Sydney Tweed Ride - Random Photos from the Archives

Around about this time last year I participated in an organized satirical tweed ride. It seems that organizers this year are not holding a formal event, but I guess nothing will stop like minded people going for an impromptu ride around Sydney and stopping for a picnic all happening to wear vintage tweed.

Three Stooges (Andy, Peter, and Patrich)

Last year I joined Patrich for a ride on our restored retro fixie bicycles.

Queen Victoria Building before the ride

This year I may actually go for a Tweed ride down to Windsor for some pie. We've coined that event as the FiWiPi ride (FIxie to WIndsor for some PIe), maybe it's time we did this ride in Tweed :-)

Patrich

Let's see how we go.

Stooge

New Restoration Project - Vintage Apollo Mixte

I took receipt of a vintage Apollo Mixte the other day. I have been wanting to build up a Mixte for quite some time and finally found one that is a great candidate for a restoration.



Apollo Mixte

The bike must have been sitting outdoors in the elements as is evident by the surface rust on the frame. Apart from the surface rust, the Japanese Tange Steel frame seems to be in pretty good shape.


Tange Steel.... Lovely!

The front wheel has a couple of broken spokes so I may try to source some spokes and try my hand at rebuilding a wheel. The rear wheel has a 3 speed Shimano hub that looks in decent shape.


Shimano 3 Speed hub, wonder if it still works.

I'm really digging the Center Pull brakes, but I may need to replace them for a new set as I've had a problem with the brake lever spring snapping on past bike restorations.


Center Pull brakes, loving these.

Good old English threaded bottom bracket is in decent shape, but I'm not sure if I'll keep the Cotter pins so it may get replaced.



English BB on Japanese Bike

I'm not too sure what I have in mind for the old girl, but I'm sure it's going to be a beauty. I've stripped the bike down and it has been sent to the Sand Blasting and Powder coating guys for a new lease on life.

Updates will follow during the build process. :-)

Winter Blues

M7 at Night (near the Regatta Centre)

Keeping the weekly kilometer averages on your bike over winter can be difficult at times. Waking up early on a Sunday morning then jumping on a bike when the temperature hits below zero is more challenging than the ride itself, especially when you can smell pancakes and the warm maple syrup that the rest of the family is preparing for breakfast. Well, sometimes it is easier just to go and join them and eat those lovely warm pancakes. I had a similar choice to make last Sunday and chose the pancakes. However, there is a cycle story at the end of all this. Now as you may know from reading some of my other blogs, I ride several different bikes depending on what I feel like on the day. Typically, I would ride my Giant TCR along the length of the M7 as I have ridden this route countless times and it gets rather boring unless you are pushing the pace along and trying to beat your personal best. That said, it means that I rarely take my touring bike on the M7. However, I also hate changing a flat tire in the dark so when I do ride the M7, I tend to do so in the morning. This is where this week’s blog photo comes into the picture.


Killing the winter morning blues


The touring bike is a perfect choice for a late Sunday trundle in winter along the M7. The cold wind chill effect keeps a large percentage of riders off the track, especially at night, and the thicker Schwalbe Marathon Plus tires decrease the chance of a puncture.

I hit the Mp3 player and some classic Dio “Killing the Dragon” made for a very enjoyable 40km late night ride.

My MP3 Player, a neat little gadget really.

 I hope this inspires you to look at other ways to keep on the bike this winter. Ride well.