Melburn Roobaix

[clackers]

I was driving through Kew Boulevard on Sunday, and there they were ...

















The Monty Python knights had coconut shells instead of bells, for the benefit of 'Holy Grail' fans.

But for effort, the two guys in the pantomime horse outfit - on a tandem - won my heart.

[MattyK]

Hah, that guy in the Chewbacca suit, I saw him on Sunday morning down Gardiner's Creek (Ashburton) when out pedaling with my family Thought it was odd but didn't think further about it.

[clackers]

Hah, that guy in the Chewbacca suit, I saw him on Sunday morning down Gardiner's Creek (Ashburton) when out pedaling with my family Thought it was odd but didn't think further about it.

Times are bad for the rebels. Millennium Falcon out, Reid Falco in.

[cray-]

I know we're still a few months out but rego closed the other week, any BNAers signed up this year?

I'm making the trek over from Perth, been wanting to do it for years and managed to organise a family visit to coincide. Now to convince my little brother to join me.

Considering running my new Repco Lo-pro but I'll only get to see/touch the bike 2 days before the event and I've no experience with tubulars.

[HappyHumber]

ooh, cray- you benefited from mung's recent purge. nery nice.

[cray-]

Nope not munga's, this one was on Gumtree in Geelong. Got my bro to collect it and store for me, will bring it home to Perth after Roobaix.

[MattyK]

Ah, nuts I was thinking about this event the other day. Sounds like I missed out?

[Gunlock]

I'll be doing it on my Kona Paddy Wagon.

Still considering dressing up, just at a loss for good riding costumes.

[cray-]

Ah, nuts I was thinking about this event the other day. Sounds like I missed out?

http://fyxo.co/melburn-roobaix/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; yep, unfortunately rego closed last friday 2nd of may.

[ironhanglider]

I know we're still a few months out but rego closed the other week, any BNAers signed up this year?

I'm making the trek over from Perth, been wanting to do it for years and managed to organise a family visit to coincide. Now to convince my little brother to join me.

Considering running my new Repco Lo-pro but I'll only get to see/touch the bike 2 days before the event and I've no experience with tubulars.

Barely enough time to prep the bike. Apart from the other usual suspects on a second hand bike, cables, brake shoes, bearings… You've got to learn about tubulars.

I'd be pulling the tyres off and re-gluing them on principle, even if the tyres are still ok. Never trust someone else's glue job, their skin isn't on the line. If possible find out what brand the previous glue was. Mixing glues isn't a good idea either.

It's a good idea to have spare tubulars on hand, they can be hard to find and expensive if you need one immediately.

Cheers,

Cameron

[cray-]

It's certainly looking unlikely. I'm assuming the tyres and glue are 20+ years old. Pretty sure this has been hiding in a dark corner of the seller's parent's shed since the early '90s. Bike came with another set of unused tubulars but again, 20+years old. Don't think I'll trust my front teeth to them, might be good for practice. Cheers for the tips, you ain't seen the last of this beastie.

[clackers]

I know we're still a few months out but rego closed the other week, any BNAers signed up this year?

I'm in ... had to turn up to a swap meet a month or so ago to pre register.

[diventare]

Having signed on to a few of these my observation is that you can be pretty relaxed about missing out on a paid spot.
If you feel like doing it on the day I'll just ride along, Fyxo don't mind (unlike others they're just happy to see lots of bike participation) and it's not like there is a lot of support anyway.
A great day out though and not to be missed - for those that haven't done it think social. Just a big day out socialising with Melbournes cyclists and riding the back lanes of Melbourne inner (with a few too many pub stops thrown in for my crew).

[ironhanglider]

It's certainly looking unlikely. I'm assuming the tyres and glue are 20+ years old. Pretty sure this has been hiding in a dark corner of the seller's parent's shed since the early '90s. Bike came with another set of unused tubulars but again, 20+years old. Don't think I'll trust my front teeth to them, might be good for practice. Cheers for the tips, you ain't seen the last of this beastie.

I hope not.

20 year old tubulars don't enthuse me greatly. Believers in ageing tubulars might be more attracted to them though. A lot depends on how you want to ride it. If you're not cornering hard then your teeth are not in too much danger, even blowouts don't cause crashes when you are travelling in a straight line.
Put some air into them (slowly in case the tube is stuck together) and see what they look like, then inflate to full pressure for a day or two before you make a final decision.

Sadly CA won't let you race even a TT with different sized wheels UCI bike regs 1.3.006 however not all clubs enforce the equipment rules to the same extent particularly at club level. The AVCC is less clear, since their rules actually don't allow any known bicycles to be used (!) 6(d) so any attempt to single one bike out might cause a halt to all racing. TA at least specifically allows the use of a different sized front wheel 3.12(f).


Cheers,

Cameron

[m@]

I'll be along; reckon the Repco Traveller SS will get a run this year.

[cray-]

2 MORE SLEEPS!

Looks like my little brother is out due to health issues so I'll be riding solo. =[

Trying to sort out transport on the day, coming up from Geelong I've got 2 options:
- Take the tain & ride to and from Southern Cross Station before and after the event.
- Or if I can borrow a family member's car I'm thinking parking at the Brunswick Velodrome finish line & riding 15km to the start line in Hawthorn.

Any idea what parking around Brunswick is like? Will the car be safe for the day? I had a look on Google Maps & there's some roadside parking by a park nearby, opposite a church.

Anyone else coming from afar, what's your plan for the day?

[barefoot]

If you drive from Geelong, you have to be sober to drive back to Geelong.

That's not how my Roobaixs have ended up.

Just sayin'.

Southern Cross is nice and central. It's an easy enough ride out to Hawthorn for the start, and an easy ride back in from Brunswick after. Or you could even get a metro train out to Glenferrie or whatever that station close to the velo is... Melbourne trains are included in your V-line ticket.

tim
who isn't this year

[Mark Kelly]

Closest station to the start is actually Kooyong, on the Glen Waverley line. Trains leave Southern Cross at 0905 and 0935.

I'll be there on Lyrebird #1

[rearviewmirror]

Is the start at the same spot as last year? I wasn't sure if I'd be in town this year so didn't rego, but I might ride to the start after an early road ride for a coffee.

[cray-]

Tickets available now for those not in Melbs who haven't already got theirs. http://shop.fyxo.co/hellofthenorthcote" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Did my first Roobaix last year, so much fun, gotta be there for the 10th anniversary edition. Who else is in?

[Gunlock]

Got my ticket (and free cap) last weekend.

Now the ponder of which bike to take begins....

[gabrielle260]

I'm in. Got the tickets last weekend. Will be doing it with my 12 yr old boy.
Andrew

[Mark Kelly]

Last year was amongst the best days on a bike I've ever had, despite the terrible weather.

I'm all booked for this year, hope the weather's better.

PS: don't forget the show the day before: http://fyxo.co/melburn-custom-bicycle-show. Come and say Hi, I'm stands 11 and 12.

[gabrielle260]

Will do!
I agree - a great day on the bike!
Andrew