Weekend report and other rambles

Last weekend was filled with bikey fun. On Friday, there was an alleycat, art show and Mystery Ride. On Saturday there was a polo tournament, prom ride and the bike riders ball, and on Sunday there was a fantastic breakfast-chill out and Bike porn, allegedly followed by a "Birthday Suit Ride." Good times were had by all, except for a brief moment of discontent had by Reverend Phil of "Bike Porn" when he got clocked in the face by some jackass on the Selkirk Trestle. Apparently the said Jackass just wanted some piece and quiet to smoke a joint, and was offended by all the peaceful riders on the "Midnight Mystery ride," and by Rev. Phil in particular because he was riding a 16" zoobomber. If anyone can point out to me how that whole scenario makes sense, please comment below. Anyway a very strange thing to happen, especially in Victoria.

In other news I read Bike Snob's post this morning and was led all over the Internet on strange links, one of which led me to the Vittoria website which sports this picture of Thor Hushovd:

Take a close look at Thor's helmet... not only does it illustrate the stylists poor knowledge of Viking attire (these wings would be a Roman influence i suppose) but the helmet, although cleverly disguised is stunningly similar to the Viking Cat trophy, modeled here by this years winner Tegan:

Perhaps Hushovd will join us next year, with his "Vittoria" helmet. But if he does he will be limited to 34/16 singlespeed gearing. We certainly hope he shows up. To continue on the Viking/Norse theme...check out Norse Cycles' website that I stumbled upon this morning as well. Pretty reasonable pricing and a nice name and logo. Also check out Kriacycles, a new builder in Iceland. Kria is the Icelandic name for the Arctic Tern. Again, nice bikes, nice name and nice logo.

Hushovd chrashes, Boonen wins, nightride and trail maintenence

Hushovd crashed in the final k's and did not have a chance to kill Boonen on the sprint. Oh well, at least the winner was riding a Specialized and I did not loose too much money on my bet.

Night ride tonight. I won't be able to make it, since I'm still getting over the plague that's been holding me back for the last 10 days. Justin and Andrew will be going out though, and the conditions should be great. So get out there and "lay ze powahh dooown!"
If you're not racing on Sunday the 19th there's trail maintenance at Hartland. Here's the notice from Simbs:

"Join us for SIMBS trail maintenance this Sunday at 8:45 am at the Hartland parking lot. We supply the tools, gloves and training.

RSVP to me chris@simbs.com by Friday at 9 am and I will have a roast beast, turkey, ham or veggie sandwich for you. Please let me know your sandwich preference.

If you don't respond by the deadline, I won't have a sandwich for you but you are still welcome to join us. Just bring your own snacks.

Email if you have any questions or to let me know you are coming. Bring your bike for a ride afterwards - we have secure storage.

Hope to see you there,

Chris

Bikeprom 2009 and Paris Roubaix yeah!!!

One of the most exciting cycling events in the Victoria calendar is only two weeks away. The schedule is up and it looks very promising:
http://victoriabikeprom2009.blogspot.com/

Friday, April 24th
Rip up Victoria's sweetest, sketchiest, and secretest alleyways in the Alley Alley Cat Bike Race. Departs Centennial Square @ 7pm. $5.

Cogs, Cranks, & Creatures Art Show: Bike arts of all shapes and sizes for show and sale. Bayanihan Community Centre. 1709 Blanshard St. 8pm - 11pm.

Midnight marauding along Victoria's most delectable bike routes on the Moonlight Mystery Ride. Departs Centennial Square @ 11pm. Don't forget your lights and delights!

Saturday, April 25th
Polo Prom Bike Polo. Vic High Tennis Courts: 1900 block of Fernwood Rd, between Gladstone and Vining. Starts at 11am. $5.

Get gussied up and disguise your identity for the Moonlight Masquerade Ride. Departs Fernwood Square (at Gladstone & Fernwood) @ 7:30, and leads to...

The Bike Rider's Ball. White Eagle Hall @ 90 Dock St. (in James Bay). Bicycle performances, prom photo booth, polo prizes, a big sweaty dance party, and oh oh oh so much more. Doors open at 9pm. 19+. $8.

Sunday, April 26th
The Morning After: Cure your morning-after woes with black coffee and Victoria's premiere of Bike Porn 2: Bikexploitation. 11am. Location TBA at the Bike Rider's Ball.

The alley alley cat race is exceedingly exciting and suggests a downtown alley cat which is always a lot of fun. You'll see lots of riders riding around, you have to deal with traffic, stairs etc. not to mention cobblestones. It should be a blast!
Speaking of cobblestones...Paris Roubaix is on this Sunday. The "Hell of the North" is one of the most exciting classics in the sport and this year it should be no different. the race this year will be 259km and as always will utilize many of the old French cobble stoned rural roads used by french farmers. Tom Boonen (quick step) won the race last year on his Specialized Roubaix and he's the one rated most likely to win this year. Cycling bookies have him rated at 1:3,5 to win, but other names mentioned are last weeks repeat winner of the tour of Flanders, Stijn Devolder (Quick Step), as well as Filippo Pozzato, Fabian Cancellara and even George Hincapie. But as for myself I'm going to bet on the "mighty hammer" Thor Hushovd with Cervelo Test team. Unpolitically correct of course, since he rides a brand we don't carry and is on the wrong team etc. This is not an educated choice, there's no reason for this choice other than I think he can do it and the fact that he is a tough Norwegian. I'll be hoping for nasty rainy, windy and muddy conditions because that's what he should be used to from his homeland. I think it's the Hammers time to win a classic. Go Norway, heyja Norge!