Pedal! Damn it!

But, still, the bicycles rolled

2010-03-20T18:45:00.003+08:00

A little reading for a rainy Saturday...

(Picture credit: Mohammad Karim Faiez)

The bicycle man prefers working in the sun, sitting on a cushion nailed to a wooden block, stretching out his right leg, the one with a missing foot, taken years ago in that instant when a man's life veers another way.

Abdul Hibib has been fixing bicycles for almost 30 years. His hands are quick, clicking gears, moving across spokes as if he's plucking a harp. So much worn rubber and troubled history have rolled past him. His country tumbled from war to war while he tinkered with bicycles, outlasting the Soviets, surviving the Taliban.

[ . . . ]

He grasps a bent rim, breathing lightly, the sun in his gray-black beard, his hands a diary of scrapes and cuts, seldom resting. He twirls the rim; it wobbles and he stops it, bending it some more and then spinning it again, hypnotic almost, the blur of rust and steel.

(Fleishmann, Jeffrey. "Fixing what he can in Afghanistan." Los Angeles Times 15 Mar. 2010. 20 Mar. 2010.)

Read the rest here.

Some call(ed) me "Peter Pan"

2010-03-17T20:00:00.007+08:00

This was taken, oh, 19 years ago when I was 17 years ~~old~~ young.
Click here or on the image for the cheeky news article.

A more recent pic at 36 years ~~old~~ young.

Of course, these same ~~people~~ ~~dream-killers~~ ghouls are languishing in mid-life crises now.

I, too, am no angel, far from perfect; here's perdition: here, hear me gloat:

~~Hey, how are the high-blood pressure, pre-diabetes, Type 2 diabetes, fatty liver, high cholesterol, congestive heart failure, medications coming along? How many gallons of Botox are you using per day?~~

[T]he consolations of history, thus, turns out to be especially satisfying[...], for time humbles those who once humbled others.

(Sir Vidiadhar Surajprasad Naipaul)

NicIz2hardkore's SS Shoulder Upgrade

2010-02-19T16:23:00.004+08:00

After 2 impacts with Mount Faber, and head-butting a NTUC Comfort Del Gro taxi cab, it was time to upgrade NicIz2HardKore's right shoulder with hardier components  :-P

More info (and comments) here.

He's got a DVD of the operation too!

The surgeon used stainless steel anchors, wires, and Kevlar cord on the 2HardKore  0_o

Part 1.

Part 2.

Part 3.

       *Ding-dong!*

       Home delivery of...

       ...a pound of flesh from Wendy's.

Om nom nom nom nom...

Ambidextrous Nic makes it look easy.

After he was done with the 1 pound burger, he's presented with a tub of Wendy's Beef Chili — large  :-D

       You're kidding, right?

Spacing out after beef-overload.

I think there's enough room to hide a breaker bar or chain whip in that sling...

Heal up quick and kick more butts, Nic!

:-P

Sprint. Sprint. Pop. Crash!

2010-02-12T23:03:00.001+08:00

Or, that's how Bertram described NicIz2HardKore's most recent crash:

Nic was just riding along, minding his own business, past the Esplanade when the front tire of his Cannondale suddenly popped. As he struggled to control the sudden deceleration, Commissar A Dumb LardButt (the lesser known, more officious, way less photogenic, non-talented twin of Adam Lambert) waddled by on his Tomac Kar Pai — after consuming 2.3 metric tons of brownies; the ensuing gravity well caused the Cannondale's rear wheel to come off...

Drive-side brifter.

I wonder how carbon fiber would fare here.

Non-drive-side brifter.

Sella San Marco Regal Titanium Saddle.  *sob!*

Damage to the Cannondale: scored brifters and surprisingly little scratching to the frame. The saddle is totaled though — in addition to the torn leather, the rails are bent.

Damage to the engine.

From The Unauthorized Bicycle Repair Manual:

Engine Repair

Step 1:  Drink Beer.

:-)  :-D  :-P

Jetboil Personal Cooking System: Remote Canister Stands and Adaptors

2010-02-06T04:00:00.004+08:00

My 1st generation Jetboil Personal Cooking System (PCS) has served me reliably for almost half a decade.

Basically a modern day Billycan that's self-contained with stove and fuel, it's a piece of gear that's highly compact, fairly robust, and acceptably light. (Sure, the MSR Reactor is more wind-resistant, more efficient, and possesses better ergonomics — e.g. ability to lift pot off the stove if it boils over to shut the valve — but it is also larger, weighs more, and is overkill for the solo bicycle tourer, all-day Camelbak H.A.W.G. rides, and daypack hiker.)

Now, if I were to engage in the other type of bike touring, the MSR Reactor would be a no-brainer.

In fact, someone in Japan actually made his Jetboil even smaller and lighter. I guess weight weenies exist everywhere :-D

Among the plethora of accessories available for the JetBoil PCS (and the newer Flash) are the pot stabilizer (increasing stability), and the pot supporter (allowing the use of generic pots and pans).

The JetBoil (and MSR Reactor) utilize a female Lindal 7/16 NS threaded valve, following EN417 specifications.

Sometimes, however, female Lindal 7/16 NS threaded valve gas canisters are either hard to find / unavailable (Singapore and Malaysia), or much more expensive (Western Australia).

This is where a little more versatility in gas canister interface is desirable.

CP250 gas canisters or "Spray Can Valve Gas Canisters" are commonly used in Singapore and Malaysia for tabletop / vehicle-portable gas stoves. Weighing about 358 grams each, and filled with 250 grams of butane, they are also used for blowtorches in workshops and kitchens (e.g. for crème brûlée).

The CP250 valve is also known as the CP Twist Fit Bayonet.

To use the CP250 gas canisters, an adaptor is required. Hon Shin bought a pair of these adaptors a couple of years back and handed me one to try out with the Jetboil PCS. As they vary widely in price, do shop around.

The side that interfaces the gas canister.

The CE020 Adaptor is made of PVC and aluminum, and held together by 2 steel screws. I have not disassembled the unit but it appears not to utilize any o-rings.

As this adaptor lacks a gas flow control valve of any sort, unless you are planning on self-immolation and/or contending for the 2010 Darwin Awards, inserting a CP250 gas canister into it without priorly attaching a gas flow control valve is a bad idea. Bonus points awarded if you attempt this near smokers, other operating stoves, or a roaring campfire.

Anyone who denies the law of non-contradiction should be beaten and burned until he admits that to be beaten is not the same as not to be beaten, and to be burned is not the same as not to be burned.

Agree with Avicenna, the JetBoil stove has a gas flow control valve — use it.

Screw the CE020 Adaptor into the Jetboil stove as you would a regular threaded gas canister.

Note: This works for the JetBoil PCS. I have not tried this with the newer JetBoil Flash yet, but the new valve appears compatible, your mileage may vary.

CE020 Adaptor installed.

Lower the assembly onto the CP250 gas canister, aligning the outer protrusion of the CE020 Adaptor with the notch on the collar of the CP250 gas canister.

With the assembly fully seated, grasp the knurled part of the CE020 Adaptor and rotate the CP250 gas canister counter- clockwise to lock it into place.

This was how I use my Jetboil on my rides (and hikes) in Malaysia and Singapore. A cursory look would surmise that stability is an issue.

Enter the Brunton Canister Stove Stand, courtesy of Mr. E :-)

Coiled up and folded. Looks good enough to be jewelry, stick it up your nose.

The Brunton Canister Stove Stand has male and female Lindal 7/16 NS threaded fittings on it.

Ensuring that the gas flow valve on the Jetboil stove is shut, thread the stove onto the Brunton Canister Stove Stand as you would with a regular gas canister.

Note: This works for the Jetboil PCS. I have not tried this with the newer Jetboil Flash yet, but the new valve appears compatible, your mileage may vary.

Gas stove seated.

Ensuring that the adjustable gas flow valve (small black knob) is shut, thread the CE020 Adaptor onto the other end of the Brunton Canister Stove Stand.

CE020 Adaptor installed.

Insert CP250 gas canister into CE020 / Brunton Canister Stove Stand assembly.

As before, align the outer protrusion of the CE020 Adaptor with the notch on the collar of the CP250 gas canister.

Grasping the knurled part of the CE020 Adaptor, rotate the CP250 gas canister counter-clockwise to lock the assembly in place.

Owing to the absence of a side stand on the CE020 Adaptor — which orientates the gas canister in a specific position so that the pick up tube inside the canister is pointed up, feeding butane vapor to the stove, and not liquid butane — the CP250 gas canister must NOT be used lying on its side in this configuration.

Now, if you want your Jetboil to spit fireballs...

With a wider base and a lower center of gravity, this set up is much more stable. Wind is also less of an issue with the stove sitting lower on the ground.

The Brunton Canister Stove Stand also includes an aluminum windscreen.

Normally, using a windscreen for a top-mounted canister stove is a no-no as the gas canister may heat up dangerously; and, though butane / iso-butane canisters are generally safe, what with a concave bottom designed to pop out as an obvious visual warning of severe over-pressure, they are still capable of erupting into a ball of fire if sufficiently abused, along with the usual sharpnel, 72 virgins, nirvana, death, and pain (not necessarily in that order).

So, some people get creative with their windscreens and engage in metal origami. Read "Is it Safe to Use a Windscreen With a Canister Stove?"

With the gas canister located remotely, there's no such need to recreate Mel Gibson's Mad Max set.

Other adaptors and additional information

Remote Canister Stove Stands

Besides Brunton, Vaude / Markill also manufactures a remote canister stove stand. The Markill Stove Base Adaptor appears to sit lower, and its gas canister connector does not feature an adjustable gas flow control valve.

Remote Canister Stove Stand + CP250 Convertor

Another remote canister stove stand comes along with an integrated CP250 to female Lindal 7/16 NS adaptor.

The CE 0191 Adapter Nozzle Gas Bottle Screwgate Camping Stove Gear with pipe is made of stainless steel and brass. The canister end of the adaptor has 2 protruding tabs which serve as legs to orientate the CP250 gas canister, enabling safe operation whilst lying on its side.

This unit too, seems to lack an adjustable gas flow control valve.

Semi-Remote Stove Stand + CP250 Convertor

The Gasmate Butane Adaptor — Screw to Bayonet (Model AD220) is a curious unit with 3 foldable legs.

The CP250 gas canister attaches from the side. A fixed mount ensures that the CP250 gas canister is oriented in the specific position for safe operation. This unit also appears to lack an adjustable gas flow control valve.

It can also be used with a remote canister stove stand or remote canister stove.

Apart from the female Lindal 7/16 NS threaded valve and the CP250 or CP Twist Fit Bayonet gas canister, there's also the CampinGaz CV series gas canisters, which are readily available in Singapore and Malaysia.

The CampinGaz CV series valve looks like this.

Vaude / Markill makes a Valve Cartridge Adapter (Ref: MK92497-100) that converts a CV270 or CV470 CampinGaz gas canister to the female Lindal 7/16 NS threaded valve interface.

CampinGaz also has an older "C" series. These gas canisters have no valves, relying instead on the stove to puncture an opening. As these gas canisters are not resealable, they cannot be removed until they are empty.

The Vaude / Markill Puncture Canister Adaptor for C206 converts the CampinGaz C206 puncture gas canisters to the female Lindal 7/16 NS threaded valve interface.

This adaptor has 3 arms which grip the bottom of the gas canister. The bottom of the 3 arms are then secured by a thick o-ring (not shown). The black knob on top is then screwed down until it punctures the CV206 gas canister. This set up enables the CV206 gas canister to be safely removed from the stove and stored apart for later use.

GoGas used to sell a CampinGaz C206 to female Lindal 7/16 NS threaded valve adaptor as well.

Since being acquired by Karrimor, GoGas is now Karrimor GoSystem.

Cold Weather Operation

At this point, the JetBoil PCS / Flash is using gas vapor for operation. However, when temperatures drop below 31° F (0.5°C), butane does not vaporize well and performance suffers. Isobutane works down to 11° F (-12°C). Propane is good until -43° F (-40° C); however, propane canisters are usually much heavier, discounting them from bicycle touring and light-hiking.

One way is to invert the gas canister such that it forces liquid fuel to the stove. This requires a preheat / vaporization loop — which goes over the burner — in the stove's design. The Jetboil Helios, which inverts the gas canister, uses such a setup. GearActive has an excellent series of pictures on this.

As the JetBoil PCS and Flash do not possess a preheat / vaporization loop, flipping over the canister is dangerous as there is a very real likelihood of a flame lift-off or flaring — this can, among other things result in the neoprene cozy and handle of the Jetboil melting; setting the tent / roof / annoying campmates / your goatee on fire; raising global temperatures and suffering Al Gore's ire.

Rather than fabricate a preheat / vaporization loop, one can add a heat shunt. A small brass block can be attached to the fuel inlet tube of the Brunton Canister Stove Stand. The brass block will have a small blind hole tapped on the side, to which a copper strip is attached. The other end of the copper strip is put near the flames, conducting heat to vaporize the liquid fuel in the fuel inlet tube.

Here's a modified Brunton Canister Stove Stand working with a Snow Peak Giga Stove. Note that while the connecting block is brass, the strip must be copper.

You can also stick an upright stove on the Brunton Stove Stand and run the canister inverted. In the photo here my Snow Peak is happily working away. However, a caution is imperitive here. The Brunton Stove Stand does not have a preheat tube. There is nothing to stop this arrangement from flaring badly, and dengerously. My solution is to attach a small brass block over the inlet tube (red arrow) and a strip of copper up from that to the flame (blue line). This acts as a heat shunt. I start the stove with the canister upright, wait maybe 10 seconds while the flame heats the shunt and the heat travels down to the brass block, and then I turn the canister upside down - gently, and at low power. The heat travelling down the shunt will make sure the liquid fuel is vaporised before it gets to the jet. It works fine for me, but no responsibility is accepted if you do this yourself. There is a full article about this at Backpacking Light.

A caution is in order here. When you turn the canister upside down the needle valve will now be throttling liquid fuel, not gas. The liquid fuel will expand into gas at about 250 times the volume. If you are not careful you may find that the stove will suddenly roar a little too fiercely! So before you invert the canister, just turn the stove down to a gentle low. It may pick up a bit even so when you invert. Once the canister is inverted, regulate the stove as normal. You may find the valve slightly more sensitive.

(Source)

As the JetBoil PCS / Flash burners are much further away from the fuel inlet tube of the Brunton Canister Stove Stand, implementing this might be tricky (and adds 2 more failure points to the stove stand). That, and the heater tab would have to take a labyrinthic path to the burner — unless sticking it between the cooking cup's heat exchanger fins is enough. I am considering if using a single, thick copper wire, with one end coiled over the Brunton Stove Stand's fuel inlet tube works just as well in vaporizing the fuel when the gas canister is inverted.

Disclaimer: These are my own ruminations, not suggestions to readers. If you embark on any of these harebrained Wile E. Coyote "Acme" schemes, you do so entirely at your own risk and bear all consequent responsibility and liability.

As Confederation of Bushwalking Clubs' FAQ on Gas Stoves illustrated, there exists a multitude of ways to fabricate your own inverted canister stand. FWIW, Jim Wood compiled an excellent overview of the various gas canister diameters and available stands.

Mark Ferwerda also has an excellent idea, utilizing a Primus Foot rest Canister Stabilizer. Mark later reported that the epoxy broke after some time and came up with a more robust (and elegant) solution with a drill press and a couple bits.

For now, I am rather pleased with the Brunton Canister Stove Stand. Unless I ride or travel in subzero regions, the acquisition of a Vaude / Markill Valve Cartridge Adaptor will probably provide sufficient versatility for my venerable Jetboil PCS.

Brooks B-17 Champion Special Titanium tension bolt re-seating / replacement

2010-01-27T23:54:00.003+08:00

A little routine oiling of a Brooks B-17 saddle (a gift from Peter) found me disassembling the tension mechanism for a thorough cleaning.

Apart from the leather, all parts for the Brooks B-17 saddle may purchased as spares or replacements.

The regular steel, black enameled frame is available for US$20; the titanium version retails at US$260. Titanium is one of the few metals that is biocompatible; this means that if you get into a wreck and the saddle frame gets embedded into your ass, surgeons won't have to remove it. Buy it.

The replacement nose (titanium) is available for US$24; 'U' shaped tension shackle (titanium) for US$16; 60 mm zinc-plated steel bolt, with nut for US$14. (Image from Wallingford Bicycle Parts, New Orleans. All parts may be ordered from them.)

The Brooks B-17 Champion Special Titanium model uses a 60 mm zinc-plated bolt with a tapered collar nut (the importance of which will be apparent later).

Brooks also offers replacement of the leather at their factory in Birmingham, England:

From tomd (20th October 2009):

e-mail from brooks regarding re-hiding:

It is possible to fit a new leather top onto saddle, provided that the model concerned is still a current one.
The price for this repair would be £50.

Best Regards

(Source)

Once I started putting it together again, that's when the fun really began:

Replacing the tension bolt on a Brooks saddle? - What's the trick?

I have a Brooks saddle and the tension bolt sheered in half. So I got my hands on a new one, but my problem is actually trying to squeeze the thing into place. The saddle has been without tension for many months. Is there some trick for actually getting this damn thing into it "seated" into both circular holes? It seems like there is no 'safe' way to spread the rail assembly away from the front brass notch-piece.

Has anyone done this before?

(SlowIsMe, Road Bike Review Forums)

An excerpt of an email from Bill Laine of Wallingford Bicycle Parts to Roger Sacilotto, 7 July, 2007:

The most frustrating part . . . might be re-assembling the saddle. Unless your saddle is really stretched it will be hard to get the end of the tension bolt into its cup in the nose piece. At the factory they have a hydraulic saddle stretcher. If you don't have one of those then it could be a real wrestling match trying to pry the nose out far enough to let the bolt drop in.

(Source)

NIC [2:26 PM]: Tension's kinda high. Straaange. Might wanna reduce the tension a slight bit for storage
BEN [2:28 PM]: Must be gravity well of Dom nearby.
BEN [2:32 PM]: Okay, no tension now.
Pete insane.
Mad tension.
NIC [2:33 PM]: LOL

[much, much later...]

BEN [5:19 PM]: Fuck. Never back out the tension bolt of Brooks Ti saddles all the way.
NIC [5:20 PM]: Now its floppy?
LOL
BEN [5:20 PM]: Between the hours of 2:32 PM and 5:15 PM, I struggled to put it back.
'Just succeeded.
You need to get the collar of the nut and the head of the bolt JUST RIGHT to have both seated.
Oh, ya, add the natural springiness of Ti to fuck things up.
Wheeee.
NIC [5:22 PM]: Helps if you put it on the ground and press it in with your body weight.
BEN [5:24 PM]: Us, starvies don't have no body weight :-P
NIC [5:24 PM]: LOL
BEN [5:27 PM]: Ya, so that's how you do it.
NIC [5:27 PM]: Body weight?
BEN [5:28 PM]: I used finesse. Heh!
Not by choice, mind you.
After 2 hours of wrestling with Ti and a piece of dead cow, I was exhausted.
NIC (5:31 PM): Ahaha!

The procedure that finally worked for me:

Apply a thin coating of anti-seize (or grease) on: the tapered end of the tension bolt nut; the edge of the hole on the tension shackle; around the head of the tension bolt.

Place tension shackle ('U' shaped piece) over the nose end of the saddle rails.

Thread the tension bolt nut until 2 threads are visible from the head of the tension bolt.

Insert tension bolt into tension shackle.

Press tension assembly down.

Push head of tension bolt toward the nose of saddle until it seats in the recess of the nose piece.

Move tension bolt nut toward tension shackle by either rotating tension bolt nut or turning the head of the tension bolt using an allen key — gently.

At some point, resistance will be felt. Stop.

Alternately reduce or increase tension while pressing and pulling on the tension assembly (on a vertical plane. I.e. 90 degrees to the tension mechanism assembly). Keep each rotation of the bolt or nut small.

The tension bolt nut has a tapered collar (stained brown/bronze by the anti-seize in the picture) which aids in it slipping into the hole of the tension shackle. The aim of this procedure is to leverage what little play there is to get the lip of the tension bolt nut collar to slip into the hole of the tension shackle with a minimum of force and galling — you're talking millimeters here.

The clunk! you hear when the tension bolt nut seats in, will be about the sweetest sound you'll hear all day.

Your mileage may vary for other models of the Brooks B17 as they do not have a hex head, but the procedure should be quite similar (albeit, slightly more difficult due to the inability to rotate the tension bolt).

Just remember, patience and finesse, not brute force. Save the last for the re-railing! :-P

Paen

2010-01-21T23:45:00.005+08:00

Pain is a big fat creature riding on your back. The farther you pedal, the heavier he feels. The harder you push, the tighter he squeezes your chest. The steeper the climb, the deeper he digs his jagged, sharp claws into your muscles.

       (Scott Martin)

I usually don't post stuff like this (let alone double post), but I love it when I begin a ride in high spirits.

Here's an internal soundtrack running through my head as I embark on yet another 109.44 km (68.4 miles) non-stop, solo ride around (most of) the island.

       15 minutes to the witching hour.

       Hello, Pain!

:-D

Ignorance is bliss

2010-01-20T14:12:00.000+08:00

We are all born ignorant, but one must work hard to remain stupid.

(Benjamin Franklin)

'Walked past some contractors after lunch. 'Saw a rather familiar looking tool sticking out of a pile of debris. 'Asked the contractor if he still wants it.

"Oh, it's broken. Bent. Not accurate anymore," he said.

Fine. I brought it home.

What is it?

A Sears Craftsman 1/2" drive, 0-150 lbs ft. lb. (0-203 Nm) torque wrench.

As opposed to a click-type, the beam-type can be easily re-calibrated by the end-user. I.e. one second spent bending the indicator arm back to zero... and, it's as good as new! That, and these things are guaranteed for life. (Yes, some of us do read the fine print.)

Well, it's mine now.

It makes a fine complement to my Park Tools TW-1 1/4" drive, 0-60 inch pounds (0-7 Nm) and TW-2 3/8" drive, 0-600 inch pounds (0-70 Nm) torque wrenches. ~~I am still looking for the late Sheldon Brown's elusive Tork-Grip Ultimate Torque Wrench.~~

So, remember, kids! If you get a flat on your bike, the bike's useless. (The same goes for your car.) Give it to me and I will dispose of it for you!

:-P

Planet Bike / Smart Superflash rear light mod

2010-01-18T22:30:00.003+08:00

When my non-weather-proof Cateye TL-LD270 rear light died from circuit board corrosion (after a one too many rainy rides), I switched to my back up Cateye light.

The Cateye SL-LD100 rear light, though weather-proof, was not very bright; I had cars come up real close before going around me. Definitely not a good choice for Friday and Saturday solo night rides on dark roads (unless you have next-of-kin or significant others waiting to cash in on your life policy).

When I tested out the Planet Bike / Smart 317R Superflash, I was surprised by its brightness and immediately procured one for myself.

Apart from a slight difference in the color of the plastic housing, the Planet Bike and Smart models are identical in function.

The Planet Bike Stealth Superflash is black, with clear transparent plastic; has 3 more syllables to its name (one more than its sibling); and sounds cooler — buy it.

ozphoto did a snappy review of the Superflash versus your standard 5-LED light. There are plenty of reviews of this light, so I won't belabor its brightness; the fact that it uses the cheaper and commonly available AAA cell instead of the N cell or CR 2032 button cell, et cetera.

What I am interested in is addressing 2 design weaknesses in the light.

The light has a belt clip that slides into a receiver bracket (that's attached to the bike). In the above image, the curved part is the belt clip. The straight part has a small tab on it, which prevents the light from sliding up and out. About as secure as the Whitley Road Detention Centre, this arrangement works most of the time, until you hit a bump...

Then, the Superflash sails off, and your bike becomes super light, sans light, stealth-like :-D

Not a few riders lost ~~weight~~ their lights this way.

On the predecessor of the Superflash — which employs the same mounting system — I used a small cable tie to ensure the light would never sail off like Mas Selamat bin Kastari.

That's one design flaw addressed without a S$2.9 million dollar salary.

On the Candle Power Forums, CDG08 noted:

The clear housing of the components. This half of the light is the the more heavier of the two, rendering it more likely to fall off due to road shock and bumps on the road / trail. . . . The half that is the lightest is also the half securely mounted the the bike. The heavy half that has the components, LEDs, batteries, is all on this other side.

       (Source)

Check out his pictures in the link and it will become clearer.

What this means in plain Ingrish: the light is made of 2 halves: the lighter part, and the heavier part. The lighter part has been secured to the bracket; the heavier part has not. Upon hitting a bump or pothole, the heavier part can still break away from the lighter part... leaving you with a ~~lighter~~ faster bike  :-P

Some riders unwittingly ~~lightened~~ darkened their steeds in this manner as well.

My solution then, was a humble, ever resilient, rubber band.

*Snap!*

That served me well, easily lasting through a 14-day tour in the tropics.

However, there's got to be a neater, more reliable, more aesthetically pleasing way to go about this. (Thanks, Karen  :-)  )

The solution? A longer, translucent cable tie!

Loop a 3 mm wide, 200 mm long translucent cable tie around the mid-section of the light and tighten. There's no need to cinch it too tight; the point is to hold the two halves together, not achieve fusion. Cut off the excess with a very sharp utility knife, such that it sits flush. The last detail is to ensure that nothing protrudes to hook or scratch your thighs and/or ~~too tight~~ shorts. The light can still be slid off the bracket at this point, you just need to bend the light out a wee bit further.

Regular alkaline batteries last about 190 hours in flashing mode, so you shouldn't need to remove the cable tie to replace the 2 AAA batteries too often. In any case, the cable ties are very affordable, costing me about S$0.06 (US$0.04) each. For those desiring much, much greater intervals between battery changes — as well as a 33% reduction in battery weight — use a pair of Energizer Lithium AAA batteries.

Here's a shot of the 200 mm (about 8") long translucent cable tie. You might be able to get away with 150 mm (6") but I can't guarantee it.

For the other cable tie, use a shorter length and make a small loop. ~~Use your estimation of your favorite male politician's manhood as a rough guide.~~ You will need a little trial and error in the next step to figure out just how small the loop can be and still remain removable. For aesthetics, you may choose to use a black cable tie as it will blend in with the tab and belt clip.

Tip:  The thin, long cable ties supplied with your speedometers / cyclo-computers are usually 3 mm wide.

Slide the loop over the tab and belt clip until it slips into the hollow formed by the upper curved part of the belt clip. There is just enough space in there for two 3 mm wide cable ties.

What the completed modification looks like.

Rear view.

The light is now ruggedized; short of a crash, nothing is likely to cause your Planet Bike / Smart Superflash to pop off.

You now have no excuse not to be out at night.

Go ride.

Cycling is like a church — many attend, but few understand

2010-01-09T04:40:00.002+08:00

So said Jim Burlant. In quiet genuflection, I went for my first night ride of 2010. Besides, it's been a while since I went exploring solo. (Thanks for the tip, Pete!)

Crossing over to Pulau Punggol Barat (island). About 3+ km further, this new road crosses over to another island, Pulau Punggol Timor. There's a couple kilometers' worth of quiet wooded tarmac after this. nash_1126 has some nice pictures here.

Cool winds and solitude made for a contemplative, spiritually refreshing, ride.

Crossing the tide control gates of Sungei Punggol, Seletar North Link terminates beneath the tracks of the Punggol LRT, connecting to Punggol Way. The road passes a yet-to-be-open LRT station, PW7 Soo Teck. A stone's throw away is Punggol Marina. (Hat tip: Weijie of Chapter 2 Cycle for showing me the way through the construction sites.)

Christmas comes early for bike thieves

2009-12-08T05:50:00.002+08:00

It's interesting what one sees on a couple hours' ride around town.

3:46 AM.

Something tells me that Mike is probably a tourer, endurance rider, hunter, or, in all probability, all three.

Ride long, ride hard, and hide well, bike thief :-P

Not recommended for liability reasons but highly entertaining nonetheless.

Me? I used this.

4:04 AM.

Latest arrival at Cycle Corner

2009-11-21T06:00:00.007+08:00

No Name (she doesn't have a name yet) is 2 months old and, like all puppies, possesses boundless energy, bouncing off walls 24 hours a day.

When she grows up, she will do this on bikes...

...and do this to bike thieves and jackass drivers.

Woof!

But for now, she will just share ice-cream with you.

(Image credit: Jean)

Send name suggestions to cycle_corner AT yahoo DOT com DOT sg

:-D

Tenggaroh Loop Ride

2009-10-09T22:40:00.008+08:00

Artist's impression of ride.

After 6 months of almost absolute inactivity, NicIz2HardKore and I decided to embark on a short ride in the greater Desaru area. The ride was almost called off a week before the trip when some klutz knocked Ivy over, rendering shifting to her smallest cog impossible; then, Peter Chew of Cycle Corner worked his magic and got her back on the road. Whee!

Red = Day 1
Blue = Day 2
Magenta = Day 3
Yellow = Highway / B-road numbers

9:40 AM. Filling waterbottles from a drinking fountain at Changi Beach. As Curious Cat looks on, Nic loads film into one of his cameras.

"You folks are crazy, I'm staying put — where it's nice and shady," kucinta purred.

After waiting the better part of an hour, the bumboat finally got going — everyone decided to fork out an extra SG$2 instead of waiting for more passengers. (Picture credit: NicIz2HardKore)

11:10 AM. Here's a picture of a really beat up motorbike at Tanjung Pengelih. Temperature  91° F (32.8° C)

22 km of flat roads to the town of Sungai Rengit.

Jalan Besar, Sungai Rengit.

Bak Kut Teh.

~~Check out my ribs.~~

What's that about fatty cuts of meat being bad for you again?

Pork-Power!
(Picture credit: NicIz2HardKore)

(Picture credit: NicIz2HardKore)

Reception for "high-end" TRY-athletes from a certain tropical-island-city-state-with-no-mountains. You know? The w(h)inners who cry about not having enough water points, feed points, medical personnel, traffic control, finisher's medals, hugging stations, counseling couches, pow-wow tents; and bad music, uncooperative weather, too much sand, too much mud, strong headwinds, cold water, dirty water, excessive sunlight, et cetera...

Passing by some chalets in Tanjung Ramunia.

Hey! They repaved this section of the road! No more prostate-squishing! Yay!

Mr. Shutterbug.

Highway 90 is on the left.

(Picture credit: NicIz2HardKore)

(Picture credit: NicIz2HardKore)

(Picture credit: NicIz2HardKore)

Much earlier (leaving Sungai Rengit):

BEN:  Let's stop at the next bus stop.
NIC:  I am sure you realize bus stops aren't very common here.

Bus stop. I raised my saddle height by 2 mm.
Temperature  98° F (36.7° C)

I promise to do better next time. Next time, I'll say, "Let's stop at the next light."

:-P

(Picture credit: NicIz2HardKore)

Well, technically, it's still a (gravel) road.

Taking a few minutes under swaying coconut trees, gazing at the huge LPG tankers barreling off the coast, in the South China Sea.

Well, at least it's not as crowded as the Botanic Gardens of a certain city-island-state.

Batu Layar (Sail Rock).

The hills begin after this.

I like this pic.

It makes me think of this.

:-P

Sweat got into Nic's eyes.

(Picture credit: NicIz2HardKore)

Desaru, final approach.

4:04 PM. Tajung Balau.
Temperature  91° F (32.8° C)

4:30 PM. Back on the road.
Trying our hands at panda shots again.

(Picture credit: NicIz2HardKore)

(Picture credit: NicIz2HardKore)

Not quite.

There!

Watermelon fields.

(Picture credit: NicIz2HardKore)

No rest for the wicked.
No sleep for the damned.

Nic rides his Surly fixie north, past numerous oil palm plantations, along an undulating road (J173) to the fishing village of Sedili Kecil.

Lamp post FAIL.

#@$%!!! gravity!

(Picture credit: NicIz2HardKore)

The lalang fields — last seen on a Nov 2007 ride — on the left have been razed for cultivation.

Bridge over Sungai Sedili Kecil.

6:28 PM.

Across the road from the sign is the entrance to Sedili Country Resort, where I bunked over on my 2007 Sedili Mega Loop Ride.

We reached Jason's Bay Resort at 7:15 PM.
Temperature  80° F (26.7° C)

Jason's Bay Resort
Tel 607-234-8861
019-70408324
Mr. Amran bin Abdullah

(Picture credit: NicIz2HardKore)

As there were many other guests (the place was almost full), the in-house restaurant was open.

2 sup ayam (Malaysian Chicken Soup)
2 ayam goreng (Fried Chicken)
4 nasi goreng cina (Fried Rice - Chinese Style)
4 bandung (Milk flavored with rose cordial)

As we dined, the mosquitos dined on us. Later, a crowd of men arrived — smoking — and the gnats went off to get their own Marlboro.

Did I say this is a Halloween Ride? Well, here's Skeletor.
(Picture credit: NicIz2HardKore)

(Picture credit: NicIz2HardKore)

DATA

Start 11:10 AM
End 7:15 PM
Total 8 hours 5 minutes

Cateye AT-100
Elevation climbed 1150 ft (350.6 m)
Distance 63 miles (100.8 km)
4 hours 53 minutes 45 seconds
Average speed 12.9 mph
Maximum speed 30.9 mph
Temperature 80° F - 98° F (26.7° C - 36.7° C)
Cumulative distance 63 miles (100.8 km)

Day 2
7:30 AM.
Boiling water for coffee with the JetBoil™.

10:25 AM.
Temperature  91° F (32.8° C)

Having assumed all cattle by the road to be cows, Nic taunted a bull.

Pedal, Nic! ~~Pedal~~ Paddle! Damn it!

:-D

Peace!

(Or, is it, "You two need brains!" or "You need 2 motorcycles!"?)

At the junction of J172 and J173 is first traffic signal since arriving at Tanjung Pengelih.

5 roti canai telur (Malaysian flatbread with egg)
1 roti canai kosong (Malaysian flatbread, plain)
1 nasi lemak (Steamed rice with coconut cream)
2 iced-teh (Iced tea)
1 kopi-o (Coffee without milk)
6 bottles of mineral water (The only form of water ~~high~~ hind-end TRY-athletes drink)

'Dodged a soaking when a thunderstorm passed by.

The water is brown not due to mud (it's an asphalt road) but ~~government propaganda~~ cow manure.

       !!!

On the east side of the bridge, a view of the fishing village of Sedili Besar. Apparently, accommodations are available there at a place called Le Club, but I have not been able to obtain further information about the place (apart from an expired phone number). FWIW, Tanjung Sutera Resort, accessible via a turn eastwards north of the bridge, offers accommodations.

The road will eventually run along that ridge.

       Pain is only weakness leaving the body.

Detailed road directions (created by Mazon) to Sedili Besar and Tanjung Sutera Resort can be found here.

Tenggaroh.

Surging ahead, chasing a dog, I left Nic behind.

12:31 PM. After waiting for the better part of 20 minutes, I coasted back down the hill and discovered him walking his crippled bike.

What we got here?

For some reason, the 15 mm wrench was missing from Nic's bag.

My Topeak Alien DX has an emergency 15 mm wrench but it neither possess the leverage nor strength to remove the nut from a fixie axle. (The user manual states that it is to be used only for tightening — not removing — pedals in an emergency.) We attempted it anyway and the jaws of the wrench flexed alarmingly. Nic elected to preserve his knuckles and stopped.

Passing motorists (most of them have 14 mm wrenches, but none had the coveted 15 mm) suggested that we hike to the nearest village to try our luck.

Road cycling shoes are only a little easier to hike in than 8-inch heels, so Nic does his impression of a Hobbit.

1:15 PM. Tenggaroh Selatan 1.

Upon discovering the clinic closed, we wandered around for a while before another helpful motorist stopped by and offered the use of his tools.

No such luck. Lots of 14 mm. No 15 mm.

So, we trudge on.

The other Ti(e).

Hur! Hur!

As the village has no shops, we walked from house to house, inquiring after the elusive tool.

A 15mm socket is finally found, but the thin, stamped steel walls are too weak to remove the 15 mm fixie axle nuts.

Hmm... what shall we do?

The gentleman's wonderful friend went back to his home twice to search. The second time, he returned with a crescent (adjustable) wrench. Whee!

The other guy also returned with another wrench; this time, the elusive 15 mm.

~~So much trouble can arise when a little rubber breaks.~~
~~So much depends on a little rubber.~~
~~The little prick that caused so much trouble.~~

The puncture.

"Here, keep this in event of future punctures."

Thanks, guys!

:-)

Stress.

2:17 PM. Back on the road.

Heading in the opposite direction during my 2008 Thailand-to-Singapore Ride, I missed this junction and ended up in Tenggaroh 6.

Junction with Highway 3. There's a taxi stand and dispatch office here.

4:04 PM. Drinks and ice-cream at a rest stop opposite the taxi stand.

Distance covered today 30.4 miles (48.6 km)
Elevation climbed 1700 ft (518.3 m)
Temperature 95° F (35° C)

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's nuclear-powered ~~motorcade~~ motorbike.

Bigfoot and the kitten.

4:31 PM. Time to get going.

Thankful for little mercies: the wide road shoulder on Highway 3 from Mersing extend here.

5:25 PM. Nic's right pedal (non-drive side) comes loose — the first of many instances. Ah! The joys of reversing your crank orientation!

       NOOO! I DO NOT SUCK!!!

Onwards.

The sun hangs low in the sky.

It's pedal-tighening time again!

5:52 PM. A moment's inattention caused me to run over a large bolt, resulting in a rear tube puncture. Here, adore my beaming visage.

The puncture was interesting. A combination of a snake bite and spoke hole cookie-cutter punctures on both sides of the tube. The Xero rim tape remained intact though.

Mini-pumps look great and look trick until you actually get to use them by the side of the road. Then, you will drop to your knees and beg for the Topeak Road Morph, the Lezyne Micro Floor Drive, or a friendly truck to run you over, sparing you from an — exhausting — impression of spastic roadside onanism.

7:13 PM. Junction of Highway 3 and J172 / Highway 99. Realizing that it can't get much darker than this, we stopped to refuel.

4 Ramlee Double Daging Lembu Special Burger with Telur (Double Beef burger with egg and cheese)
4 Cokes

Hey, where did the ice come from?
Who cares?

8:12 PM. Nic misses the turn off to Highway 99, via Highway 95, a route that would have saved us about 13 km.

Taking a break on an unplanned night ride along Highway 3.

A stop at a gas station just before the junction to Kota Tinggi, Johor Bahru, and Desaru.

What the pics and videos don't show: descending long, barely-seen stretches of asphalt in the dark, our paths only illuminated by anemic headlamps best meant for city streets; the palpable darkness; the roar of the wind, the flutter of helmet straps in our ears; and the subtle interplay of inky black forests and mountain ranges against the indigo blue night sky — a vast chiaroscuro with two infinitesimal figures slowly pedaling across the landscape.

You had to be there.

No, these were not waiting for us by the roadside, nor was Issei Sagawa. (Though Nic did scare the living crap out of me later — ~~you'd never seen me sprint up a hill so fast~~ — but you will have to buy me a cup of coffee for that yarn.)

Truth be told, we were more worried about potholes. Thankfully, we didn't run into any of this size, or its wheel-flipping daughters.

11:07 PM. 29 km from Desaru, a truck stop after Air Tawar 5.

Distance covered today  77.2 miles (123.5 km)
Elevation climbed  3480 ft (1061 m)
Temperature  77° F (25° C)

The coffin nails / cancer sticks / cigarettes aren't mine.
(I don't smoke, I stir.)

Day 2 slides imperceptibly into Day 3.

We left the truck stop at 12:45 AM.

1 AM. Highway 92.

The turn off to the southern terminus of Highway 99 (Lok Heng / Bandar Easter / Wa Ha), our intended route, was utterly dark and desolated. I wonder what sort of adventures we would have run into had we not miss the turn off to Highway 95.

Another time, perhaps.

500 meters after this sign is the Petronas gas station that marks the turn off to Desaru (it was closed for the night).

4.7 km later, the traffic circle at the entrance to Desaru.

1:52 AM.

4:15 AM.

No, we didn't see anything in the mirror.

DATA

Start 10:25 AM
End 1:52 AM
Total 15 hours 27 minutes

Cateye AT-100
Elevation climbed 3930 ft (1198.2 m)
Distance 90.1 miles (144.2 km)
8 hours 38 minutes 48 seconds [includes hike to Tenggaroh Selatan 1]
Average speed 12.2 mph
Maximum speed 32.2 mph
Temperature 75° F - 95° F (23.9° C - 35° C)
Cumulative distance 153.2 miles (245.2 km)

10:24 AM. Pre-ride pedal tightening.

First, there was Brookes Business School, now...

'Left Desaru Damai Resort at 10:50 AM.
We doubled back halfway to the Petronas gas station, and then cut through Bandar Penawar, circumventing a couple of hills.
Temperature  91° F (32.8° C)

Playing chicken with traffic on Highway 92.

Car loses!

:-P

12:42 PM.
Distance covered today  20.3 miles (32.5 km)
Elevation climbed  630 ft (192 m)
Temperature  91° F (32.8° C)

A bunch of unsuspecting cyclists heading into "Dog Alley" (no, I am not talking about SDN).

*grin*

       Round 2.

22 km to the jetty via J52.

2:40 PM.
Distance covered today  31.2 miles (49.2 km)
Elevation climbed  710 ft (216.5 m)
Temperature  89° F (31.7° C)

4:09 PM. Back in Singapore, a bus driver behind the wheel of SBS2833B refused to follow traffic laws whilst approaching a filter lane at Telok Paku Road — cutting us off with the vehicle's rear wheels and nearly running us over.

Wonderful. (And we have terrified / repressed lemmings on this wayang island chastising us of the dangers of cycling on Malaysia roads at night.)

Right.

[To the guy in the picture (riding a red Cannondale R900), "Hi!"
^_^]

After an easy ride along Changi Coast Road and a brief foray into East Coast Park — which we quickly ditched for East Coast Park Service Road — we concluded the ride at Cycle Craft with drinks, food, good company, drinks, drinks, and more drinks.

DATA

Cateye AT-100
Total elevation climbed 5960 ft (1817 m)
Total distance 197.5 miles (316 km)
16 hours 26 minutes 59 seconds
Average speed 12 mph
Maximum speed 32.2 mph
Temperature 75° F - 98° F (23.9° C - 36.7° C)

Never a bad time to ride!

2009-10-03T18:30:00.003+08:00

As a pair of cycling socks promised...

Look out for stuff falling from trees though.

Yes, yes, it's technically a trike; still, that's no excuse. Ride!

(NicIz2HardKore and I are planning a little jaunt to Sedili Besar from 9th to 11th Oct 2009.)

Have a scary Halloween everyone!

Carbon: Not so fast when overloaded with hydrocarbons

2009-08-19T02:46:00.004+08:00

Here's something to rile the pretentious, obnoxious, wannabe Speed Racer poseurs out there.

You know? The sort who rave about losing 200 grams with their aerodynamic, wind-tunnel-tested, seamless, OCLV-formed, clean-room-assembled, high-modulus carbon fiber rims, lovingly custom polished between the nubile thighs of former Baltic state virgins before delivery...

And then proceed to gain 2 kg from pigging out on brownies and ice-cream.

Do you see oil tankers built from carbon fiber beating cigarette boats?

Didn't think so.

Some riders are all talk; some, all fats; others, all engine.

You know what?

Biker Fox has more street cred than you.

Anytime.

Tequila!

:-P

Awareness Test II

2009-08-13T06:10:00.003+08:00

You are (I hope) taking these tests seated behind a desk. Now imagine attempting the equivalent whilst piloting a 1.5-ton car, a 2-ton SUV, a 12-ton truck, or a 20-ton bus.

Or, they are taking the test.

And, you are the cyclist.

Related post
Awareness Test

Swiss precision

2009-07-23T21:38:00.002+08:00

('Posting this more for personal reference as this Swiss rider's exploits has been posted all around the web.) Check out "Fabulous" Fabian Cancellara's incredible downhill in Stage 7 of the 2009 Tour de France. Delayed by a flat tire, he slices and dices the curves and bends to rejoin the peloton. Speed in kilometers per hour (1.6 km/h = 1 mile per hour).

Watch how close he comes to the white convertible @ 69.2 km/h (43.25 mph) at the 3:34 minute mark.

All set to Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's Symphony No. 25 in G minor.

Ah, bliss!

:-D

6:16 PM, Butterfly Trail

2009-07-11T18:16:00.001+08:00

[H]eard of muscles? You know, those things that took billions of years to evolve into the splendid tools that now lie idle in the human body, because our so-smart brains would rather hitch a ride on some energy-guzzling toy. Meanwhile our waistlines expand and our hearts wither.

What is wrong with a riding a bike or simply walking?

(Michael McGrath)

Related post

Images from Butterfly Trail

Munda Biddi Trail Stage 1 Ride Report complete

2009-05-31T18:27:00.003+08:00

The ride reports for the Munda Biddi Trail Stage 1 Ride are now complete.

For the convenience of current readers, this post will remain up for a couple of weeks.

Thanks for sharing this journey  :-)

Status:  complete
  —  Day 13  added 31 May 2009
  —  Epilogue  added 31 May 2009

Tour index page

Handling skills

2009-04-29T21:20:00.000+08:00

A video featuring Danny MacAskill.

Pro-Rider Racing Tip #2078

2009-04-01T07:18:00.001+08:00

From the hardcore pro-riders stepping into the season of serious racing, here's a tip on how to maximize your nutritional needs while minimizing weight penalties.

'Coz ya know? Either end, either way, it all comes out the same.

Dig in, folks!

:-P

Brooks and Carradice

2009-03-19T10:00:00.001+08:00

Leather and wood, iron and titanium.

Peter passed me his touring saddle and saddlebag.

~~I'm not worthy!~~
~~I'm not worthy!~~

Thanks, dude :-D

The 410 gram Brooks™ B-17 Champion Special is a beauty.

As part of the upgrades over the 525 gram standard B-17, the leather is chamfered at the skirts; the rivets are larger; are of solid copper, and are hammered in by hand. The 2 loops at the rear are for hanging saddlebags.

It took 3 days to fabricate this fella.

Apart from the copper rivets, zinc-coated bolt and nut, the rest of the hardware is titanium :-P

The 2-liter capacity Carradice™ Zipped Roll Bag is a beautiful piece of kit as well. Constructed from cotton duck, the 310 gram bag is accented by waterproofed aniline leather, and topped with a pewter-finish, anti-rust badge. (I'm of two minds as to whether to polish and restore the badge, or just leave it as it is.)

A seatpost clamp prevents the 14 cm (diameter) x 30 cm bag from flopping around.

Maggie made this :-)

A wooden dowel and 2 self-taping screws form part of the upper support structure.

3 replaceable leather straps are employed for attachment.

The 2 upper leather straps thread through the loops on the rear of the Brooks B-7 Champion Special and cinch the wooden dowel to it.

I'm planning to spec these babies on my 1991 Bridgestone MB-0 Zip. The restoration project has been put on hold until I replace its stolen fork. (Anyone know of a Bridgestone MB series fork for sale? It has to be from a 46 cm (18.1") [center-to-center] frame or larger.)

Handcrafted in Italy by Marresi, using soft leather, detailed stitching, and strategic vents, Dromarti's Sportivo (or Race) would make the perfect complement to the setup.

Nic conquers Vigilante Drive on a fixie, beats Mt. Faber with face

2009-02-08T23:54:00.002+08:00

NicIz2HardKore made it to the top of Vigilante Drive on his vintage 44 x 17 Battaglin fixie. Mount Faber, however, was a little too coy with her curves, so he taught her a lesson, leaving a sheen of red on her flanks :-P

The ~~juicy~~ squishy details

NIC : PHEAR
BEN : !!!!!
NIC : I MADE IT UP VIGILANTE
ON FIXIE!
BEN : holy shit! fark!
u da man!
NIC : :-)
i used my face as a brake again
fuck it hurts
BEN : !!!
on the way down?
NIC : we went vigilante, buona vista, NUS, pepys and faber
by the time we got to faber i was pretty damn tired
i fell off the bike on the way down
on the straight before the corner where i crashed 2 years ago
BEN : yeoch
NIC : i was too tired to stop the bike
and then it started wobbling
BEN : yeow
NIC : and i just went off the right side and the bike bounced away
went off as in literally fell off
poor brooks saddle :-(
but yes, calling my bike the battleship is pretty apt
no marks
no denting
minor scratches on handlebar
BEN : BATTLESHIP!!!!!
NIC : YES BATTLESHIP! NIGH ON INDESTRUCTIBLE!
got poked by handlebar though
seems my wonky collarbone is fixed too
BEN : goddamn
holy shitzoid
extreme knuckle manicure
fark! road rash
NIC : oh yeah
haven't taken a pic of my face and back
i rolled over
and left a nice red trail on the road
BEN : goddamn
NIC : tore my jersey to shreds
BEN : who went with u
NIC : hmm
BEN : argh!!!!
NIC : my coach, and 2 teammates
BEN : goddamn
NIC : luckily it was a $20 jersey
oh btw, pretty funny
all 4 bike materials were present at the ride
ti, steel, alu, carbon
BEN : goddamn
u were not kidding about da face
holy shitz
this is worhy of a post!!!!
fark! shoulder abrasion
i shudder to see pic of bike and jersey
so this crash was vigilante or faber?
NIC : faber :-0
right before we went home
BEN : goddamn
NIC : i got spent on vigilante
skipped pepys and waited for the rest at the foot
BEN : helmet survived?
so gearing was 44 x 17?
NIC : helmet merely touched the ground
BEN : damn
NIC : didn't get scratched :-(
BEN : shitz
i am gonna post this
NIC : 44 x 17, as usual
BEN : !!!!!
NIC : LOL
for some strange inexplicable reason, i found blood in my riding shorts
somehow my nuts got cut :-S
BEN : holy shitz
goddamn
NIC : no freaking idea how
BEN : so this was tonite?
NIC : this morning :-)
BEN : so, u r joining the Secret Fraternity of the Torn Scrotum.
Your member ID is 002
NIC : leaving me enough time to pass out at home to wake up with various fabric items stuck to my face
LOL
now i know how vasectomy feels like, without the neutering :-P
BEN : goddamn
u da man
NIC : hint: it hurts/burns
showering was literally an eye opening experience
BEN : i will pay u a cup of teh tarik for every wad of alcohol swab i toss at you that hits a red spot
NIC : FUUCK!
BEN : send pics!!!!
LOL
MOAR!!!!
:-D
NIC : that's all, unfortunately

Get well soon, Nic!

Further reading

July 2008 — Nic smashes taxi cab with face (1), (2), (3).

Better than Buff

2009-01-21T17:00:00.001+08:00

And no one can deny it!

Thanks, Pete!

:-D

Michael's Singapore — Ranong Solo Ride

2009-01-21T16:12:00.000+08:00

Michael, whom I met whilst riding south from Pekan last September, just posted his complete ride report.

Read all about his jaw-dropping 1038 mile (1671 km) solo ride here.

Congratulations, Mike!

:-D

Riding To Never, Never, Land

2009-01-01T03:46:00.002+08:00

3:46 AM: spent the first hours of the new year riding a no-food, no energy gel, century, solo.

It felt good to have power coursing through one's legs: endless, tireless; megawatts on tap — ever spinning, ever surging forth.

And a song on repeat.

Enjoy the video.

Then ride.

4 minutes 36 seconds of heaven, of history made, of eternity.

My mind is in a state
But all I need to do is change my pace
And I know there's fear to face
But happiness is found in its embrace

Life is a play: it's not its length but its performance that counts.

Excuses

2008-12-04T15:45:00.002+08:00

It's near the end of the year and some people are running out of them. Here's a whole bunch — free :-P

Hat tip: Francis.

Munda Biddi Trail: Stage 1: Mundaring to Collie

2008-11-24T23:54:00.018+08:00

Maps encourage boldness. They're like cryptic love letters. They make anything seem possible.

(Mark Jenkins)

'Went back to have another crack at the Munda Biddi Trail. Unlike the last time, where I traveled hard and fast (only completing 1/3 of Stage 1), this time round I intended to travel... umm... hard and slow (to cover more ground) :-D

Since the previous ride in 2007 (old map), half of Stage 2 has been completed, adding another 165.1 km (103.2 miles) to what will eventually be a 950 km (593.75 mile) off-road trail.

Again, as this is a multi-day ride, ride reports will be presented in a daily format. This page will remain as the index to the 2-week ride, and be regularly updated until the reports — 5.7 GB of pictures and 1.66 GB of videos to sort, edit, and notate — are complete.

Topeak Bikamper
Bob Ibex Trailer
Prologue
Day 0
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6
Day 7
Day 8
Day 9
Day 10
Day 11
Day 12
Day 13
Epilogue

One should count each day a separate life.

(Lucius Annaeus Seneca)

Munda Biddi Trail: Stage 1: Epilogue

2008-11-24T21:00:00.027+08:00

In the temple of science are many mansions . . . and various indeed are they that dwell therein and the motives that have led them there.

Many take to science out of a joyful sense of superior intellectual power; science is their own special sport to which they look for vivid experience and the satisfaction of ambition; many others are to be found in the temple who have offered the products of their brains on this altar for purely utilitarian purposes. Were an Angel of the Lord to come and drive all the people belonging to these two categories out of the temple, it would be noticeably emptier but there would still be some men of both present and past times left inside . . .. If the types we have just expelled were the only types there were, the temple would never have existed any more than one can have a wood consisting of nothing but creepers . . . those who have found favor with the Angel . . . are somewhat odd, uncommunicative, solitary fellows, really less like each other than the hosts of the rejected.

What has brought them to the temple . . . no single answer will cover . . . escape from everyday life, with its painful crudity and hopeless dreariness, from the fetters of one's own shifting desires. A finely tempered nature longs to escape from his noisy cramped surroundings into the silence of the high mountains where the eye ranges freely through the still pure air and fondly traces out the restful contours apparently built for eternity.

(Albert Einstein)

It's come to the end of another tour again.

The past 2 weeks have been blessèd: initial trepidation (and more than a little self-doubt) gave way, with the passage of time and accumulated experience, to a quiet, brimming joy found only in self-sufficiency and solitude. Whilst dealing with people in the process of preparing of the trip, I detected nothing but warm glows of encouragement, and became recipient to bouquets of well-wishes and enthusiastic assurances that I would have the time of my life.

In the vastness of the bush, material trappings, comforts, and everyday conveniences were exchanged for pure, unadulterated luxury of the mind and soul. Alone in the bush, I had the time and space to luxuriate in thought, refine emotions, disengage the past, explore and ultimately, define myself. Riding your bike (or pushing) for days on end and encountering no one but yourself — having to look in the mirror if you want to see what a human being looks like — reveals what truly motivates you. Sweat, dust, blood, and grime: they distill you.

And, when I do meet people, in towns, resorts, retreats, by the roadside (save for one memorable instant), walking their dogs by trailside, or enjoying a barbecue by the creekside, they are always warm, friendly, and sometimes, like the gentleman with piercings in Dwellingup, more than a little quirky :-D It is all the more lovely then, that, while being generally helpful, folks only offer help when asked — they seem prescient of the privacy a traveler in the bush may be seeking.

Over the crunch and crackle of pea gravel, dry twigs and leaves, redolent of eucalyptus leaves hazing the skies blue in the sun; under the gurgling laughter of Kookaburras, the odd human-like cries of "twenty-eight!" by Australian Ringneck Parrots, and the sharp, swooping "Karee! Karee!" of Red-tailed Black Cockatoos; the endless, droning buzz of bush flies crawling into my ears, mouth, nose, eyes (and yes, heart); and the sharp, painful bites of march flies in the heat; I learned to detect and appreciate the security, the contingency furnished by each bubbling brook, each sparkling stream, each quiet dam, each halcyon lake. Through long days on the trail, I chased emus, kangaroos, wallaroos, wallabies and rabbits; in camp, I chased flies, more flies, tarantulas, and centipedes from my food, my belongings, my bed.

And, like sol and Lisa, I learned to grow comfortable and make peace with my love of solitude. I feel most alive when I am alone, whether it be blasting down fire roads at 45 km/h (28 mph), dicey with a fully-loaded trailer, or pushing a 62 kg (136 lbs) bike-trailer at 3 km/h (1.9 mph) for hours on end up steep, long river valleys and remote mountainsides. I think most deeply when I am alone, whether it be scribbling cryptic notes (some of which I can never make head or tails of later), self-deprecating jokes, snide remarks, and drive-bys on frayed, dog-eared notepads with greasy, dust-caked leather gloves; summarizing the day's ride after a hearty dinner in camp, scribbling under the anemic glow of a single-AAA cell headlamp, snug in merino wool and Polartec™; or gorging on AUD$6 hot dogs on a bench on Hay Street, bottle of beer furtively clad in a brown paper bag. Solo, I love to be able to stop for precious minutes and hours, just to marvel at the simple beauty of a nameless wildflower; luxuriate to an unheard recital by a hidden brook; gape at the Dali-esque play of shadow and silhouette at sunset; bear silent witness to the stars by a flickering campfire; hold cheerful communion with sunrise; or, close my eyes and listen, just listen and be caressed by the unbound wind... and revel, revel, revel.

I had the time of my life. Perhaps I even had a little too much fun; I find myself wondering about Gary Arndt and Woodrow Landfair, Martin Adserballe and Janne Corax, where adventure is less a sojourn than a lifestyle.

I wonder what Stage 2 and 3 of the Munda Biddi Trail will have in store for me.

Deepest gratitude to the following, who made this ride possible/easier and/or contributed to its success:

God; Mom, Dad, Auntie Yok, Jay Wong; Peter Chew (Cycle Corner 6285 1468), Calvin Tay, Xavier Goh, Mabe (Campers' Corner), Chris Wee; Viki, Louis, Ahmad (Cycle Craft); Sulaiman (The Rebound Center 6743 9474); Ben (Chapter 2 Cycle); Gilbert (Hup Leong Co.); Miss Chua (Jinson Industries); Hon Shin, Dexter Ong; Erik Toh, Shaun Yip (Ascendant Motorsport); Nicholas Mok; Don (Fremantle Airport Shuttle); Jody, A.J. (Mainpeak); Dave, Jan, Calvin, Fai (About Bike Hire); Crystal Reed, Sarah Holland (Munda Biddi Foundation); Mike Wood, Tara, and staff of Mountain Design, Perth; Andrew Priest, Trudy & Gernot, Ron, Jamie, Darren Alff; Martin Adserballe, Janne Corax, and Happy Orange Guy.

Thank you.

'Went down to About Bike Hire to return the Bob Ibex trailer. As it wasn't a Thursday, Dave, Jan, and their friendly dog, Maggie were not on duty :-( Anyways, you were absolutely right, folks! I had the time of my life :-D

After which it was time to pay a visit to the Munda Biddi Foundation office to thank Crystal and Sarah for their invaluable assistance in planning this ride.

While I was there, I got myself a membership, a fridge magnet...

...and since I already possess the short-sleeve variant from last year's ride, a long-sleeve jersey this time :-P

Back in Willetton boxing Cloe up for the flight back.

Here's a friendly tutorial on how to box your bike.

All ready to go.

Stage 1 spans from Mundaring to Collie. The first half of Stage 2, from Collie to Nannup, covering another 165.1 km (103.2 miles), is now complete. Click on the image above for an interactive map. Some GPS data files for the Munda Biddi Trail are available from the UWA Outdoor Club.

Too many times we try to describe the life with a row of digits, bring a moment down to statistics, measure success with the number of kilometers cycled. It became well established, that a bunch of numbers is required in every summary even if they express the spirit of the expedition in the worst possible way.

       (Jakub Postrzygacz)

DATA

Distance  411.48 km (257.18 miles)
Elevation climbed  14,110 ft (4301.8 m)
44 hours 57 minutes 41 seconds
Average speed  9.14 km/h (5.71 mph)
Maximum speed  28.5 mph (46 km/h)

Lowest temperature  7° C (44.6° F) (Days 6 and 7)
Highest temperature  32° C (89.6° F) (Day 6)

Shortest riding time  1 hour 44 minutes 47 seconds (Day 13)
Longest riding time  5 hours 25 minutes 37 seconds (Day 11)

Least distance  18.1 km (17.6 miles) (Day 8)
Most distance  55.18 km (34 miles) (Day 11)

Least climbing  230 ft (70.1 m) (Day 13)
Most climbing  1800 ft (548.8 m) (Day 11)

Bike:  2005 Merlin XLM custom
Size  52 cm (20.5 inch)  11 kg (24.2 lbs)
Trailer:  Bob Ibex 7.7 kg (17 lbs)
Lowest weight  54.9 kg (120.8 lb)
Highest weight  62.7 kg (137.9 lb)

Rider:
187 cm (6' 2")
Weight:
Start (November 11)  62 kg (136.4 lb)
End (November 23)  60 kg (132 lb)

Things I should have brought along

more cash
switch front and rear tires to 2.4" (or get a Surly Pugsley)
spray Plaster
Black Diamond™ Spot Headlamp
spare bungee net
3 spare 127 mm, straight 14 gauge spokes for Bob Ibex wheel
spare Bob Ibex wheel quick release
spare Bob Quick Release with bobbins (for hitching trailer)
clothes pegs
Solar panel (e.g. Brunton's excellent offerings)
battery charger (mains & solar DC)
a bigger knife
windscreen for stove
Brunton Flipsticks™
Brunton Canister Stove Stand + "Cassette-Feu" portable range gas canister valve convertor
freestanding ultra-light 2-man tent (e.g. MSR's awesome stuff)
more packets of GU Energy Gel
Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) and/or SPOT
flamethrower (for the flies + nasty critters)
Ghostbusters vacuum machine (don't ask)

No mobile / cell phone was carried or ever used on this ride.

Ride conducted solo.

Munda Biddi Trail: Stage 1: Day 13

2008-11-23T14:45:00.027+08:00

Don't worry about the world coming to an end today. It's already tomorrow in Australia.

       (Charles Monroe Schulz)

Journal entry

After deciding that doing the first half of Stage 2 is a no-go, I had a looooong shower. You know? The sort where you waste tens, if not hundreds, of gallons of potable water that might have meant the difference between life and death in some godforsaken, desiccated country, but instead you just sit and doze off for the better part of an hour under what feels like endless, warm, cleansing, soothing rain? ~~And find a French Anti-doping Agency (AFLD) agent waiting for you at the door when you're done.~~

By the time I'm done — that and washing the day's laundry, Bob, Cloe (disassembled), and all the bags, of mud (to increase my chances of being accepted on public transport) — the clock read 12:38 AM. Time to figure out how to get back to Perth.

There is no passenger train service from Collie to Perth, but there is one from Bunbury, about 55 km to the west — an early morning train. A couch line serves Collie and Bunbury; the bus leaves before 5 AM. However, according the the locals, tickets must be purchased from the tourist bureau. The good news: the tourist bureau is open on Sundays. The bad news: it opens at 9 AM.

Another night at Collie Motel costs AUD$85. The bus fare is AUD$45. No one knows if tickets can be purchased at the bus. I called a local taxi company for a quote on chartering a station wagon to Bunbury: $100. A trifle pricey for a 55-km trip compared to the $66 fare from Willetton, Perth to Mundaring. Then again, I'm calling at 2 AM for a 4:45 AM pick up, and the gentleman on the phone even looked up the train time table for me.

View Larger Map

I made the booking.

The driver had already arrived when I started lugging the stuff down at 4:36 AM. As the cab belongs to her husband, she had no idea how to remove the lower half of the rear cage and fold down the seats, so I had to remove Cloe's rear wheel. Except that for my Merlin™, it necessitated deflating the rear tire. Ever experienced something you didn't want to do but had to, just to get through with it? It's like learning Chinese (Mandarin) all over again.

More trail access info from Trudy & Gernot here.

Coalfields Road (Route 107) to Bunbury was dark, foggy, and deserted and climbs 200 m (656 ft) in a long series of dips.

The 300+ m (984+ ft) descent to South Western Highway (State Route 20) was incredible, more so at night. The 3 lads from Collie were right: it is one big, long, and steep downhill after the long climb. The authorities even implemented mandatory brake inspections for all trucks over 22.5 tons, as well as built a runaway truck arrester ramp.

In the video, you can see the Bunbury's lights in the distance. The elevation at the end of the video is 16.5 m (54 ft).

FWIW, Dave and Jo Whitney rode this leg on a tandem in the spring of 2006.

'Arrived at Bunbury Passenger Terminal, Wollaston, at 5:40 AM. 'Can't believe I managed to reinstall both wheels; re-inflate the rear tire; hitch the trailer; reload the bags onto the trailer; all within 5 minutes. Nothing succeeds like desperation (with due apologies to Mr. Wilde).

When it came to my turn at the Transwa ticket counter, I was informed that trailers aren't allowed on the trains :-(

Pre-bookings are also required for bicycles :-( :-(

But just this once, as the train is not full, they will make an exception for me  :-)

One catch: I have under 5 minutes to unhitch my trailer and bring Cloe and Bob onboard as the train isn't going to wait for me. They say unhitching a fully-loaded — 32 kg (70.4 lb) — trailer is impossible. Well, you know what they say about pressure: given enough of it, you'll come out a diamond... or a nutcase.

Cloe, Bob, Happy Orange Guy, and me are on the train.

Wheeee!

The bike and trailer are safely locked in carriage number 2. Everything was done in a hurry to meet the train's schedule so I didn't get a chance to take a picture. Once onboard, Xavier, the friendly train conductor cheerily informed me that I was very lucky. If this was a weekday, I would have a snowball's chance in hell of making it on the train, what without a booking, and saddled with a bike and trailer. I looked at Happy Orange Guy dangling from Cloe's saddle, through the glass, and smiled.

7:41 AM.
'Only slept 50 minutes last night. 'Gonna try and grab 40 minutes of sleep before the train arrives in Perth.

'Arrived in Perth at 8:30 AM.
Somehow I managed to re-attach the Bob trailer to Cloe without removing the load (not recommended).  *grin*

Upon exiting the station, I realized I forgot to bring the bike map for Perth, Fremantle (PDF) and Stirling.

It shows the way to Willetton.

I think Captain Picard is getting tired of me.

'Re-entered the station and went to TransPerth information counter, but they had no bike map for me. 'Got them to direct me to the nearest bike shop.

Start from Perth city  8:55 AM
Altimeter reading  520 ft (158.5 m)
Temperature  23° C (73.4° F)

'Rode a couple blocks to the bike shop and discovered that they are closed on Sundays. 'Had a chat with a nice chap waiting at a bus stop outside the shop. It turns out that he's a commercial diver. 'Had a nice chat sharing diving adventures (that's one pursuit I haven't indulged in for a while).

Rain came down in brief, heavy, intermittent showers.

Then, I noticed a backpacker's lodge, Globe Backpackers, across the street.

'Walked in; bought a cup of hot chocolate from the machine, promptly scalded my hand~~, achieving dork status~~; obtained a general map of the local area, and voilà! located the whereabouts of About Bike Hire, the bike shop I rented the Bob Ibex trailer from — open 7 days a week.

Plotted a route and started riding toward it. Shortly after, I pulled over due to a grinding sound and discovered that I installed the front wheel the other way after the cab ride this morning. More importantly, there was brake dive on non-drive side brake pad; conversely, the drive side brake pad crept up, ripping into the tire sidewall.

Next time, I will store my long-arm 5 mm Allen key in a more accessible location. I.e. not at the bottom of the Bob Dry Sack. The shorter arm of the Topeak Alien DX 5 mm Allen key generates too little torque for this application. Either that or I should spend more time in front of the computer as a hardcore keyboard pro-rider to build up strength in my fingers.

A little later, Riverside Drive and Swan River.

Leaving the road, I rode along the paths of Langley Park.

Reaching Point Fraser...

...I spied some kayakers off Heirisson Island.

Behind me, a cyclist tows a 2-wheeled trailer.

About Bike Hire.

I dropped in to purchase the much-needed map, but alas, they didn't carry it.

With the maps available at hand, the friendly staff there assisted in helping me stitch a route to Willetton.

They settled on the maps in the Armadale to Perth booklet.

Rides 7, 6, 5 would lead me to Willletton.

From Fraser Point, the route crosses the Causeway, over Heirisson Island, and then heads west to South Perth.

Then, paralleling the Kwinana Freeway, it drops south to Mount Pleasant.

East from there is Willetton.
Total route distance  23.9 km (14.9 miles).

Hmm...

The map on the store brochure shows part of Victoria Park. Enough, I figure, to get me to Albany Highway. From there, I would dead reckon my way to Willetton with a compass and the crude, general map on the back of the Armadale to Perth booklet. This way sounds more interesting, if not shorter.

After crossing the Swan River and Heirisson Island. I attempted to follow Bike Route SE26, but quickly lost it.

'Got on to Albany Highway. Breakfast being so meagre (with my energy expenditure, a Mrs. Mac beef pie and a cup of coffee on Transwa does count as meagre), I stopped by Turkish Oven Kebab Shop to refuel.

As I ravished a supersized plate of PETA's worst nightmare, the waitress / cashier / barista stands outside ~~taking a smoke break~~ fogging Cloe, Bob, Happy Orange Guy, and assorted luggage free of stowaway insects with her cancer stick.

When I was done, activity in the store and kitchen actually halted as the staff followed me outside to watch how I was going to start off and ride up the uphill section of Albany Highway. Furiously spinning away on a gearing of 22 x 34, I began to understand how a hamster in an exercise wheel on display in a pet store felt  :-P

Hey! A Toyota Mark III Supra!

'Eventually reached and got on Leach Highway (southwest bound). I became disoriented at the junction with Manning Road and resumed heading east. 'Ran into Albany Highway again and backtracked.

Back at the junction, unsure of which way to go on Leach Highway to Willetton, another friendly local pointed me the right direction (southwest).

Blue Jacaranda (Jacaranda mimosifolia) in bloom.

After an uncomfortable crossing on Shelley Bridge (Riverton Bridge is much safer), I turned south on Vahland Avenue for the final approach to Willetton.

Bingo.

Il faut souffrir pour être belle.

:-P

The true stars of the ride.

       Thank you.

DATA

Start 2:45 AM
End 2:45 PM
Total 12 hours 0 minutes

Cateye AT-100
Altimeter reading at Willetton 525 ft (160 m)
Elevation climbed 230 ft (70 m)
Distance 13.5 miles (21.6 km)
1 hours 44 minutes 47 seconds
Average speed 7.7 mph
Maximum speed 24.4 mph
Temperature 10° C - 24° C (50° F - 75.2° F)

Cateye Enduro 8
1 hours 40 minutes 42 seconds*
Average speed 13 km/h
Maximum speed 39.5 km/h
Distance 21.95 km [my way is shorter by 1.95 km!]
Cumulative distance 411.48 km (257.18 miles)

* = The Enduro 8 doesn't appear to keep time or give a speed reading below speeds of 3.6 km/h (2.25 mph). E.g. when I'm pushing Cloe and Bob up steep hills. Distance, however, continues to be tracked.

Munda Biddi Trail: Stage 1: Day 12

2008-11-22T22:55:00.007+08:00

We cross our bridges when we come to them and burn them behind us, with nothing to show for our progress except a memory of the smell of smoke, and a presumption that once our eyes watered.

(Tom Stoppard, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead)

Blue line with yellow dots = Munda Biddi Trail.

Image for illustration only. Important information has been erased from this map. Do not use.

It was 9° C (48.2° F) at 3 AM.

Got up at 6:50 AM.
Temperature 10° C (50° F)

'Had a deep and restful sleep. The sleeping platforms here are better sheltered from the wind compared to many of the other huts (especially Dandalup).

In contrast to other campsites though, the toilet here — with a missing window pane, broken handle, and thick cobwebs everywhere — seems to be falling into disrepair.

A leisurely stroll back to camp for breakfast.

The Primus 4 season mixture boils water a lot faster than the Jetboil 3 season mix. I am unsure if this stems from it being able to maintain a higher gas pressure over a longer period of time (due to its larger volume) or a fuel mixture that burns hotter.

The zipper for my medicine / supplements bag came off. For SGD$2.50, I guess I can't really complain.

What the hell happened to you? You look like you got hit by a truck!

Oh, yeah? You should've seen the other guy...

At Yarri hut someone described it as long green tunnels.

Ah, I've been quoted  :-D

Oui, mon capitan!

The Red-tailed Black Cockatoo's feather found a new home in the box.

'Left behind a can of gas and a pack of antiseptic wipes for the hut's next occupants.

What others left inside the box :-0

I ride on a hard carbon fiber saddle (Sella Italia Flite, sans leather and padding) for hundreds of miles off-road, but sit on a Z-Seat cushion seat at camp. Yeah, I'm twisted like that.

You heard of Iron Chef?

Well, mine's iron ass :-P

Other butt-masochists here (wood), here (metal), here (stone), and here (everything else).

Maintenance issues

Rear drive-side brake pad dive.
Headset loose.
Stem faceplate bolts loose.
Rear brake boss bolts loose.
Saddle clamp bolts loose.
All bolts were tightened to specifications with a calibrated torque wrench prior to tour.

Encountered an access issue with the Topeak Alien DX. With the (rare as hen's teeth) Shimano V-brake Booster, Avid Ultimate SD Brakes, and Blackburn Mountain Rack, tightening or loosening the M6 brake boss bolt beyond 1/16th of a turn at a time is near impossible. Here, a standalone, long-armed, 5 mm Allen key is a blessing.

The wood used for Yarri Campsite is gorgeous. It's really too bad that some idiot's stove damaged one of the tables  :-(

"Yarri" is the Nyoongar name for the Blackbutt tree (Eucalyptus patens Benth.) found in the area.

A trail re-alignment north of Yarri Campsite (strange, it didn't seem that way when I rode it yesterday).

'Had 3 servings of mashed potatoes and a 3rd cup of coffee as my 2nd breakfast.

The 8 muesli bars will serve as lunch as I ride through the afternoon.

Unlike the former campsites, where the huts are located on a branch off the trail, Yarri is situated on the track.

Set off at 1:50 PM.
Altimeter reading  1105 ft (337 m)
Temperature  25° C (77° F)

Blackbutt eucalyptus trees all around.

The trail is nice, but some sections have been damaged by trail bikes (scramblers, motocross, dirt bikes, et cetera). If nothing is done, sections like these will gradually be made unridable.

Caressed by the wind, ~~mocked~~ serenaded by birds, what else can one desire?

Ah! Yes, one of these. Preferably a higher tech version with ruggedized solar panels, rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, and regenerative braking + oscillating spring coil mechanism that converts vertical motion to electrical power, remote 30 mm cannon...

Trail overgrown with a shrub of the genus Lasiopetalum (species unknown).

Some eye protection necessary.

Large gum nuts from "Red Gum" or Marri trees (Eucalyptus calophylla or Corymbia calophylla) on the trail suck up a lot of power; it's like riding on hard gummy bears. According to Steve, these "Honky nuts" are also dicey to walk on.

Trivia: Marri is also known as the Medicine tree to the Aborigines because the red gum or 'kino' contains tannin, an antiseptic agent. It was sprinkled onto sores and wounds to prevent bleeding, infection, and ward off flies. Mixed with water, it served as a mouthwash or disinfectant. Eaten in small quantities or dissolved in water, the dried form of the gun was used to treat diarrhoea and dysentry.

Soaked in water, the flowers of the Marri tree yield a sweet, honey-like beverage the Nyoongars called numbit.

The powdered gum was also used to tan kangaroo skins.

(Source)

~~Well, at least they constructed a bridge and not expect you to wade across like last year.~~ (Lets not give them any ideas.)

More fun.

There is a track going around it. It goes uphill though.

Cloe, Bob, and I elect to do the limbo instead.

3:20 PM. It has been raining steadily for the last hour. I am cold and wet. And dreaming of steak and potatoes, and a good pint of stout (fine when you're asleep; not so when you're riding).

On the plus side, there are no flies. ~~Just like there are no #@%$!!! motor-mouth cell phone users.~~

It's strangely liberating when you reach a state of total saturation, when every layer of clothing has absorbed as much liquid as it possibly can, when you feel rivulets trickling down your pruney skin, when pools of water slosh in your shoes. When that happens, you no longer have to detour around puddles or fear the splash from passing cars. You can't get any wetter than you already are.

       (John Flinn)

Riding alone through a forest in the rain is surreal: everything goes into hiding. It's like a loveless marriage — it's not a divorce, but you know it's there  :-P

4:13 PM.
Mornington Road.
It stopped raining  :-D

4:25 PM. A local couple in a pickup, with a pair of trail bikes in the back, stopped to ask directions to Collie :-0

Trail lined with prickly Gold Water Bush (Bossiaea aquifolium Benth.).

Timing is everything.

Freight train from Worsley Refinery.

More wildflowers.

Eastbound Gastaldo Road.

Southwest bound Gastaldo Road.

Tracks leading east to Worsley Refinery.

Tracks leading southwest.
The trail briefly parallels the track (yellow marker on left mid-ground).

Back into the bush.

At the end of the clip, I was momentarily distracted by what Aushiker dubbed, the Redneck Holiday Villa, a campsite littered with beer cans and broken glass.

As I captured it on video, I didn't take a picture. (Image credit: Aushiker.)

Crossing one of the many brooks feeding Hamilton River.

'Tempted to ride it but with a considerable incline on the other side, a 39.7 kg (87 lb) trailer, and so close to my destination, I demurred on the side of caution.

7 PM.
Hamilton Wallis Formation.

A stand of Sheoak (Allocasuarina fraseriana) softly carpet the trail; I ride with reverent, hushed breaths, in dryadic quietude.

Cloe gets a taste of Ivy's lilliputian jaunt through the redwoods of North California (winter / summer).

Final approach to Collie.

Rustling in the breeze, the eucalyptus forest shimmers in her evening garb of green, gold, and black.

Overhead, cackling a veritable cacophony of mocking laughter, hoots, and manic croaks, Kookaburras (Dacelo gigas) announce dusk's approach, spurring my tired limbs to speed up.

7:45 PM.
One more turn.

A field by Collie Tallanalla Road.

The town of Collie in the distance.

South towards Collie.

Now about the steak and potatoes I've been dreaming about...

Hull Road.

A grind up a steep slope on Ewing Street after this.

At the last turn (the streets which you are supposed to follow are largely unnamed in the map) I wasn't sure if I was supposed to go right or left. While I was figuring it out with the map and compass, a nice lady pulled to the junction and inquired if I was lost.

I let it be known that I was trying to find my way to Soldier's Park. The lady thought for a moment and then went, "Follow me." Although I cheerily pointed out that I would be unable to keep up with her vehicle, she gave assurance that she would go slow.

Well, slow to her V8 SUV meant 45 km/h. After riding over 44+ km through the bush, rain, sun, and wind, I almost blew a gasket trying to maintain a 40+ km/h sprint for over a mile — with a fully loaded trailer.

Southern Terminus of Munda Biddi Trail: Stage 1.
Soldier's Park, Collie.
Arrived  8:20 PM

Cateye AT-100
Altimeter reading at Soldier's Park 1010 ft (307.9 m)
Elevation climbed 1190 ft (362.8 m)
Distance forgot to record
3 hours 56 minutes 51 seconds
Average speed 7 mph
Maximum speed 26.4 mph
End temperature 17° C (62.6° F)

Cateye Enduro 8
3 hours 50 minutes 17 seconds*
Average speed 11.7 km/h
Maximum speed 42.5 km/h [Oops! Exceeded recommended speed limit for Bob trailer again.]
Distance 45.27 km
Cumulative distance 388.82 km (243 miles)

A bunch of teenagers were chatting by the curbside when I rolled in. Asking me where I'm from; how long I've been on the road; how do I manage to control such a long bike; they poked around Cloe and Bob, trying to locate the engine :-P

After helping me take some pictures, the teens chatted a while, giggled over my ridiculous rig, and then took off in their cars.

"Good job, mate!" a local in a ute congratulated as he drove past.

Cloe, Bob, and me.

Journal entry

As I completed taking the obligatory pictures at Soldier's Park, another trio showed up, one of them rattling over the brick-paved sidewalk on his skateboard. After curiously inquiring where I came from (~~I'm a refugee from the CCC in Singapore, who are trying to force me to learn Mandarin~~), and where I was headed, Dillon, John, and Mark cautioned me against sitting out the night at Soldiers' Park. I.e. "During the day, it's okay, but at night, the gangbangers show up."

And, since I've been too busy cycling to take up martial arts lessons from Jet Li, Jackie Chan, or Chuck Norris...

9:15 PM. They showed me to Collie Motel; where to eat (Golden Bowl Restaurant); and where the pub is. Outside the lobby, they even hung around, in case the rates are beyond my budget. Dillon did suggest an alternative: Collie River Valley Tourist Park, which is a little ways out of town, just over a couple of steep hills...

Thanks, but I'll pass on more climbing for today :-D

Despite my protests that the bags, bike, and rig are filthy — earlier, on the trail, I rode through a huge, hub-deep puddle that had a dead animal rotting beside it — the trio helped me carry everything to my room. And, despite not having had eaten by that late hour, they declined my offer to buy them dinner.

Thank you, guys!

:-D

After putting everything down, I took some cash, notebook, pen, and map, and went in search of dinner. As the path cuts across a dark, isolated railway crossing, I left my camera in the room.

At Golden Bowl Restaurant, contrary to the owner's advice, I ordered a huge plate of sizzling Szechuan Lamb (AUD$13.50), a large bowl of rice ($5.90), and a bowl of hot and sour soup ($4.50). I finished every everything. This is where I wish I brought my camera along — to prove that I'm not only capable of self-denial and starvation, but the rare, occasional gluttony well.

Back in the room, the sole survivor of the Great Szechuan Lamb Massacre.

An overview of Stage 1 of the Munda Biddi Trail, which I've just completed touring.

Stage 1 comprises of 3 sections:

Mundaring to Jarrahdale - Map 1  (103 km / 64 miles)
Jarrahdale to Dwellingup - Map 2  (95 km / 59 miles)
Dwellingup to Collie - Map 3  (134 km / 84 miles)

On-going work on the trail meant that the Munda Biddi Trail has progressed beyond Stage 1, beyond Collie.

As of mid-November 2008, approximately half of Stage 2 has been completed; linking Collie to Nannup, and extending the Munda Biddi Trail by another 165.1 km (103.2 miles).

Map 4 covers 139.1 km (86.9 miles) and breaks the journey over 3 days:

Collie to Nglang Boodja Campsite (46.5 km / 29 miles)
Nglang Boodja Campsite to Donnybrook (48 km / 30 miles)
Donnybrook to Nala Mia Campsite (44.6 km / 28 miles)

Nala Mia Campsite is located in Jarrahwood Townsite.

In this particular case, however, the term, "townsite," is rather liberally employed: as Bill and Perry discovered, the only facilities offered are the sleeping hut and a restroom. There are no shops here.

Winding through forests of Jarrah and Karri, the 26 km (16.3 mile) Sidings Rail Trail connects Jarrahwood to Nannup via an old railway line.

I am sorely tempted to push on, but:

- I am running low on cash (not a problem if I find an ATM or bank at Collie);
- memory cards for my cameras and video camera are almost filled (big problem as it might be tough getting more in a small town);
- lantern and headlamp are running on the 2nd (and last) set of lithium batteries (not a problem if I'm willing to purchase heavier alkaline equivalents);
- am tired (nothing a good night's rest won't cure);
- attempting this additional section means cutting it close to the departure flight date (potential big problem).

These, together with the trail advisory (its veracity I can attest to) mean that, even if I complete this half of Stage 2, I will:

- miss out on a lot of pictures and videos;
- have to start clobbering kangaroos and wallabies with my pump for food;

That, and I may very well end up taking more than the estimated 4 days to complete it. A delay anywhere might cause me to miss my flight, necessitating the purchase of another ticket out of Australia.

Sounds like an expensive ride.

Decision made, it's time to hit the shower and plan for tomorrow.
-10:55 PM

DATA

Start 1:50 PM
End 9:15 PM
Total 7 hours 25 minutes

Cateye AT-100
Altimeter reading at Collie Motel 1040 ft (317 m)
Elevation climbed 1210 ft (368.9 m)
Distance 28.3 miles (45.3 km)
4 hours 6 minutes 30 seconds
Average speed 6.9 mph
Maximum speed 26.4 mph
Temperature 9° C - 25° C (48.2° F - 77° F)

Cateye Enduro 8
3 hours 58 minutes 28 seconds*
Average speed 11.5 km/h
Maximum speed 42.5 km/h [Oops! Exceeded recommended speed limit for Bob trailer again.]
Distance 45.98 km
Cumulative distance 389.52 km (243.45 miles)

* = The Enduro 8 doesn't appear to keep time or give a speed reading below speeds of 3.6 km/h (2.25 mph). E.g. when I'm pushing Cloe and Bob up steep hills. Distance, however, continues to be tracked.

Munda Biddi Trail: Stage 1: Day 11

2008-11-21T23:09:00.040+08:00

Lots of greenery today, so here's Sad Kermit (and Fozzie).

Blue line with yellow dots = Munda Biddi Trail.
Green line with yellow dots = Touring route.
Red line with yellow dots = route from Lake Brockman Tourist Park + unsuccessful shortcut.

Image for illustration only. Important information has been erased from this map. Do not use.

Elevation profiles.

'Slept well. Did not wake until 6:40 AM. Though I set the alarm clock to 7:30 AM, I decided to get up anyway.

'Had a cup of strong coffee, and 2 slices of gourmet, thoroughly squished, 5-seed pumpkin bread — toasted (a luxury).

'Patched yesterday's inner tube during second breakfast (pasta vegetariano).

'Took a long time to get the wounds dressed.

Maybe I should rename this tour to, "The Mummy Rides," or something.

The community bathrooms are situated about 100 m away.

The chalet.

The wooden ramp is quite treacherous when wet. It would be difficult to ascend or descend on cycling shoes without the handrail.

Lots of 28s or Australian Ringneck parrots (Barnardius zonarius semitorquatus) around. Here's a rather bad picture.

This leads to the camping ground (I think). It rained for several hours late last night. 'Glad I didn't choose to camp.

'Washed up the utensils and crockery, swept the floor of dirt (brought in by Cloe and Bob), and it was time to hit the road again.

'Didn't get to see Yukon this morning either (unlike Aushiker). He's a big, friendly 75 kg (165 lbs) Alaskan Malamute.

Started off at 11:25 AM.
Altimeter reading 1100 ft (335.4 m)
Temperature 27° C (80.6° F)
Sunny.

Glancing at the map, I figured I could shave 1.2 km of backtracking if I took a little shortcut coming out of Lake Brockman Tourist Park, and rejoin the Munda Biddi Trail later...

East shore of Lake Brockman.

12:37 PM. I ended up taking Scarp Road north by mistake. The (mis)adventure cost me an additional 8.42 km (5.3 miles), 160 ft (48.8 m) of climbing, 1 hour 12 minutes, a few thousand curses, and an unknown number of calories.

Realizing that you are not some über trailblazer / trail poacher?

Priceless.

10.14 km (6.3 miles) later: trailhead off Logue Brook Dam Road.

Back to the trail proper.
45+ km (28+ miles) to go.

Never say "Die" (just accept that you're dead).

To the right, descending to cross Clarke Brook is Blackburn Road.

At this point, the Munda Biddi Trail narrows, heading straight.

A curious young tree beside the junction.

This part of the trail is really fun.

Twisty.

Turning.

Rollicking.

Like that. Yeah.

Getting onto an unsealed road.

Tree harvesting in operation.

A closer look.

Crossing Clarke Road.

Egads! We've 2 stowaways!

Trees meant to be harvested are marked "H." Those that are to remain standing have an "X." (I think.) Anyone who disagrees may wear black, with the letter "H" emblazoned, and stand in the bushes.

A nice grove of replanted trees.

Asphalt!

A couple of utes and a Land Rover roared past as I was composing this picture.

Why do flies go for your eyes?

Same reason why psycho chicks stake out men, Sonny — they like to drink your tears.

Back to dirt.

Bush Boronia (Boronia fastigiata Bartl.).

Back to narrow forest tracks.

*Crunch!*
*Pop!*
*Tinkle!*

Some sections a little more so.

*Crack!*
*Whip!*
*Curses*

'Found a feather from a female Red-tailed Black Cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus banksii naso) on the trail.

Through the day, drifting clouds give occasional shelter from the sun.

Flowers are pretty, bees get mad, I pedal faster.

Eye protection recommended.

5:17 PM.
38.67 km (24.2 miles) later, time to break out my first packet of energy gel of the tour.

Something lies ahead, beyond the glowing Gold Water Bush (Bossiaea aquifolium Benth.).

Something massive.

Backtracking, I found a trail, which climbs up and around the fallen tree. Whew! So, this is not a cyclo-cross track after all. Disassembling Cloe and Bob, unpacking the bags, to get over the huge log — and then re-assembling and re-packing everything — would have taken an awful amount of time.

Another one ahead. The much smaller log allowed the option of dragging my rig over.

'Guess I get to explore Tag Road more then.

The detour goes through a pine plantation.

Like living, green steeples.

Or, a giant garden labyrinth.

It only grows harder, only grows hotter...
...he's known as the globetrotter
Lonely roads, God only knows

It took 5 attempts to get this picture with the Canon A510.

Whereas you need a bit of experience in packing panniers to get the bike well balanced, the BOB enables anybody to throw a heap of gear in willy-nilly since everything is in one big bag. But, the disadvantage is that, without fail, the thing you want will be at the bottom of the bag!

("Ask Betty." Munda Biddi Messenger [Perth] 8 (Summer 2004-05): 6.)

The image-stabilizer enabled Canon A590 IS is safely stowed in the Bob Dry Sack (at the bottom of the trailer).

Some images though...

...make the day's ride worth it.

7:05 PM.
The forest turns green, gray, black, and gold.

30 minutes more of this.

Bingo!

Yarri Campsite.

Journal entry

After a misguided attempt at a shortcut today, I wasn't really sure if I would make it in time before dark to Yarri Campsite. I prayed. Man, I prayed. And I rode. And rode. Hard. I burned through all 7 muesli bars by 4:15 PM. I had one pack of GU energy gel in the pack; that's it. After 5 PM, I was running on fumes. Every (non-technical) downhill was a prayer answered; every hill, a test of faith.

After a confusing, overgrown section before Myles Avenue, where I thought I was doubling back on the same trail (having the compass indicate it didn't help) — I was actually looking for my tire tracks in the dirt as I huffed and puffed — and a nice 2+ km rollicking downhill at 30 km/h, slip sliding with a 39.7 kg (87 lbs) trailer, I reached Yarri Campsite. Hot drinks and food never tasted so good.

Similar to my experience with the other 4 huts, I'm the only occupant for the night again. Surrounded by Western Australian Blackbutt eucalyptus trees (Eucalyptus patens), the hut is lovely. The benches are easily twice the length of the ones in the other huts, and seem to be shellaced. The sleeping platforms are smaller. 'Will find out tonight how much they protect from the wind. Only had one injury today — no crashes (that's a record in itself) — a pedal smack which reopened a healing wound, despite the protection the band-aid offered.

The descent through the dense bush from Logue Brook Dam Road was glorious, but, being in too much of a hurry to cover ground as fast as (safely) possible after the failed attempt at a shortcut (which had me unknowingly doubling back up north on the eastern shore of Lake Brockman via Scarp Road), I didn't set up the lipstick cam to record it. That, and the trail was swarming with ants — not exactly an attractive place to set your feet down to rig up the video camera. There were at least 5 to 6 minutes of good descent along moderately twisty singletrack, as well as straight barrel runs — shooting down corridors of prickly green foliage (as well as the occasional, murderous, low-hanging branch). Later, against better judgment, I gave in and tried to make up for the lost footage by filming two much shorter — and tamer — runs.

As I was pressed for time (this is the longest ride of the trip so far), not many pictures were taken today, but I did manage to shoot a few scenic images. I hope they turn out (some didn't, due to the lack of image stabilization in the Canon A510. Again I should have carried the Canon A590 IS in my Camelbak™). There were more than a few that got away, not because I was too tired to snap them, but because capturing it exceeded my 3-year-old compact camera's specifications (or my technical ability).

'Filled in the logbook but I'm too tired to pen a comment in the Comments Book tonight. 'Will do it tomorrow. Though it's not raining (unlike the stay at Bidjar Ngoulin Campsite, 2 days ago), I'm not even bothering with brushing my teeth tonight. Maybe my resulting dragon breath will kill a few thousand flies tomorrow. Time to unroll the sleeping bag and head to dreamland, where it never rains; is never too hot or cold; tires never flat; and the trail is always, always, downhill. Cheers.
-11:09 PM

DATA

Start 11:25 AM
End 7:45 PM
Total 8 hours 25 minutes

Cateye AT-100
Altimeter reading at Yarri Campsite 805 ft (245.4 m)
Elevation climbed 1800 ft (548.8 m)
Distance 34 miles (54.4 km)
5 hours 25 minutes 37 seconds
Average speed 6.2 mph
Maximum speed 26.6 mph
Temperature 17° C - 27° C (62.6° F - 80.6° F)

Cateye Enduro 8
5 hours 13 minutes 43 seconds*
Average speed 10.5 km/h
Maximum speed 42.5 km/h
Distance 55.18 km
Cumulative distance 343.53 km (214.7 miles)

* = The Enduro 8 doesn't appear to keep time or give a speed reading below speeds of 3.6 km/h (2.25 mph). E.g. when I'm pushing Cloe and Bob up steep hills. Distance, however, continues to be tracked.