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The Monster Mash Up Anniversary
A non-cycling related post for a change.
It’s a whole year since my stag-do last Halloween; alas, talk of a stags reunion came to nothing – but what better way to re-live that debased and debauched affair than with an anniversary song:
“If wrinkles must be written upon our brow, let them not be written upon the heart. The spirit should not grow old.” – James A. Garfield
There’s one ‘wrinkly’ I know who certainly hasn’t let his spirit grow old:
The original cycling nutcase ‘Guru’ – A.K.A ‘Noshta’ – A.K.A ‘Dad’ is heading out to Cambodia next week on a 2 week cycling adventure!! He will be meeting up with my elder brother Tom (himself no stranger to derring-do and venturousness) with the aim of taking in a quick tour of Angkor Wat before cycling from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh and then into Vietnam and towards Ho Chi Minh City.
In hybrid street parlance I say “Mad props to the old pot and pan.” (Kudos is due to father)
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“I’m desperately trying to figure out why kamikaze pilots wore helmets” – Dave Edison
Economics can sometimes be a much greater agent of social change than almost anything else. It certainly influenced me today as I found myself parting with nearly 25 earth pounds for something that I think is unnecessary, overrated and possibly dangerous.
The European Leg of the ‘Continental Cycle Climb Challenge’, as hopefully you are already aware, is to take place in Spain this month. In 2004, ‘Espana’ decided to make the wearing of cycle helmets compulsory – a fine of 90 Euros payable by those poor unfortunates refusing to comply. Strangely, there are several exceptions in which a rider does not by law need to wear a helmet; if it is hot, if the rider is in a built up area or if he or she is climbing up a hill.
Erm… anyone who has ever been to Spain would know that a UK equivalent list of exceptions would include: – if it was raining, if it was dull and miserable, if there was a steady flow of aggressive and impatient motorists trying to get past, if the kids on the estate were trying to happy-slap you, or launch a stick between your spokes…
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The Sky’s The Limit?
What’s the best way to get people biking? Well, if you’re a large multi-national media company looking for some self-aggrandisement, then it seems the best way to promote cycling is to get a couple of thousand possibly ill-equipped, inexperienced and ‘rusty’ bikers and stick them all together in the heart of a massive urban environment – albeit with the streets closed to (vehicle) traffic:
Well, this is where I have a problem.
This makes no sense at all to me; how does cycling with thousands and thousands of other bikes lend itself to enjoyment and discovery of cycling?? Traffic doesn’t have to mean cars, lorries and buses. It can also be a football crowd, a herd of cows or a million cyclists all vying for their 30 centimetres of elbow room. But don’t be such a killjoy I hear you cry: ‘This represents a wonderful opportunity for nervy riders to get back on their bikes and discover a love of cycling’.
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My father was a relentlessly self-improving boulangerie owner from Belgium…
Well, it looks increasingly likely that the Euro Leg of the ‘Continental Cycle Climb Challenge’ is going to have to be postponed. It’s still snowing in the Sierra Nevada, and there’s little point in heading down there only to be frustrated at not reaching the top of the ‘Veleta’. I reckon that I’ll probably wait until mid-August/ early September now.
In the meantime, it gives me the chance to make better preparations than those made so far; coming off the back of a ridiculously cold and long winter. Last week I totally stripped down the bike. After a little online retail therapy, it’s been built back up now with a spanking new rear-cassette, rear-derailleur, chain, chain-ring and crank arms and all new cables (inners and outers). Scotty’s not looked so good since I bought it almost 5 years ago (for £275!). That bike’s been thrashed to pieces and doesn’t owe me a single penny…
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Venetians (robbing us) Blind
Back from Venice now, with a much heavier belly and much lighter wallet. Now that I’ve had a few days to successfully retrospectively distort the trip, can say that a lovely time was had by all. Venice is truly a unique and beguiling place. There’s no question about it.
However, the cost of doing anything there other than walking or breathing, really does apply the brakes to a totally relaxed and fun experience. Where else in the world can you expect to pay 1 ½ euros to take a leak, or 10 euros for a tiny bowl of pasta? There’s no way of avoiding the tourist traps – unless you fancy eating your meals in ‘nearby’ Milan of Bologna.
‘Carnivale’ was in full swing while we where there. Some amazing costumes were seen, and thousands of people walking around the narrow and winding streets wearing masks was a sight to behold.
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