I must admit I get irritated to hear the media/people calling it "a protest". It's hard to grasp the concept of CM for some people, I guess - I just go because it's fun and I like to ride alongside 200+ other people, and it's generally a very positive and fun event, people honking/dinging streetcar bells in support, etc. Catching all kinds of people waving when on Yonge is kinda cool, too.

I'll agree that the riders weren't organised at all, the reason my buddy got a ticket was because some riders were stopping for the just-turned-red light (we were mid-pack) and him and I rolled on through, as per usual, of course the cops saw the stopping and felt it necessary to take action (even though they were set up to cork from the way their bikes were parked across the lanes).

I spoke with the officer after he ticketed my friend, I merely asked "What's the difference between this ride and the other rides where you've corked and held the lights for us?" He started right out being defensive and almost beligerent with me saying things like "Every time you guys are out there's an incident, you're a pain in the ass, if you want to do something, why not ride to work everyday?" so I said "Heh, I already do - I'm not trying to argue here, I'm just wondering what changed" and he keeps on "everytime you guys ride there's an accident then we have to come and it screws traffic up even more - you guys have to realise you're just a bike going against a car, you'll lose". Not really sure where his rant was coming from, but it was apparent this guy was pissed off with having to attend/work the ride - I thanked him and his partner (despite them both being pretty rude) and carried on to find the pack.

I agree a PSA of behaviour (as has been done before) would be ideal pre-ride.

My buddy has been in touch with A.R.C. so hopefully he'll be able to fight/deal with his ticket with their help.

As much as we think the cops are all jokes and/or *******s they must see us the same way (the Gardiner incident for example ... what the hell was *that* supposed to accomplish?). Carry that line of logic a bit further and you see that for all the people like me or you who are out there to participate without ****ing anyone's respective **** up too badly there are just as many cops and paramedics out on their bikes who are just trying to do their jobs (maintain order/safety for *all* of the general public and not just the people on bikes).

We need to keep the group organized and the instigators in check so the super aggro cops who are itching to bust someone don't get their excuse. And if something *still* happens then **** it but so far there's still a lot of compromise that can be made to get both sides working better together. We all know how completely out of control CM got in NYC and other areas in the states and the cops do too. I think cooler heads can prevail though and we can get things running smoothy (ie. *fun*) again.

Yeah good call. I probably came off a little more anti-cop than I meant to sound - I spoke with another officer who was incredibly friendly/chatty when I got to Queen/John. I had to ask him "Why did my buddy get a ticket for a red light thing, but everyone is all over the road here - what's going on?" he said, honestly, "I've no idea, I'm going to go up and find out!" heh.

Last night definitely made me consider not going again, though I know that it was the actions of few that cocked it up for the many. I look forward to some more happier/fun times again. The CM after the Gardiner incident where we had a LOT of police presence was still a lot of fun, things were going pretty much as usual - so it's definitely possible to co-exist just fine.

I think if Geoff or someone (I know Angela used to say a few words) could issue a "Don't be a dink, here's what we do with lights/corking" kind of thing then we'd be better off.

Stuart- there was room! You missed a great ride. Sorry I didn't answer your message!

lol
awe well


glad it was fun, how was the weather?

The weather was quite merciful actually. Kept threatening to rain all day and never did. There were some super-fun rolling hills near the end, and this one fairly substantial climb that was awesome- I've never seen such tenacious older women! And the food at Henry of Pelham kicked ass. You should come tomorrow! Shorter ride but should be super nice scenery/delicious food.

workin :(


*smacks head for stupidity*

hey, does anyone have a long reach road caliper (front) that they'd trade for a 105 short reach front? I'm finally building up this Miele road bike, and the damn fork I got from Urbane requires a long reach brake >:(

The caliper is a silver 2007 model and the pads are still good.

q: if you were eyeing a gardin (slx) road bike with a dura ace, ultegra and modolo parts mix for $150 (no wheels) would you pull the trigger?

If I were in the market for a gardin (slx) road bike with dura ace, ultegra and modolo parts I would!

(as long as I knew where it was coming from)

Considering what I paid to build up my Gardin with 105, hells yeah.

Matt: That sounds like a great price.

In other bike-bits score news I picked up a new wheelset today.. Campy DT 240s laced to Open Pros.. Nice training/road wheelset for my CX bike.

Q: bragging about awesome deal... :p

A: yes!

Q: if you had a long reach caliper that you didn't need and wanted to swap for a short reach, would you?

A:...?

;) Nice score.

This Miele will be an awesome bike to huff around the city on. It weighs a ton, but I bet at least 1/3 of that is the Brooks. :P

i have a 600 that seems to be long reach (im running 700's on a 27 frame and it works), its just missing a piece (the barrel adjustment) which shouldnt be too hard to McGuyver. you can have it if you want

dual or single pivot?

for $150 matt - i'd say go for it if it's in your size and everything's up to snuf...

i would watch out for modolo brakes/levers though as they are aethetically pleasing but lack, shall we say, stopping power... the slx stuff is nice though - it was the first incarnation of 105 if i'm not mistaken...

I could see myself getting around on this:

http://reviews.mtbr.com/interbike/fi.../comotojpg.jpg

Is that frame called the Comooter? :D Moots are really the nicest titanium frames - too bad they're also some of the most expensive.

I was heading out of Urbane yesterday and ended up chatting with someone about getting fenders on their bike. When I saw the bike, she mentioned it had a heart-shaped cutout in the BB. So someone is rockin' around town on either a DeRosa or Benotto. Pretty cool.

yeah, it's the comooter. Not sold as a frameset apparently though. Doesn't really matter as I'm not sure I would choose much differently.

Pretty damn close to my definition of a perfect ride! And all that for the same price I sold my SAAB for!

the difference: this bike would last longer and give more fun.

eeeek :eek:

moots making a com00terz

say it aint so...

The similarities: I can't afford either of them

plus it wins for style points: steel fenders on an ti frame! the only thing too add that would make it perfect is a smallish front rack or basket IMO...

Thanks for all the input folks - I'm going to check it out today if the guy has still got it. It sounded like he was going to hold it for me but you never know...

Oh, I was saying Columbus SLX tubing, not shimano slx components... I think it's got Dura Ace brakes & derailleurs, Ultegra crankset and BB & Modolo stem & bars... Doesn't seem like a bad deal to me? Based on the guys description of when he replaced things, it doesn't sound stolen but I guess I'll get a better feel for that when I meet up with him today...

Say word! I may just have to throw a front rack on the winterbike I'm working on right now...

oh, in that case i would say do it for sure, especially if it's got older dura ace stuff which i think tends to be pretty cool.

i was thinking the same thing but i'm hesitant to do it because running a front basket in the snow might make the handling just a bit scary.

Can anyone recommend where I can buy a reasonably priced track bike (sub $1k)?

Also, I have some decent Mavic wheels, would it be worthwhile to buy a frame and fork etc and build a bike? I have no problem buying a used frame and components.

check out urbane - they can build you something for that price. if you don't mind stock bikes, you can get something for a lot less than that. but if you have wheels already, you may as well use them. take em to a shop and have them build you something around it...