Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Carnage from the weekends game of dominos








Adam Medical Update:

Broken shoulder
Five stiches in his hands
Badly bruised leg and arm
- Warwick K
Carnage from the weekends game of dominos
A nasty crash on Sunday bought down about 6-7 riders on the weekend on a straight patch of road. Thanks to helmets there weren't any major/serious injuries, though yet to hear the medical report from Adam. Here is the photo evidence with poor Adam and Gavin copping the brunt of the damage, Adam to his fingers and shoulders and Gavin to rear end of his bike.

Hope every one pulled up alright from the weekend. I sure there is a few sore fingers and bikes after weekend. Hope to see Adam and Gavin out and riding soon, and that Adam's shoulder isn't too bad, and Gavin's attempt at lighten his bike by removing half the spokes in his rear wheel didn't work.

One bit of advice having fallen off a few times myself. Have a very close inspection of the bikes for any cracks or hair line fractures after the crash. It was about 8-10 weeks after a major crash that I snapped one of my cranks, the side that I landed heavily one. Lucky I wasn't far from home. We don't need any more damage.

Cheers
Michael

On behalf of Bastardi,

Best wishes go to Adam and his rig and we hope both are fit and back on the tarmac soon.

Further to Mikes comments about checking your bikes;

Check your helmets!!! Look for ANY hairline fractures or cracks by flexing the helmet in your hands and looking at the foam on the inside and at vents were it will break to absorb impact. If you find a crack or fracture – I’d buy a new one, or get a second opinion at the bike store and they’ll tell you to buy an new one!!

This is critical as they only work once!!! If your helmet is 3-4 years old, time for a new one – Foam perishes, becoming brittle, and ineffective!!!
Regards Frank

Oh Shit for Adam, that really is worse than I thought. I hope that the recovery goes well. As for my rear end (no not the bike), I cannot confirm but I think I have a sprained/ bruised coccyx. As for the bike a new wheel set may be the go. - Gav H
Sorry to hear about that. See you back on the bike in about 6-8 weeks Adam.
I am glad I chose to sleep in :) - Steve B
Get well soon Adam, Sounds like there may be some new excuses to invest in new bike /helmet porn in the bastardi peleton. - Daniel H

To the rest of you involved - bad luck with that one - it can happen so quickly and the consequences are rarely minor.
All get well soon! - B Virgo
_________________________________________________________
Hi guys,

Many thanks for all your kind messages.
(Writing this with one hand)

I have an appointment with an orthopaedic surgeon on Wednesday, but for the moment it's a fractured AC joint. Plus the stitches in the RH ring finger. For now, just licking wounds and focusing on recovery.
Sincere thanks to Frank and Warwick and others for looking after me, and Warwick & Amanda for looking after the kids post-accident. Sorry for the hassle caused. Gavin, I hope your bike is OK.
I hope no-one else sustained any injuries.

See you after recovery.

One bonus, after seeing their dad a bit damaged, my kids were on their best behaviour all Sunday.

Cheers,
Adam

Friday, July 24, 2009

SUNDAY RIDES 26/07

Bastardi’s,

Two rides on offer this Sunday:

1. Normal beach run @ Hindmarsh SQ @ 8am - for all those recovering from Mt Ventoux!

2. Meadows run organised by Virgo (see below):

Fellow Bastardi,
Mike, Stevo and I are planning to have a ride to Meadows this Sunday starting at 8.00am at Burnside Town Hall (diagonally opposite Burnside Village). We have completed this route a number of times and it is good for both hills and flat riding.

Route: Burnside - Freeway to Eagle on the Hill - Crafers - Stirling - Aldgate - Aldgate Valley Road - Mylor - Echunga - Meadows (coffee and food at Bakery) - Kangarilla - Clarendon - Aberfoyle Park - Blackwood - Belair - Windy Point - Unley - Home

Note: subject to wind conditions the route may be reversed

Total Distance: approx 95km (depending on where you come from)

All welcome to come along - the more 'domestiques' the better.

Brian Schleck-Virgo
(the unheralded third Schleck brother)

Limits of Liability and disclaimer - Bastardi Grassi is not liable for any loss, damage, claim, cost, demand or expense arising due to cycling. NO responsibility is taken for any addiction that may originate from cycling and your need to upgrade, get lighter and go faster. The recipient is urged to ride with care, and not look at too much bike porn, you'll go blind! or poor trying to acquire it!









Monday, July 20, 2009

REGISTER FOR TOUR DOWN UNDER

TDU CHALLENGE RIDE 110/160km
http://www.tourdownunder.com.au/getinvolved/mcct

Everyone needs to register as an individual – early bird prices finishes 31st of July,

I will collect your individual registration numbers (make note of them) and register the team in August.

Jerseys available for sizing @ South Australian Visitor & Travel Centre, 18 King William Street Adelaide

Proposed team name: Bastardi Grassi

All team names and members must be registered by Monday 30 November 2009 at 5pm (South Australia time) to receive the team benefits.

Friday, July 17, 2009

Ride is on for 8am Sun 19.


All

FYI. The SA Tourism Office (18 King William St) now has the Tour Down Under jerseys to try on. They arrived today. For reference a 3XL is slightly loose on me so it seems about the same sizing as last year.

I got sent this very rare photo of the Peloton in the 1940 Tour de France - Aldo


Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Recreational rides

Put these dates in your calandar, biggest recommendation is Amy's ride with the ride along the closed southern expressway a must!!

Farthers day classic
60km
September 6th Sunday
https://secure.cancercouncilfundraising.org.au/registrant/EventClosed.aspx

Amy's Ride
60/100km
November 1st Sunday
http://www.bikesa.asn.au/servlet/Web?s=2060570&p=RideGuides_OnRoad_AmysRide

Big city ride
60km
November 22nd Sunday

Tour Down Under
160/110km
January 22nd Friday
http://www.mcct.tourdownunder.com.au/

Coast 2 Coast
100/120km
March 14 Sunday
http://www.bikesa.asn.au/servlet/Web?s=2060570&action=changePage&pageID=692344369

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

CADEL's - BIKE

And the shitest looking bike in the peleton goes tooo........


The rankest looking bike i have ever seen!!!

Friday, July 10, 2009

Fabe's Machine

TT bikes - Hardcore Bike Porn

Bastardi News

Sundays ride - will be the usual @ 8am

TDU- Challenge ride uniforms still are not available so will let you know about team details closer to the end of the month.

Wiggle - Bastardi will be looking to do a wiggle run. Wiggles site offers free delivery over $240 so combining our purchases this can be easily reached. Most of their goods are seriously under local retail price. We did a run with Mike, Warwick, Gavin and I which was a success and on the back of this will look too do another run soon. Figure out what you want and I’ll keep you posted on a date for buying.


Wiggle.co.uk/Australia-Cycling

TDF - Doesn’t look like it is going to be a good year for Oz in le Tour. Rogers fell and last night and Cadell is at around 3 min without going up a single mountain. Either way tonight forms the first true test for one of the most exciting Tours in resonant history. The boss or the team leader? Who knows with around six in the hunt. My only wish is for big Fabian to stick it to little fellas, as he is truly a machine!! But in all reality look for Sastre and Schleck to challenge Astana on the climbs as these two have serious attacking ability when it comes to the mountains!

Best TDF site : http://www.letour.fr/us/homepage_courseTDF.html


Sunday, July 5, 2009




I must declare that; I'm a massive Continental fan so all opinions expressed in this article are bias. But Continental have released some great fact on there range on their site, which confirms some of my love for the brand and it's product. Interestingly the facts and figures confirm some of my beliefs. To really cut along story sort:

http://www.conti-online.com/generator/www/de/en/continental/bicycle/general/home/index_en.html


Buy black tyres - they grip better and the compounds will last longer. Some part of the colouring process degrades the quality of the rubber from it's maximum. Conti being German and precise; will not award it's coveted "black Chili" label to any of its coloured compounds.



Buy black chili - the advantages in grip and rolling resistance are quite significant. You can only get black!

Buy GP4000 s - 's' for black chilli: For the types of riding Bastardi's do this is one of the best tyre's out their. These tyres are a measure of puncture resistance over rolling resistance and are good enough to race on yet reliable enough to ride all year. These tyres grip like no man's business.

Don't buy gatorskins - except for a commuter bike. These are as puncture resistant as hell and can be ridden on the canvas but the grip level is a serious compromise.

Note: i can compare these to Vitoria Rubio Pro's Slicks, which came on my TCR, which are top of the range Vittoria race tyres and i much prefer the feedback and ride of the GP. I can also compare to Specialized Mondo tyre which is a good tyre in it's own right but not a scratch on the GP4000 s.

Some general tips on tyres:

Always buy a foldable tyre, these are much easier to fit then beaded tyres - also easier to store.

Replace tyres regularly - it's the difference between being up right and sliding down the road.

Don't be tight arse when buying them - for the same reason as above.

Getting regular punctures - time for a new tyre.

Never patch a tyre - you should be pumping it up to a round 100-120psi, a patch is not going to cut it spring $12 you tight arse! patching a tyre changes the regularity in which inflates creating bulges in the tyre which will create a wobble or bump through the bike and compromise handling and may damage your rims.

A interesting brochure with some great literature on Continentals range.



Over view of Continentals tyre range.