V e l o c i t y F i j i

Updates 2011

2011-05-09T11:47:00.002+12:00

We haven't been able to create new posts for quite a while, without paying for a proxy server. But it looks like is all up and running again. Stay tuned :D

Fun Cycle Races - Sunday 15 November

2009-11-13T08:43:00.001+12:00

Tour of Fiji Video

2009-10-30T15:24:00.001+12:00

This was the victory lap. After the finish of the final stage of the Tour of Fiji we all cycled from Lami to the Holiday Inn, Suva.

Tour of Fiji and National Championship results

2009-10-19T15:48:00.002+12:00

National Championship - Points

Mesaka Yalidole 54 NATIONAL CHAMPION

Timothy Fong 49

Jope Tikotani 46

National Championship - General Classification

Total time

Mesaka Yalidole 20.36.18 NATIONAL CHAMPION

Jope Tikotani 21.44.34

George Lal 25.14.52

Wai Tui Cycles Tour of Fiji 2009

Total time ToF S1 ToF S2 ToF S3

1.Lionel Evans 5.45.58 2.18.05 2.15.32 1.12.21

2. Jope Tikotani 6.23.14 2.33.58 2.31.17 1.17.59

3. Mesaka Yalidole 6.24.40 2.47.46 2.19.39 1.17.15

4. Christian Carling 6.35.48 2.37.33 2.35.25 1.22.50

5. Mapa Bolea 7.06.56 3.14.44 2.34.55 1.17.16

6. Peter Sinclair 7.14.42 2.56.20 2.50.46 1.27.36

7. Nau Dakuliga 7.20.04 2.58.03 2.50.46 1.31.15

8. George Lal 7.33.56 3.03.43 3.02.24 1.27.08

9. Leena Pratt 7.54.17 3.14.44 3.05.30 1.34.03

Wai Tui Cycles Tour of Fiji standing with one day left

2009-10-18T21:33:00.004+12:00

National Cycling Championship - Points

Points with one stage to go

Mesaka Yalidole 50

Timothy Fong 47

Jope Tikotani 45

National Championship - General Classification

Times with one stage to go

Mesaka Yalidole 19.19.03

Jope Tikotani 20.26.35

George La 23.47.44

Wai Tui Cycles Tour of Fiji 2009

Positions with one stage to go

1 Lionel Evans 4.33.37

2 Jope Tikotani 5.05.15

3 Mesaka Yalidole 5.07.25

4 Christian Carling 5.12.58

5 Yee Wah Sing 5.28.28

6 Peter Sinclair 5.47.06

7 Nau Dakuliga 5.48.49

8 Mapa Bolea 5.49.39

9 George Lal 6.06.48

10 Leena Pratt 6.20.14

1st Tour of Fiji - 17-19 Oct. 2009

2009-10-07T10:36:00.002+12:00

The first Tour of Fiji is on! Albeit on a shoesting.

Friday 16 October - Overnight Nadi

Saturday 17 October Nadi- Sigatoka (approx 65km)

Sunday 18 October Sigatoka- Pacific Harbour (approx 90km)

Monday 19 October Pacific Harbour - Suva (approx 50km)

Please confirm your participation as:

a. Competitor

b. Supporter/volunteer

and include names of those traveling with you.

DEADLINE for confirmation is 5pm Thursday 08 October.

Junior wins Uprising 40km TT by 27 seconds

2009-10-04T17:00:00.009+12:00

________________________________

Joon on the way to a win

Mesake puts the hammer down

Wah came 4th

Breakfast!!!!

A bit of R&R at Uprising Resort before riding back. Jope (r) and Mapa.

PRESS RELEASE 5pm 04.10.09

Timothy Fong snatched victory in the Uprising Resort 40 kilometre Time Trial cycle race on Sunday by 27 seconds and closed the gap on Mesake Yalidole in the Fiji Sun National Cycling championship.

Ten cyclists participated in the time trial, from Lami to Uprising Resort, where each cyclist races against the clock starting at one minute intervals. Fong's time for the 40 kilometres was 1 hour and 8 minutes or and average speed of over 35kmph.

Uprising Resort sponsored the time trial and everyone enjoyed a buffet breakfast and a swim before cycling back to Suva

"I'd like to than Alfie Christopherson and all the staff at Uprising Resort" said Cycling Fiji President, Dom Sansom. "Their buffet breakfast is just what hungery cyclists nee to refuel after a fast race".

Results

Uprising Resort 40km Time Trial

Timothy Fong 1.08.18

Mesake Yalidole 1.08.45,

Jope Tikotani 1.11.55,

Yee wah Sing 1.12.17,

Christian Carling 1.12.26,

Mapa Bolea 1.12.42,

Kaliova Vuki 1.15.12,

Peter Sinclair 1.19.36,

George Lal 1.19.44,

Tony Weir 1.20.27

Go Jope

2009-09-25T07:22:00.004+12:00

Cyclist looses championship to help fellow racer - Fiji Sun 22 Sept 2009

A favourite to win the Fiji SUN National Cycling Championship Series and up coming Tour of Fiji may have put himself out of contention after stopping to help another competitor.

Jope Tikotani is one of best cyclists in Fiji. After losing time to punctures in the last two races he was slowly clawing his way back up the table to be in with a chance of regaining the top spot.

If the final few kilometers of Sunday's Rooster Race, a 150km cycle race from Suva to Korovisilou and back, veteran cyclist Yee Wah Sing had crippling cramps. Tikotani came across Yee wracked in pain and he helped the fellow cyclist to the side of the road.

"Jope dragged me from the middle of road where I fell - with me still clipped on to the bike and stayed with me for about 10 minutes. He tried to get me back on the bike to complete the race and only left after he arranged for emergency rescue." Said Yee

"I also appreciate the many motorists who stopped to see whether they could help. One lady even did a U-turn and came around to see if she could take me to get treated. It was only cramps but it was in every muscle from my toes to my waist and it was terribly painful. He added.

President of Cycling Fiji, Dom Sansom, said of Tikotani. "He put his fellow cyclist wellbeing before his own glory. This is common in cycling as cyclists from opposing teams will often help each other while racing. Jope had a great chance of winning the championship but the time he lost helping Wah puts him a long way behind. But, he has great heart and if anyone can make a comeback, he can.

Tikotani was modest about incident. "I saw Wah as his legs seized. It's one of those things that happens in cycling. Normally you can work your way through the pain but this was bad. I helped him unclip his shoes from his bike and when the cramps didn't go away I called the race director and he said he would come and get him and for me to finish the race. I didn't want to leave but Wah told be to go and not lose more time"

Tikotani's skill as a cyclist can be seen on TV as he stars in a television commercial. When she heard of Tikonai's selfless act Film Producer, Catherine Morgan, was full of praise for Tikotani "There is such incredible spirit you have in the Fiji cycling family. He gets my vote for Sportsman of the Year."

Tikotani will be battling to regain time in the next race in the Fiji SUN National Cycling Championship Series from Lami to Pacific Harbour on 3 October.

Chicken Little wins Rooster Race

2009-09-21T19:08:00.004+12:00

Junior in black and white

Favourite to win the 150 kilometer Rooster Race, Maseake "the Missile" Yalidole was pipped at the post by Junior "Chicken Little" Fong. Junior, newcomer Mapa in second and Mesa and all finished with the same time (5hrs 03mins 25secs). Less than a wheel length separated the three in an exciting 60kmph sprint for the finish line after cycling 150 kilometres from Suva to Korovisilou and back.

Mesake retains the lead in the points and is now almost unbeatable in the general classification (time) competition.

Rooster Cycle Race Results

1 Timothy Fong 5.03.25
2 Mapa Bolea 5.03.25
3 Mesake Yalidole 5.03.25
4 Jope Tikotani 5.58.02
5 George Lal 6.58.15
Christian Carling DNF
Naveen Prakash DNF
Yee Wah Sing DNF

Alisi does the double

2009-08-17T10:15:00.005+12:00

From left - Alisi Takayawa, Susan McGoon, Ella Carling and Jessie McGoon

From left: Yee Wah Sing, Jope Tikotani and Timothy Fong

Junior cyclist, Alisi Takayawa, won the Junior Girls 3 Kilometre and Womens 1 kilometre Sprint at the 1 Degree Fun Cycle Races on Sunday. Takayawa is the niece of Fiji's Judo star Naca Takayawa. Two newcomers made surprise wins with Christian Carling winning the Mens 1km Sprint and Semiti Koroi came first in the Junior Boys 3 kilometre race. Race organiser, Dom Sansom, was pleased with the turnout. "We had record numbers at the races" he said "We ran out of race numbers because of the increase in competitors"

The 1 Degree Fun Cycle races are sponsored by 1 Degree, Fii Times, Samba and Nature Valley and are held on the third Sunday of the month.

Results

Mens 1km Sprint

1. Christain Carling

2. Timothy Fong

3. Yee Wah Sings

4. Jope Tikotani

5. Naveen Prakash

6. Caleb Koroi

7. Ian Curtis

8. Mapa Bolea

9.William Yee

Womens 1km Sprint

1. Alisi Takayawa

2. Jessie McGoon

3. Susan McGoon

4. Yun Ying Yee

5. Ella Carling

6. Mackenzie Morgan

7. Catherine Morgan

Sprockets (u8) 100m

1. Sophia Morgan

2. Tiana Carling

3. Max Sutton

Junior Girls 3km

1. Alisi Takayawa

2. Jesie McGoon

3. Ella Carling

4. Mackenzie Morgan

5. Susan McGoon

6. Georgia Morgan

Junior Boys 3km

1. Semiti Koroi

2. William Yee

3.Viliam Takayawa

4. Thomas McGoon

Open 10km

1= Timothy Fong

1= Yee Wah Sing

3. Jope Tikotani

4. Christian Carling

5. Mapa Bolea

6. Caleb Koroi

7. Naveen Prakash

DNF Ian Curtis

DNF Semiti Koroi

1 Degree Fun Cycle Races Sunday 02 Aug 09

2009-08-02T18:18:00.004+12:00

Pinning on the numbers

Winner of the Women's 1km sprint, Jessie McGoon

Jope Tikotani, Scott Pickering, Timothy Fong, Leena Pratt, William Yee.
1 Degree Fun Cycle Races a success.

Vuya Road, by Suva Grammar School, in Suva was a hive of activity on Sunday morning as the Velocity Cycling Club held the 1 Degree Fun Cycle races. There was an upset in the Women's one kilometer sprint when 13 year old Jessie McGoon crossed the line 20 bike lengths ahead of the rest of the field, which included Fiji's Triathlon Champion, Seini "Nau" Dakuliga.
Dakuliga got her revenge winning the Women's 3 km race with fellow Triathlete, Leena Pratt in second place.

"It's great to see younger cyclists competing with experienced riders" Said 1 Degree Fun Cycle organiser, Dom Sansom. "We created a new category for under 8 year olds called the Sprokets. The Sprokets had two short races of 50 and 100 metres."

Both Sprockets races were won by Annie Rudell

The Mens 1 kilometer sprint was won by Maesake Yalidol who was unfortunately disqualified from the open race for not registering for the race. Scott Whippy and William Yee shared first place in the under 16 race when they crossed the line together with Gabriella Kado and Ella Carling in 3rd and 4th place.

The 1 Degree Fun Cycle races are usually held on the third Sunday of each month. The race was held on 2nd August after being postponed on the 21st July because of bad weather.

The races are open to everyone. Entry is free and bikes are available at a nominal fee of $5 including a helmet. The next 1 Degree Fun Cycle Race is Sunday 13 September 2009.

Results

Mens Sprint 1km
1. Mesake Yaldole
2. Timothy Fong
3. Jope Tikotani
4. Christian Carling
5. Yee Wah Sing
6. Naveen Prasad
7. Robert De Raeve

Women's Sprint 1km
1. Jessie McGoon
2. Yun Yee
3. Nau Dakuliga
4. Jessie Sansom

Sprokets (u8) 50m
1. Annie Rudell
2. Laura De Raeve
3. Lucy Rudell

Sprokets (u8) 100m
1. Annie Rudell
2. Laura De Raeve
3. Gabriella Kado
4. Tiana Carling

Juniors (u16)
=1. William Yee
=1. Scott Pickering
3. Celeste Kado
4. Ella Carling

Womens Open 3km
1. Nau Dakuliga
2. Leena Pratt
3. Yun Yee
4. Jessie Mcgoon
DNF Jessie Sansom

Open 10km
1. Timothy Fong
2. Jope Tikotani
3. Yee Wah Sing
4. Christian Carling
5. Nau Dakuliga
6. Leena Pratt
7. Gina Houng Lee
DNF Jessie Sansom
DNF Yun Yee

Mesake and Jessie win the long one

2009-07-28T06:48:00.002+12:00

Winners Jessie McGoon and Mesake Yalidole

This from Fiji Sun. Monday 27 July 2009

A day of punctures and blow outs caused an upset in the FIJI SUN 2009 Fiji Cycling Championship on Sunday. Yellow jersey holder and favourite to win the 80 kilometre road race, Jope Tikotani, and a tyre blow out a few minutes from the start of the race. This lost him valuable time and rivals Mesake Yalidole and Wah "old war horse" Sing made the most of his misfortune and built up a good lead.

Half way through the race Yalidole suffered a similar mishap with a puncture and Wah Sing powered ahead to take advantage, although he was a true sportsman and gave Yalidole his only spare inner tube so that he could continue in the race. This would prove to be costly for Wah Sing as Yalidole made up the time and over took him 16 kilometers from the finish line and eventually won the race.

"Never give up" sain an exhausted Yalidole after crossing the line in first place "I punctured half way but I was determined to catch Wah. He may be twice my age but he is very strong, specially over long distances".

President of Cycling Fiji, Dom Sansom said that cycling is unpredictable. "Even if you are the strongest and fastest you can have problems with punctures or mechanical failures" he said "Overcoming these obstacles and coming first is the true sign of a winner. And the sign of a true sportsman is helping a competitor at a cost to yourself. Wah's actions were selfless and even though it may have cost him first place other cyclists will remember this and help him if he ever needs it. Cycling is like that.

The 80 kilometre road race, from Lami to pacific Harbour and back to Lami is the second race in the 2009 Fiji Cycling Championship Series organised by Cycling Fiji and sponsored by Fiji Sun, Esquires Wai Tui Cycles and Samba and is supported by the LTA.

Results
80km Road Race
1. Mesake Yalidole 2.43.46
2. Yee Wah Sing 2.48.03
3. Timothy fong Jnr 3.04.50
4. George Lal 3.08.45
5. Jope tikotani 3.09.17

Juniors 30km Road Race
1. Jessie McGoon 1.23.58
2. Susan Mcgoon 1.26.31

1 Degree Fun Cycle Races

2009-07-17T08:55:00.001+12:00

8am Sunday 19 July, Vuya Road, Veiuto

Race 1 Men’s Sprint 1 circuit

Race 2 Women's Sprint 1 circuit

Race 3 Beginners’ & u23 2 circuits

Race 4 Juniors’ (u16) 2 circuits

Race 5 Women’s Open 3 circuits

Race 6 Open 10 circuits

Registration: 8am. Entry is FREE.
Races start at 8.15am and finish around 10.30am

Great prizes: Movie passes, FREE bike service at Wai Tui Cycles, Nando’s vouchers, Esquires coffee vouchers and lots more.

ALL WELCOME. Any type of bike can be used. Under 18 must have parents signature on the registration form.

Helmets MUST be worn by competitors at ALL TIMES at the race venue.

Fiji Sun FIJI CYCLING CHAMPIONSHIPS 2009

2009-07-13T08:31:00.004+12:00

Race1 Wai Tui Cycles 40km road race.

Colo i Suva - Nagalia Village - Colo i Suva

Name Time Ave Speed Points

1 Jope tikotani 1.17.05 31.14 km/h 8

2 Mesake Yalidole 1.17.16 31.06 km/h 7

3 Rupeni Seasea 1.18.55 30.41 km/h 6

4 Wah Sing 1.25.11 28.17 km/h 5

5 Vuki Kaliova 1.30.46 26.44 km/h 4

6 George Lal 1.44.49 22.90 km/h 3

7 Simon May 1.57.45 20.38 km/h 3

8 Leena Pratt 1.58.23 20.27 km/h 3

9 Sandra Lago 2.10.54 18.33 km/h 3

10 Ian Curtis 2.12.35 18.10 km/h 3

DNF Joe Movick

DNF Navin Prakash

Juniors

1 Christopher Cakabau 0.59.07

2 Jessie McGoon 1.06.32

3 Susan McGoon 1.18.55

Cycle 2 Work Day a big hit

2009-06-05T08:32:00.002+12:00

I was pleasantly surprised by the number of people who cycles to work on 4 June. I was expecting the "usual suspects" but we had quite a few non cyclist "having a go".... which was the whole point.

Our sponsors were great and Fiji Sun in particular really came to the party with thousands of dollars in advertising space, 2-3 cycling articles each day for over a week and a 4 page supplement yesterday.

Vinaka vakalevu to:

Land Transport Authority, Vodafone, Post Fiji, Esquires Coffee Shop (great breakfast guys!), Star Printery, Pacific Building Systems, Wai Tui Cycle, Clay Energy, Samba!, Fiji Sun and Department of Environment

New Steel Langster Frame????

2009-05-24T07:45:00.007+12:00

Riding a single speed bike is pure simplicity. 1 gear, two wheels and you. I have three single speed bikes and two of them are Langsters, the single speed offering from one on the bike worlds major players, Specialized. Langsters are loved by their owners ('cos they're great to ride) but looked down upon by the trendy "hipsters" that only seem to ride multi-coloured, steel framed brakeless, fixed gear bikes. This is a fad/trend/fashion that started out echoing the style of bike messengers, simple, cheap and practical bikes and clothing... not forgetting messenger bags (I use a Chrome Industries Messenger bag to cycle to work on one of my Langsters but I am closer to Hippo than Hipster). Anyway... Specialized has obviously heard the moans about their Langsters and it looks like they'll soon be offering a steel (tig welded I think) Langster frame with a lugged fork. The hipster community will find this more appealing and reactions on fixed gear forums seem to be positive. I'm not sure if it will be sold as a complete bike as well... but the initial market will probably prefer to build their own...

All I can say is "I want one... or two"

Helmets that don't look like helmets

2009-05-16T11:29:00.001+12:00

Giro d'Italia - Stage 2 last couple of kms

2009-05-11T15:29:00.001+12:00

Two of the worlds best sprinters Mark Cavendish (Stage 1 winner) and Alessandro Petacchi hammer it out at the finish of the Giro's stage 2.

Giro d'Italia - Stage 1 TTT

2009-05-10T16:20:00.001+12:00

Cycle 2 Work Day - 4 June 2009

2009-05-08T15:35:00.001+12:00

As part of Environment Week (1-5 June 2009) we are organising a campaign to encourage people to cycle to work. The Environment Week organising committee has agree that the 4th June will be Cycle 2 Work Day. While we do not expect hundreds of people to dash out of their homes and pedal to their offices, this will be the start on a long road to increasing the number of people who get to work by means other than motorised transport.

Fiji is generally warm all year round and is relatively flat on the coast. Despite this few people in Fiji use bicycles as transport. When asked why people don’t cycle their main concern is safety.
Perception - Cycling on roads is dangerous
Fact - Cycling is much safer than driving and even walking.
The only way to get over a fear of doing something is to DO IT. Cycle 2 Work Day give people the opportunity to do this. A special day to jump on the bike and have a go. Once the initial apprehension is overcome the journey is fast, invigorating and fun. The next reaction is “well, that was easy. I can do that any time”. So, join us on 4 June and cycle to work. Oh.... and Esquires 1 (Loftus Street) will give everyone who Cycles 2 Work, a free drink (coffee, tea or juice) and a light breakfast.
If you don't feel confident cycling to work on your own just look out for our Cycle 2 Work volunteers with their fluorescent ORANGE t-shirts. They will be cycling into Suva from Veisari, Tacirua and Nakasi from around 7am... just follow them.
If you want to volunteer and get a free Cycle 2 Work custom microtex cycling jersey - contact me.
See you on the road
:D

Sunday Crits Results

2009-05-03T10:34:00.006+12:00

Race 1 Men’s Sprint

1st Yee Wah Sing

2nd Tony Wier

3rd George Lal

Race 2 Women's Sprint

1st Jessie McGoon

2nd Susan McGoon

3rd Jessie Sansom

Race 3 Junior boys

1st Thomas McGoon

2nd William Yee

Race 4 Juniors girls

1st Jessie McGoon

2nd Susan McGoon

Race 5 Women’s Open

1st Sandra Lago

2nd Jessie Sansom

Race 6 Open

1st Yee Wah Sing

2nd Jope Tikotani

3rd Timothy Fong

Crits on Sunday (3 May)

2009-04-30T10:23:00.003+12:00

1 degree
CYCLE RACES

Wai Tui Cycles Criterium
Sunday 03 May, Vuya Road, Veiuto

Race 1 Men’s Sprint 1 circuit
Race 2 Women's Sprint 1 circuit
Race 3 Beginners’ Open 2 circuits
Race 4 Juniors’ (u18) 2 circuits
Race 5 Women’s Open 3 circuits
Race 6 Open 10 circuits
Registration: 7-7.15am. Entry is FREE.
Races start at 7.15am and finish around 10.30am

Great prizes: Movie passes, FREE bike service at Wai Tui Cycles, FREE Pizza and Brugers from Jody’s, Esquires coffee vouchers and lots more.
PLUS - FREE ICED MILO for EVERYONE :) :) :)
ALL WELCOME. Any type of bike can be used. Under 18 must have parents signature on the registration form.
Helmets MUST be worn by competitors when on a bike at ALL TIMES at the race venue.

40km Time Trial Nasese

2009-04-06T05:54:00.003+12:00

Simon May and Nau Dakuliga, winners of the 40km TT

40km TT Results
Men
1. Simon May 1.17.13
2. Yee Wah Sing 1.18.00
3. Timothy Fong 1.18.45
4. Kaliova Vuki 1.19.33
5. Mesake Yalidole 1.23.03
6. Jope Tikotani 1.25.53
7. Eroni 1.27.00 (MTB)
8. Peter Sinclair 1.31.31 (MTB)
9. Rupeni Seasea 1.43.22

George Lal DNF
Asaeli DNF

Women
1. Nau Dakuliga 1.31.32
2. Sandra Lago 1.35.23
3. Gina Houng Lee 1.36.48
4. Amy Cooper 1.38 13

8km TT Juniors
1. William Yee 25.13

The only way is up........

2009-03-26T07:44:00.005+12:00

In fact the Palipane Hill Climb Challenge is only 5km. But it's a tough 5 K. Veteran, Yee Wah Sing challenged holder of the Palipane Trophy, Mesake Yalidole, but both were piped to the top by record holder Timothy Fong Jnr. Tim didn't manage to beat his record(10:25???) but 13:00.9 is a respectable time. Holder of the trophy, Mesake Yalidole had the misfortune of leaving his cycling shoes in a taxi and had to race with MTB pedals and training shoes.

A special mention must go to 15 year old Chris Cakobau. Chris was not looking forward to cycling up the hill but courage won out and he clocked an amazing time for a first attempt of 24:23. Chris now has a benchmark to beat and we expect great things from this young man.

Timothy Fong Jnr (and Junior Jnr) receive the Palipane Trohpy

Chris Cakobau cheered on by challenger Yee Wah Sing, in his herculean effort to "Kill the Hill"

Here are the times:

Timothy Fong Jnr 13:00.9
Mesake Yalidole 13:17.2
Jope Tikotani 13:59.4
Yee Wah Sing 14:40.6
Nau Dakuliga 18:35.9
Chris Cakobau 24:23.0

World Champ kit for winner

2009-03-20T14:39:00.006+12:00

World Champion MTBer and Cyclocrosser, Thomas Frischknecht in the SwissPower gear

There is a unique prize for the winner of the Palipane Trophy. A brand new Swiss Power World Champion team cycling jersey and bib shorts made by swiss cycling apparel manufacturer Cuore worth over FJ$300 ... actually you cannot buy this gear as it is only issued to the SwissPower team. This uniform has Cycling World Champion stripes and is only those that have been world champion are allowed to wear these in competition. This is a one off donated by John Philp who is a friend of World Champion MTB racer Thomas Frischknecht .

John told me his friend " who is a keen mountain biker" (a huge understatement) gave him the SwissPower jersey and bibshorts... This is a MAJOR prize and I think I'll be taking part.... just in case everyone else has punctures or runs out of puff... fine chance... but you never know. I also have to lose about 80kg to fit in them.

It's a record

2009-03-01T21:09:00.002+12:00

Our spiritual master Yee wah Sing commented a year or so ago that our Saturday morning ride is probably the longest running regular sporting event in the country. I know we have been doing it , unbroken, every Saturday for over 5 years... some time there was only one cyclist... but it went ahead. Saturday we had twent cyc lists take part and I think this is the most we've ever had...

You'll count 19 in the pic and one behind the camera.

Results:

2009-02-25T09:20:00.002+12:00

Wai Tui Cycles Criterium

Sunday 15 February 2008
Winners can collect their prizes, a Wai Tui cycling Jersey from Wai Tui Cycles.

Womens 1 km Sprint
1 Susan McGoon
2 Alisi Takayawa
3 Jessie McGoon

Jnr Boys 1 km Sprint
1 Christopher Cakobau
2 William Yee
3 Thomas McGoon

Open 3 km
1 Jope Tikotani
2 Yee Wah Sing
3 Tony Wier

Jnr Girls 3 km
1 Alisi Takawaya
2 Susan McGoon
3 Mackenzie Morgan

Beginners 3 km
1 Christopher Cakobau
2 William Yee
3 Navneel Prasad

Open 10 km
1 Jope Tikotani
2 Mesake Yalidole
3 Timothy Fong Jnr

Saturday and Sunday Rides

2009-02-09T15:57:00.001+12:00

Crits on the third Sunday of every month

2009-02-04T10:39:00.002+12:00

We are running regular a Criteirum (circuit races) every 3rd Sunday of every month. The first one will be Sunday 15 February 2009.

Our last two criteriums were a great success and we had races for all ages, genders and even a "heavyweight" category.

These races are short, flat and great fun. We have junior, beginners, women's categories as well as a couple of races for experienced cyclists (and heavyweights). As you can see from our short video of the last criterium these races are more fun than competition so the whole family can take part. The RoC Market is on the same morning so you can make a whole morning of fun.

We will have bikes (with Helmet) for hire ($5 for the races) at the event so you can take part even if you don't have a bike. Please book your bike with me, in advance, as they tend to go quickly.

Velocity Cycling Criterium

Date - Sunday 15 February

Venue - Vuya Road, Veiuto, Suva

Registration 7am

Entry - FREE

Races for everyone
Junior Girls
Junior Boys
Beginner Men
Beginner Women
Men Open (2 races)
Women Open (2 races)
Clydesdales (over 100kg)

Weekend rides

2009-01-26T15:16:00.003+12:00

Back: Jope, Richard, Qodi, Sharyn, Sandra, Anne, Joon.

Front: VukiBoy, Varsha, Pat, Rajan
We had a nice easy ride along the beautiful (even when it's raining) Suva foreshore on Saturday morning.

Sunday was a trip to Naqali and breakfast at Akuila's farm. Vinaka vakalevu to Akuila, his wife and Ulamila for a lovely breakfast.... so I'm told as I couldn't make it. Did anyone get any pics of the ride?

Make your own bike lane

2009-01-26T13:26:00.005+12:00

In a country with no bike lanes this invention could be the way to go. Making a new bike lane can cost thousands but this brilliant new invention allows a cyclist to bring their own. A laser (attached under saddle apparently) projects parallel lines, on the road, either side of the bike with a BIKE graphic behind the cyclist

The LightLane is the BRIGHT idea of Alex Tee and Evan Gant of Altitude Design. Well done guys!

Here's the text from the blog Dustbowl (friends of Altitude Inc.)

A close brush with a distracted driver is enough to intimidate the most avid bikers from riding at night. The problem isn’t just about visibility, as safety lights are effective at capturing the attention of a driver. However, these lights are typically constrained to the bike frame, which highlights only a fraction of the bike’s envelope. Bike lanes have proven to be an effective method of protecting cyclists on congested roads. One key is that the lane establishes a well defined boundary beyond the envelope of the bicycle, providing a greater margin of safety between the car and the cyclist. Yet, only a small fraction of streets have dedicated bike lanes, and with an installation cost of $5,000 to $50,000 per mile, we shouldn’t expect to find them everywhere anytime soon. Instead of adapting cycling to established bike lanes, the bike lane should adapt to the cyclists. This is the idea behind the LightLane. Our system projects a crisply defined virtual bike lane onto pavement, using a laser, providing the driver with a familiar boundary to avoid. With a wider margin of safety, bikers will regain their confidence to ride at night, making the bike a more viable commuting alternative.

Black smokers

2009-01-09T11:49:00.002+12:00

I've been thinking about getting an anti-polution mask for my morning commute. I leave pretty early so black smoking busses, taxis and cars are not much of a problem... Unless I get behind a smoking bus that is oly just going faster the me. Then I came across this pic of used filters for major asian cities... I wonder what a used Fiji filter would look like.

Resolution Revolution

2009-01-05T09:05:00.001+12:00

The revolution starts with the first turn of the pedals.

New year, new you! This year resolve to do something:

Green
Cheap
To loose weight
Healthy
Environmentally friendly
That will get you fit
That is great cardio exercise
That will keep you fit
Save you money on fuel
That will give your workout while you travel to work (No need to join a Gym)
Can get you to work faster than a car.
Fun
Cool
Good for you
That will save 1 tonne of CO2 a year if you commute 15-20 minutes by bike 5 days a week.
Meet great people.
The whole family can do.
That gives you GREAT a butt
... and better legs :)))))

Ride a bike.

Esquires Crits II Video

2009-01-02T07:41:00.004+12:00

Our resident film producer took time out from his Bollywood tour to make this exciting short film of our cycle races, including kids and masters races. Note the excessive sponsor and product placement. Thanks Stan

Jope does the Triple

2008-12-21T18:38:00.004+12:00

Jope played it cool and drafted Mesake the entire race and out sprinted him to the finish.

Jope Tikotani was favourite to win the Esquires Criterium II cycle races on Sunday and he did not disappoint. Tikotani had three wins. He was first in the 1km sprint and the 10k race. This gave him enough points to win the Wai Tui Cycles points as well. "Me and Mesake (Yalidole) both had the same amount of points coming into the last two races. I knew I had to win both to top the Wai Tui Cycles points." said Tikotani. " I decided to play it smart in the 10 kilometre race and stuck behind Mesake all the way. Then I gave it everything in the last lap"

There were two other races in the Esquires Criteriums. The Juniors race was won by Christopher Cakobau and the winner of the Womens race was Jessie Sansom.

These were the final races in the 1 Degree cycle race Series. "It's been a big success and we had overwhelming support from our sponsors" said Cycling Fiji President, Dom Sansom "Everyone trainned and raced had and for the first time we had children's races. Kids as young as seven were taking part and this is very encouraging for the future of the sport." said Sansom " We will have another series early in the new year.

Results Esquires Criterium II. Mens Sprint: 1. Jope Tikotani. 2. Mesake Yalidole, 3. Rusiate Matai. Womens Sprint: 1. Jessie Sansom 2. Jutta May. Juniorsz: 1. Christopher Cakobau, 2. Susan McGoon, 3. Jessie McGgoon. Mens 10km: 1. Jope Tikotani, 2. Rusiate Matai, 3.Mesake Yalidole.

Film Stars

2008-12-17T22:23:00.003+12:00

Vinaka vakalevu to Stan for this short doco of our Taunovo Bay 50km cycle race. Fast edits, cool graphics and top class music... you should do this for a living Stan!

Esquires Crits II at 1 Degree Race Series

2008-12-16T08:26:00.002+12:00

P R E S S - R E L E A S E

Under 18s line up for the start of the juniors race a the Esquires Criterium I. Esquires Criteriun II will feature six races and is on from 7am this Sunday at Vuya Road, Veiuto, Suva.

Vuya Road, Veiuto will see the final races in the 1 Degree Cycle race series this Sunday. The Esquires Coffee Houses Criterium II will see six races at one event. One men's and two women's races as well as junior and beginners and an open race. At the end of this series we will add up the points in the Wai Tui Cycles League and competitors will be able to redeem their points for goods at Wai Tui Cycles.

"The Wai Tui Cycles League was the idea of Cycling Fiji Vice President, Yee Wah Sing" said Cycling Fiji President, Dom Sansom "Points are awarded at each race, and you even get points just for finishing. You can use your points for buying parts and accessories, or even a bike, at Wai Tui Cycles. Each point is worth $1 so if you win 50 points you can make purchases at Wai Tui Cycles worth $50"

If you have never been in a bike race and would like to try this is your chance. The Esquires Criterium II races will have a beginners for all ages and genders and juniors races for under 18 years. "It not really competitive" said Mr Sansom " It's more like 'just have a go'. You just need a bike in good working order and if you don't have a helmet we'll lend you one. All you need to do is turn up, entry is free. Contact Dom Sansom on 99 22 123 or dom @cyclingfiji.org

Suvavou Cyclist wins big

2008-12-14T16:23:00.005+12:00

P r e s s - R e l e a se

Cyclist Rusiate Matai, from Suvavou, crosses the finish at Taunovo Bay Resort in one hour and twenty three minutes.

The third race in the 1 Degree Cycle Race Series was a 50 kilometer road race from Suva to Taunovo Bay Resort.

Fighting against experienced cyclists Rusiate Matai beat Jope Tikotani in a sprint to win by just 20 seconds. "The guys made a small mistake and I though that this was my chance. My legs were still fresh and I sprinted for the line" Said a shy Matai.

Taunovo Bay Resort Operations Manager, Russell Thornley, presented Matai with the Taunovo Bay Resort Trophy at the awards ceremony on the beach during brunch. "Everyone here is impressed with these young lads" he said "We couldn't believe that they raced all the way from Suva in one hour and twenty minutes. That's about the same time that it takes on the bus".

A convoy of vehicles supported the cyclists durning the race. Cycling Fiji President and Race director, Dom Sansom was very pleased with the support. "There were almost as many support vehicles as cyclists" he said "I'd like to thank everyone who got up early on a Sunday and helped with the race. In particular Taunovo Bay resort. It is a spectacular place to finish a cycling race and we were given an amazing brunch and full use of the resort facilities.

Results: Rusiate Matai 1.24.03, Jope Tikotani 1.24.25, Mesake Yalidole 1.27.01, Tomthy Fong 1.27.01, Bob Gillett 2.01.42

Cyclists gear up for Taunovo Bay Trophy.

2008-12-12T12:18:00.003+12:00

P R E S S R E L E A S E

12 December 2008

Fiji Cyclists will do battle for the Taunovo Bay Resort Trophy this Sunday as part of the 1 Degree Cycle Race Series. Favourites for podium places are Jope Tikotani, Mesake Yalidole and Timothy Fong. "It's anyone's race" said Cycling Fiji President Dom Sansom. "Newcomer, Mesake Yalidole has made a fantastic start to the season, but the experienced cyclists are hot on his wheel and have been training hard. Fifty kilometres is no a very long distance for cyclists and I wouldn't like to try and pick a winner." "The top three placed riders will earn points in the Wai Tui Cycles Points table. These points will redeemable for goods at Wai Tui Cycles at the end of the series." he added

The race starts in Lami and ends at the Taunovo Bay Resort. The resort will have brunch for cyclists and officials and the winner will be presented with the Taunovo Bay Resort Trophy, made specially for the race. "We are very excited about the event and we believe this is the first time a Fiji Resort has been chosen as the finish of a cycle race." Said Taunovo bay Operations Manager. Russell Thornley. Our staff will be there to welcome the competitors and we're doing a slap-up brunch as we've hear cyclists can be pretty hungry after a long ride. We are setting up marquees and refreshments at the finish line and will provide the Taunovo Bay Resort bus to take the cyclists home after the awards ceremony.

Cyclist will leave Lami shortly after 6am on Sunday and the lead riders are expected to complete the 50 kilometres in under 90 minutes. Cycling Fiji thanks motorists for being aware of the cyclists and give the plenty of room. For more information on the race contact Dom Sansom of Cycling Fiji on 99 22 113 or dom@cyclingfiji.org.

The Taunovo Bay Cycle Race

2008-12-03T16:22:00.006+12:00

P R E S S R E L E A S E

01 December 2008

Taunovo Bay Resort will play host to cyclists and officials at the finish of the Suva to Pacific Harbour cycle race on Sunday 14 December. Announcing their sponsorship of the race Taunovo Bay Resort General Manager, Russell Thornly said that they are happy to be associated with Cycling Fiji. "Cycling is all positive. It keeps you fit and healthy and best of all it's fun. When we heard Cycling Fiji were looking for a venue to finish their race we contacted them straight away." he added. "We are very please to be a part of Cycling in Fiji and hope this will become an annual event. Taunovo Bay Resort have commissioned a local artisan to create a trophy specially for the event.

President of Cycling Fiji and Race Director, Dom Sansom, welcomed Taunovo Bay Resorts involvement. "We are probably the smallest cycling federation in the world and to have the backing of a World Class resort such as Taunovo bay is a real boost to the sport in Fiji. We hope this will be a permanent arrangement."

The Taunovo Bay Cycling Cup race will start in Suva and cyclists will race, non-stop, to the finish where they will be treated to bruch provided by the resort.

Esquires Crits at 1 Degree Race Series

2008-12-02T08:55:00.005+12:00

Linoel Evans and Bryce Irving at the Crits

The next race on the 1 Degree race series should be the most exciting event for both cyclists and spectators. A Criterium (Crit) is a short fast circuit race. So, come and watch the thrills and Spills of the....
Esquires Criterium
Sunday 7 December, Vuya Road, Veiuto
Race 1 Men’s Sprint - 1 circuit
Race 2 Women’s Sprint - 1 circuit
Race 3 Juniors’ (u18) Open - 2 circuits
Race 4 Beginners’ Open - 2 circuits
Race 5 Women’s - 3 circuits
Race 6 Open 10 - circuits
FREE Registration: 7-7.15am. Spectators welcome.

Cyclists earn points in the Wai Tui Cycles points awards. Points (1pt = $1) are redeemable for parts and accessories the end of the series

Competitors and officials names all go into a draw to win a fab mobile phone from Vodafone.

AWOL

2008-11-30T15:38:00.004+12:00

I just found out why we didn't see our lovely club secretary at this mornings race... I got a txt saying "morning.... I wont b able 2 make da race .."

Here's why... Thanks Rajan

Varsha, Patricia and Yvette (CAUGHT!) at Traps the night before the race.

Congratulations Mesake!

2008-11-30T15:35:00.001+12:00

Mesake wins the Palipane Hill Climb Challenge in 13 minutes 3 seconds

Back l-r: John, Mesake (winner), Shane, Jutta, Vukiboy, Wah, Junior, Jope, Eroni

Front: Yun, Jess, Sandra

The Palipane Challenge
Long shot Mesake Yalidole set a blistering pace to take out the inaugural Palipane Cycling Challenge Trophy on Sunday morning. The race has a tough, four kilometer uphill climb from Sawani to Colo i Suva and Yalidole was over a minute ahed of the runner up Timothy Fong Jnr.
"I cycle to work from Suvavou to Tamavua every day and this has really helped my training. said Yalidole. I knew some Fiji's top cyclists were taking part and I didn't think I had a chance." Yalidole doesn not own a racing bike and used a Velocity Club bike with was donated by former member Bryce Irving. Thanks Bryce!
The Palipane Challenge Trophy was donated by the Palipane family who leave Fiji next month. Shane Palipane is a passionate cyclist and competes in all local events. "I am honoured to give my Family name to this Challenge. I hope it will encourage Fiji cyclists to train harder and be dedicated to the sport."
Results:

1. Mesake Yalidole, 13 minutes 03.48 seconds.

2. Timothy Fong Jnr, 14.14.28.

3. Shane Palipane, 14.26.57.

4. Yee Wah Sing, 14.48.09.

5. Jope Tikotani, 16.15.38.

6. Kaliova Vuki, 16.34.08.

7. Yun Yin Yee 25.04.76

Velocity Summer Race Series Part 1

2008-11-28T09:50:00.005+12:00

REGISTRATION FOR THIS SERIES IS FREE.

Palipane Hill Climb

Colo i Suva
Men, Women and Junior (u18) Categories
Sunday 30 November
Registration at the finish line 7 - 7.15am

Esquires Criterium

Vuya Road
Sunday 7 December
Registration 7 - 7.15am

Race 1 Mens Sprint 1 lap
Race 2 Womens Sprint 1 lap
Race 3 Juniors (u18) 2 laps
Race 4 Beginners (open) 2 laps
Race 5 Womens race 3 laps
Race 6 Mens race 10 laps

Junior and beginners races are open to anyone and any type of bike so bring the family along.
Your bike will be checked for road worthiness before the race

Wai Tui 45 km Road Race

Lami to Pacific Harbour
Men, Women and Junior (u18) Categories
Sunday 14 December
Registration 6-6.15am
Start PEMO just past the Tradewinds Hotel
Finish Viti Levu Drive Pacific harbour

We need support vehicles for this race so If you have a vehicle and would like to help please contact me.

Esquires Criterium

Vuya Road
Sunday 21 December
Registration 7 - 7.15am
Race 1 Mens Sprint 1 lap
Race 2 Womens Sprint 1 lap
Race 3 Juniors (u18) 2 laps
Race 4 Beginners (open) 2 laps
Race 5 Womens race 3 laps
Race 6 Mens race 10 laps

Junior and beginners races are open to anyone and any type of bike so bring the family along.
Bikes will be checked for road worthiness before the race so take your bike to Wai Tui Cycles for a service. John will give you 10% on labour and parts if you're taking part in the this race series.

We need as much help from as possible. If you'd like to be a part of some very exciting racing and can spare a couple hours on a Sunday morning please give me a call on 99 22 123 or email.

Points for the races will be awarded as follows:
1st 5 points
2nd 4 points
3rd 3 points
4th 2 points
5th 1 point
Finishing: 2 points.
Each point is worth $1.00 and will be redeemable in gift vouchers from Wai Tui Cycles at the end of the series subject to participation in all for races (both sprint and race in the Criterium)
There will be special awards at the end of the series for women, juniors (under 18), masters (over 35) and Clydesdales (over 100 kg).

White is the new black.

2008-11-23T14:24:00.011+12:00

White shoes, white saddles... even white bicycle chains.

White shoes and a steel bike.. very now!

Wear the right stuff.
Pics: Judy Compain

Fashionista, Rajan, graced the Saturday morning coffee ride and declared "Loved it". So I thought it fitting to look at the street cred of our Coffee ride group.

Oakley is a favourite with cyclists. In fact they made their name producing cycle specific sunnies and cycling jerseys (I have 3 or 4 jerseys and half a dozen shades with Os on them). The trend really caught on when Bono (U2) introduced the rest of the world cycling glasses with yellow or orange lenses.... we cyclists had been wearing multi-coloured eye protection for years.

Rajan and Shirl (top) sport the ultimate cycling fashion iconic names, Oakley and Pearl Izumi, maker of some of the most expensive lycra gear around.

White is the new black in cycling circles and white shoes the "in thing" for cyclists and Sandra and Chris (top) have obviously been keeping up with the trends. Chris looks totally hipster (a cycling hipster is not to be confused with the 40s Hipster sub-culture) with his loose T, baggy shorts and retro steel bike.

White bikes, white bar tape and white saddles have been the discussion in many a bike blog and forum.

White chain????

Some take the white thing WAY too far! How about a white bike with white saddle, white handlebar grips and white (who in their right mind would put this on a bike) chain.

Heres a vid of some more cycling chic. Fixed gear bikes (no gears, no brakes, no freewheel) in London.

Fixed. from Charge Bikes on Vimeo.

Oceania Cycling pledges support for Cycling Fiji...

2008-11-21T22:56:00.002+12:00

Above: Oceania Cycling Confederation Executive

At the four yearly Oceania Cycling Confederation (OCC) Congress in Adelade (16 Nov 08) OCC President and UCI VP, Ray Godkin, pledged support for the newly formed Cycling Fiji. Elected to a newly formed post of OCC VP Development is Cycling Australia President, Mike Victor.

Oh what a lov'ly mornin'...

2008-11-08T15:29:00.002+12:00

Great day for a ride. The Saturday coffee ride is a gentle cycle at 7am from Esquires coffee house in Loftus Street (Dolphins), along the Suva seawall. We stop for a drink and a chat opposite the Pony Club and then it's back to the coffee shop for... you guessed it.... coffee... and a muffin or two... or a hot bacon role (yum!). I didn't know it but on this ride I passed the 3000km (cycled since 01 Jan 08) mark. Had I known I would have celebrated with a bacon roll... or three! :D

Congratulations!!!

2008-11-03T05:54:00.003+12:00

One of our regular cyclists is running in the New York Marathon. And because of the amazing technology I am tracking her right now... while I'm sitting at the local coffee shop knocking back an espresso or three. There's a pic of her here (Middle pic, facing the camera it a red top).

At 7.50am Fiji time she finished with a time of 4:27:08.... not bad time for her first marathon. Congratulations Ms L we're all VERY proud of you. The world record is held by Paula Radcliffe with a time of 2:15:25. Paula was running in this years New York Marathon and won with a time of 2:23:55.

Bike Messenger

2008-10-27T08:04:00.002+12:00

"Nothing get from point A to point B faster than I bike Messenger"... I'm not sure about that. In tha big city maybe. This short film is a combination of live action and animation. Quite neat... but I don't know if messengers walk straight into someone's office (thx BSNY). They wold only get as far as the receptionist. There's a good shot of a messenger getting "doored"... then immediately after he pick himself off the ground (WITHOUT checking his bike???) he runs a red light... Proactive karma???

Rain rain....

2008-10-18T08:56:00.002+12:00

Well..... it's pouring down in Suva. Been a while since our last torrential rain... needless to say no one turned up to our Saturday morning coffee ride... I spent the morning browsing the 'net looking at bike p()rn... I found this in my travels. It's an ad for tyres... but it's a nice slice of urban cycling.

Fiji BATI Day!

2008-10-10T17:21:00.005+12:00

The Vodafone Fiji Bati are the Fiji National Rugby League team (Bati = Warrior). The Rugby League World Cup is later this month and as part of the build up we escorted the players, by bike, on a tour though Suva and 'burbs to Fiji Day celebrations held at Albert Park.

Master Dawson Ché Johnson: Welcome!

2008-09-28T12:04:00.004+12:00

Seen here aged 5 (minutes) is Dawson Ché Johnson, son of Velocity Cyclist, David Johnson and his beautiful wife Larissa. David sent me the link so, of course, there are no other details on weight etc... Congratulations David and Larissa... and Dawson BULA VINAKA!!!

:D

Cycle Scrum.... :)

2008-09-25T14:54:00.005+12:00

As you know Fiji has some of the best Rugby players in the World. I remember getting dragged into a discussion between Aussie and Kiwi supporters who were arguing about who would win an Oz v NZ match. They asked me who I thought would win. I said I had no idea and didn't really care.. I told them I knew one thing for sure... Fijians would score all the tries.... that shut'em up!

Anyway... the Fiji Rugby League has asked us to arrange a ride with the Rugby players from Nausori to Suva on Fiji Day (10 Oct). This is part of their build-up to the Rugby League World Cup. We will ride into the National Stadium where the squad will be presented to the interim Prime Minister.

We have a special cycling jersey for this event. $45 each ($40 each if you buy more than one). Orders close Sunday 29 Sept 2008.
I can post them internationally if anyone overseas is interested. We are also making t-shirts, white only (with black print and no stripes on the sleeves) for $20. Send your order to velocityfiji@gmail.com... I have a PayPal account for international orders.. email me for postage costs.

Here they are:

FAME at last!... ROTFLMFAO

2008-09-22T10:54:00.009+12:00

I haven't heard officially but people who were there said this blog was "Highly Commended" at the FAME (Fiji Awards for Media Excellence) Awards on Saturday. I'm not a huge believer in industry awards... but if they're handing them out ... what the heck... and if it promotes cycling it can't be bad.

My thanks to the judges.... you can come and ride with us, free of charge :), any time... whoever you are.

One question though??? The winning BLOG is not a blog! It's social network site for Fiji Soldiers. Sotia Central is "a site dedicated to absolutely everything in regards to Fijians serving in foreign legions. Sotia (meaning Soldier) Central aims to fully capture the essence of army life, army wives, army entertainment, army hook ups, and other fun stuff, that our men and women get up to while serving"

A blog is: A personal diary. A log. A pulpit. A collection of your own private thoughts. Memos to the world. By the way the word blog comes from weB LOG.

LA > TDU????

2008-09-16T11:56:00.002+12:00

There's a rumor that Lance Armstrom may ride in the Tour Down Under... in Australia (Duh!) in Jan 09.

Tour Down Under officials will try to lure Lance Armstrong to next year's ProTour race after he confirmed today he is getting back on his bike, determined to win an eighth Tour de France.

Armstrong's return from cancer to win the Tour a record seven consecutive times made him a hero to cancer patients worldwide and elevated cycling to an unprecedented level in America....

Read more here at Adelaide Now

Another Nagali ride....

2008-09-15T12:08:00.003+12:00

Girls outnumbered boy on yesterdays breakfast ride to Nagali. And of corse we had to stop for a pic by the waterfall.... sorry no photos of the yummy breakfast... too busy eating.

Thanks to Judy and Kalani for manning the support vehicle... Kalani kept the speed up by yelling "I'm beating you"

:D

Will he? Won't he?

2008-09-11T08:58:00.004+12:00

There's been a lot of speculation in the international media whether Lance Armstrong will return to professional cycling?

Hear what he's going to do from the man himself.

The price of fuel

2008-09-07T09:45:00.005+12:00

The cost of fuel

If you live within cycling distance of your work place try riding to work. Just once. One commute by bike is usually all it will take to prove to yourself that it's pretty easy. My commute is 7km and it takes just over 15 minutes. At peak hour in the morning it can take 40 mins by car, more if you include the wait for a bus (then walk to the office) or taxi. The make it a goal to cycle more than you drive, taxi or bus to work. The only problem I've found is having a shower. If you have a good boss (or are the boss) find out how much it will cost to install a shower. You could even offer to contribute out of all the money you save on fuel (yeh right!). If there is no shower at work arrange to have one at the local pool, or find someone who has a shower in their office.

I've saved over 1 tonne of green house emissions and if saving the environment is not incentive enough how about the $300+ saved in fuel... about $80 per month.

Half of British Golds from Cycling

2008-08-19T22:47:00.003+12:00

The big Olympic story of the at the moment is the dominance of the British Cycling. As track events wrapped up on Tuesday, the final tally gave the British seven of the ten available gold medals. These cycling medals account for half of the total British gold tally. Of those, the most impressive were the successive world records established by the men's pursuit team, which established world records both in qualifying and gold medal rounds. The team set an incredible record of 3:53.776 in the final against a young Danish team, which took home the silver.

Chris Hoy wins the team sprint

The British charge has been lead by Chris Hoy who has become the first British competitor in 100 years to win three gold medals at a single Olympics with victory over GB team-mate Jason Kenny in the team sprint final.

Bike racing in Beijing isn't over yet, either, with cross-country mountain bike coming up on Friday. Before that, there's the Olympic debut of BMX, which also may be worth a look.

"We are the cyclists"

2008-08-16T20:24:00.002+12:00

I tounge in cheek poke at the superiority complex cyclists get knowing bicycles are a far superior mode of transport :P

A goat on a bike

2008-08-09T21:37:00.003+12:00

Google is celebrating the 2008 Beijing Olympics with a cycling goat.

Why a goat? Why a bike? ... I have no idea. There are a few other oddities...The bike has no seat tube (or seatpost), the goat is not wearing a helmet - although the horns will probably protect his nut, The wheels are obiously Velocity (the wheel manufaturer not us) Deep Vs but who would have a red front and orange rear... not very cool, the goat is wearing what looks like Oakley Monster Dogs which are not great shade for cycling (great shades though). The goats position is all wrong for riding a flat bar road bike and the saddle is from a cruiser... How is this connected to the Olympics? Just click on the goat and the link takes you here.

Electric shock!

2008-08-08T09:00:00.005+12:00

Well it's not really a shock. It's been done before and it's no sectret that Shimano and Campagnolo have both been working on electronic versions of their component groupsets.

The new electronic Dura Ace ‘Di2’ (Digital Integrated Intelligence) groupset, which will be available in January next year, will include wired STI Dual Control levers, front and rear derailleurs and a battery pack; the rest will be filled in with standard 7900 componentry. Even with the additional electronic hardware, the complete Di2 group will still be approximately 113g lighter than the current Dura Ace 7800 groupset.

Cost... it hasn't been announced yet but Bike Radar has some tentative UK prices (times three for Fiji Dollars).

• STI Dual Control levers - £349.99/pair
• Rear derailleur - £349.99
• Front derailleur - £249.99
• Cable set - £99.99
• Battery - £49.99
• Charger - £49.99
• Chainset (Dura Ace FC7900) - £319.99
• Cassette - £129.99

That's a total of roughly £1600... NEARLY FJ$5000!!!!

No chain, no crank, no hubs, no spokes

2008-08-02T16:26:00.002+12:00

Designer Bradford Waugh took a shot at designing a bike. I don't think it would be very practical but The Nulla looks very cool.

Get your TdF fill of Phil for breakfast.

2008-07-14T08:22:00.006+12:00

Cycling fans know the voice of Phil Ligget. He's been comentation on cycle races since I was a boy... and that's a couple, or three, years ago now :P

If you watch Tour de France on TV or DVD there's a good chance that you'll hear him and ex bike racer Paul Sherwen doing their famous double act. Phil has quite a few choice phrases: "The elastic's gone" when a cyclists just can't pedal any further and "He's dancing on his pedals in a most immodest way".

You can find a whole thread on Bike Forums devoted to his quotes here and a web site here.

But best of all there a web page, here, where you can listen to Phil's and Paul's, as well as cycling Photographer, Graham Watson's audio summary of easch days Tour de France stage. The files a short and load quickly.

Now you can impress all your cycling mates with... "That Ricardo Ricci is the new Marco Pantani" or I hear cadel (Evans, and Tour favourite) had a nasty crash"...

Posts are made each morning around 7-8am Fiji time.

Need a new tube...

2008-07-12T14:47:00.002+12:00

How about one of these on every corner? It called Trek Stop. It's a bike parts vending machine (the one pictured is in Madison, Wisconsin, USA) and enables cyclists to buy parts like inner tubes, patch kits, water bottles and snacks.

Cool pix

2008-07-12T14:31:00.002+12:00

I was looking for a pic just now and I came across this one. Cliff on a cliff doing the original "point". Location is the Nausori Highlands plateau above Nadi.

The Tour...

2008-07-10T09:47:00.002+12:00

The Tour de France has been running for a few days and the most recent stage was a rare win for a britain. Mark Cavendish out sprinted the peloton to win the stage. Unfortunately no local TV stations are playing the Tour so I'll have to wait for the DVD.

Here's a quick video from a German movie about the Tour called Höllentour or Hell on Wheels.

Baba kau for breakfast

2008-07-07T14:25:00.009+12:00

From Weekend Rides...

Great cycling food - Baba kau

One of our regular Sunday rides takes us past Akuila's farm on the way to Naqali. Akuila's house is half way up the steepest hill almost at the end of the ride, or correctly at the turnaround point.

The obligitory pic at the waterfall

We had a visiting cyclist from the USA and he said he'd like to get a bit of the Fiji experience and we organised for breakfast at Akuila's. Aquila's daughter, Ulamila, whipped up a good Fiji farm brekkie. Great food for cyclists... lots of carbs and liquids.

On the menu:
Drau ni moli - Lemon leaf tea
Baba Kau - A yeast based "doughnut"
Lolo bun - Steamed buns made with coconut cream
Panikeke - Pancakes

I'd like to say VINAKA VAKALEVU to our guest and all his cycling mates in Santa Rosa. He arrived with a suitcase FULL of cycling gear. Shoes, jerseys, pedals, cleats, gloves, shorts, jackets, arm and leg warmers.... heaps of stuff... We emptied the suitcase and the pile covered the back seat in my truck and two feet deep... this stuff will be well used and appreciated... Many Thanks

Bus strike clears the air

2008-07-04T09:26:00.000+12:00

Got a letter to the editor pubished in todays paper. I was knocking back a double (espresso) after my ride to work and people I know kept saying they'd seen it in the paper. We had a bus strike, to protest rising fuel costs, and that morning the air was particularly pleasent as there wasn't the usual line of busses belching out black smoke.

Dear Sir

Bus strike clears the air

I feel sorry for all the people stranded by the bus operators strike. And I feel sorry for the bus and taxi operators as they depend on fuel to run their businesses.

But, I must admit the roads were clear the morning of the strike. Not clear of traffic, as the were more cars and taxis on the road. But, clear of black smoke that abounds at peak traffic hours.

One way the bus and taxi operators can save money is to ensure the engines are properly tuned. An out of tune engine is not efficient as it burns a lot more fuel. Fuel prices will keep on rising and some forcast $200 a barrel before the end of the year.

Maybe the Government could give a break to companies that can prove their vehicles are running clean.

Alternatively, cycle to work. It doesn't use any fuel, doesn't produce any exhaust and it keeps you fit and healthy. I've cycled to work for the past six weeks and the amount I saved could buy me a new bike.

The Mountain came to Mohammed

2008-06-30T11:02:00.004+12:00

My good mate Culden Kamea writes a Monday column in the Fiji Times. He came for a ride on Saturday (4 new cyclists that morning... Yea!) and I think we have a new obsessive cyclist.

Sportsline
By Culden Kamea

Bula Sports fans!

Last Saturday night, my perseverance paid off as I hung out home alone for the rugby Test match between my new favourite international team, (second to Fiji of course), the Wallabies, who were up against France.

There was no reference to the game being televised live by any of the local media, but like a prayer answered from heaven, there she was on my TV screen seconds before kick-off at 10.30pm.

I’ve switched allegiance to the Wallabies this year, because, like many disgruntled kiwi rugby fans, I think 2007 Rugby World Cup All Black Coach, Graham Henry, should have done the honourable thing after they lost to France in their quarterfinal and resigned. He should have fallen on his sword.

Instead, his ego got the better of him and Henry waited months for the heat of the loss to dissipate before re-applying for the position along with the likes of Super 14 Hurricanes Coach, Ross Cooper, Welsh and NPC Waikato Coach, Wayne Gatland and of course the man who should have got the job, Super 14 Canterbury Coach, Robbie Deans.

Kiwis are a forgiving lot, except when it comes to rugby and the All Blacks in particular of course and so Henry’s re-appointment by the New Zealand Rugby Football Union still cuts deep right across the country, particularly down south.

My view; sure Henry has a better than 90% winning track record as All Black Coach, but hell, with the cream of New Zealand’s rugby talent available to him, even my dear old mother-in-law could have won a few tests in his position, simply by threatening the players with a beating with her good old sasa broom if they lost!

Because of his refusal to go, in an honourable way, Henry has diminished the sacred mana and aura of invincibility of the All Blacks and believe me, that decision will ultimately come back to haunt him.

I apologise for this “Henry gripe”, but I just had to get it off my chest before letting it go and moving on – across the Tasman.

In only two Tests in charge now, the new kiwi Wallaby Coach has already been widely praised by Australia’s top players and rugby commentators for the refreshing change and confidence that he has brought to their squad. So much so, that he has been bestowed with the Aussie moniker “Dingo Deans”!

So far the 2008 Wallabies under the Dingo have scraped together a 100% winning record of 2 out of 2 wins with last Saturday night’s win over the gutsy French, a step up from their win over the Irish a couple of weeks ago. What’s obvious is the big improvement in their forward play, their Canterbury-like patience to set things up and pick and drive again and again and in the Dingo’s own words, “To play what’s in front of you” – something that was so obviously missing from the ABs when they lost to France last year in Cardiff.

Watch this space and go Dingo Deans and his Wallabies!

Before I tell you about my Saturday morning sweat session chasing hot chics in lycra, I must tell you about the mouth-watering ika miti, or fish with coconut cream, that my Tongan bride (who thankfully is not in lycra) is hustling up for Sunday lunch.

I must pause to explain here, because many, mainly young women, approach me to explain the difference between lolo and miti.

In a nut shell ladies, lolo is cooked coconut cream, while miti is uncooked coconut cream. Both should be freshly squeezed from (and by) mature coconuts like your better half! For any other coconut culinary advice, please don’t hesitate to ask.

The Tongan bride actually got two large fish for the pan – a Coral Trout and a Saqa, or Trivially, thanks to her sister Lydia and cousin Violet, who in true pacific family way, thought of me, (OK thought of my mother-in-law) and dropped fish around for Sunday lunch. I just love my Mother-in-law.

Now where was I? Right, early last Saturday morning, while most of you were still sleeping, I hit the Suva foreshore with the Velocity Cycling Club on their 10 kilometre ride from Esquires at Dolphin Court down to the National Stadium and back and I must say it was the best thing I’ve done since my wedding day!

Velocity Cycling Club founder and good friend, Dom Sansom and I plus a shoeshine boy (Noa’s brother) who Dom kindly loaned a bike to, were accompanied by local cycling babes - blonde Claire, dark-haired Jessie, sandy-haired Ann and French maiden Sandra with her shiny auburn curls – all in skin-tight lycra occasionally reflecting the early morning rising sun. Talk about heat! I was soon panting and sweating, my heart beating like a drum.

This being my first bike ride in over two decades was a revelation as to how aerobically unfit I am. I was soon left straggling way behind the bunch as they raced off in the crisp morning air.

Nearing Turner’s bridge, under the incredible strain and sustained pressure of 130Kg of prime Tongan beef bouncing around on the rough road, the seat of my titanium-framed bike, which was obviously made for and moulded on some skinny Italian guy’s Ferrari-like bum - collapsed and I narrowly avoided ending up in the tiri, or mangrove swamp, below!

I guess that’s just one of the many risks that us rare breed of Extreme Tongan Tri-athletes have to take chasing hot chics in lycra!

Barack Obama cycles... now and then...

2008-06-20T11:10:00.003+12:00

Now...

and then.

Cheap bikes

2008-06-20T10:32:00.001+12:00

Aussie cyclists save Govt. $200 million a year

2008-06-15T08:20:00.004+12:00

This from the ABC.

A new report has found the Australian Federal Government is saving more than $200 million a year in health costs through people riding bicycles.

The report was commissioned by the Federal Health Department and is aimed at encouraging state and territory governments to try to increase the popularity of cycling.

One of the report's co-authors, associate professor Chris Rissel, says the figure is a conservative estimate.

"Calculations like this always depend on what you include and don't include," he said.

"While we're talking here about direct health costs it doesn't include all the transport savings, and things like traffic congestion have been known to cause billions of dollars of lost earnings and income."

Click here for the story.

The road to Naqali

2008-06-09T13:38:00.004+12:00

Sunday morning on the road to Naqali... two girls on the way to church stopped to have their picture taken with our motley crew. Mesake (5th from left) bonked after this pic was taken, no breakfast, no water,.... he couldn't stand up and had to be driven home. He's also been sick and probably hadn't recovered. " The lesson this Sunday is "No fuel, no go"

Rusi was VERY quick..."can I have your bike if you're not going to ride it"?

Lovely ride though, cycling past waterfalls fed by the recent rains (it's rained for nearly three weeks... non stop!), in fact the Naqali bridge was under water last week, though just waking villages, mist in the valleys, parrots screeching in the rainforest. And back for an espresso (or three) at Esquires.

New Albums

2008-06-01T18:02:00.003+12:00

I've posted links to our albums on the left

Here's a thumbnail slide show

...and here's a pic from the latest album - Fiji Games 2008

You go Grrrrrl!

2008-05-31T13:46:00.006+12:00

Lionel Evans and Yvette Smith outside Esquires Coffee House in Suva (photo: Shazia Nashreen Ali)

Wai Tui Cycles, Esquires Coffee Houses

(Not) Fiji Games Race Series

This an excerpt from the press release from Velocity Cycling

Yvette Smith and Lionel Evans won the Women's and Men's Velocity Cycling Club 30km Road Race Friday morning. Smith recently took up cycling and this was the first time she had entered a race. "It wasn't as hard as I thought it would be" said an elated Smith "All you need to do is keep a steady pace". It's great fun and I'm really enjoying cycling."

Evans was favourite to take out the men's race but had to fight off spririted attempts from experienced cyclists Shane Palipane and Rupeni Seasea and only won by 8 seconds. Evans is the National Triathlon Champion and one of Fiji's top cyclists. "It was a good race and there were some pretty good newcomers. The whole bunch stayed together until the last kilometre when I tried to break away. But, the other kept up with me and I had to use everything I had to keep ahead" said Evans.

The Velocity Cycling Club is holding a cycling race competition to help keep up interest as there is no cycling at the Fiji Games.

Velocity Cycling president, Dom Sansom said that Velocity Cycling Club is trying too raise the profile of cycling by holding races at the same time as the Fiji Games. "We contacted the Fiji Games organisers but unfortunately we were told that there would not be any official cycling events this year, so we decided to hold our own competition. We had the Wai Tui Cycles 30km Road Race on Friday, the Wai Tui Cycles 200 metre and 1 kilometre sprints on Saturday and the Esquires 5 kilometre Hill Climb on Sunday." Sansom said the turn out was good with half the competitors competing for the first time. "We will continue to hold our club competitions throughout the year and hope to have National and International events soon" he said.

More racing news and pics to come.

Some people are REALLY nuts!

2008-05-22T15:38:00.001+12:00

This guy fitted a jet engine on his old-style cruiser... got up to around 80kmph... CRAZZZZZY!

Chuck it my way David!

2008-05-18T20:05:00.002+12:00

You often see the pros toss their drink bottles when they're finished with them. David Millar snapped his chain in a final sprint... I just wish I was standing there to catch... if he throws it away and you catch it... you keep it, right?

First Scrapper Bikes. What next... Hibiscus bikes?

2008-05-16T11:46:00.008+12:00

A couple of months ago I posted a video of a US hip-hop craze called Scrapper Bikes. Well it seems decorating your bike is becoming an international trend... what next... Hibicsus Bikes??? You can find the Scrapper Bike post here.

AFP have a story about the most amazing bikes from Vietnam. As it's probably copyrighted I'd prefer if you click on the link and read it.

This bike decoration craze is driven by Vietnamese teens who cover their bike with tinsel, faux flowers, teddy bears, speakers hooked up to iPods and flashing lights... could be fun to do this for Hibiscus... speaking of which... years ago there used to be a Hibiscus Festival Bike Race. I've contacted the Hibscus Committee to look at the possibility of resurrecting this tradition. If you're interested in taking part or helping out let me know.

Bring The Thing

2008-05-16T09:36:00.008+12:00

I don't know who makes The Thing. I do know it's name is The Thing because there a VERY short video of The Thing on YouTube. I think The Thing is great. The Thing pictured is a single speed so you'd probably need a geared The Thing for Fiji.

Every BARA boy and shoeshine boy should be given The Thing. Imagine the mayhem of 100 The Things zooming around Suva. I'm starting a Bring The Thing campaign to rid central Suva of motorised transport (cars, trucks, busses and taxis). Bikes will be permitted, of course. All traffic will have to park at the town boundry and there will be a fleet of The Things at each Suva entry to transport you and yours to town and back with your shopping. We could have a Discovery Channel reality show called "Bling My Thing", sponsored by Tuckers Ice Cream of course.

Who's in for The Thing?

Tokyo bike rack

2008-05-08T17:20:00.003+12:00

Whoever said japanese inventors just take good ideas and make them smaller should watch this video of an automated underground bike garage at a Tokyo commuter train station. They've taken the simple bike rack and turned it into a high-tech bike parking robot. It costs 100 yen (about FJ$1.40) a day or 1,800 yen (FJ$25) for a month, customers roll their bikes onto a platform and use a control panel to have them whisked away to a rack within the 9,400 spot facility. The video shows that it takes the system 23 seconds to retrieve the reporter's bike.

I love this pic!

2008-05-06T16:48:00.003+12:00

"If you rode a bike you'd be home by now"

2008-05-04T12:48:00.003+12:00

Here's a short video of a group of guys cycling on the the LA freeways at peak hour, which is illegal BTW. Their slogan: "If you rode a bike you'd be home by now", is a statement on sustainable living and fuel dependency.

Here's the description attached to the video:

The Freeway Traffic Jam Ride took place on a Friday at 5:30 p.m. when freeway traffic reaches a critical mass on two of Los Angeles' busiest freeways. The time and day were carefully chosen after considerable research and scouting was made over a two week period prior the ride taking place. Based on unverified data and rider speculation, it was assumed that vehicles moved at a speed between 10 and 15 mph, when moving. There was no plan/strategy on what to do when actually on the freeway, as no rider in the group had ever ridden their bicycle on a freeway in this fashion. Riders agreed to a "every rider for themselves " approach regarding police involvement and a "no rider left behind" mentality pertaining to injuries or mechanical failure.

Starting in Santa Monica, 15 bicyclists boarded the Cloverfield on-ramp (Santa Monica Fwy/I-10) and rode 0.87 miles to the Centinela off-ramp. They re-entered the 1-10 Fwy at Bundy and rode 0.44 miles to the I-405 N on-ramp and rode another 1.56 miles to the Santa Monica Blvd. exit. The ramp to the I-405 N was a steep grade and 0.65 miles in length. Riders rode a total of 2.65 freeway miles.

The ride's political stance and agenda(s) was neutral, yet many participants shared common views. When asked WHY, riders refer to the ride's tagline and collective motto: "If you rode a bicycle, you'd be home by now!" This statement encompasses views on oil dependency, sustainable living, and critique of the Los Angeles' transportation infrastructure.

Love, Hate Gloves

2008-05-03T13:24:00.008+12:00

Australian bike accessory manufacturer Knog, the guys that make the cute little Frog Light, introduced a range of cycling gloves. While most of the range is a dull battleship grey but their red and white leather LOVE/HATE gloves are sooooooo sexy.

The marketing imagery on the Knog is also pretty racy... it may take a little while to load but it's worth a visit.

Bikes for women

2008-04-26T15:54:00.007+12:00

With more women getting into cycling bike makers saw a hugh marketing opportunity and started designing cycles specially for women.

Nearly all major bike manufacturers now make bikes specifically for women. There are not just normal bike painted pink or powder blue with pretty flowers or butterfly decals. Women specific bikes have a geometry designed to better fit female anatomy. Generally women have longer legs and shorter torsos, in proportion to their body, than men. Their hands also are smaller and they are missing the dangly bits.

A handmade bike from Natalie Ramsland, owner of Sweetpea, a Portland, Oregon based frame builder. One of the two female frame builders in the US who build bikes specifically for women

So designers redrew the spec for bikes. A longer seat tube (the tube that goes from the saddle to the bottom bracket - where the pedals are), shorter top tube (from the saddle to the handlebars), shorter reach brake levers for smaller hands and a shallower drop on racing handlebars... and made saddles a better shape.

They're still painted pink and light blue and made the pretty... girls will be girls just as boys will be boys.

And some brands appeared that only cater for women. The former Female World Cycling Champion, Kiwi, Sarah Ulmer has her own brand of bikes called, you guessed it... Sarah Ulmer Brand or SUB. SUB bikes are made by Aussie (or Kiwi, I can never remember) bike maker Avanti. Sarah had a major hand in the design, specification, and colours of the bikes that carry her name. SUB also produce a wide range of cycling apparel for women and as a designer I have to say they look pretty good.

Local cyclist very happy with her her SubZero bike designed World Champ, Sarah Ulmer.

Bikes Exhibit at Portland Airport

2008-04-26T15:37:00.003+12:00

I came across this video when I was searching for something else (I was looking for handmade frames built for women, by women - Sweetpea is one of two such companies in the US). I wonder if we could convince Airports Fiji to do this in Nadi International... don't hold your breath :)

Portland, Oregon (USA) has a long history of frame building and the organisation that runs the Portland International Airport have commissioned an exhibition of bicycles handmade in Oregon.

The following was an article written by Jonathan Maus on bikeportland.org

The exhibit which will run for six months and an estimated 3.3 million passengers will pass display bikes.

Since the exhibit is located beyond security gates, only ticketed passengers can view it. I joined a video crew today that was working on a project for the Portland Development Commission (a partner in the exhibit) to gain access and snap some photos (my slideshow is below).

I was full of Oregon pride as I walked up to the display. Passersby peered into the glass, studying the placards that described each of the ten bikes in the exhibit. One guy was so excited by what he saw, he chased down the rest of his group, and dragged them back to show them what he'd found (they were amazed at the 16.75 pound hardwood bike by Renovo).

The photo didn't come out, but a nice statement about the exhibit was written in stickers on the glass. It said:

Combining engineering skills, precious metal craftsmanship, cutting edge design, and a passion for cycling, these Oregon bike builders create functional works of art that appeal to today's rider.

The ten examples shown here represent only a few of the builders working in Oregon, but they share a common goal of providing one-of-a-kind, hand-crafted machines with a unique ride.

Each bike had it's own placard that provided details on the builder, the type of bike, and interesting tidbits — like the material used, or the builder's inspiration.

The ten bikes on display were built by: Cielo Cycles (Portland), Vendetta Cycles (Corvallis), Keith Anderson Cycles (Grants Pass), Stites Design (Portland), Jeff Jones Custom Bicycles (Medford), Renovo Hardwood Bicycles (Portland), Dropout Bike Club (Portland), Ahearne Cycles (Portland), Vanilla Bicycles (Portland) and Bike Friday (Eugene).

It was also a welcome surprise to see such a diverse range of bikes represented, from a tall "freak bike" built by Mark Veno of the Dropout Bike Club to a cargo trike built by SE Portland resident Bill Stites.

The exhibit was installed with help from River City Bicycles and was made possible through a collaborative effort by the Port of Portland, the Portland Development Commission, the Regional Arts and Culture Council, and Sweetpea Bicycles.

If you don't plan to fly out of Concourse E at the Portland Airport in the next six months, my slideshow below will have to suffice for now. (The PDC should have their video footage available soon as well.)

World Earth Day

2008-04-22T14:50:00.003+12:00

This isn't much to do with cycling... apart from Discovery Channel being a past sponsor of Lance's old Team Discovery... but it's a nice little ditty and some pretty good editing, celebrating World Earth Day.

Is cycling safe?

2008-04-20T06:46:00.002+12:00

Is cycling dangerous? Only if you have an accident... everything you do has a risk. I had a spectacular crash a couple of months ago that left me with the most horrific bruise you've ever seen. But, lucky for me it was just a bruise.

Statistically cycling is safer than walking. Close to ten times safer actually as you have a 1 in 600 chance of being killed as a pedestrian and as a cyclist it's close to 1 in 5000. Dying driving/riding in a car accident is even riskier, 1 in 84.

Ironically you have a much higher risk of dying doing nothing than doing something. 1 in 5 of us will die of heart disease, or a stroke, 1 in 24. People who cycle regularly live up to 10 years longer than people who have a sedentary lifestyle.

Of course the chances of dying from "anything" is 1 in 1, 100%... so you may as well get out and enjoy yourself.

Source USA National Safety Council

Folding Bike Race :)

2008-04-18T08:42:00.002+12:00

Rapha Nocturn Folding bike race is a Crits style race around Smithfield Market in London. 40 cyclists dressed on suits raced in front to over 5000 spectators. There was a "le mans" style start wher the competitors had to run to their bikes and unfold them before setting off.

Velocity Buffet Breakfast at Holiday Inn

2008-04-12T12:21:00.003+12:00

As part of our ongoing association with the Holiday Inn Suva we are please to announce the

Velocity Buffet Breakfast

The breakfast is after the Sunday ride and you're welcome bring your friends and family even if they're not cycling. The more we support the Holiday Inn the better for Velocity. Holiday Inn will be supporting our upcoming events and competitions.

Buffet Breakfast is $22

Eggs (cooked the way you like them)
Yoghurts
Birchen muesli
Cereals
Canned whole fruits
Assorted Danish Pastries
Freshly baked continental breads
A selection of cold meats & cheeses
Fresh (juice yourself) juice
Assorted ready made juice
Coffee and a selection of teas.

Children 12 and under EAT FREE!!!!! and there's "kid's corner" to keep them happy and 13-19 year olds pay only $11

If you're not into a FULL breakfast, Holiday Inn have their Express Breakfast with tea or coffee, fruit, eggs and toast for $12.50

1 Degree Fiji Fun Cycle

2008-03-19T04:55:00.003+12:00

What a great day... everyone I spoke to had a blast. All our sponsors asked me "what are we doing next?" We even made it on both editions of the evening TV news.

The 1 Degree Fiji Fun cycle was organised by Fiji only Cycling Club, Velocity. Held on March 17 we had over 200 cyclists of all ages ride a closed 10km road. We gave away over FJ$4000 worth of prizes including two return tickets to New Zealand flying Air New Zealand and had $5000 worth of merchandise in the form of gift packs fro each entrant.

The event was a huge success.

I've uploaded the pics here

Here's the winner of one of the Air New Zealand tickets.

And now for something completely different...

2008-03-15T19:19:00.008+12:00

My last post was about a hugely expensive, carbon, flyweight bike. Here's the opposite end of the scale. Not that scraper bike is particularly heavy.. but it's the antithesis of the super light, high tech, custom made road bikes.

Scraper bikes are the newest Hip-Hop craze that has its roots in the Bay Area of San Francisco. The Urban Dictionary defines scraper bikes as:

1. A relatively recent phenomenon from the Bay area (specifically Oakland) in which people modify bicycles to resemble (either functionally, aesthetically or philosophically) the famed "scrapers" of the hyphy movement

Hyphy means to act crazy or stupid. Hyphy is the bay area's answer to South Central LA's Krump. When you ride your scraper bike you should be hyphy "retarded"...

2. A new trend that is a part of the San Francisco Bay Area Hyphy Movement in which people ride their tricked out bikes and go stupid, dumb, retarded while on their bikes. Generally, the bikes have nice designs, such as duo-tone paint jobs, and rims or spinners. The term was coined by the rap group Trunk Boiz of Oakland, California.

Maybe it will catch on here.... the "coconut scraper bike"... what say?

3kg!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2008-03-15T19:04:00.004+12:00

Think you've got a light bike? Have a look at this.

German cyclist, Günter Mai, built himself a bike that weighs about the same as a laptop.

Just about everything was custom made including the Lew wheels at around $ US$15000.

● Frame: SPIN Custom by Marc Siebert (677.5g)
● Fork: THM custom Scapula SP Tuned by Thomas Mertin (214.0g)
● Cranks (incl. BB): THM custom Clavicula by Thomas Mertin (366.7g)
● Headset: custom integrated headset (26.7g)
● Chain: KMC X10SL Silver (214.8g)
● Saddle/seatpost combination: Schmolke seatpost tube w/Speedneedle upper by Jürgen Mikus (the maker of the Tune Speedneedle) (77.0g)
● Cables: PowerCordz Derailleur Cordz (for the derailleurs as well as the brakes) / 4.5mm pneumatic hose for housing (15.6g)
● Brakes: AX-Lightness Orion, modified by Günter Mai (88.6g)
● Front derailleur: Campagnolo Record, customized with carbon parts by Bernhard Langerbein of Bike-Tuning-Parts (28.5g)
● Stem: Nordischer Rahmenbau by Oliver Grest (custom length and angle) 110mm x -8deg (53.8g)
● Bar: Schmolke custom TLO by Stefan Schmolke (111.3g)
● Brake levers: Campagnolo Record, modified by Günter Mai (86.5g)
● Chain rings: small ring carbon 36T, big ring alu 50T modified by Günter Mai (69.2g)
● Rear derailleur: Sachs Huret, customized with carbon parts by Bike-Tuning-Parts (48.3g)
● Skewers: Tune Skyline by Uli Fahl (16.3g)
● Chainring bolts: Tune (9.3g)
● Pedals: Aerolite Titan, tuned by Günter Mai (65.2g)
● Cassette: Recon Alu block 11-16 6speed, 11T sprocket steel - modified by Günter Mai (52.8g)
● Shifting levers: BTP carbon downtube shifters (9.0g)
● Wheels: Lew custom boron by Paul Lew, modified by Günter Mai (704.4g)
● Tires: Tufo Elite 110 (218.0g)
● Seat clamp: BTP carbon 34.9mm by Bernhard Langerbein (6.0g)
● BB cable guide: Campagnolo (2.7g)
● Bar tape: Veloplast (only on the top of the bars) (12.3g)
● Tire glue & air: (20.0g)

● Total:3194.5g

Are you aware?

2008-03-12T10:17:00.007+12:00

I found this TV commercial, produced by the cyclists mate, Lord Mayor of London, Ken Livingston.

Cycle and Fly with Air New Zealand

2008-03-10T20:36:00.003+12:00

Air New Zealand has offered two return tickets to Auckland for the most creatively dressed cyclist at the 1 Degree Fiji Fun Cycle. The have also taken the 2nd tier Sponsorship package and will be providing an Air New Zealand bandanna made specially for the event. Vinaka vakalevu to Alan Rome and all the gang at Air New Zealand. We have other great prizes; Mobile phones from Vodafone and kids bukes from Wai Tui cycles. When is it on I here you ask. Monday 17 March. Registration from 7am, the cycle starts at 8am.

Holiday Inn joins the 1 Degree Fiji Fun Cycle

2008-03-06T09:43:00.003+12:00

Friday 6 March at 11am we will announce Holiday Inn's sponsorship of the 1 Degree Fiji Fun Cycle. We'd like to thank Holiday Inn General Manager, David Travers and Business Development Manager, Fane Niumataiwalu for their support. And it looks like Holiday Inn will be doing more withg Velocity in the near future... stay tuned.

1 Degree Fiji Fun Cycle

2008-02-29T08:13:00.003+12:00

The big announcement... 1 Degree, a Fiji Times Climate Change initiative, will be the main sponsor for the Fiji Fun Cycle. The 1 Degree Fiji Fun Cycle is a gentle (flat) 10km cycle along the Suva foreshore (Queen Elizabeth Drive) and will start from the National Stadium at 8am, Monday (which is a public holiday) 17 March and is open to all members of the public... all you need is a bike and a helmet. Adults $10 and children under 13 $5.

More soon...

Big Announcement tomorrow!!!

2008-02-28T16:44:00.002+12:00

Check back here tomorrow. There's something big involving cycling in Fiji.

The pain........

2008-02-28T16:30:00.003+12:00

People ask me why I enjoy cycling so much... I say, tongue only half in cheek, "the pain... I enjoy the pain." The burning legs and lungs going up a steep hill (in my case any hill), the ache in your forearms after hours in the saddle... no pain in the arse that went numb ages ago. The hurting feet and fact that you're elated when you finally get off the bike. I could never really explain the pain to someone who hasn't done it. I came accross this quote which sums it up perfectly. Those that don't cycle will say "you're just crazy"... those that do will nod gently in understanding... :D

"To be a cyclist is to be a student of pain....at cycling's core lies pain, hard and bitter as the pit inside a juicy peach. It doesn't matter if you're sprinting for an Olympic medal, a town sign, a trailhead, or the rest stop with the homemade brownies. If you never confront pain, you're missing the essence of the sport. Without pain, there's no adversity. Without adversity, no challenge. Without challenge, no improvement. No improvement, no sense of accomplishment and no deep—down joy. Might as well be playing Tiddly—Winks."
Scott Martin... I don't know who Scott Martin is but he sums it up beautifully.

27 :) 37 :D 47 :O

2008-02-22T10:56:00.002+12:00

"I swear to God the last time I checked I was 27 and now I'm 37." -- Bobby Julich (CSC), among America's elder statesmen in the Amgen Tour of California.

I know exactly how he feels!!!! I'm 47 today.

:D

PS: sometimes I act like I'm still 17 :D