• Daily Life

    Untethered Beast

    I got to untether the Beast today, and by that I mean I got my first real chance to ride a new bike, and as much as I want to say it’s named the Beast because it is an amazing ride (which it has actually turned out to be), the real reason is because getting it on the road was such as beastly experience. The Beast is intended to serve as my commuter and touring bike, replacing the Trek FX3 that suddenly fell apart almost a year ago now after many years of strong and reliable service. I’d just added…

  • Daily Life - Strine Sports

    Let There Be Light

    This morning I got an entire ride in the light for the first time this year. I still had lights on my bike, but they were the flashing type that enabled me to be seen instead of the high-lumen shiners that all me to see. It was lovely to be able to see the faces of people using the Tamagawa Cycling Road at the same time. We’ve only been silhouettes to each other for an interminably long time until now. There’s a chance to smile and greet instead of furtive glances while trying to stay safe in the dark. Today…

  • Strine Sports

    Some of the Cycling Camerawork that can be Expected

    These are the types of shots that I’ve been able to take of bikes. Related posts: Rounding Biwa, Japan’s Largest Lake Tour de Kagoshima-Kyoto Day 5: Beppu to Uchiko San-poses! Dekochari, Proud Member of Japan’s Itasha ‘Cringeworthy Cars’ Family Goings On Cheating Death! Well, At Least We Found Out Aussie Kit Maker Perfuro Storming Onto the Scene Nature’s Double Delight and Not a Skerrick of Proof Tripping on the Tama River Powered by YARPP.

  • Strine Sports

    Shattered! Bye-Bye Belladonna

    Calling Belladonna the love of my life would be going a bit too far. But only a tiny smidgen. And she is waaaay up there. But, the beautiful Belladonna is gone. A cracked frame means this carbon bike is now an accident waiting to happen. She is irreparable. And it happened the very day after finally being given an all-clear to ride again following illness and injury that have been another plague to cope with since January. Despondent is not the word. But I cannot thank this beautiful bike enough for the sheer, unadulterated joys she gave me. She has…

  • Strine Sports

    More Climbing

    Continuing on from yesterday, today was another day of climbing through the mountains on the beautiful Belladonna (a Cervelo R5 road bike). Kangaeroo is too exhausted from the energy-sapping ride and a rush to get out to go into much detail. But he is eternally grateful to cycling for giving these opportunities that have been unimaginable for most of his life, and to his wife for allowing him to pursue these dreams. And, of course, to his bikes for carrying him there, and the cycling mates who help and encourage him. Related posts: Strine Dictionary Strine (オージー英語)Dictionary Beating Jobsworths with…