Tools

Giving and Receiving

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Bike Swap Meet.

Every one gets bigger, better and more varied.

December was no exception.  Stay tuned for the next.

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The highlight for me wasn't anything I bought, but being given an insight into my cycling roots.

It turns out my Grandfather was going to hand draw Penny farthing spokes for one of Melburn's most iconic cycliing historians, Paul Farren.

He was going to charge Paul a hefty $1 per spoke - Paul other option being to import them from Sheffield, UK for $6 a pop.

How they knew each other I'll keep a secret. 

Paul said my Grandpa was one of three of the most amazing people he ever met.  A real thinker and could make and fix anything.

Not only was he the first person to draw tungsten wire for use in light bulbs during the war period, he was an honorary professor at Melbourne University helping over 30 Phd students with their projects, he helped with the design of cables used in the America's Cup Yacht race, and he used to ride from Brunswick where his first factory was, to Rosebud (over 60 miles) - FIXED.  Then back to Melbourne.

Paul said that he gave up riding fixed after some knee troubles and excessive pulling up on the pedals.

Unfortunately for Paul, he passed away a week before he was about to make them.

I was 11 years old.

Train or Die.

Little Al and his Doherty's team came first in their category for the Eureka Stair climb, and he plans on being the fittest at DOHERTYSCITY.

So much for bodybuilders being big and slow.  

Al just bought some rollers in preparation for the Alpine Mountain Classic. Strong as Chris Hoy and lighter.... lookout.

Alastair is a personal trainer and if you are looking for motivation you find few better. 

BREV. FYX Custom(ers)

SK wanted a chainring to suit his beautiful 3 arm steel Gran Sport Campagnolo crankset.

Three flowing ovals following the arch of the spider was his desire.

They're in the post on their way to Barcelona!

You can get BREV. FYXOMATOSIS in  130, 135, 144 and now 151 BCD's. 

You will spend years trying to wear them out.   Just go ahead and try.

In between deliveries.

 How do you lose a shoe?

Our best friends.

Ev and Vegas (Melburn)

Mo's best friend, and my old PAC (Berlin)

Tour of Bright.

No bikes to be seen on this Tour.

I got out of Melburn and into Australia's 'mountains' for some R & R.

The Clear Spot is amazing.

The Boss' highlight.

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Hello Courier.

I came across these olds pics from HC days. I bumped into a avid site follower in Melburn who didn't even realise I was/is a bicycle courier/messenger.

When someone asked Kosta (London's fastest-looking/slowest courier) about being a bike courier, his clasic response was 'Don't'.

If you want to find out how hard, dangerous, underpaid, underloved, and exhausting it is, the only way to find out is to do it yourself. 

It's been great to me.  The people I've met, places I've been, friends I've made.  It hasn't been an easy ride - through snow and 40c heat, broken chains, skipping gears, buckled wheels.  I've lost friends on the road, had my collarbone broken by the police, been car doored, abused, put my hand through a windshield, and fell in love.

HAPPY FRIDAY!

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