Foreign Concept

Hey, I just paid my dues and got my license to ride my bike. Been riding my bike since my secondary school days for tuition and just about anywhere and never with a helmut. But now, I have to get a license to ride. Now thats a concept I have to learn to accept.
"...we are pleased to advise...cover for all memebers 24/7, whenever they are on their bike..." Guess part of my memebership goes towards that as well.The second part goes on "...Cycling Australia promotes a zero tolerance of drugs in sport..the anti doping policy applies to everyone who particpates in cycling competition..."

Now, just where am I going to get the drugs from? I had been crook last week and just popped a couple of panadol and thought, problem solved. But I had this lingering sore throat that would not go away, and after doing a supermarket tour for clients last night, I practically lost my voice this morning. Never in my life have I lost my voice. I guess I was pushing it last night with the tour.
I am a firm believer in the body heals itself so I rocked up to work but the boss still wanted me to see the doc even when I was perfectly all right (just without sound).
Made an appointment with the Doc, rocked up, he looked at my throat, listen to my lungs, I indicated I had no coughing/headcold and next he goes, its phyringitis. Here, I'll write a prescription for some STEROIDS and that should clear it up. I have never been offered steroids in Singapore for any 'common' ailments. Frankly, its still sore throat to me, but there you go, I got my steroids. Now I wonder if that will make me go fasterrrrr...

Back to the rationale of why I needed the license. I have been doing the local criterium bike races every thursday night and unfortunately in Aus, you need a license to race. Above are just some of the usually fast suspects. The race is conducted on the V8 race track in Darwin so there's no issue with cars or potholes. Basically racing heaven.For Mike's interest, the average speed for 40-50km/hr for the first 4 laps, but I lost it towards the end. Maybe cos I didnt take my steroids...ha

Grade C was a little too easy so I went up to Grade B but as I mentioned, I got hammered by the second sprint.

http://www.darwincyclingclub.com/news/displaynews.php?id=1239276331

C Grade: 8 Riders:
First Sprint: Luke Hansen 1st; Graham Smith 2nd; Gerard Wong 3rd:
Final Sprint; Luke Hansen 1st; Graham Smith 2nd; Gerard Wong 3rd:

Zipp SL145

Good things come in little packages. This was never an option but I got some credit from my last purchase at Team Cyclist ( in the US) as it was their policy to price match and beat. I found one on the internet and needless to say, they honoured their claim.I needed a shorter stem and got the 100mm. Picture after I brought the bike in to the shop to have the excess fork steerer cut.
Notice the massively oversized stem/clamp area. One thing that drew me to the stem was Zipps claim of extreme stiffness. It may not matter to most, but for a small rider like me who practically pulls on the handlebars on climbs and sprints to squeeze out that extra bit of wattage, it matters.
On the old aluminium Avanti Corsa, stem flex/vibration were part of the daily ride order of the day. But going from that to the Pinarello stock MOST carbon, its been a delight. That was until I put the Zipps on. I guess its slightly biased as the 1cm drop does make a huge difference as well; I am finding that I am getting to ride more and more in a compact position.

In terms of weight; Ritchey 4Axis 100mm (116g)

Stock 'MOST' 110mm stem; (151g )
Zipp sl 145 100mm stem; (147g)

While the Ritchey wins hands down on weight, it is something I will not trade over for the stiffness of the Zipp's SL145. The former also exhibit more signs of flex as compare to the 'MOST' stem.