I’d also like to say that as the year gets going I am thankful to be a contented Velominatus. Not riding as much due to work, but that’s okay. I’ll be back at it in a few weeks. And what is really nice, I’ve realized, is how well set I am. I have my bikes in fine order, my kit is well stocked, I have two of most things so I ride on two wet days in a row, and most of my stuff is darn nice. When not riding that much I find it really satisfying to go into my cycling drawer, pull out some nice stuff, chose the right helmet and shades and shoes for the day, and then ride a silent bike for a few hours.

Hope everyone is set for a big year! Good luck.

Started out toward a local park picnic loop when a leaf became stuck in my front brake and started making a repetitive noise.  Came to a stop and realized the leaf was actually a clean puncture of the front tire that, in combination with the rain, was spitting like an angry cobra.  Great.  I was still close to home and the tire was leaking slowly.  Turn around?  Hell no.

Sat down to change the tube.  Of course, that is when the real rain began.  So there I was, sitting out in the rain changing a tube almost within walking distance from my house, when everything went completely quiet.  No cars, no people, even the dogs went silent.  One of those eerily muffled moments that usually only occur at dawn.

Got things sorted and rode hard for an hour on almost deserted roads.  Never thought a flat in the rain would be an excellent way to end the year.

2013 is already looking busy,  and the training will be starting early door the Bristol Cogal in April.

Happy New Year to you all!

Some stats from 2012 c/o Strava:

188 rides

7,250km

119,000m climbed

3 bikes (1 of which has survived)

1 collarbone shattered

And most importantly a metric fuckton of fun.

Enjoy your new year celebrations, leave the bike alone tomorrow and hit it hard again from January 2nd! VLVV

My body gave me a lovely gift for the holidays. I was riding the rollers doing a Sufferfest workout last Thurs and having a really hard time. Tried again the next night with even worse results. Long story short, since I currently only have one hand to type with, I had a stent put in a 99% blocked coronary artery this afternoon. At least I know the pain wasn’t from switching from a 17 degree stem to a 6 degree one. Happy New Year everyone.

Good Lord, Brother!  Thank God that you got checked out and stented before irreversible damage was done.  VERY scary but now you can come back stronger than ever!

Really makes you realize how every day really is a gift, huh?

Take care, heal well and listen to your cardiologist!  Best of luck on the come back!

My body gave me a lovely gift for the holidays. I was riding the rollers doing a Sufferfest workout last Thurs and having a really hard time. Tried again the next night with even worse results. Long story short, since I currently only have one hand to type with, I had a stent put in a 99% blocked coronary artery this afternoon. At least I know the pain wasn’t from switching from a 17 degree stem to a 6 degree one. Happy New Year everyone.

Get well soon!

@seemunkee

Dude. Very glad you’re typing.

Buddy of mine had a quad bypass this spring after a minor heart attack. He’s *way* fitter and happier now than he was for the previous couple of years when he thought he was just getting older and fatter. (When I found out, I was really pleased that he decided not to have the heart attack when he and I were way the fark up in the high country hunting mule deer the previous fall.)

Get better soon.

I hear you.  Friend of mine had chest pain at the airport on our way home from a horseback riding trip out West. He ended up with three stents right after we got home.  While we missed out on the opportunity for a Navajo burial ceremony, he’ll be around to go out riding again.

My body gave me a lovely gift for the holidays. I was riding the rollers doing a Sufferfest workout last Thurs and having a really hard time. Tried again the next night with even worse results. Long story short, since I currently only have one hand to type with, I had a stent put in a 99% blocked coronary artery this afternoon. At least I know the pain wasn’t from switching from a 17 degree stem to a 6 degree one. Happy New Year everyone.

Great to hear you’re recovering. I caught a bug a few years back that went to my heart and put me in an ICU for a few days so I know a tiny bit of what you’re going through. Enjoy the rest and enjoy being back on the bike when the time is right.

get well

You are the 99%! Occupy seemunkee’s return to form!

I’m not sure what the hell that means, except get better and back on the bike soon.

Dude. Very glad you’re typing.

Buddy of mine had a quad bypass this spring after a minor heart attack. He’s *way* fitter and happier now than he was for the previous couple of years when he thought he was just getting older and fatter.  (When I found out, I was really pleased that he decided not to have the heart attack when he and I were way the fark up in the high country hunting mule deer the previous fall.)

Get better soon.

Anyway, have a Coppi New Year, you fucks.

@G’rilla

I bought all the parts for a full wheelset. Waiting for them to arrive and reading up on Sheldon Brown in the meantime.

If you remember or have the time, share your thoughts on the process here. I’ve read all the blogs and articles on wheelbuilding, but still went chicken shit and bought a custom wheelset instead of trying to build it myself. Would love to get feedback from someone in my shoes: eager as shit but possibly incompetent. Well, the incompetent part is particular to me, not you G.

Good for you G’Rilla! When you are ready to build your dream CX wheels with the Chris Kings, I will have a set of rims for you!

@roger Strip an old wheel down and rebuild it. That will give you the confidence to eventually go with new parts, plus you can keep stripping and assembling it over and over. When you are ready for new parts, let me know.

good luck!

I bought all the parts for a full wheelset. Waiting for them to arrive and reading up on Sheldon Brown in the meantime.

If you remember or have the time, share your thoughts on the process here.  I’ve read all the blogs and articles on wheelbuilding, but still went chicken shit and bought a custom wheelset instead of trying to build it myself.  Would love to get feedback from someone in my shoes: eager as shit but possibly incompetent.  Well, the incompetent part is particular to me, not you G.

I bought all the parts for a full wheelset. Waiting for them to arrive and reading up on Sheldon Brown in the meantime.

Santa delivered a wheel truing stand today, one of the very last things I need to have a proper shop. It’s 11am and the Bloody Mary’s are already flowing.

This goes out to @G’rilla mostly, but to all the other lovers of cantilever’s on road machines. Merckxy Christmas to all y’all:

Old school ‘cross circa 1930″²s

I love that shot from Belgian Boys!

G’Rilla, congrats again on a great season.

Some awesome gifts have been received! I needed nothing but got: very nice t-handle allen wrenches, a second of my favorite helmet in witte to counter the zwarte model I have, a really cool mobile of bicycles made from recycled metal, and some hand degreaser, always useful.

Happy holidays. I’m about partied & visited out. Looking forward to some long rides, some focussed training, some less indulgent consumption, and some peace!

@Deakus

@936adl

@Barracuda

@Mikael Liddy

@936adl love it…where’d that come from?

What Mikael said ……….

My brother in law got it for me from http://www.kapz.co.uk. It’s really nice quality too. They do a full custom service and will make pretty much anything you want.

I take it they therefore now have a base drawing that the rest of the Velominati can order….do you know if the rest of us could now order or would we have to submit a drawing ourselves…I could do with at least 2 maybe 3 of these..

He must have the base drawing so I’m guessing you can just re-order. I need one more myself. A chap called Simon Keane made the original order if that helps at all?

Thanks I might tap him up for one or two.

@936adl

@Barracuda

@Mikael Liddy

@936adl love it…where’d that come from?

What Mikael said ……….

My brother in law got it for me from http://www.kapz.co.uk. It’s really nice quality too. They do a full custom service and will make pretty much anything you want.

I take it they therefore now have a base drawing that the rest of the Velominati can order….do you know if the rest of us could now order or would we have to submit a drawing ourselves…I could do with at least 2 maybe 3 of these..

He must have the base drawing so I’m guessing you can just re-order. I need one more myself. A chap called Simon Keane made the original order if that helps at all?

@Barracuda

@Mikael Liddy

@936adl love it…where’d that come from?

What Mikael said ……….

My brother in law got it for me from http://www.kapz.co.uk. It’s really nice quality too. They do a full custom service and will make pretty much anything you want.

I take it they therefore now have a base drawing that the rest of the Velominati can order….do you know if the rest of us could now order or would we have to submit a drawing ourselves…I could do with at least 2 maybe 3 of these..

@Mikael Liddy

@936adl love it…where’d that come from?

What Mikael said ……….

My brother in law got it for me from http://www.kapz.co.uk. It’s really nice quality too. They do a full custom service and will make pretty much anything you want.

@936adl love it…where’d that come from?

What Mikael said ……….

Feeling blessed today. My VMH and the Velominippers put a brand new set of Mavic Kyserium Elite S with tires under the tree for me this morning. Unfortunately, there’s a fresh 20cm of snow outside, and in this part of the world that qualifies as a natural disaster. There will be no roads cleared for days, so I’m likely to be housebound, staring longingly at my new hoops, dreaming about getting them out on the road.

Ha, frustrating. It was bucketing down in London yesterday, all morning, and the thought did cross my mind that I felt sorry for any kids who got a new bike for Christmas.

Then as we were on our way to velomin-laws for lunch we saw two cyclists not far from our place navigating their way through potholes and small ponds. One was an older guy all wrapped up tight in his cycling gear and rolling pretty casually, the other was a teenage boy looking a little less certain and slightly wobbly on a very bright green and shiny new road bike.

Kudos to him for starting with Rule #9.

May the Prophet be with you all.

This isn’t a Christmas song, but the sentiment sort of sums up the holiday season, and how things should always be.  Thanks for reminding me just how brilliant the The Traveling Willbury’s were.  Merry Christmas to all!

This goes out to @G’rilla mostly, but to all the other lovers of cantilever’s on road machines. Merckxy Christmas to all y’all:

Old school ‘cross circa 1930’s

Ha! Well played, sir….usually by weight watching I mean, observing myself get fatter and on the holiday I turn a blind eye to it and simply get fatter with blinders on!

@graham d.m.

Happy Christmas! The weight watching went on hiatus an hour ago (until december 26), I’ve a beer in one hand and a bourbon in the other….wishing you all happy times and blessings. Thanks to you all for community and inspiration!

O shit I think I got it wrong…my weight watching start an hour ago, after being on haitus all year………..did I do bad?!

Ha! Well played, sir….usually by weight watching I mean, observing myself get fatter and on the holiday I turn a blind eye to it and simply get fatter with blinders on!

It may not be acceptable to mix geekery with looking fantastic, but Santa made me do it:

Merckx help me but I can be a “red shirt” any time I want now. I hope it won’t mean I’m the first to die on away rides….

Bravo!

Merckx help me but I can be a “red shirt” any time I want now. I hope it won’t mean I’m the first to die on away rides….

Happy Christmas to all, and special thanks to The Keepers, who keep us good boys and girls all year long.

My cycling swag was some Dulwich Paragon kit, which I have been hankering after for a long time to leave in London and use when I’m back. And a Kindle, which is cycling related because I haven’t been able to find the Tyler Hamilton book in Abu Dhabi so now I can download it.

Oh and when I got home a couple of days ago my wife looked at me in amazement and commented that I had visibly lost weight… early present ! It will all be going back on today though…

He also dropped Tyler Hamiltons book in my stokcing too!

My cycling swag was some Dulwich Paragon kit, which I have been hankering after for a long time to leave in London and use when I’m back. And a Kindle, which is cycling related because I haven’t been able to find the Tyler Hamilton book in Abu Dhabi so now I can download it.

Oh and when I got home a couple of days ago my wife looked at me in amazement and commented that I had visibly lost weight… early present ! It will all be going back on today though…

@Frank,@Keepers,@All

Many thanks for providing us with a REAL and wholesome site that is connected to the act and pleasure of riding. This is a great community that so many contribute to make it A joy.

Everyone, have great and safe holidays and see you on the pave, tarmac, chip seal, road next year!

^ What he said as well. IT’s been fun and looking to next year.

Mele Kalikimaka and Hau’oli Makahiki Hou

freddy photo from Flandriancafé.com

VLVV

Have a great and safe holiday,

VLVV

Many thanks for providing us with a REAL and wholesome site that is connected to the act and pleasure of riding. This is a great community that so many contribute to make it A joy. 

Everyone, have great and safe holidays and see you on the pave, tarmac, chip seal, road next year!

My first post on the site after ‘drafting’ on it, without invitation or introduction, for some time now – I love it!  Remember, Rule #5 applies in life as well as on the bike, so when you’re staring down that 3rd bowl of Christmas pud with deep regret: HTFU and get it down your neck!!  After all, it’s the perfect excuse to get out on Boxing Day and ride it off…

Happy Christmas! The weight watching went on hiatus an hour ago (until december 26), I’ve a beer in one hand and a bourbon in the other….wishing you all happy times and blessings. Thanks to you all for community and inspiration!

O shit I think I got it wrong…my weight watching start an hour ago, after being on haitus all year………..did I do bad?!

Merry Christmas, everyone.

Brian Setzer rips it up, by the by.

And the Nutcracker Suite. Even better.

Seeing as we are now moving very much “highbrow”…..you can not..I repeat…NOT… beat Eric Morecombe on the piano!

G

Happy Merckxmas!

Brian Setzer rips it up, by the by.

And the Nutcracker Suite. Even better.

May the Keepers & the Vhole V community have a great Merckx Season

thank you all for the encouraging words and well wishes for our new cycling business. In the spirit of that encouragement I present you all the soft launch of our website. Please any and all suggestions can be posted on our FB page as not to clutter this Merckxy article.

VLVV

http://www.caferoubaix.ca

The website is off to a great start. I’ll have to order a t-shirt one of these days. Here’s to a great first official year of your business.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads.

Ah the joys of copying and pasting HTML.

The Keepers were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of cobbletones danced in their heads….

OK, that’s about all the creativity I have for today.

Happy holidays to all and much V in 2013!

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads.

Right back at ya!

too many rules violations to count.

Happy Crimble Keepers, and thank you

Merry Christmas everyone!

Bad Santa….Good Santa!  Merry Christmas!

(DeFeet rather than DeFeat…)

thank you all for the encouraging words and well wishes for our new cycling business. In the spirit of that encouragement I present you all the soft launch of our website. Please any and all suggestions can be posted on our FB page as not to clutter this Merckxy article.

VLVV

http://www.caferoubaix.ca

Right back at ya!

Fabulous….British Heart Foundation?  I sent these cards to friends last year and this.

Merry Christmas to all the Velominati, in whatever country or whatever timezone you are in.  May the festivities sit light in your stomachs and Merckx will push out the door and on to your steeds pretty damn quick once the relevant respects and rest have been enjoyed!

And in a continuation of my irreverence I give you a great big ;)