It’s a call to arms. No, it’s a call to legs, hearts and minds.
Just as the Illuminati would stage their fabled, and somewhat feared Cabals, we the Velominati will this year stage our own modern-day versions, the Cogals. A meeting of like-minded misfits brought together by the promise of beer, preceded by a bike ride. Sound like a formula you could enjoy? Then Welli-Roubaix is just the ticket.
Assembling at Hataitai Velodrome, Wellington on Sunday April 10, the date of the Queen of the Classics, we will share a cocktail of gravel and tarmac (in the place of real cobbles). It’s a ride, not a race, but attacking on the gravé is encouraged, as is banter in between bouts of the V. Sprinting on the banked concrete at the conclusion of the ride is mandatory, but no ‘winner’ will be crowned, no trophy awarded except that of cold brews and a set of commemorative V-Cards.
The next morning (Monday), lashings of Chimay, Duvel, mussels and frites en mayo will accompany the live viewing of the the main event at downtown Belgian bar Leuven. We implore the Welliminati to gather en masse, and encourage our Aussieminati to make the jump across the ditch and join in a weekend of V-based activities on and off 700 x 25s.
*In the light of the terrible events in Christchurch, we will dedicate the ride to those unfortunately affected by the earthquake, and donate V dollars (or more) each to a reputable appeal.
Good times, good people, good cause.
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@xyxax
Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Jessie Colter, Tompall Glaser, David Allen Coe, Jerry Jeff Walker, Asleep at the Wheel. It was everything that came out of Austin. Or really, it was everything that didn't come out of Nashville. The center of the universe was a place called the Armadillo World Headquarters.
It was the soundtrack of my childhood.
Sorry. Getting a little wistful. Think I'll go get a 6-pack of Lone Star.
@G'phant
You are far clever than I, but here goes:
Grimpeur the younger: "Chain of fools" (Aretha)
Forget the songs, here is the beginnings of a Breakaway Artists LP
David Moncoutie - Don't Stand So Close to Me
Jacky Durand - Only the Lonely
JENS! - Another One Bites the Dust
JENS! - So Hard (although am not sure the Pet Shop Boys and Jens go together)
any others?
@xyxax
I've only seen parts of Texas, drove through Midland heading to New Mexico. I then understood why George W. Bush had such a troubled youth growing up there. Ouch.
@Marcus
Cipo: "I'm Too Sexy" by Right Said Fred
@Gianni
You should read "Friday Night Lights" about Odessa Permian football. Odessa is next door to Midland and gives the reader a pretty accurate picture of Midland/Odessa in the 80's.
@Jeff in PetroMetro
Ah, you did me proud.
M is for the mud on my pickup truck.
O is for the oil in my hair.
T is for T-bird
H is for Haggard
E is for eggs and
R is for REDNECK.
@Gianni
The insular world of the Permian basin (not to mention Yale) may not be conducive to a presidential mind.
@frank
You know, Mubarak started fixing people's posts and now look...
and Lance, like, cured cancer with those yellow bracelets and everything.
always one to jump on a (worthy) bandwagon
Thor or JENS - Power and the passion
LA - Natural woman
Boonen - Too drunk to f@#k (or snort)
Landis - Humpty Dumpty or The boy with a thorn in his side
Jacky Bobby - Future's so bright (I gotta wear shades)
Clenbutador - Ironic
Friday arvo & a little brain dead so I'll leave it at that
@xyxax
It's all I can do not to post David Allen Coe's "You Never Even Called Me by My Name". The last verse really does make it the single greatest country song ever written. Mama. Trains. Trucks. Prison. Getting drunk. It just doesn't get any better.
Another great song is Kris Kristofferson's "Sunday Morning Coming Down". It breaks my heart everytime.
@Jeff in PetroMetro
http://hashigozake.co.nz/http://hashigozake.co.nz/
Unusally, for a tiny bit of spit at the bottom of the South Pac, we can find allot of very good Yankee beers at the Hash.