Now I sit back and wait for the Cervelo Team Soloist to arrive. I'll probably spec some stronger wheels (Ultegra hubs, bigass DT spokes, Velocity Fusion rims) for it (I'm such a powerful sprinter I tear the spokes out of the hubs.. yeah right.. ).

Ah Ha! An even better solution to the home-made drop bolts I haven't yet got around to making. These ones will allow me to fit the newer dual-pivot Shimano brakes..

Installing Drop Bolts on Dual-Pivot Bicycle Brake Calipers

$45USD!!! Ouch!!! Maybe the home-made ones will suffice for now...

http://www.ozhpv.org.au/speedrecord.htm
"Road, no hills, no corners... just flat out pedaling. I like."

and I'm watching the Athens Olympics men's road time trial in-between fitting new tyres and brake pads to the Pug.
A recent spate of flats means fitting more durable training tyres is a wise idea - at least while I'm in base training just clocking up kays. They have to be more durable than Pro Race. They have to be cheaper than Pro Race. They have to be red. I settled on Schwalbe Stelvio front and rear.

Schwalbe Stelvio Specs:
Article num. 11646613 Name STELVIO
Application Racing - Competition Execution Folding Tire
ETRTO 23-622 Performance RaceGuard
Size(inch) 700 x 23C Compound Dual
Tread HS 350 Color R/B-SK
EPI 67 Pressure_psi 85-145
Max_load Weight(gram) 235
$63.95 AUD RRP

Oh, the brake pads are $8/pair Prodanti ones.. in red of course!

"God, I wish more men would fscking shave their legs, pits and pubes. I would so be in heaven! SHAVED LEGS ON MEN IS SEXY IF YOU HAVE NICE MUSCLES."
www.tekwh0re.net

"Shit, where'd I leave my razor?!" :P

Cannondale's Disc Cyclocross Bike

www.fixedgeargallery.com

greenhummerproject.org

"This is the perfect SUV.
Our SUV is healthy, friendly, non-polluting, simple, inexpensive, fun, and socially responsible.

There are no black tinted windows to hide us from view. No air conditioning to further isolate us from the outside. No gas tank to fill and fill and fill. No greenhouse gasses pouring from the exhaust pipe. No frustration, no yelling, no honking, no road rage. No clocks to set, no alarm to annoy, no menus to scroll through. No video game system, DVD player, or GPS system. No "we own the road", "get out of our way", "don't slow us down" mentality."

2004 Taylormade Richmond Duathlon Results

Remove the disqualified competitor and the guy who swapped shoes quicker in transition and I've got the fastest bike time in the Dash :)

After thinking about this for ages and, of course, not doing anything about it for ages, I thought I'd give structured coaching a go. I know Carl from racing and he's a good bloke who seems pretty cluey about things race-related. So, as of today, hippy now has a coach and a training program!
ABOC Cycle Coaching

Skipping the AlpeDueEast/BR7 group ride I planned to race the short 'dash' duathlon (2k Run/8k Ride/1k Run) and then hussle to make it to the C grade crit at Glenvale Cres. Cold, early morning (4degC) start, register, very short warm up, extra 2k added to the ride and then off for the first run leg. 20 or so people racing and 10 were in front of me after the 2k (hippy loves running!). Slow transition to bike (I was stuffed!) and then off to make up some places. I'm not sure how many places I made up because by the second lap I think I was lapping the slower entrants and I lost count. On the second run I was really fighting for air.. I just couldn't maintain the pace and I was passed by 4 or 5 guys. Drank some of Taylormade's sport drink and then had to get out quick to try and make Glenvale. At 9am (C-grade start time) I was only at Elgar Rd. and had no chance of starting the race so I turned around (probably incurring a few speeding fines) and went back to see how the others went.
Headed to a cafe for a hot chocolate (in my case) or pancakes with banana, bacon, maple syrup and ICECREAM in some freak's case!! (You know who you are.. ). Had to leave to pick up a set of road wheels I was buying from a dude advertising on the 'net. On arriving at the meeting place I realise I don't have my wallet.. anywhere! FSCK!
I explain to the dude what's happened and he's understanding while I race off back to the cafe to find my wallet.. no luck.. SHIT! Off to Steve's to return the cat basket I borrowed to transport Hatchback home the other day (I was in the area - may as well). Check at the cop shop near the cafe before heading along the path I travelled when I lost it.. nothing.
On the way home I pick up a post-race tub of Tiramisu ice-cream from Diary Bell and then set about calling various banks to cancel my cards (after Tee insisted). Just as I'm about to pick up the phone, it rings, and a guy says "I've got your wallet". Awesome!! Terry from Streetwise Software had picked it up in the street outside my office (it must have fallen out of my pocket as I suspected) and must have looked me up. All is saved! Call wheel guy and arrange another attempt at 'cash for wheels'.
So, the day didn't quite go to plan, but it could have been worse. Oh, I heard that one of the riders in the Dash (a footballer.. no surprise then.. ) took the wrong turn and then in his haste to rejoin the race, knocked a spectator over! This, in a frickin' 30min race! No medal, no money, no Olympic gold and his own stupidity causes the injury of an innocent woman. Anyway, he was DQ'd, so I want to find out where I finished..