Category Archives: cycling

Oct 16 0 comments
cycling, home renovations, music, off topic

Why is everyone sick?

Is this H1N1 2.0?

(apologies in advance for the randomness of this post)

I’m getting over a mild cold. The Irish Wife is blowing chunks of stuff I’d rather not attempt to describe. 1/2 of my office is sneezing, sniffling, coughing or otherwise miserable.  What the hell is going on?

We’ve had a cold snap here in Toronto.  The weather suddenly went well below seasonal norms.  One day we were hovering around 20C, and within a week we’re hearing about frost warnings and flurries.  The weather is supposed to return to normal temps later next week. We’ll see.  I’m dying to get a few rides in before I have to put the bike on the trainer and bore myself to tears over what will no doubt be a very snowy winter.  Gah!

YellowTree

Autumn, pretty but lame

The cold weather means everyone starts congregating indoors and breathing on each other.  Or worse, touching stuff then poking their nose…  Hygiene is seriously lacking in modern society.  Sure, it was way worse long ago, but it could be so much better now.  Seriously people, wash your hands and stop licking random handrails.

This post isn’t about anything in particular. I’ve not done one in a while and I probably should.  The weather is quickly becoming unfriendly, to me, and I’m not happy about it.  This time of year just depresses me all to hell.

I have several days worth of work left on the basement before we can conceive of moving furniture back down here.  This project has seriously dragged on. Between work, trying to ride the bike when the weather actually allows, injury and illness progress has been delayed and it’s time to make a major push.  I started this back in MAY for fuck sake.  I want it done before the snow flies. You’re all invited over for drinks when I’m done.

I just got a quote on removing the vermiculite insulation from my attic.  Should run about $5000… Excuse me?  This abatement business is serious shit, and I’m on the wrong end of it.  This vermiculite crap is the worst thing ever invented.  Most of it was installed in the 50’s and 60’s and most of it is laced with asbestos. Lovely.  Now it’s no big deal if it’s left undisturbed which it is, however I’ll soon be renovating the kitchen and bathroom. Both rooms need new electrical in the ceiling and vents for extractor fans, etc. That means getting up in the attic and rooting around.  So, out the shit must go. It also means I have to replace it with something.  There are no deals to be had in the Level 3 Asbestos Abatement business.  If you find one stay clear, they don’t know what they’re doing.

I’m currently listening to Paul Weller’s brilliant self titled album from 1992.

Testicles.

That is all.

Jun 09 1 comments
cycling

Cervelo RS

may the SRAM Force be with you
may the SRAM Force be with you

Once in a while The Scot makes a purchase that defies his logic, and completely goes against the QPR ethos.  Some might call this an ‘emotional’ purchase, or ‘buying with the heart’.  Somehow I manage to logically justify these types of purchases and push aside the emotion.  In my head an emotional purchase is just plain wrong, illogical, Spock-like!  Why spend so much on something that can be had for much, much less?  Sometimes you just need to throw logic out the window and listen to your heart.

If you love something you must have it, right?  That new CD from your favorite band, that new pair of shoes, a date with that hawt girl,  that hawt Cervelo RS that you’ve been eying for the last year, or so…  You get the picture.

So, what’s this Cervelo all about?  Well, Cervelo is a Canadian company who makes bikes used by enthusiasts and professionals the world over.  In fact Cervelo’s have become some of the most sought after bikes in the world.  They’ve won the Tour De France, the Paris Roubaix and many other races.

The RS, my model, is made of carbon fiber (the same stuff F1 cars are made of) and weighs in at 16.4 pounds.  Pretty damn light!  The geometry of the frame is such that it’s more comfortable than a pure race bike as you’re positioned slightly more upright, but not drastically so.  The bike is no slouch though, he likes to get up and go!  The frames engineering and design make for a comfortable ride, but if you want to lay the power down there’s no slack.  You simply jet forward with every pedal stroke.  It also soaks up bumps like no other road bike I’ve ever ridden.

Interestingly I realized today that I have only ever owned Canadian bikes throughout my entire life.

When I was a kid, I had a CCM cruiser.  I then had a Norco BMX.  I graduated to a Canadian made Raleigh 10 speed, then bought a proper race bike from a company called Miele (not the same as the appliance maker).  My most recent bike was a Devinci, and now the Cervelo.  Mind you, the Cervelo frame is made in China.  You just can’t make Carbon frames inexpensively in North America.  Can someone please explain why this is?

I bet you’re wondering how much this beast cost me?  Well, I won’t divulge the price I paid, but suffice it to say that the fine folks at Wheels of Bloor in Toronto hooked me up with a deal that was acceptable to The Bastard.  It was kinda like getting your dream car for the price of a Toyota Camry.

I’m a big fan of buying from ‘local’ manufacturers when possible.  While most bits and pieces are now made in China you are still supporting your jobs in your country when you buy from a ‘local’ manufacturer.  And if you are flush with cash there are several boutique frame makers who can customize a Titanium frame to your exact measurements for a few grand.

Jun 07 0 comments
cycling

ride for heart

That's not the Scot...
no, that’s not The Scot

Today I rode in the Heart and Stroke Foundation’s Ride for Heart.  In Toronto this attracts a TONNE of cyclists as they close down two major freeway arteries for us to ride on!  It’s a pretty cool sensation being able to ride on roads normally reserved for vehicles traveling at 100KM/h or more.  Mind you when I rode across California to Las Vegas last October many miles of that trip were on the shoulder of the CalTrans freeway system. Cars and trucks whizzing by at high speed, every moment I thought ‘this is it!’.  Somehow I’m still here.   But that was a ride for selfish reasons.  I wanted to prove to myself that I could ride 100+ miles a day for 3 days across the dry, hot desert and then party in Vegas for a weekend after.  Been there, done that.

Today’s ride was for unselfish reasons.  A chance to raise some money for a worthy foundataion and help the resarchers who are trying to make our lives better.  I rode a 75K loop that started at 6:45am and it was cold and wet, but the whole time I kept thinking “what if I couldn’t do this because of a heart problem?”.  Suddenly the temperature and my damp feet didn’t matter anymore.

So, I rode today on my new bike and I gotta tell you, it’s awesome. It’s a Cervelo RS and I’ll write about it later this week.  The fine folks at Wheels of Bloor hooked me up with a sweet ride, for a deal only The Scot could love.  Props to them!

I raised over $350 for the foundation, and know I can do better next year. You’ll sponsor me, right?

UPDATE: Over 13,000 riders raised over $3 Million!

Mar 12 0 comments
cycling

Toronto Bike Show 2009

Always good deals to be had here! If you’re into cycling, like The Scot, and have ripped calves, like The Scot, and want a new bike then you need to head to the show.  The Scot wants a new bike but the Scot’s Wife promises to deliver a crushing throat punch if I come home with one!

the scot climbs the alps on one of these

the scot climbs the alps on one of these

The Scot will be at the show tomorrow and will update you afterwards.