Get that old bike together for 2011 Retro Rides!
 Past Retro Rides: Sunday 5 June 2011
Retro Ride. The weather was wild with a strong tail wind to Mordi and a punishing head wind back to Cafe Racer. But we made back in one piece for a well deserved coffee. Sunday 1 May 2011
Retro Ride. The weather didn't look so great but it didn't rain and later it actually got quite warm. Riding back from Mordi we sat on the back of group and the pace was on. The Concorde feels good at 45kmph.  Sunday 3 April 2011
Retro Ride to Fxyo Swap Meet. As the title suggests this months Retro Ride instead of riding down Beach Rd, we decided to ride up Chapel St to the Fyxomatosis Swap Meet. We arrived at about 10am and there was quite a few people there and some really nice stuff, new and old, fixie gear and clothing. All the prices were reasonable and plenty of haggling going on. I myself didn't find anything, but some of the other Retro Riders picked up some real bargins. Below: there was a nice Greg Lemond Z team with Campag C Record but unfortunately way too big for me at 60cm. Also a nice blue and yellow Colnago in OK condition.   
 
Sunday 6 March 2011
Retro Ride. It was a sunny morning and there were plenty of riders out there on Beach Rd making the most of it. We made it Mordialloc had our quick rest and headed back in a head wind. There were a few new riders and their bikes, a very early Cinelli and original condition, beaten but not broken.  
 Sunday 6 February 2011
Retro Ride. After the wild weather we had on Friday and Saturday I knew this Retro Ride was going to be rough, but 4 knew riders riding a very nice Cinelli, a Bianchi, a single speed Surly and a Guerciotti braved the conditions and we set off. A section of Beach Rd was flooded and the wind was still blowing. Near Black Rock it pissed down and we decided to turn back very wet and cold. Back at Cafe Racer the coffee did little to warm us up, and w ith hyperthermia setting in we departed. March Retro Ride should be better, fingers crossed. Sunday 5 December 2010
Retro Ride. On Saturday the weather was looking great for the Sunday's Retro Ride, however the weather on Sunday morning looked bleak. The skies were grey and rain threatened. This wasn't the case through. While on the road the conditions were perfect. No wind, not too hot and plenty of other riders. Towards the end of the ride the sun poked its head out and I actually got a little sun burned. Sunday 7 November 2010
Retro Ride. Weather was OK but very windy on Beach Rd. Quite a few other cyclist out and about however. I was running late and missed the other riders. Tried to catch up but the wind was killed me. Always surprises me the amount of women getting into cycling these days. Back in the eighties women cyclists didn't exist, nothing like today anyway. Cycling has come so far since then. December Retro Ride should be good weather permitting. Sunday 3 October 2010
Retro Ride. Raining again and very few other cyclist on the road. It was quite cold, the PDM Concorde stayed at home and the ride was reduced because of the sad weather. Sunday 5 September 2010. The Retro Ride was cancelled due to it clashing with the Professional World Championships in Geelong, of which my younger brother was working as the team mechanic for the Norwegian team. Catching up with him was a rare opportunity I couldn't miss and made soooo much better having Thor Hushovd win. Sunday 1 August 2010 Retro Ride. During the week the weather report said sunny with a top of 11º but it was far from sunny on Sunday morning. The rain was bucketing down and the morning's weather report was forecasting lightening and storms. With the threat of lightening I thought I shouldn't take my steel frame out, so opted for the more modern bike. It was a good opportunity to test out my new mudguards and while riding on the soaked road I starting to wonder about a value of mudguards and wetness versus dryness.
Many cyclists hate mudguards. They're a pain to fit and remove, they mark nice paint-work or bruise a carbon finish, and some cyclists are concerned about the extra weight. But think if you were not to use mudguards, how wet your short, tights, and winter jersey would get. Not only is that uncomfortable to ride in, but that wetness equals weight, approximately 0.7 kg to 1 kg of extra weight in water soaked into your clothes, and that's much heavier than any set of mudguards. Sunday 4 July 2010 Retro Ride. The weather looked bleak and the sun didn't pop out for look all day. During the ride it rained slightly and because it was just the two of us, we decided turn early and head back with the Cappuccino Club, only they were motoring along quite fast and we never caught them. Lets hope August's weather is a little better. Sunday 6 June 2010 Retro Ride. The forecast was for rain and this time the weather man was right. From early in the morning the weather look bad, and because of this there was only the two of us who were either brave enough or stupid enough to face the elements.
Sunday 2 May 2010 Retro Ride. I decided to move the Retro Ride to the first Sunday of the month, and although the weather was forecast for rain and the ride had moved a day, there was still a good turnout. There were some new faces and some new bikes, and as always plenty to talk about. There were a lot of other riders on Beach Rd and saw a nasty accident. A strong reminder to ride safe and do the right thing.
The weather is getting colder and I anticipate the numbers on the Retro Ride getting smaller, but I will try to be there for every ride, and if its raining, perhaps not on my Concorde but the plastic bike.
Saturday 3 April 2010 Retro Ride was virtually a no-show due to the weekend falling on the Easter weekend. But not all was lost. I ran into SBS Tour de France commentator Matthew Keenan and a few of his friends who enjoyed seeing me in my PDM kit and Concorde bike. We reminisced on the glory days of pro cycling from the 80s talking about the riders, races and the bikes. It sure was nice to speak to some guys who really knew their stuff from that period, I think they got a kick from seeing the PDM team again on the road and learning about how my PDM bike fell into my hands.
Saturday 6 February 2010 Retro Ride was a great success with a stronger than expected turn-out. At the start at Cafe Racer there were about 12 retro riders and their bikes, but as the ride departed and we made our way to Mordialloc along Beach Road, we picked up a few extra riders.
We stopped at Mordialloc as planned for about 30 minutes or so for a good old chat and a closer inspection of each other's bikes. While there two vintage bikes arrived, one 1930's Malvern Star and one very early Alan. It was great to see those older bikes still on the road, and their riders fit and strong enough to ride them. This is exactly what the ride is all about - getting the old bikes out for a ride and appreciating their age and history.
 
  Click images to enlarge It was a safe and wind assisted ride back to Cafe Racer where we enjoyed one last coffee and rest before heading home. Thanks to all who participated in the February Retro Ride, and I hope to see you all and some newcomers on the March Retro Ride. |  Cycloretro presents RETRO RIDE
When:
TBA
Where:
Meet at Cafe Racer, St Kilda
Melbourne, VIC.
Time:
9.30am, depart soon after. Course:
St Kilda to Mordialloc along Beach Rd, and then back to St Kilda.
Distance:
About 50km
Pace:
Relaxed (30kmh to 35kmh)
All types of bikes welcome, and suits all fitness levels. The Retro Ride is a relaxed style of ride, no pressure to ride hard nor fast. We are not trying to prove anything or compete with each other.
The ride is about the bikes, not about the riding.
Hope to see you there... I am guy in the PDM team gear.
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