Pedalling to a peaceful outcome

Lighten up: riding a bike can do wonders for your abilty to handle and resolve stress. Photo: Vanessa Barkla

I have so many riders share how they can feel anxious, stressed, angry or frustrated prior to starting a ride and yet at the end have a better perspective on handling what was the conflict in the mind. Others also share that they suggest that their partners (when feeling a bit tense) get out on the bike and regain some composure.

Many start off a ride feeling pressure of the competition of life where emotions can be anywhere from low moderate to fever pitch that can cause stress and result in motivation for life being low.

Reducing the three evils – draft, gravity and friction

Cheating speed evils: technological advances such as aerodynamic helmets and ceramic bearings are helping overcome drag, gravity and friction. Photo: Eddie Barkla

The sporting world of swimming has just witnessed one of the greatest technological developments in swim suits that saw world records tumble at a rate like never before. When we stop and think it is the same body in the swim suit that powered through the water,  I guess this begs the question: “could the next big advancement in the increased speed in cycling come from the development of clothing that influences the affects of the aerodynamic drag?”

Cyclists spend most of their energy overcoming three major immutable factors: air resistance, gravity, and friction.

The mechanic: cornerstone of cycling

Behind every rider is a good bike mechanic. Photo: Eddie Barkla

Aside from the whoosh of the tyres on the road, and the occasional clicking of the freewheel, a bicycle should be silent. One of the many joys of the freedom of cycling is when the speed is on in a large bunch where the whoosh of the tyres and the clicking of the freewheel and gears is magnified creating a cycling euphoria.

If your bike makes other noises, there is a fair chance it is a sign of a problem manifesting. Many of these problems can be cured easily at an early stage, just by tightening up a nut or bolt…but if you ignore the noise, it may result in serious damage to parts of your bike, and you may find yourself stranded or even injured when the problem gets more serious! Enter the bike mechanic, our local multi-talented individuals that we expect to have the capability to be the walking cycling encyclopaedia on all aspects of new innovations the best but cheapest cycling paraphernalia guaranteed to improve performance and make us look part of the local scene.

Frank’s shed

Frank's shed - if these walls could talk you'd hear many a tale of fame and woe. Photo: Eddie Barkla

Google is a wonderful tool when seeking to find out about people, what has been written about them or media interviews that they may have conducted or a history of accolades of their sporting prowess. Well that was the case when researching this article.

We could write a book that is full of achievements but quite often they fail to paint a picture that bears resemblance of the person’s real character that is reflected when not on public stage and view. Record books of cycling hold many accounts of this person’s cycling ability and past history but what they don’t reflect is the multitude of cyclists that at some time, somehow, were a recipient of assistance from the humble dwelling of Frank’s Shed.

Domestique is the engine room of racing

“Pain is temporary. It may last a minute, or an hour or a day, or a year, but eventually it will subside and something else will take its place.  If I quit, however, it lasts forever” ~ Lance Armstrong.

A lead out rider looks over his shoulder to see whether help is coming. Photo: Dean Murphy

I know that a lot of readers watch the tour coverage for the history, the geography and scenic views of country they may never get to see otherwise. There is no doubt that Le Tour de France captures the world’s attention for many reasons.

There are close synergies of professional cycling to many of our everyday humdrum working lives. Professional Cycling is a job none the less when it is all said and done.  Most of us may never reach stardom and occasionally we get recognition for a job well done in our working life but it does not lessen the importance and value we add every day. We may never reach the top of our chosen vocation and be a leader among men but we are the very ones that are an essential cog in the wheels of the industry or work place.

Fixed wheelers: culture, sport or training tool?

Fixed wheel: for the purists, this is the only bicycle worthy of riding. Photo: Hugh Martin

Like the TV show Funniest Home Videos this comes with a warning: “Don’t all try this on the road until practised in a safe environment!”.

Is it possible to reinvent the wheel? Some may well think they have.  It is a bit like fashion, keep it in the wardrobe long enough it will become fashionable again, or the old adage there is nothing new under the sun we have seen it all before. We have seen them on the velodrome all going the same way at reasonably the same high speed, but now the fences of the track and velodrome no longer are the boundaries that can contain them.

Happy birthday: Australia Post turns 200

Postie: Archie Lenten enjoys the outdoor life. Photo: Eddie Barkla

Two hundred years ago on 26 June 1809, Australia’s first Postmaster collected 36 letters which had just arrived from England marking the beginning of Australia’s oldest continually operating commercial organisation: Australia Post.

The first Postmaster was Isaac Nichols, a former convict who had arrived on the Second Fleet. He was appointed in 1809 because letters and parcels were being stolen from ships arriving at the port of Sydney.

“Life was often bleak and lonely for the first settlers as they waited for news from home. It would often be months before a ship was sighted offshore which was enough to create pandemonium on the wharves,” said Australia Post Managing Director, Graeme John. “From linking the colonies to distant Europe, forging overland mail routes and building the nation’s communications infrastructure, the postal service has left an indelible impression on Australia. “

Words of wisdom from experienced cyclists

Riders line up for the start of a race: The measure of the man is not how strong he starts or finishes but how he worked till the finish.

There are all sorts of strange sayings in the world of cycling. What do they mean?

“Don’t Be A Half Wheel Harry”

One of the most annoying things about riding with someone new to the sport is the “Half Wheeler”. Many probably don’t know they are doing it or understand why it’s annoying so here’s the low down.

Half wheeling is when you ride half a wheel or more ahead of the person you are cycling beside. Half wheeling is an annoying cycling faux pas that should be avoided at all costs. Half wheeling your riding partner is like saying “you’re rubbish and I’m putting my front wheel ahead of your to remind you of that”.

You may get a subtle comment like “I didn’t realise that your bike is longer than mine”. A less subtle approach will be having the pressure applied to the point where you are blown up as the pace is beyond your measure. Don’t be a “Half wheel Harry” your buddies and strangers alike will thank you for it.

The inevitable fall

“There are too many factors you have to take into account that you have no control over…The most important factor you can keep in your own hands is yourself. I always placed the greatest emphasis on that.” Eddy Merkx

A cracked helmet and torn jersey from Eddie's recent fall.

One of the realities of being a bike rider is the risk/chance of having a fall off the bike whether we are a commuter, recreational or competitive cyclist, falling off the trusty stead will happen, we can be rest assured.  Cycling is reputed to be a “low impact sport” likened to swimming with this one small point of difference, swimmers don’t fall off.

Local star makes world titles

Life is like riding a bicycle – in order to keep your balance, you must keep moving.  ~Albert Einstein

Lachlan Sens puts his bike through its paces. Photo: Samantha Allen

Where there is a high degree of difficulty, massive concentration on technique along with skill, ability and agility, mixed with heightened risk, challenge and thrills that has high ambitions and world class potential, it more than likely you will find a Sens family member.