The Spanish Archive

Quite a flotilla of the Tour de Lygon went cycling in Spain earlier this year. Here are Andrew's photos of the Tour de Lygon edition of the Vuelta.

Bob's Pics

Bob has done his usual best and photographed Round the Bay and put the photos up via Picassa. Tour de Lygon ATB07.

Bottle Cage Culture

A site that seldom fails to amuse and offer a different perspective on cycling culture was at it's best yesterday with a posting about the humble bottle cage. Whilst you probably have to be as obsessive as I am about these sorts of things to read this stuff, it's always good to know you're not alone (or am I???).

The link is:

http://bikesnobnyc.blogspot.com/

As the preamble says:

Bike Snob NYC
Systematically and mercilessly disassembling, flushing, greasing, and re-packing the cycling culture.

Long may it flourish.

Steve.

Round The Bay

This Sunday is the annual Round the Bay in a Day mass bike ride. The Tour de Lygon crowd are eschewing the entire route for a Sorrento and return run. Departing in darkness, arriving back in time for what may become the annual fest at Steve's. Alas I have done bugger all k's the last 4 weeks what with work, family, travel, work, and then I stubbed my little toe over a week ago and couldn't even pedal for four days. And if that isn't enough of an excuse not to try to do 200+ k's on Sunday my better half is off to the Blue Mountains for a wedding so I'm home alone with the 15month C, a walking, squealing, intensity of time and delight. (I had hoped to be able to go and take the mtb but the drive is just unjustifiable for a weekend!)

Stay tuned for pics and news.

Coffee Culture

Where can I get a decent coffee round here?

The following is lifted off the fyxamatosis site today. It started me thinking about personal coffee favourites...I mean other than the home of Tour-de-Lygon the Lygon Street Food Store. That will always be tough to beat.

Others may wish to add to the Caffeine Roll of Honour. There's a few below I haven't yet tried, but it's only a matter of time...

Caffeine guide, Courier style.

Fuel is important. No petrol in the car. Car won't go. The body operates on a similar premise. Only it starts to eat itself should there be an inadequate supply of fuel. As well as pure fuel, there is nothing like a lubricant for the soul, and coffee is just that. Keeps you alert, gives a warm, soothing sensation, a chance to relax, unwind, and just not think about anything other than the drink sliding down. Melburn is THE coffee capital of the southern hemisphere. Here's where we choose to drink. This will be updated and become a fixture, as coffee is just as important as anything in life.

MELBURN CAF-FIEND GUIDETC.

Cafe Vento. 120 Collins st. Fast, friendly, courier friendly pricing, outdoor seating.

Waffle on, Degraves. Mark makes sublime Belgian waffles and the coffee is up to par.

Sam I am, 333 Collins. Really depended on who was working the grip on the day

Base Kamp on Little Bourke (between Eliz and Queen).

Macciato. 447 Collins. Leon will keep you entertained while he makes your beverage.

Switchboard. Manchester Building, corner of Collins and Swanston. Secluded, kitsch, quality.

Coffea. Vic market on Elizabeth. Fabio is an avid veloist.

Honourable mentions should also go to Cafe's outside the CBD when you get stuck standing by...

Rae, Victoria St (west of Sydney rd), Brunswick
The Cross, Wellington St, St Kilda
Atomica, Brunswick St, Fitzroy
Cafe Racer, Esplanade, St KildaSt
Ali, Yarra Pl, South Melburn.