesting things to you guys is likely this:
"Track: excluded at this time but may be added in the future after we have proven that these facilities get significant usage to warrant considering taking the financial and usage risk that a track would entail."

And in their immediate "needs":
"A 250m, 333m or 500m inside diameter 5m to 7m wide paved surface with slightly raised banks circle for both track-cycling training and interval training"

"This facility would enable a group like Midweek to host Friday night races under the lights from May until Labour Day like is done in major cities around the world."

"Midweek currently host International Ranked Cyclo-cross races within the facility each November; the goal is to move these up to World Cup status within 5 years."

I think I'm going to ride out to the meeting after work... the more the merrier says I.

I didn't have time to clear off my SD card yet, so I didn't bring my camera for sprints action :(
I'm still planning to drop by, even if it's just to watch (my knee feels a bit tweaked from the wind-strain last night)

man.. no matter how many times I see this it still kills me: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6GNB7xT3rNE

edit: it's all about the music. gold.

Yo Ryan!
Sprints on for tonight? I'm a little under the weather so I may not race much, and will be horribly slow if I do (look at me, setting up excuses already! talk about a preemptive strike!) but it's so close, I'd have to be on my deathbed not to show up!

I'm gonna go for a ride and head by there methinks.

I may ... I might ... blow past you dorks tonight :lol: *as if*.
Let's see what the wife thinks..... *fingers crossed*

Yeah, I love that one.
This one blows my mind too, the "build-up" of such an otherwise boring vid, too:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R5mxMOGLiRw

hmm the Bianchi distributor just called me back regarding the Italian spec D2 Alum Pista.
I really wanted to know how much ....

http://www.bianchi.it/it/products2008/Road_X8B37.aspx
He said I might be able to get one for March....
I saw a pic of the one for the US market and it was like Navy Blue... eeeeew gross.

cloudy and humid ...doesn;t look like rain ..

w00t w00t!!! You know it! Now with "official" measuring wheel and 100% MORE COWBELL!! Fo reals. If anyone needs more cowbell: Active, $6.99. Get 'em while they're hot!

As well, now that I have the measuring wheel I'm going to begin looking for covered parking structures with little to no supervision for us to take over in inclimate weather. That said, if anyone can think of / knows of any in the core they suspect may be around 300m in length - multi-level as I have a theory we can hang if we're above the last leve of used parking - lemme know.

I've already found a couple of choice locales for a future event TBD in a similar attitude to Storm The Gates. Stay tuned for that!

Hope to see you tonight!

Ps. - I hope some of the ladies are thinking of coming out as well. I've had a couple of "is this a guys only thing?" and it is most CERTAINLY not! However be warned their is a high possibility of a mostly naked King Tobra roaming about.

Parking garage at Jarvis-Yonge just south of St. Lawrence market? That's the longest straightest parking garage I know of. NOt many levels though...

Storm the Gates! Storm the Gates!

ot: Also if you haven't Picked up the latest release from Andre Ethier (of Deadly snakes fame) you are missing out!

If I recall correctly, the D2 was more expensive in '07 than the Concept frame. That might have changed though as the D2 was only available in Europe and Asia.

Not to be confused with the D2 Carbon...which is an insane piece of framework, also only track ready via Europe. Americans get a TT version.

Yeah, there was a thread about it awhile ago, comparing it to the Concept and someone said that the D2 is more expensive in Euros than the Concept, which they cannot get there. Now that it is coming to North America, I would guess that the D2 will be slightly more expensive than the Concept was, especially with the US dollar so low. The good news is that used Concepts will probably become cheaper, especially if the new D2 comes in celeste.

I thought I've read that there is no Concept.

The D2 carbon would be a hoot, but insanely expensive. Basically the track version of this... http://www.bianchi.it/it/products2007/Road_Y7B52.aspx

'07 D2 Alum pista http://www.bianchi.it/it/products2007/Road_Y7B54.aspx
'08 D2 Alum pista http://www.bianchi.it/it/products2008/Road_X8B37.aspx I love the little differences in the tubing

BTW wife's not feelin' well, I shan't be partaking in this eve's festivities fun to all'y'all

Yeah, sorry, I wasn't clear....the D2 is replacing the Concept so I figured that on eBay, people will be dumping their now-passe Concepts to get the new D2. The cool kids gotta have the latest thing, y'know?

So the beefing up of the D2's head end is in response to the concepts' tube shapes? makes sense. Well I was speaking with the rep in Canada and he asked why I didn't want the US spec one. I said it was too ugly for words and he saw the Italian one and had to agree it was a much nicer looking bike.

That's stuff all sounds good!

My bike is back from Germany! WOO! Maybe I can actually ride the damn thing on our roadie ride. Hell yeah! :)

I'm trying to replace my bottom bracket, and I have successfully taken off the drive side cranks, but the left crank doesn't seem to want to come off. I put in the tool, and it just isn't pushing the crank off the bike like it did on the drive side (it gets 'stuck' so that I can't turn it anymore). Any suggestions?

Ok spoke with my lovely , she's just heading off to bed afterwards so I will zip out for a couple sprints. Wet WILL make me run for home though.

Make sure there isn't a washer left in the crankarm before threading the extractor in. If all is good there then give er' newf!

What'd I do?! :P