Archive for 2008

Got that Sinking Feeling – How to Fix a Flat

Aushiker | December 22, 2008 5:59 pm

Alex, the Bicycle Tutor has an easy to follow video on how to repair a flat tyre. He also has written instructions which you can find here. The video is below.

If you prefer a pommie accent and with it, a different take on repairing a flat, check out the BikeRadar.com video on puncture repair.

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Stirling Highway Redevelopment – City of Nedlands

Aushiker | 2:54 pm

The City of Nedlands is seeking input via a survey into the redevelopment of the Stirling Highway, Nedlands. Whilst the survey is mostly about land development, there is an opportunity to provide input in respect of transport including cycling. The survey has been extended until January 5, 2009, so little time, but time enough to have a say. The survey and details of the redevelopment can be found on the City of Nedlands website.

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Bike Force Fremantle Group 3.0 Saturday Ride

Aushiker | December 20, 2008 6:07 pm

I have for a little while now being riding with the Bike Force Fremantle group rides which head out from Bike Force Fremantle on Saturday mornings at 6:30 AM. Most Saturdays there is a group 1, group 2, group 2.5, group 3, and group 4. Sometimes there is a group 3.5.

I join the Group 3 ride which averages around 30 km/h over approximately 65 km/h without stops. The route heads east, following the Swan River to Canning, and then the Canning River, until crossing over at Brentwood. From Brentwood the ride continues to follow the Canning River before heading through Bentley, South Perth and Victoria Park, where the ride swings west to follow the Swan River along the foreshore out to Nedlands, Claremont and towards the coast and Cottesloe and then back to the Tropicana Cafe on High Street, Fremantle.

Bike Force Fremantle 3.0 Group Ride
Find more Bike Rides in Fremantle, Australia

I also have a Google Earth KML file of the ride available and a GPX file available as well if interested. Just click on the links to download.

This is a pretty good group ride which finishes with coffee at the Tropicana Cafe on High Street, Fremantle. You can even get the Arc Cafe team kit if you wish.

Ride: April 4, 2009

Got a chance to ride with the Bike Force group on Saturday. First ride with them in about a month.  Quite a small group of around 8 to 12 riders at various parts as I believe a lot of riders where riding in a Cyclo Sportif event.  This meant the 2.5 and 3 groups where combined for the ride.

All the pace was pretty fair and reasonable with the 2.5 guys holding back, even on Mounts Bay Road where while the group splintered it wasn’t too bad and I at least didn’t get dropped here.

Once we go to Leighton Beach however the 2.5 guys vanished from sight, the remaining Group 3 riders got a bit splintered, I got dropped but managed to rejoin four of the Group 3 riders at the Old Fremantle Traffic bridge.

The other interesting aside was a flat bar rider who “joined” the group in Nedlands and who seemed to think it was a race, rather than understanding the idea of joining the paceline.  He left us at Claremont when he run the red light. Copped a bit of a comment or three for that from some group members.

So all up a okay ride to get back into the Group.

Ride: February 28, 2009

Haven’t been on a ride with the group for about a month plus I did 422 km in the week leading up to this ride so that is my excuse for what follows :) .

It was a very good ride this morning and I felt pretty good, staying easily with the group even though the pace was probably a bit higher than normal and I lead a section up to the Mounts Bay Road “sprint.”

I was on the front for the start of roll through on Mounts Bay Road and that was it for me. I quickly dropped off the back as the pace was just too much. I then tried to catch another rider who was also dropped but without luck. I rejoined the group at UWA as we have a slow down for re-grouping but I then slowly dropped off again, just not having the legs to keep up the pace.

So I finished the ride all on my lonesome, averaging 29 km/h, about a 1 km/h off the pace. I suspect I need to do some more work to get myself back up to group pace. Will miss next week’s ride due to an Audax ride on Sunday so will be back in a fortnight.

I am disappointed I got dropped as the ride was going really smoothly.

Ride: January 17, 2009

A few new riders on the ride yesterday morning including a nice new shiny Malvern Star :) (not mine) and the numbers where up. I guess people getting back into after the holidays.

We averaged 30.1 km/h which surpised me as where slow for the first 30 km. Must have been the blast up Mounts Bay Road that up the averaged. The road was open but a bit of haze around from the bush fire Kings Park. I am blaming the haze for getting dropped on this section :) Must have impacted on my breathing, right.

We had a few scary moments with Commodore drivers (2) and Holden ute drivers (4) including one that tried to pass us with a group of riders coming the other way and then on his second attempt, he took on a solo rider and a blind corner! Thankfully made it through with no one hurt.

All up, light winds and cool temperatures added to a good ride which was well lead by Anna.

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Garfield – Week 49 – December 19, 2008

Aushiker | 4:54 pm

It is Garfield time again. Along with Garfield you can now find my CalorieKing diary online, calories and all.

My Garfield statistics for Week 49 of 2008 are:

Not my best week. Riding was off, really suffered on Tuesday’s ride from Joondalup to Fremantle along the coast into 40 km/h winds. I ended up taking Thursday off the bike. This plus just not eating well has cost me dearly.  Really need to refocus.

Weights and Measurements

Today’s Weight (kg): 94.3 kg – Overweight
Movement from last week (+ or – kg): + 1.6 kg
Weight July 2007: 113 kg (- 21.4 kg since July 2007)
Target Weight (kg): 81 kg

Waist Measurement: 113.0 cm + 1.0 cm (Aggregate – 18 cm)
WHR: 1.08 (- 0.01)
BMI Prime: 1.16 (Target range 0.74 – 1.00)

Mileage

Km ridden this week: 221 km
2008 Weekly Average: 213 km
2008 Predicated mileage: 11,076 km (Goal = 10,400)

Cost per Km: $0.85 cash basis (No change)

407 out of 8017 in the World (+ 5 places in the rankings)
22nd in Australia (+ 1 places in the rankings)
4th in Perth (No change in the in rankings)
8th in the Bicycling Australia Club (No change in the rankings)

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Recall of Certain Jetboil Personal and Group Cooking Systems

Aushiker | December 14, 2008 9:54 am

Jetboil, the manufacturer of Jetboil Personal (PCS) and Group cooking systems (GCS) tested by BackpackGearTest.org have recalled PCS and GCS units utilising the B style valve were shipped to US retailers between July 10 and September 9, 2008, and sold through retail since July 10, 2008.

Jetboil has utilized three different gas valves (the “A”, “B” and “C” style valves) in the production of its popular Personal Cooking System (PCS) and Group Cooking System (GCS).  Click here for the identification sheet.

Further details on the recall can be found on Jetboil’s website.

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