Jokes aside, this is a simple beautiful message.

I've said it before but if you aren't enjoying your lot in life, be yourself, chase your dream with unrelenting desire and inspire those who are on your wheel.

Read more: Inspiration.

Winning.

Some say it's for losers.

Melburn Roobaix is perhaps the only event that you could have easily spent all those hours of ergo sessions, painfully sweating over your top tube and substituted it for time on the couch eating cake and still take all the glory.

It's just a rock, spray painted GOLD -  that will take you to the other corner of the planet to witness the other greatest cycling spectacle there is.

Read more: What a Vainqueur!

Melbourne Bike Share are offering up their blue bikes for only $10 for the entire day for you to pound the pave at Melburn Roobaix. 

A similiar program has just dropped on the streets of NYC and Jon Stewart's take on the citys reaction is a spyglass into the world of those who consider bikes to be an obstacle. 

It's been a long time since a bottle of Champagne flowed for the first person across the line at the Roobaix velodrome.  

Each year the Melburn Roobaix prizes get more awesome without having a shred of physical prowess.   2013 is no different.

Step inside to find out what's up for grabs this year and how to get your gloves on it.

Read more: Got to be in it to win it!

For those thinking about coming to L'Eroica with me in October, taking a mancation to the Tour Down Under, or perhaps a dirty weekend with your mates there is only one thing you need.

To make things even less painful there is now an online calculator for sourcing a LEAVE PASS.

Paving the way for what is possible - that's how I see Squid. 

Here's his take on wearing a lid*.

* Remember - Helmets laws exist in Australia and other countries / states but not everywhere.

I heard there are a few hills between St Kilda and Mordialloc but I'd have to take your word for it.

The slightest gradient can feel like a berg if you've got 150km or more in your legs but what is truly 'steep', worth bragging about and what is the steepest possible gradient you could realistically climb?

Step into my office to find out.

Read more: How steep is 'steep'?

There is no doubt that whatever your current opinion of 'fixies' may be, the fad has been the gateway drug to all other disciplines of cycling with fixie addicts eventually dabbling with road, track, CX, MTB, touring and everything in between.

The fixed fad gave birth to fixed freestyle with obvious ingredients drawn from street BMX.

Proponents like Tracko and PROLLY gave 'fixed' a wider perspective and a voice and helped popularise what was once considered subversive.

Read more: Full circle

Before you go putting all tall bike riders into the 'recumbent / weirdo' category I suggest you look inside....

Read more: Birdseye view of the world...

If you like:

A: Wine

B: Cycling

C: Good weather or

D: All of the above

Then you will love this part of Italy in fall.  Life in Tuscany never gets out of first gear, and it's pace is the charm. 

Read more: Passport, lycra, toothbrush - L'Eroica Part I

A long time coming.

FYXO Sticker kits and FYXO Bidons now in the store.

Whether it's in the street, at the Bicycle Swap Meet or other events I've always liked putting a face to an email / IP address / avatar / instagram - twitter handle.

If you have ever wondered - this is what I look and sound like. 
 

Thanks to Chris for asking me to be part of his creative project. 

For those of you who were teens in the 90s his recount of G'n'R at Calder Park is a great read.

HAPPY FRIDAY!

Let me rewind to how I came to ride track bikes in the first place.

I started as a bike courier a week after September 11, 2001.

I fell into bike couriering by accident.  I'd pondered it but it wasn't until I was down to my last few pounds with few 'real job' prospects that I answered the call of an ad in back of Time Out.   'Bike Couriers Wanted:  Good english required'.  I started work the next day and never looked back.

Read more: THE DISEASE

2013 MELBURN ROOBAIX IS

CURRENTLY SOLD OUT

Final release of entries coming available to soon.  To find out when, follow FYXO on twitter / facebook / instagram or watch this space.

Ride safe,

Andy

Where Melbourne ranks on 'Worlds Best / Most Liveable / Coolest' city is irrelevant.

Here is another perspective on my city.

Thanks John for sharing.

If you haven't read my Roubaix Reprise this wont make as much sense.

G'day Andy
 
A while back I shot you an email squeezing you for info about heading over to Europe to watch a few Spring Classics. You responded with a brief message that said "contact Seb" which I did before heading over and having one of the best bike experiences I have ever had in my 47 years.

Read more: INBOX TO HELL

That's just one of the prize categories for this years Melburn Roobaix.

I've been in Alleycats with Tall Bikes, but Stoopidtall shatters the ceiling on what I previously considered a tall bike.

Get inspired!

It appears Adelaide has an emerging tall bike scene also.

2013 MELBURN ROOBAIX

Registration is now open

* Melburn Standard Time

There is a lot to love about New Zealand.

Let religion discriminate.  That's a personal choice. Our governments and the laws they create should not.

You coming with?

A great summation of something I've always known.  It's easy to be boring. Thanks to Charlie for sharing.