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With the headlights pointing north, I departed at sparrow’s fart, my destination: Beechworth. It’s a little over a three-hour jaunt from Melbourne along the Hume Highway. The drive is punctuated by rolling hills, bouncing kangaroos, and petrol (gas) stations. Historically known for the gold rush of the late 1800s, I was heading there in search of the slightly less precious metal of steel – crafted by the hand of Shane Flint of Tor Bikes.
It’s crazy to think that the Melburn Roobaix is in its 10th year and that registration is already almost open… This year, each registrant gets free access to the Melbourne Custom Bicycle Show as well as a commemorative cap. I gotta say, I’ve got the itchin’ to pick up a ticket again.
Head to Melburn Roobaix for more information and to Coffee Supreme in Melbourne on April 18th and 19th to register early.
Photos by Andy White
Look, I don’t deal well with foul weather. Not anymore, anyway. The years of living in NYC have dwindled away as far as my body is concerned. Now, I’ve adapted to desert life in Texas. So when spring rains come, the trees are blooming and it’s grey outside, I succumb to all kinds of allergies and moody blues.
Maybe that’s why when Andy from FYXO mentioned doing 160k today in the rainy, muddy hills of Kinglake, I opted out for a shorter, more manageable ride. Or maybe, as destiny would have it, I’d be content with 100k. For whatever reason, my “man cold” was a perfect excuse to opt out of one of Fyxo’s fabled tough rides.
We began heading out to the familiar hillside, before approaching what I’m calling “cuntbuster”, or in the native tongue “Pine Ridge Road”. The first hundred meters or so was totally rideable, but we scaled 300 meters in elevation in just under 3k (1,200′ in 1.2 miles). Basically, we hiked up the 30+ degree, rutted, nasty “road”.
At the top, we quickly descended into a glorious stretch of gravel aptly named Watson’s Rd, got lost and then saw a very rare site…
From there, the ride became an animal rescue mission. Head over to FYXO for the full scoop on how we saved a rare Wedgetail Eagle and check out numbers and such on my Strava.
Photos by Andy White
I landed in ‘Straya and am not as jetlagged as I thought I’d be. While I figure out why the toilet bowl isn’t flushing correctly (what gives?) and what the hell a “long black” is, you should check out the newest from Fyxo!
Andy from Fyxo has been working with my good friend and site developer Jon on his latest and greatest web presence: FYXO.co… The new site already looks great and what better way to spend your boss’ billable hours than dicking around on the internet.
Visit the new FYXO and check out FYXO’s Mt Wilson Ride!
Photo by Andy White
I’m heading back to Melbourne for a few weeks. Expect some Beautiful Bicycles, Shop Visits and plenty of general radness to come. I figured I’d leave you with this photo for #WheelieWednesdayz…
See ya on the other side!
If anyone knows weight loss, it’s me. I went from flubby to fit (sorta), all from riding more. Andy from Fyxomatosis has a lot to do with my fitness and so I feel like I owe him the plug on this one. Scoop up an Eddy Merckx Weight Loss Programs shirt yourself!
Los Angeles has been incredible. In fact, I think it’s safe to say it was my best trip here to date. We did big, big rides, got fast and loose, all the while having fun.
Once I develop my film and pull together all my digital shots, a torrent of content will continue. For now, I leave you with this photo I shot of Andy on our sunset ride last night. The iPhone’s not such a bad camera, is it?
… But Vegas is callin’. See you at Interbike. First, we’re heading to the “nothing” to camp tonight. See you at the show, I’m bringing the usual hydration.
… the three of us are together in Los Angeles. Fyxo, Tracko and myself. Expect some radness to pick up momentum here shortly, for now, we’re probably out riding. Follow the guys on Instagram (linked).
The Urban Cycling Hall of Fame committee met last week in Chicago to select the first year’s inductees, as well as next year’s board. I still can’t believe I was in Chicago for two full days and only got to pedal around for an afternoon. But hey, work is work and sometimes I fly into a city without getting to fully emerse myself in it. There are dozens upon dozens of rad shops I wanted to check out but didn’t have time. Even though we only went to one shop, I have to say, I’m pretty stoked on visiting this one in particular.
Cycle Smithy has so much eye candy hanging from the walls and ceiling of their space. It’s overwhelming and was totally unexpected, mostly because I had never heard of the shop before. With the short amount of time we had there, I managed to shoot a few (quick) detail photos of this Cinelli Laser pursuit track. It’s a bit of an odd-bird build, with a mix of Italian and Japanese components (that seatpost) but I’m not complaining. Nor was FYXO. I wish it wasn’t raining so I could have taken it a block or so away to shoot better photos but this is what I got.
Check out more photos in the Gallery!
I think it’s safe to say that the whole camo thing is at its prime so simply slapping an ambiguous pattern on a cycling kit, or apparel isn’t going to cut it. There has to be something unique, or even vernacular about the presentation. Enter the Fyxomatosis “Predator” cycling kit.
Disruptive Pattern Camouflage Uniform, or Auscam was developed in the 70’s and 80’s. Used by the Australian Defence Force, Auscam is very distinctly Australian. As Australian as meat pies and yes, as Australian as Fyxo himself.
Andy sent me one of these kits a few weeks back, which I subsequently shredded (literally) on the first MTB ride. Since Andy still owes me $999.99 from a bet, I told him I’d clear his debt if he sent me another one and here it is.
The kit itself is made from really nice fabric and stuff. The fabric is as Italian as a cannoli stain on an Armani suit, uses YKK zippers, J-TECK dies for crisp sublimation, UV protection SPF 25+ and has passed extensive PiNP x FYXO testing in only the finest lab conditions (i.e. the wood).
While the US dollar is stronger than the AUS, scoop one up at FYXO… and yes, this stuff will make you a god damned sexual Tyrannosaurus, just like me.
See more photos in the Gallery and all the fit information, plus detail photos you need at FYXO.
Photo by Ari Hatzis
While I love good studio photography, personally, I think Fyxo‘s BT looks better being wheelied. But that’s just me. Literally. See more incredible photos at Ari Hatzis‘ portfolio site!
Photo by Andy White
This Merckx Monday is brought to you by L’Eroica and Fyxomatosis. I love seeing Andy’s photos from this event. See more here!
I don’t know about you, but I love hearing Andy from FYXO talk about the “good old days”. He’s one of the original track bike personalities and yet he remains humble and positive. This interview, for Le Tour Prologue came out rad.
Andy White of Fyxomatosis knows how to throw a great party. Year after year, the Melburn Roobaix continues to grow both in numbers and in reach. People come from all over the world to take part in the two wheeled party. It’s not a race and it’s not exactly a ride, it’s just a good time!
See for yourself how stoked people are at the Melburn Roobaix portraits page!
One of the best FYXO jerseys is now available. Introducing the Carrefour.
“French for crossroads / intersection. This design is a collision between FYXO colours and the Mapei cubes synonymous with Paris-Roubaix thanks to their doping dominance in the 90s.
Melburn’s cobbled back alleys are thousands of miles from the stone farm roads of Northern France, but at speed and with the ringing of cowbells, the bumpy experience is the same.
If you are ever at the crossroads, always go North. Hell awaits you.”
Pick one up here!
It should be “Full Backwards Circle”.
Ride whatever you want, when and how you want to. I think that’s the moral of the story here. Thanks to FYXO for the impromptu photo shoot. Check out more words and photos at FYXO. Oh and to the assholes who stole my bag in SF, die. I’m going to miss those jeans and that t-shirt.
Well, my Memorial Day has wound down and as I get back to the swing of the work week, I thought I’d kick it off with a nice Merckx Mondays from Fyxomatosis. Well, technically, this one’s from Patebury, an Aussie leather shop. Rather than track down another NOS Sella Italia RS saddle for an Eddy Merckx Professional that Andy’s building, he contacted Patebury to see how close they could come to making one… it looks damn nice!
See more photos at FYXO.