Monthly Archives: May 2018

Marv’s April Ride Log

Dear Rouleurs,

Usually, MMT writes his monthly ride blog, a few days after the end of the month.  Unfortunately this hasn’t been the case for April.  In fact, it’s almost 4 weeks late, which means MMT doesn’t really remember too much about April other than a very nice week away in Phuket over Easter.  That short holiday feels a long time ago.  The good news was that I wrote up my log page in early May, which means its a lot more informative that this abbreviated ‘puff’ piece.

MMT’s April 2018 log can be found here.

The graphic form of the log is presented below.  Now as of April 2018, Strava no longer do a suffer score.  Its been replaced by some comparative measure based on your previous rides on a given route.  This means that MMT’s month suffer score graph will be discontinued….grrhhh.  MMT will have to figure out what to do with the new data.

As you can see not much happened in the first week of April and that he only just creeped past his monthly target.

Also MMT hasn’t ridden with RCC this month, mainly due to a irritating but minor YAFF.  Even today, 31st May, MMT hasn’t managed to shrug off this damn lurgy.

Until next time, ride safe.

MMT

Another cycling infographic, Thanks Chain Reaction

Dear Rouleurs,

Work has been ridiculousily busy with a never ending stream of meetings.  TUnfortunately this doesn’t leave alot of time for blogging and skiving off.  Alas, the joys of having a new role in new org structure that is finding its way.  Nevertheless, MMT saw this wonderful, if somewhat self serving infographic on FLAB Facebook the other day, and thought that it was worth sharing.  The original can be found here, please don’t sue me Chain Reaction 😉

The obvious message is that cycling is good for you, go ride.

Until next time, ride safe

Marv

PS Go Simon Yates (Mitchelton-Scott), Go you good thing…3 wins in the Giro sensational!!!

Oh no, oh no, oh no….my Zonda rims are cracked

Dear Rouleurs,

MMT had a dreadful trip to his friendly neighbourhood bike shop, Good Bikes’ last week.  MMT’s venerable Wilier was making a few awful noises from the vicinity of the bottom bracket.  May be it needed replacing as it had been ridden on for nearly six years.  Similarly the left pedal was behaving very weirdly under power.  All in all, it seemed high time for a service.

So MMT rode his Wilier to work and dropped the bike off.  A few minutes of explanation ensured.  The mechanic, Nathan, was advised to ring me if the price of repairs was exceeding $300.  Nathan called MMT a few hours later and his news left MMT aghast.  Apparently the rear rim was showing signs of cracking and needed replacing…..crap….Keep in mind that these were the $800 Campagnolo Zondas, bought just over 2 and half years ago.

Fortunately, MMT had kept the original Fulcrum rims.  MMT had spent a frustrating Saturday afternoon, a few weeks ago, fitting spoke reflectors and had intended to use these as his winter wheels.  So the Wilier stayed at the shop, until the old rims were retrieved and fitted. Nathan showed MMT the cracks and MMT was horrified at what he saw.

MMT reckons he’s done about 15,000km on these rims and can’t believe how these stress fractures have occurred. For starters, they are all on non-cassette side of the rim. One of them has cracked clean through, with clear daylight visible. MMT can only shudder at the thought of what may have happened had the spokes given way entirely.

MMT is not a happy camper…

Until next time, ride safe.

MMT

Cycling Hand Signals from our friends in Copenhagen

Dear Rouleurs,

It has been a while since MMT posted a good cycling infographic. Happily, MMT stumbled across one, yesterday, in the FLAB group on Facebook. Some FLABer must have seen it on Twitter. As a happy plagiarist, MMT provides a link to the original content here Copenhagen Cycling Signals. MMT particularly likes the disapproval and bike stolen signals.

Until next time, ride safe.

MMT.