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Wisey

Well, here's a story from the ride.

We were about 25km into the ride and had just come off the first dirt sector. We were on a lovely little undulating farm road somewhere out the back of nowhere in particular. I was at the back of the lead group of six riders and was contemplating whether or not to take my phone out of my pocket and snap a few pics. I was inspired to do so as it was Rob (aka Ozbike) on his Gitane Criterium who was on the front looking very Hinault-like as he stomped over the undulations.

After a minute or so thinking about it, I decided it was better to be safe than sorry. The road was still fairly bumpy and knowing my luck - or my ability to be clumsy at the worst possible moment - I decided to leave my phone safely in my pocket and not risk dropping it at 35km/h. We all know that would end in tears. I figured that I would wait a few minutes then go ahead of the group, stop and take some pics as the boys came past me.

Not 30 seconds later, a water fowl burst from a bush on the right hand side of the road and flew directly in front of the two riders in front of me. It just got past the first rider, but collided with the rider to his left. This rider who I came to know as SingleSpeedScott, was riding a lovely purple fixie (yes, he did a 120km hilly ride with 30km on dirt, on a fixie). The bird managed to get caught in-between his arms and chest. As he was riding fixed, his legs obviously kept going up and down. With a panicked bird fluttering around, he wasn't game to take one hand off the bars. So the bird was trapped and well on the way to becoming quite agitated. From behind, it just appeared to be a random assortment of knees, wings, elbows and feathers all flailing about in a whirlwind of frantic acrobatic activity. Eventually, the bird escaped the clutches of the purple predator and fluttered away to the safety of the underbrush. SingleSpeedScott never broke cadence and kept going, albeit with a somewhat dazed look on his face.

You have no idea how much I regret not having my phone out taking photos at that moment. It was a great story to relate to the other riders when we stopped for a break. I'm sure that some didn't quite believe it, but I assure you it's quite true. A real testament to the fortitude of the water fowl and the handling skills of an experienced fixie rider.

scozim

How hard did you guys laugh afterward about that? Priceless description of the bird mishap.

trois tubes

I always prefer a narrative portrayal (which you have done so well), it allows one's imagination to create the details.

ozbike

scozim

Just have to say that riding in Australia is now on my bucket list - some great countryside in all those photos.

Peter S. Horn

This bike looks fabulous! I could be way off base on this one, but according to my logic, since the '85-'86 Professionnel was also available as a frameset only, some latitude should be in order. Since the velo could have been ordered with this vintage Super Record, why should it not be considered period correct? If memory serves, the Pug's of that era were sold as complete bikes, only.

I had a similar dillema in ordering a frameset (Git.653) with another
group (Chorus), in place of a discontinued one (Croce). I later (metaphorically) kicked myself in the rear for not opting for C-Record.
Peter H.

Wisey

We even made the paper.

Grahame

ozbike

Thanks Grahame
Yes it's on again. This time around June July.
I do know about Joe, although he is not cheap and my piggy bank may not be big enough to pay that much. I will have to keep saving and see if I can afford to have him do it for me.
One thing about the ride. If you do decide to do it, you really need a 700c x 28 or the old 27" puncture resistand set of tyres. I had 3 punctures on the ride and I hate repairing flats. I spoke to a couple of guys who were running Vittoria Rubino pro 2's 28c and they got through with no flats I will run these next time.

sandranian · Site Admin

I missed these the first time around. Wisey: So glad you were able to salvage that bike and ride it! That is great. Looked good with the Systeme U kit as well.

My favorite shot was the one of you both (ozbike & Wisey) with your Gitanes and retro kit. Good stuff, thanks for sharing !

Grahame