This is a new blog section called 'Hot or Not', which is pretty self explanatory. Plus, it rhymes. Considering my feminist diatribe went down a bit like a lead balloon (c'mon guys, get with the program—it involves you! I can see that Feminism remains to be a dirty word!) I decided to write something decidedly more bike and coffee orientated. I was going to try and make it a monthly occurrence but we'll see how we go, i'm not good with that stuff...like...organisation and stuff.
So, without further ado, here's 'Hot or Not' for May.
HOT
Less bagginess around the eye region.
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| Less bags than usual. |
I digress...the reason I have less bagginess is because 'lil pea is sleeping more during the night, WIN!
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| Grippy shiftiness 2013 style. |
Grip Shift, 2013 10-spd style.
Yes it's true, 2013 Grip Shift DOES exist! And it's in my shed, on my bike right now. I am probably going to do a more detailed review of them in time, but needless to say first impressions are good and they feel like home (except now my brain has been conditioned to evil triggers I find myself occasionally fingering the air to change gears...). Super smooth action, if anything a bit lighter on the touch than previous GS, and that all awesome ability to change a buttload of gears with the swish of the wrist. Very cool.
More reviews at Bikemag, MTBR and Bikerumor. One thing that was a pretty universal experience with many reviews that I read was that the grips are too long. TRUE. However this is easily rectified with a pair of any other non-lock-on grips and some scissors. Long live the twisties.
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| It's not an auspicious number, I just couldn't be bothered rotating it. |
Bike Racing
Finally had a complete first race back. Only a short XC race, but it was up the road and had enough climbs to kill me and enough descents to show me what I need to do. Despite me questioning why the hell I like racing "oh my god this climb sucks I am sooo unfit", I had a good time.
Finished in the very unremarkable spot of mid-B grade men, but it's the first race back and it's a start.
Rode to and from the race, got home with sore legs and a hungry belly—the way it should be.
World Cup XC & XCE
It's been truly awesome watching Aussies hurt their way in plight of an Olympic spot for MTB. This time of year, every year, is exciting; the late night broadcasts of skinny euro's weaving their way up mountains, occasionally spotting an Aussie hurting. But this year has been different. It's an Olympic year and all the hitters from Aussieland have really stepped it up a notch.
Paulie and Ro have made huge headway in the new inclusion Cross Country Eliminator, both finding themselves on the podium at various times. Furthermore, Bec Henderson and DMac have been in fine form with Bec consistently on the steps for U23, and DMac taking an amazing 21st place at La Bresse on the weekend. Madness.
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| The one on the left, yep, that ones an Aussie! Go Ro! (pinched Cyclingnews) |
NOT
Crashing
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| Sad Shoes :( |
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| Sad baby :( |
It was as I coathangered my 650mm bar on a tree and landed several metres away in dense scrub that it dawned on me. Despite wide bars being firmly on the 'hot' list, crashing is even firmer in the 'not' list, so now i'm running 635mm bars (which are still huge, to be fair).
ANYWAY, I didn't realise until after the race that the descent had taken a token of it's victim, namely a strap off my shoe. This is NOT HOT, as I don't want to have to purchase new shoes. I think i'm going to run avant garde cycling shoes for a while.
Sad Faces
Oh my god, SO NOT HOT! Poor little pea puts the sad face on when she's overtired (understandably) which is every evening from 4-6.30, because that's how long we string her out for before bath, feed and bed. Man, she must hate us so much (yes, we are crappy parents i'm sure) but it's done wonders for our sleep. I can't stand that sad little face though!
24 Hour Racing
Don't get me wrong, i'm neither here nor there on the topic. If you want to go ride around a forest for a day then go for it. Seems a silly idea to me; but horses for courses. But it seems that the barbs have been out (again) regarding the legitimacy of a 'world title' as it stands for 24 hour racing. Oh the vitriol spews forth! Being a fly on the wall is very interesting indeed. I kind of feel bad for excitedly watching both sides of the debate...