MY LIFE AS A MIDDLE-AGED HATE FIGURE Collingwood supporters. Almost from the moment their club was formed way back in February 1892, the black and white army has set the gold standard when it comes to being the object of Australian hatred. It’s a proud mantle, certainly hard-earned, rivalled perhaps only by incumbent Prime Ministers. … More FEAR & LOATHING IN LYCRA
Let me start this post with a confession. I have precisely zero idea who that guy is who rode straight through that red light in front of you the other day. Just like you don’t know every car driver who speeds past you on the freeway. This is a big country you know, around 25 … More ‘All’ cyclists
Of the many, many things I love about cycling, one has nothing to do with me. All the same, it never fails to bring a beaming smile to my face. It’s the simple, and no doubt nostalgic, joy of seeing new riders discover the beauty of the bike and fall in love with it, just … More The transformation cycle
RIDE REVIEW: Gran Canaria in the Spanish Canary Islands Dogs, not birds. I’m reliably informed, rather than the yellow birds of the same name, dogs are in fact what the Canary Islands are named after. As in canine. True or not, according to Wikipedia the name Islas Canarias is likely derived from the Latin name ‘Canariae Insulae’, meaning ‘Island … More Grand. Canaria.
Part 4: The grind begins. Right then. I’m bored, bored, bored. And I hate it. I’ve been on a few short café-related outings recently in an attempt to feel normal again, and to a degree they have helped lift my spirits – especially yesterday when I caught up with a dozen or so of my … More The long road back: Part 4
Coping with the most serious crash of my cycling life and a mangled shoulder…Part 1. Surgery and immediate aftermath, December 2015 “This is a big injury, Peter.” It’s never good when your surgeon frowns. His previously jovial tone had changed considerably from the previous week, with CT scans confirming I’d managed to inflict a decidedly … More The long road back: Part 1
Had a good laugh over coffee this morning with a few of the guys from Australia’s largest masters-only cycling club, Waratah Masters CC. Given many of their members, well, aren’t exactly spring chickens – with the various ailments and health issues such ‘life experience’ invariably brings – one chap, Dennis, suggested perhaps the club needed a new … More Classic Cycling Quotes #125
Everesting is in. It seems every weekend someone I know is doing it – well, at least trying to do it. But not me. Despite the occasional fantasy of summiting my local Col de Chiswick 258 times in the one ride, I’m nothing if not a two-wheeled realist. The simple fact is 8,848m is more … More Who’s up for a Kilamanjaro?
Haven’t had a really good vent in a while. But this has been simmering for a long time, so here goes. The topic relates not just to cycling, but 21st Century life in general. Plenty are sure to disagree with me, no doubt vehemently in some cases. That’s your prerogative. Just as this is mine. … More The blame game
Yep. Change is in the air. And not before time. After hanging on like a doomed-to-be-dropped sprinter on a hors catégorie climb for the past month, this most peculiar of winters (certainly in Sydney) is slowly but surely fading into history as the Spring sun finally begins to gain the upper hand, weaving its magic and … More The end of the hibernation
Carbon Addiction 