Miniature S-Works SL3

I was playing around with my Canon S95 yesterday testing out a few different settings before an upcoming holiday.

I was pleasantly surprised with the quality of the tilt shift-esque 'miniature' effect. It makes the SL3 looks like a little toy.

~VL

Bike No. 1 - Torker2 280 Air

Way back in 1987 I was 10 years old. Thanks to the video release of the film 'Rad' I developed an unhealthy obsession with BMXs. This obsession never quite passed and over time has gradually morphed into the road bike version you see some 24 years later.

Assos Campionissiomo G731

I came across this while trawling the internet over the weekend. Seems that Assos has teamed up with Goomah to produce a limited handmade Assos road bike called the Campionissiomo G731.

2012 Audax Alpine Classic - Like a moth to a flame.

Last Saturday morning the Wolf Pack was sitting around post ride chewing the fat when Dr Taka broached the subject of us tackling the 2012 Audax Alpine Classic.

For those that don't know, the Alpine Classic is a 200 kilometre one day ride which takes in the Victorian Alpine climbs of Tawonga Gap, Mt Beauty, Falls Creek and Mt Buffalo. Oh yeah; and it is held at the end of January at the height of summer... fair to say it's a bit of a ride.

Tim Krabbe - The Rider

Now I'm not going to be a pioneer here, I'll just add my voice to the chorus of many cycling related bloggers that have gone before me and declared that in order to consider yourself a serious cyclist; you must read Tim Krabbe’s ‘The Rider’.

Cadence Collection Cycling Cap

Let's face it, we all love presents; and I was chuffed to bits when one of my mates presented me with this Cadence Collection cycling cap as part of my birthday present.

In addition to the stylish look, the cap is great quality and has a sweat band on the inside... a nice touch and a very welcome addition. It's also great to see a 'Made in the USA' label instead of the usual 'Made in China' you find on most garmets.

Cadence Collection make some really great pieces. The range of clothing can be found at a limited number of local stockists and online at www.cadencecollection.com

~VL

Rapha Espresso Machine

Hey, you know what I love… a good coffee. You know what else I am quite fond of… Rapha. Do I need it all in one… not so sure about that?

I came across this earlier today, it seems Rapha has teamed up with Rocket Espresso Milano to produce a limited edition Rapha Giotta espresso machine.

Why Ride? - by Todd

The following is a great piece just received from a very good friend of mine, Todd ~ VL

I keep getting asked, "Why am I not riding in the Tour de France...?"

For those of you who don't know, I'm actually an average cyclist. I have never been in the points in my clubs road racing, let alone an open race or an international event...

Your chance to own Cadel Evans’ BMC SLR01 Team Machine

Finally you have the opportunity to get your hands on a Cadel Evans bike, it is the BMC SLR01 that he rode in Geelong as defending World Champion and in the 2010 Giro di Lombardia.

You might remember that Cadel recently auctioned this bike off for the Manasarovar Academy in Kathmandu, Nepal. The winning bidder of that auction decided that this should be the bike that just keeps giving so will be raffling 1,500 tickets for your chance to own it. Proceeds will go to the Cerebral Palsy Education Centre Equipment & Teaching Aids Fund.

The bike will be on display over the next few months at Café Racer, Rockit Barber Shop or Total Rush– for dates and details visit this blog or follow me on twitter @tupfield for updates.

There are 1,500 tickets only at $50.00 each. You can purchase your tickets at any of the venues above or thanks to Wade Wallace online at Cycling Tips.

Victorian Minor Gaming Permit Number … 10397/11

Closing date … Monday August 22, 2011

Drawn on … Thursday August 25th at 1.00pm 2011 at Total Rush, 345 Punt Road Richmond, Victoria.

Winner notified by registered mail and email. Results published in the Australian Newspaper on Wednesday August 31st 2011

Cadel’s BMC SLR01 Specifications

• 50cm BMC SLR01 Red
• 140mm Easton EA90 Stem
• 42cm EC90 Carbon Equipe Pro Bars
• Campagnolo Super Record 2010
• 11-27 Cassette
• 172.5mm Cranks
• Record front derailleur
• Easton EC90 Tubular Wheels w/ Continental Competition Pro Ltd Tires
• Speedplay Zero Ti Pedals (white)
• Selle Italia Elite TT team edition saddle (white)
• FSA Ceramic Headset
• Swissstop Yellow Carbon Brake Pads

Lily and Cadel

 Ruby, Cadel, Lily and Troy

~VL

Specialized S-Works McLaren Venge

Hey, remember when the Specialized S-Works McLaren Venge bounced on to the scene with a sonic boom back in March!

The Venge hit the ground running in a pretty big way when Matt Goss won Milan San Remo on the Venge's first professional outing; and Mark Cavendish has (at the time of writing) taken 4 stage wins aboard the Venge at this year's Tour de France in his pursuit of the overall green jersey.

It kind of seems to me that after all of the initial hoo-haa on its release, the hype surrounding the Specialized McLaren Venge is dying down a bit and the impact of this ridiculously awesome bike is fading away into the background... probably overshadowed somewhat by Specialized's release of the S-Works SL4.

Why don't you take a couple moments out of your busy day and cast your eyes (and heart) back over the McLaren Venge... you can't tell me you don't think this thing is awesome!

I'm hanging to see one of these bad boys in the flesh... hopefully somebody will be kind enough to let throw a leg over one!

~VL

Photos courtesy of Specialized Bicycle Components and bicycledesign.net