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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First, (insufficient) atonement:
two good posts from yesterday that would benefit from the insight of the cognoscenti herein:
on the evolution of track gearing over at the Inner Ring.
the effect of frame geometry on bike handling at Cycling Tips.
And then the relapse:
Grimpelder: "He ain't heavy (he's my brother)" (The Hollies)
I'm also a big fan of Lyle Lovett and don't forget James McMurtry who is another awesome muscian out of Texas (and has anyone mentioned Stevie Ray yet?)
@Buck Rogers
Until now, nobody has mentioned SRV. But now that you've opened the lid just sit back and wait for frank to dive in. He and I are both fans. If Texas is anything, it's a breeding ground for good music.
@G'phant
You mean like this SRAM Red-equipped, Zipp-ladden, Power-Tap enabled, carbon-seated beast?
@Marko
Ivan Basso: SRV's Tightrope. Man with stellar talent ruins his life and reputation on drugs, cleans up, and comes back better than he was before.
"Life by the Drop" by SVR for Pantani, not in a judgemental way but in a melancholy way?
One of my biggest regrets is passing up tickets to see SVR in Burlington, VT in summer 1990. My buddies were all going and I had to work so I passed on it as I thought I could see him some time later. Less than two months later, he was dead.
+1
And I'd say it's Floodin Down in Texas (or about to anyway) for the CoTHO.
@Marko
Oops, meant to +1 your Life by the Drop Post. It's NOT good you missed the SRV show. He's one of the two celebrities that actually made me choke up when they died. The other was John Belushi
@Marko
Thought you were rubbing a little salt into the wound there for a bit! Yeah, made me realize that I need to see and do the things I dream about whenever the chance presents itself, that's for sure.