As usual the gear is top quality stuff. So if your looking for some cycling gear that’s’ left of centre’ check out the new winter range. The track pants and jumpers have that thick heavy quality feel and whats new is that they are venturing into newer territory by offering a broader women’s range including Leggings and more. Check out the images below, the pictures tell the story.

• BONUS: Apres Velo are also offering Bunch Ride Finder viewers 15% off the off full priced items! Use the Code: bunchride

(Note: Apres Velo Discount does not apply to SALE ITEMS, GIFT VOUCHERS or GIFT PACKS. Discount to expire at 12 midnight AEST 24^th)July

Once again we want top say a big thank you to Apres Velo for the great ‘Team Caffeine’ prize pack for the Shoot to Win Competition.

So you’ve got your favourite Bunch Ride, you ride it religiously right!?
Take a picture of that bunch ride, email it to us and we’ll post it here on this page. If your Bunch Ride photo gets the most votes you’ll win one of many prize packs from great Aussie Cycling brands Apres Velo and Knog!

Here’s how it works:

1. Take a creative, funny, strange, unique pic of your favourite bunch ride.
2. Email us the photo (under 1mb) to:  team(at)bunchridefinder(dot)com(dot)au

3. Get your mates to vote on your pic by placing a comment on your pic ‘+1′ below!

4. At the end of the Tour De France, the photos with the most votes will win a prize pack. Competition closes Sunday July 24th 2011 (12 midnight AEST 24^th).

- Note only one entry per person allowed! and one vote per – person.

Prizes Include:

• 3 ‘Knog Schwag Packs’ - from Knog. (Prizes to the top 3) Pics to come.
1^st prize pack: Knog Tshirt, Cap, Gloves, Front and Rear Gekko Lights, Porno Patch kit + refills and stickers
2^nd Prize pack: Knog Tshirt, Cap, Gloves, Front and Rear Beetle Lights, stickers, Porno Patch kit + refills
3^rd Prize pack: Knog Tshirt, Cap, Front and Rear Frog Strobe, Porno Patch kit + refills, stickers

• Team Caffeine Pack from Apres Velo (Mens or Womens)

• BONUS: Apres Velo are also offering Bunch Ride Finder viewers 15% off the off full priced items! Use the Code: bunchride
(Note: Apres Velo Discount does not apply to SALE ITEMS, GIFT VOUCHERS or GIFT PACKS. Discount to expire at 12 midnight AEST 24^th)July

Click to view the prizes:

Photos will be added here as they come in:

When offered to try out the EX range of bikes I jumped at the chance.  I had the opportunity to try either the Carbon EX 9.8 or the Aluminimum EX9. The reality is that I wouldn’t be able to afford the Carbon EX9.8 and if tempted to get a Trek EX, i’d rather try something within my budget so the EX9 it was.

2011 Trek EX9

After the past year I’ve been riding a ‘all mountain bike’ with 160mm travel which as been a blast on the down hill, yet the reality is most of my riding is trail with the occasional fast downhill sections plus lots of up hills, so the Trek Fuel EX 9 in theory fits my type of riding (see video above).

The Fuel EX9 is a 120mm travel full suspension bike, and the EX9 comes with features unique to Trek. They have what they call the DRCV (Dual Rate Control Valve – stacks of info here) it’s a shock thats been developed with Fox. Essentially what this does is smooth out the shock rate for the entire stroke while also having great pedaling efficiency, small bump compliance and big hit control (see the extra lumpy bit above Pro Pedal lever – thats it)

Trek EX9 'DRCV'

To set the record i’m no bike reviewer, just a guy who rides a lot and I reckon could be seen as the type of market these bikes are aimed at. So my thoughts on this bike are just that – thoughts. Does the DRCV system work? no idea, what I do know is that this bike ‘felt’ fantastic. I was able to go down hill just as fast as I would be able to on my 160mm travel bike. Yet going up hill and on the single track is where this bike blew the other out of the water – it’s just so much faster and agile.

The handling was sublime, this has a lot to do with a few things

1. the 15mm Thru Axels – They just seem to tighten up the dropouts and give more precise steering.

2. Trek have what they call ‘ARB’ (firm up under braking – Active Braking Pivot (ABP) allows your suspension to remain active, whether you’re pedaling, coasting or braking – see pic below).

3. E2 Head tube – 1.5” lower for extra strength and control.

4. Weight – the weight of this bike is spot on, light yet stiff. With this bike you are able to flick it around like a hard tail.

Trek EX9 'Active Pivot Braking'

Only grip was the tyres, they seemed a bit on the skinny side. It might be because i was used to big 2.3′s from my old bike. Once the Trek Rep reduced the tyre pressure they seemed a lot more grippy. Having said that I reckon they would make awesome race day tyres as the rolling resistance is low – yet you’d have to get used to the amount of grip they offer in fast corners.

Set up of the suspension was also a breeze. So many times with other bikes I have found myself searching the for shock pressure rates and re-bound rates – even then it still feels like guess work. I was pleasantly surprised to find that on the Trek website a single PDF with everything I need (check it out here) Fork and Shock Pressure based on rider weight, plus rebound settings. Furthermore, on the website they had set video for the dummies – too easy.

The E2 head tube

So going from a 160mm to 120mm full suspension bike and for the trails that I ride, i’d have to say the Trek wins hands down. Like it says on the website it’s a great ‘do it all bike’, you could ride this thing all day. Plus with the spec of the EX9 I can see myself using this as a race bike -  Like most, I do the once a year 24hr bike race with a group and this bike would be spot on. If your into big drops go for a bike with bigger travel.

So does the APB, DVCR, E2, EVO  and all the other acronyms work? Who knows?, but now the the EX has just jumped onto my next bike list!

Check out all the specs and watch the videos here – there’s lots to take in!

Thanks to:
Trek Australia for the test bike. View it here
Follow their tweets @TrekBikesAust
Video: Taken on a Get Pro Camera by Simon (@nomisllab) and thanks for the ‘doof -doof’ music
Photos: Taken in a rush by me on a iphone, before the bike had to go back to Trek

One of my favourite cycling things and most used cycling thing is my Apres Velo coffee mug – ‘Team Caffeine’ as it say’s on the handle. Yep this would have to be the most consistently used cycling related item I have – it’s a personal favourite. If I used my turbo trainer as much as this mug, i’d be an A grade rider not a B grade rider.  And I guess that’s just the market the Apres Velo guys are after – the cyclists who has a day job, has kids yet often finds themselves more off the bike then on.

After a in impromptu  chat with Leonard (aka ‘Big Cog’) I mentioned that I use his products on average about 3-4times a day, especially in the office. A week later I find in the mail box a package containing a new mug (awesome) T-Shirt, Water Bottle and Cap.

To the non-cyclists its just another shirt, yet to cyclists the style and design instantly screams Apres Velo.  The hand drawn graphics and illustrations have been a feature of this brand since 2006. Catchy little slogans and are everywhere, the more you look the more you find, for example – shirt tag ‘”After Cycle Wear, Created and designed in Sydney Australia by Bicycle Obsessed Crankers” and Apres Velo Chamois Cream, for Cycling Nuts’… it goes on.

Apres Velo – Good’ol fashion quality.

As mentioned I’ve been using the ‘Fuel Mug’ for a while now it’s a favourite of mine – and yeh it’s just a mug, but a key feature (other then looking great) it’s on the large size it saves me going back to make another cup. Only downfall is that it can be hard to get under my espresso machine.

The water bottle is again, a water bottle. Having said that its made from that ‘soft’ plastic, I hate waterbottles that are made of hard cheap and nasty plastic – I’m pleased to say this isn’t one of those. Another big plus is that there is no nasty plastic taste. At the Tour Down Under  I managed to get one of the free  Skoda water bottles, and yep the price reflected the quality. Now its used for holding degreaser. Slogan ‘Apres Velo Chamois Cream, for Cycling Nuts’ on one side, logo on the other.

The ‘Cognoscenti’ Acid Black shirt has some cool graphics, I love the single speed logo/motif, yet I’m not sure about the tie dye look down the side, maybe its just me but I like to keep things simple. The front and back graphics as mentioned are very cool, I like how they don’t scream ‘i’m a cyclists’. The quality of the shirt is fantastic, it has that ‘organic’ cotton feel – not sure if it is, but feels like that.

The fit is loose yet not baggy – just the way I like it. There’s stacks of different designs and Big Cog tell’s me there are some new ones soon to be released (check out their site).

Apres Velo Cap

The Cap looks great – cool black and white graphics with the all important go fast racing strip. Not much to be said here other then it fits. I reckon the uber cool, inner city fixie types would love these. Me? i’d simply use it on cold winter days after a ride at the coffee shop to help keep my head warm.

Check out the full range of Apres Velo gear at www.apresvelo.com, they’ve got stack for men and women and it’s this sort of gear that makes great gift ideas for the cyclists who already has a 5 bikes, 3 sets of wheels etc etc.

Oh, they also have a Apres Velo cycling kit – Jerseys and Bibs etc. If Apres Velo means “After Cycle wear, or something”, are you meant to wear these after cycling too? Maybe this kit is just for wearing to the coffee shop?

I might have to have another chat to the Big Cog – Leonard!

Thanks to Apres Velo for sending the gear over, and remember:

From the Babici website:

‘The Babici® brand was created to dress the local velo enthusiasts with cycling attire that represented the history of cycling in Oatley, NSW Australia.’

We are not entirely sure what that means, but when you look at their complete range of cycling kits they have what we think to be one of the nicest range of cycling kits going round. It’s kind of like ‘Rapha’, but with more colour and at a better price point. If this is the history of Oatley NSW – they are a classy mob.

Our pack was the Ventoux kit which consisted of Jersey, Bib n Brace Knicks, Arm Warmers, Cap, Stickers and matching Musette.

The unique understated styling will appeal to a broad range.

The Bib Knicks cost $160 AUD, Equipped with an antibacterial GEL chamois, GEL leg stabalisers, comfort seam stitching and ultra light and durable Lycra – there’s a fair bit of technology going into these at quite a good price point.

The Babici® jersey ($120AUD) features design innovation in the zip housing for both top and bottom. The fit is a ‘race look’ and body contouring style (not super tight like some Euro brands). Plus the material features antibacterial and body temperature control fabrics.

With little details like little tabs that the zipper tucks into, the full length jersey zips and the leg grippers on the outside are things that we appreciate - signs that these have been designed by someone who rides.

What’s more evident of this is the ‘Corsa Jersey‘ – it’s a stylish kit with a shorter torso cut and aero fabric on the side panels. The Corsa is a pure racing kit that would be spot on for the aussie summer crits – plus being almost all black it should not cause a issue with the Commissaire.

We’ll be taking the kit for a ride in the local bunch tomorrow to get the group consensus on the look, and to test the kit and chamois out (which apparantly has been sourced from a certain Italian company famous for their knicks).

UPDATE:

On Saturday I took the new kit out to the local bunch ride. When I rolled out the door at 6am, the heavens opened and I got totally drenched. By the time I got to where I was meeting the bunch it stopped – a perfect way to start a ride in a brand new kit….not. Yet in hindsight – it was probably the best way to test out a kit. I’ve worn a Castelli kit before, and due to the texture of the material and  the wet/humidity i’d often get friction and rubbing sores. Yet after 70kms it didn’t happen with the Babici kit.

The first thing I noticed when putting on the knicks was the ‘softness’ of the material. It was softer/smoother then any i have warn before. They are not as firm as say a compression style Bib n Brace knicks, but then I guess they are not meant to be – they are simply comfortable. The leg grippers are great, do the job without cutting in to the leg and the Chamois while being looking on the  thin side was fantastic. Same with the Jersey, it fitted perfectly was simply forgotten about when riding.

The guys in the bunch thought the kit looked great. They liked and I liked how it’s different to all the pro kits, understated yet classy. Few asked what ‘Babici’ was, was it a club?  - and i guess in a way it is, kind of. It is for those who want something different, those who don’t want to look like a billboard – yet would like more colour then the Rapha style kits.

Overall, I was very impressed with the kit and i’m am seriously thinking of getting one of their race kits – ‘Corsa‘

VISIT: babici.cc for other designs and the full  Babici story.

Plus check out their carbon frames – again, understated class.

]]> http://www.bunchridefinder.com.au/archives/1497/feed 1 http://www.bunchridefinder.com.au/archives/1451 http://www.bunchridefinder.com.au/archives/1451#comments Tue, 21 Sep 2010 05:52:27 +0000 admin http://www.bunchridefinder.com.au/?p=1451 With the UCI Road World Championships on, we’ve been asked for a list of Bunch Rides around the Geelong area. We have a few – but we’ve been told there’s ‘heaps’ more! – Add them to the site by clicking here

Bunch 1: The Grovey Bunch Ride – Grovedale Hotel
Details: Tuesdays and Thursdays, Usually 10-20 riders, easy 40kms, start 5:50am  - click the link above for more details

Bunch 2: Waurn Ponds Bunch Ride
Details: Saturdays, Usually 10-20 riders, around 90km, start 7am  - click the link above for more details

Bunch 3: Lara Latte Cyclists Bunch Ride - Out of town
Details: Daily, Usually 2-10 riders, from 30-80kms 6 am Weekdays; 7am Weekends  - click the link above for more details

Bunch 4: Great Ocean Road Weekender – Out of town, but worth getting out there for it
Details: Saturdays and Sundays, Usually 10-20 riders, 50-100kms, start 7am  - click the link above for more details

Below is the Bunch Ride Finder map: search around the map and click on the icon for a Bunch Ride.

If your spending a bit more time in Geelong and are looking for a list of great rides around the area that are not bunch rides, check out the list from Cycling Tips, Wade has mapped and written up a review on the route, with ratings for each – click here: Cycling Tips Geelong Rides.

View bunch ride finder – cyclists linking cyclists in a larger map

Ever considered riding from Bourke to Sydney?

Introducing The BT Future2 Wheel Classic – 1250km cycle ride for Australians in need.

The inaugural BT Future2 Wheel Classic starts in Bourke on 4 August and, 1251 km later, Ray and Peter will pedal into Sydney, arriving on Friday 13 August.  (see map below)

The BT Future2 Wheel Classic follows the route taken in 1955 by Jack Griffin, a professional cyclist. His son Ray of Future2 was inspired by his father’s recollections of the ride, on rough dirt roads for much of the way. The idea is to get to Sydney on bike while raising money for young Aussies in need.

Following Ray’s fathers route will be no easy task with some stages hitting the 160+mark.

“The roads are better today, but even so it’s going to be a ride of endurance and pain”, Griffin anticipates. “Our average daily distance will be 125 kilometres. We’ll be aiming for an average speed of 29 km per hour for 4.5 hours a day, so we’re hoping for plenty of support along the route!”

All of the money raised – through sponsorship, rider donations and individual donations – will go to the Future2 Foundation, whose grants seek to give a second chance and hope for a better future to disadvantaged young Australians.

Like to get involved?

Ride with the Team  for a day!
Choose one of the 9 legs of the ride (according to your capabilities and your location).  Up to 8 cyclists can join us on each of the days providing you commit to donating or raising $500 for Future2 (the charity).

Sponsor an individual rider!
Whether you make an online donation or use our pledge form to pay by cheque or credit card, you can opt to support the Classic as a whole or an individual rider.

For all the details on this ride and more, check out the website at: www.future2foundation.org.au/wheelclassic

Follow their tweets at: http://twitter.com/f2wheelclassic

It’s great to see Aussies helping fellow Aussies in need.
The team are sponsored by: BT Insurance, Matrix Planning Solutions and Telstra.

Q: What Bunch Rides do you frequent ( OS and Australia )
I always do the SASI (South Aus Sport Institute) Cycling squad bunch rides wed and sun from Cibo Melbourne St Adelaide. I will often do the fast and furious time trial bunch from the city to outer harbor on a saturday morning.

Q: What’s your favorite bunch ride?
A tough long Sunday SASI bunch ride in the Adelaide hills.

Q: What annoys you about riding with the general public?
Nothing, I enjoy seeing all sorts of people riding to keep fit whatever their age or fitness level, as long as they are obeying the road rules!

Q: What what do you like about riding with non-pros?
I enjoy frequent opportunities to ride with non pros. I can learn so many things from meeting and chatting to others from all different walks, travels, locations and professions.. I love to hear other peoples great life stories.

Q: What’s your favourite after ride coffee shop?
Cibo Espresso, Melbourne St North Adelaide! (BRF Note: It’s our favourite when in Adeliade too – Rachel has good taste!)

Q: When in training do you use bunch rides as part of your training schedule?
Yes, always at least twice per week. Especially training with males or stronger riders lifts performance. Fast bunch rides are great to push leg speed.

Q: When someone punchers in a bunch ride – what’s your thoughts on the time limit 3mins? 5 mins?
5min is fair but I think it depends on the type of bunch and level of experience. Although on a fast TT style bunch ride there is no stopping so be prepared for a solo return!

Q: What are your pet hates with bunch rides?
When riders do not obey road rules or give cars respect – we cannot demand respect from them if we do not display it. Also when safety is not prioritised i.e. diligence with pointing out obstacles etc.  (BRF Note: We totally agree here, just check out the recent Cycling Tips post on the Hell Ride just the other day when ‘the bunch goes down’ check out Cycling Tips by clicking here)

Q: Is there any rule that you think all bunch rides should abide by?
Obey every road rule, never run red lights, ensure new riders are well informed on etiquette, respect cars and motorists, wave & thank cars when they slow or let you change lanes!

Q: Women Participation, what do you think would help get more women to join in the local bunch rides?
More sharing of information through forums / websites on;
- where to find bunch rides that suit the individual rider
- step by step tips on how to get to a level to be competent and comfortable riding in a bunch i.e. etiquette, a set of basic skills, to practice clipping out and stopping suddenly.
- encouraging people by highlighting the benefits of bunch rides – to learn skills, safety, to push fitness.

Q: Have you found the ‘boys’ in the bunch to be friendly and supportive – or the opposite?
I have been really well welcomed into the cycling community especially in Adelaide, but on a whole wherever I am other riders are always very supportive. I have only had had many positive experiences of people sharing advice, knowledge and insights into the cycling world.

Q: What are your goals for the rest of the year and for the 2011 season?
I am aiming for a result in a UCI race here and ultimately 2010 world championships selection in October. I am aiming to gain a professional contract with a UCI team in 2011.

Q: Coming from a running background, what similarities have you found between Running and Cycling
Similarities physically are the importance of power to weight and strength endurance especially for climbing. I have also been able to transfer the importance of off bike extras – stability / strength and flexibility practices.

Q: Winning the Amy Gillet Scholarship must have quite a honour, how do you think this will help your racing?
The AGF scholarship is indeed a real honour and a fantastic opportunity which will give me support to race part time with the AIS / National team in Europe during the 2010 season.

The opportunity to ride a Bianchi T Cube 928, such a top quality road bike will also obviously be a great asset to my racing.

The AGF sponsors Bianchi, AIS, Cycling Australia, Cycling Adventures, and Oakley have all been fantastic in contributing their support.

Want to know more about Rachel? She has a fantastic website – click here
Like to learn more about the Amy Gillet Foundation and the AGF Scholarship? – click here

“Non regulated riding”

by orrsome153 on Sun Feb 07, 2010 4:26 pm

I am fortunate to live on the Tweed/Gold Coast. We have many,many bunches. I am also a licence holder for Cycling Australia. Whilst I participate and enjoy the odd club race that can not compete with bunch rides. My reason for saying that is over regulation. I know club racing has it great points, well orgainised, support, competition and the great atmosphere. What club riding does have is freedom. All bunch rides have their unwritten rules tht is a given. In the main though they are just plain good manners and safety. What I believe they have over orgainised/sanctioned cycling is the freedom they offer. In the main you can jump on or off when ever you feel like it, there are no fee’s, rules or commissairs. I have found that there is a bunch for every one, the social rider, competitive rider or the person wanting to get a little fitter. There are no trophies, prize money or press releases and all the rides I have participated are welcoming and friendly.

I believe there is far too much regulation in our lives and when I want to get away from all that and go for a ride the last thing I want is another set of rules telling me how far, how fast or what grade I have to ride in. Some of the bunches I ride with always stop for the slower riders others expect you to do your best and if you can’t hang on well…bad luck. This is what I like. Cycling Australia and Cycling QLD have these draconian rules that tell you what races you can compete in, when you can ride club races and for that priviledge they charge you a small fortune. Don’t get me wrong I enjoy our club races immensley but regulation is realy dampening the fun as it is with most sports.

So I urge of you who enjoy their bunch rides to stick to the road RULES (I suppose we have to tolerate them) so the drivers of this world appreciate how much fun we are having and instead of whinging to anyone who will listen will sell the car and buy a bike. Ride on.

So what do you think?
Leave a message below, or join the action in the Bunch Ride Finder Forum

As ‘Tweeted’ by Cadel Evans,
The Age.com.au has reported a story in regards to the Beach Road and around Port Phillip Bay.

Read Below:

EACH weekend, an estimated 9100 cyclists don their Lycra and ride the city’s most popular – and controversial – recreational bike route, along Beach Road and around Port Phillip Bay.

This week their ride was made marginally safer, after Kingston Council on Monday night approved a 12-month trial of no-standing restrictions for cars along sections of Beach Road on weekend mornings. In a six-vote-to-three decision, councillors banned cars from parking along the five-kilometre section of Beach Road from Mentone to Mordialloc.

It is hoped the no-standing zones, which will run from 6am to 10am on Saturdays and Sundays, will stop cyclists being injured when they either slam into the back of parked cars, or swerve to avoid parked cars.

In September, Bicycle Victoria counted 9111 cyclists using the road on weekend mornings between 6am and 10am.

Accident figures compiled by Kingston Council show that, in four years to 2004, there were 102 accidents involving cyclists along Beach Road, including two deaths and 35 serious injuries.

In recent years, more cyclists have been injured on Beach Road, many seriously.

The full article can be found at www.theage.com.au or simply click here – and be sure to read the comments below to see how the ‘public’ feels about this… quite interesting.