In Brunswick and in Footsc... sorry, Fitzroy.

I had some free time this morning to get out on the bike and do some thinking. The quiet, solitude and the rhythmic repetativeness of one fixed gear allows you to focus almost entirely on your thoughts (except those dastardly hills!).

Behind the lens

Cycling and Photography are two endeavours which are similar in nature - both of which I would dearly love to improve my proficiency. Both cycling and photography, realistically, are about learning, training, and improving for yourself. For the amateur (participant!), it is a competition against yourself - no amount of pro gear and team kit will improve that.

One of my resolutions for 2011 is to participate in more cycling events, and spend more time behind the lens. This morning I managed to do both - and had one of the most rewarding rides for a long time. Below are a few highlights of what I call the RewindFixedCityLoop.

Fitzroy (Johnston St) - Kew (Yarra boulevard) - over the Chandler hwy bridge - Alphington (Heidelberg Rd) - Ivanhoe/East Ivanhoe (The Boulevard, Bourke Rd, Lower Heidelberg Rd) - Alphington (Heidelberg Rd) - Clifton Hill/Fitzroy Nth (Michael St) - Brunswick (Nicholson St) - Laps of Brunswick Velo - Fitzroy (Nicholson St).

A sweet rolling loop of ~35kms (plus as may laps as you care to cut at Brunswick Velo!), according to Bikely.

You're welcome to join me for a lap anytime.

It certainly was sunny in Fitzroy, today

Kew - blue skies 22 degrees. Perfect.

Like the dentist, I can't show my face on television. Pardon the jersey (anyone want to buy it?).

Chandler hwy bridge. It shakes rather disconcertingly when anything drives over it...

A break on the loop back from Ivanhoe at Apte cafe. Delicious.

Brunswick Velodrome. Hot, concrete, and rudimentary, yet something about the atmosphere. You can sense the history here - the kids come, of which some will one day become champions.

fixed big loop with velo

Share your bike routes @ Bikely.com

Vintage steel / Walking Away.

Some of the bikes that recently completed the Alpine Classic - on Classic Steel no less.

Colnago Master Olympic

Highlights include: Campagnolo Chorus 11s, Record hubs / Campagnolo Atlanta 1996 wheels.

Eddy Merckx Corsa Extra

Highlights include: Campagnolo Athena 11s, Campagnolo Record / Mavic Open Pros, Campagnolo pantograph seatpost.

Walking Away.

The Specialized Tarmac has been a trusty steed for some years, but the time has come to move on from Plastic Generic and onto the next project - Merckx AX Titanium (by Litespeed). There is just something about a Ti or Steel frame - a frame for life, not disposable like Plastic Generic.

While it's sad to see the Tarmac go, in truth it's time had come. Ciao!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ROY!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LLOYD (A.K.A The Sheriff)!!

Congratulations to Lloyd, Mike and Adam for completing the Alpine Classic Extreme (ACE) 250km challenge on Sunday. Truly a superman effort.

I've got a good feeling about this year - ROLL ON 2011!!

-the team from Re(wind)Cycle

Ruth at 180km's

After smashing The Sheriff up the Back-O-Falls!

Adam on top of Falls!

Sleepy?

Falls Creek for a snack

Mt Hotham for breakfast...

The boys on the summit!

Chateau Rewind

In 2009 it was Camp Crusty, in 2010 Beechworth Caravan Park. 2011 is altogether different scenario as roughing it just doesn't make the grade any more. Mad On The River is the place to be with access to the Ovens River and a custom built Table Tennis Tournament Arena. We won't be slumming it this year as we make espresso and sip fine vino under the grape vine out the back.

Live-blogging the Audax Alpine Classic

This coming the Rewind Cycle crew are packing the panniers and heading up to Bright for the Audax Alpine Classic. For all the thrills, chills and spills log in for a live-blogging session with a difference as we take part in a selection of rides from 70km through to the big bad ACE250. There will be bikes a-plenty, vistas of the valleys and numerous crazy randonneur fiends pulling on the lycra, pumping up their tyres and getting a sweat on.

The temperature looks like it may get up towards 33 degrees on Saturday with the summit temperatures of Hotham and Falls Creek reaching 16-18 degrees, which will make for some beautiful summer riding.

Stay safe and stay hydrated.

Veni Sancte Spiritus

Oh divine deity, forgive my impertinence, I must ask. Did the Pope bless the Campagnolo crank or was the Pope blessed by the Nuovo Record?

The BH is ready.

After 11 months of collecting the sweetest components the BH is finally ready to climb! Bred in the Basque region of Spain and ridden by the 2007 Astana in the Tour de France team this bike is super light and has serious racing pedigree. The bits an pieces on the climber are:

• frame/fork: BH Global Concept G-3
• groupset: Campagnolo Record 11 speed (2010)
• handlebar: 3T Ergonova Team
• seat: Flite Genuine Gel Ti316
• stem: Thomson Elite X2 110m 10 degree
• wheels: Campagnolo Neutron
• tyres: Continental GP Attack/Force
• pedals: Shimano R540

The completed bike weighs in about 6.7kg (on paper) which is lighter than anything I've ridden before and it can feel quite twitchy and skittish in a cross wind. The Alpine Classic Extreme is on in a couple of weeks so if there is any wind it could be quite interesting on the summit of Mt Hotham. As expected it accelerates well and climbs even better. So good that I almost might consider the ascent of Mt Donna Buang last weekend with a 70km lead in and out to have been easy!

Hawksburn Village to Mt Donna Buang Return

Share your bike routes @ Bikely.com

Tommasini - part two - the detail.

I'll let Adam comment on the full specs, but from my quick look the new Tommasini has:

• Columbus Air frame / Fork (aero top, down and seat tubes)
• Campagnolo super Record ensemble
• Tommasini pantographed 3TTT stem
• Tommasini pantographed aero seatpost
• Tommasini pantographed Campagnolo shift levers
• Tommasini pantographed Campagnolo chainrings
• Campagnolo record hubs/ Campagnolo rims
• Gipiemme aero pedals & clips

Again, delicious.

Happy new Tommasini!

Just in time for the NYE celebrations, an airport run to fetch YJK, and the delivery of Adam's new (well, new for him anyway) Tommasini - all the way from Perth WA!

Witness Adam breaking into the packed bike, he looks happy as a kid in a candy store. Congratulations Adam, it's delicious.

YJK (aka Eugene) and his excellent wrapping skills, Adam examines.

Many hands make light work.

Super Record = Super Excited.

Some fine tuning courtesy of RewindCycle and she's ready to roll.