Crit season starts this weekend and all “specialists” are coming out in droves. There must have been 100 riders out this morning on the famous “North Road Ride” here in Melbourne. For the uninitiated, the North Road Ride (or “Hour of Power”) is a 40km bunch ride on Melbourne’s Beach Road that averages speeds of over 45km/hr. On beautiful warm summer mornings numbers can reach well over 100. And that’s on a weekday. These are the stomping grounds for many pro cyclists, up and coming talents, weekday warriors, and posers alike (I fit into the poser category). I’ve never seen anything like it!
Here’s 4 mins of what you may have missed this morning. This gives you a taste of the morning routine that many Melbourne cyclists get to enjoy…
[ad#ad1]
{ 76 comments }
Dammit that’s a great vid Wade – my HR went to 140 just watching it!
Were you sprinting CT?
Sprinting? Hmm….I prefer to call it a “lead out” when I get overtaken like that.
;-)
And a nice leadout it was too!
Great video! Makes me want to get out on the NRR again. Was that the 5:45 or 6am bunch? Poor Madga would be spitting chips if she was up as early as we are!!!
After Magda’s comments, GNW wont be on at my house again!
This was the 6am bunch. Waking up any earlier than that for a 1hr ride is against my principles.
I thought I saw a camera on a helmet this morning! Very cool..
I’m just hoping the filming was done after I got dropped :)
Won’t show up for me for some reason (probably work blocking it, so will try at home tonight)..
Look at me mom I’m famous, nice video Wade. Whose racing at Port Melbourne or Glenvale this weekend??
Pie-man on screen!!
Was that the guy with the shiny blue knicks? Or was there another one…?
Yes there was another. Black nicks, backpack on, looked like he was commuting to work. Not that there is a problem with that.
PS – would have to agree with some of the comments. Three deep and passing on the inside doesn’t look so good on video.
Damn, that was a great little vid! Like the other Andy, my HR just up just watching! After seeing that I kinda wish I’d stayed in Melbourne. Maybe I’ll move back. ;)
Bloody typical the one morning I miss and decide to ride somewhere theres a video camera!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hollywood – Wade would have to change the tags and security for his webpage if you featured on it! “NSFW” “Porn” “Yellow” “Fake Tan” “Baby Oil” would all have to be added. Viewers are already having enough trouble with Vimeo or youtube not allowed on their work PC’s!
That’s cause you were at McCafe
Great vid & great tune selection! I managed to catch her live when she was in town last year…
Aww dang it!
I had planned to get out to the NRR this morning but the bed was just too tempting and I slept in. Will have to do the Tues night ride now to make up for it. Should be a huge turn out for that too.
Loved the bit with you getting up in the morning Wade.
Can’t belive I missed this morning (early meeting), looked nice out.
Looks like big leigh has really written his name all over that sprint…everyone jumps to get on his wheel, but he’s already GONE!
…gives me the shits…might have to incorporate some team blocking !!
Here it is on youtube incase anyone has vimeo blocked at work. youtube will probably disable the soundtrack though (Goldfrapp – Strict Machine).
BTW, my music collection is growing dust on it. I need suggestions for soundtracks that’ll go well with helmet cam vids. Anyone?
Here’s the youtube link if Vimeo is blocked at work for anyone
Hey CT, Thanks for the updates Love your work. How about using LCD sound Systems, Get Innocuous as the sound track?? Could work nicely.
LCD Soundsystem, perfect music for that type of vid.
Yeah by LCD Soundsystem would be great..
Everybody’s talking about it – nobody’s getting it done..
Wade. Music. Check Clutch, One Eyed Dollar, Power Player…anything off Beale St basically.
Metallica. Soundgarden. Superunknown. JCP.
Jeez there’s loads. Some Propagandhi would be rad.
What about Nebula or Fu Manchu?
Spin the Black Circle by Pearl Jam is both apt and awesome.
I’m trolling my “Hill Smashing” and “Timbo’s Biketime SMASHING MIX” on iPoddenheisen now.
Rage Against Ze Machine.
Rollins.
At the Drive In.
Some Pennywise.
Death from Above 1979.
Everlong Foo Fighters ALWAYS (also rad for snowboard videos).
International Noise Conspiracy
Rise Against is FUN for speed.
Lagwagon for fastness.
Gimmes.
Millencolin.
Muse (Problematique, Cydonia, Bflies/Hurricanes)
REFUSED!!!!!!!!!!
It’s quite shocking my excellent smashing mix. People are shocked into a shockingly shocked state of shock by this mix.
you should use the songs dizze rascal- Bonkers!
After watching the charge of the front disappear may I suggest Pantera – Vulgar Display of Power
Awesome vid and must have been a good ride for you – you seemed to spend a fair proportion of your time out in the breeze.
Hmm soundtrack for helmet cam vids… thinking, thinking.
After looking at that motley crew spray all over the road like browns cows, I’d say I’ve got a point. Lets call it the “two abreast turkey” princple!!
Nice vid Wade! And the Wade morning routine is a bonus…next time a shot of your alarm clock saying “too early o’clock”;-) Nice work once again.
like the finish mate – but here’s a tip – essential cycling tip for looking pro, well cafe pro – use the down tube to hold and lever your rear wheel up to the hooks outside cafe racer – especially the higher hooks, then you don’t look kookie up on your tippy toes trying to steer the front wheel/rim over the hook, only to fail and have your handle bars snap back and hit you in the head!
p.s – I was in bed this morning!!!!
ah yes…good tip Sime. I’d been doing my coffee shop loitering all wrong for years and no one has told me until now
Fantastic stuff Wade.
Just another reason why we all love CT. Were you a Hollywood director in a past life too!
Magnificent!
I particularly liked not seeing me on my first crack at a Tuesday NRR getting spat out the back at the turn in mordialloc and riding back to racer alll by myself lol.
CT how about Lust for Life by Iggy Pop I think that could fit nicely especially in light of a previous post
5:45 NRR was a similar size field!! If the crowds keep getting bigger it may be cause for a 5:50 & 5:55 NRR.
What are the contact details for the NRR Committee for me to send the suggestion? . . . or is CT the committee?
I hereby nominate CT as the entire NRR Committee.
I second the nomination for ‘Lust for Life’ by Iggy Pop. Nice one Anon.
Love your work, Wade.
Can you beleive these are getting so cheap – $149, you just need to get a bigger SD card….
ALDI…! And they work – well!!
http://www.lasoo.com.au/offer/miscellaneous-cycling-equipment-accessories/helmet-camera/4fzr1tpim.html
nice turn romanis !!
could n,t hear what you were saying
ps looking good in the new fitzroy colours
Just so happened to catch sight of both rides in the opposite direction this morning. Indeed, their numbers have swelled. Perhaps its Cadels rainbow jernsey thats motivating.
Loved the video, and the soundtrack, however, I’ve got serious concerns about the size of these groups and safety. what are peoples thoughts of bunch sprints on an open roads without race marshalls and traffic? There is more than enough organised racing in Melbourne, through summer and winter, seriously, if you want to race, do it in a race, club or open. A couple of years ago we had a tragedy on the Hell Ride, with these groups continuing to grow, I can only think that such a thing will happen again….it’s only a matter of time.
The thing that scares me about these groups is that although the front half are competent, safe riders, the bottom 50% are not. They will do anything not to get dropped and when a light turns amber/red, they will keep riding.
Nice work folks. Three abreast, all over the road, ignoring lane markings. No wonder everyone hates cyclists with ambassadors like you lot.
You must have stumbled on to the wrong site. You need http://www.whiningmuppet.com
Yep, Bikesnob is right: Cycling’s enemy is not the car; it is the idiot. And idiots travel by foot, car, and bicycle.
You’re proving my point here: why are so many of the lycra brigade such arseholes?
“everyone hates cyclists”… who is everyone?
Great insight to the cycling culture in Vic. Definitely different to the scenery where I am in QLD. Regarding soundtracks Itunes store is your best friend. Select a genre you’re keen in and search. Half the fun of listening to great music is finding it in the first place. My suggestion is to get a track that has several peaks and troughs through out the duration of the song so it doesn’t sound like a monotonous piece of noise mixed in with the footage..
I saw the 5.45 and 6am on the return while I was heading down solo – the fair weather types are definitely gathering but not as massive as it gets around late January.
First decent weather in a month just about – if you were going to get out of bed this morning was the pick.
Good to see the old NRR etiquette of passing on the left in the gutter is alive and well.
Music Idea. Rush: The Main Monkey Business. It’s a classic for cycling videos just waiting to happen. And being a Canadian you might just have that CD.
P.S. The following article has been lifted from the Bayside Leader, Tuesday, September 29.
Wanted: 30 riders for safety study
A Monash University PhD student needs cyclisys for her studies on improving their safety on the road.
Marilyn Johnson said she needs 30 on-road cyclists to wear one of her specially-fitted video comeras on a helmet for a month to determine whether cyclisys or driver behaviour needs to improve safety. “It’s the first time anyone’s done this ,” she said.
She said cyclists who rode to work would easily clock up to the required 12 hours of on-road cycling for her study.
Ms Johnson, who is at Monash Accident Reasearch Centre, said she was particularly interested in cyclists who use d St Kilda Rd, as it was the most used-cyclist path.
Bicycle Victoria spokesman Garry Brennan said it was important to promote awareness of Cyclists. ” We need to educate drivers to be on the lookout for lights and cyclists and that the road is shared, “he said.
The study begins on October 5.
Email: marilyn.johnson@muarc.monash.edu.au
Love the video Wade…. such a typical start to the day. Love it.
Songs for Helmet cam videos:
Queen- Fat bottomed girls
The roots- The seed
David Bowie- Suffergate city/Young Americans
Jet- Rollover DJ
Jungle Boogie- Pulp Fiction soundtrack
Some old school 90′s just for fun- Snap- I got the power- hahaha- love it!
I live in the U.S. I visited my brother in Brisbane in March and was surprised it went dark about 5.30 pm. This got me wondering when you guys rode. Now I know…early morning.
Also, where do you put the camera? Strapped to the front of your helmet?
Awesome video, nothing beats a nice bunch ride turtling down Beach Rd at 45-50kph (+!)
Should mention also that mrcyclingworld are selling helmet cameras if anyone is interested… very simple & easy to use. $109.95 (+ $10.00 p&h) http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=170374975302&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT
Just wanted to chime in with my music recommendation…
Thunder in my heart – Leo Sayer
Yeah baby…
That’s rad! You guys went past my house (near Red Bluff hotel on Beach Rd Sandy) and I was putting the music on, so I smashed out the driveway, jumped on some Hampton dudes then sprinted for about 2km tocatch you at Small St, and then had to manage a mini asthma attack all the way to Kerford. I bloody love living in Melbourne sometimes.
How’s Clarky in his Becoz gear. Good on him for losing 12 odd kilos from his huffing and puffing muffin man weekend at the DP classic earlier this year and now being a sprint monster (Clarky you are joking if you think you can cover me up Tawonga with your big Cocaine Tom Boonen [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dpGhLljfgco] Sprint Legs ).
How’s the Hampton, Rush and TFM monsters. Monsters. You were smashing it Wade. Rad times.
I have been saying to myself I will start from the start one of these days, you guys normally pick me up most mornings around Sandy anyway (I wear Optus or Rush kit) so I guess I’ll have to spinnen uppen to ze North Rd at 5AM one of these days.
I haven’t seen Brett in his big tall socks for a while. Perhaps he’s out of Explorers? (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uit88dOQ1n4)
t
Sweet Disposition by The Temper Trap.
Also. Way to pander to the nanny state those of you worried about bunch size and 2 abreast. Get a little free choice back in your life. Current affair: the 16 year old girl who wants to sail around the world. Why should anyone in government or child services get involved? Free choice. Let her do it. If (when) she needs rescuing, charge the family for the cost of the operation. Done. Simple transaction
So sick and tired of people wanting more rules. Grow a little responsibility and judgment, but expect consequences financial or otherwise.
(and on a more cycling related note, its rules and regulations that cause extremely high rrp on helmets. I am sure companies would want to verify the saftey of their helmets with or without regulations; it’s their business after all)
Great video Wade. I love Beach Rd rides as much as anyone. Especially when there is speed, effort and the enjoyment of riding with your mates. But everyone, pls take a step back and see the bigger picture. Passing on the inside? Three abreast? Bunches of up to 150? Plus a bit too much ego. It will only take another fatality on Beach Rd ( and I hope it doesn’t occur ) for the authorities to be forced to take more drastic action due to public outcry. And then we may ruin something that is special to us all. Be smart, be safe and challenge yourself and your mates to keep your ego for proper racing.
Definitely a valid point DW. There’s no excuse for some of the shenanigans that go on.
The one rule that nearly every cyclist agrees on and obeys is to refrain from blatantly run red lights. Sure there are the ones that do it, but they are strongly looked down upon by 99% of the rest of the bunch.
Wade i was in the hell ride on saturday and you and your team really put the hammer down into the crosswind. Chance of a helmet cam for the hell ride
Definitely. I wanted to wait for another month for all the pros to come back. Some footage of Gerro in the bunch and maybe even Cadel in the World Champs colors would be good!
that would be gold
Motorhead – Ace Of Spades (the skateboarders have given up using it finally!)
Lemmy would ride Beach Rd.. if he was young, fit and lived in Melbourne!
That is one of the worst formed bunches I have ever seen, people all over the place 3 abreast, 4 abreast, overtaking on the inside. Come on guys get your act together, it’s no wonder motorists get pissed off at us when we are all over the road like that!
wow, it’s late and I’m prepping for my morning ride now and then I watch that and now I want t head out right now and ride! Great video and love the music choice too
How bout a bit of Nick Cave – “The Hammer Song” works for me. So Melbourne too.
Sticking to Local bands “Sand Pebbles” and “Black Cab” will give you a bit more upbeat. Then Anything by “LCD Soundsystem” or “Cut Copy” will have you revving @ 140bpm no trouble.
If you are looking for something more
The guy in the b+w Capo kit around 1:35 who sneaks up the inside of, I think, Chris, is beyond idiotic and exactly why I don’t do that ride anymore. And for what? To get the wheel in front? It’s not a race you freaking weekend warrior clown muppet fruit loops. Ahem. In conclusion: why can’t people ride in an orderly and sensible fashion?
Also, f this, abuse me, but I run red lights all the time (at walking pace after looking both ways… like every pedestrian in the known universe). It’s illegal and if I get caught, there ya go, I’ll pay my fine. But not every cyclist agrees on it. 99% of the rest of the bunch can look down on me, but I’m not the one that might cause an injury or death. That bunch… riding that sloppy is really dangerous and could get someone badly hurt (how many ambulances on hell ride and nrr in the past three years?). I don’t want a part in that. And if you are a competent, sensible bike racer/rider, but you’re caught up in something on those rides, well you were just in the wrong place at the wrong time, right? Yeah, exactly, those rides are the wrong place to be if you want to stay safe. Something needs to change for those rides to become safe again. I don’t know what.
Hey Gramps, its easy! Don’t go though red lights!!! Be a good example!
See this is exactly my point… I’m not an example. I’m just another person on the road. If I go through a red light, that’s me… just like if a car speeds, that doesn’t tarnish every car driver. So yeah, I roll ‘em at walking pace occasionally, but I don’t do NRR, I single file if a car wants to pass me in the hills, I don’t push up the front of queued traffic and I rarely if ever cop complaints from cars (normally about 10:1 thankyou waves as against aggro looks). People who want to race should go racing.
Awesome video – even got to see myself a few times (in the yellow Tinkoff gear-having a go at the sprint lol!)
As a regular NRR rider, I think it has the potential to look worse than it is. One of the things I find very encouraging is the constant communication in the group. I know when I can go fast or when I need to display caution as everyone abides by the terms, “Rider”, “Car Back”, “Car Up” etc. Obviously a video (with a soundtrack) doesn’t portray that aspect, however the reality is you are concentrating on those messages and abiding by them.
IMO the group has gotten far better at abiding by lights in the last year as well. There was some bad patches (particularly one time when there was a crash in the THIRD lane of the Nepean highway at an intersection), however overall “Rolling” is only used when it is clear. Pedestrian lights etc are called WELL in advance as “Lights Up” / “Stopping” and the group works well to slow down and stop.
As for the sprint, I admit I have a go at sprinting almost every NRR. It is practice, against a group of skilled riders in an environment where risks are mitigated as much as possible (ie, if the lights ahead are red, you back off, same with staying clear of slower cyclists). I’ve never had an issue in a sprint and I have confidence in those around me at those speeds.
Anyway, fantastic helmet cam! Brings a great element to the ride. I would finally add that cycling and the NRR in particular, is one of the few pursuits where you can give your cardio a huge workout WHILST ALSO utilising your fine motor skills. I’m also a rally driver, and find this a massive benefit to concentrate on being wheel-to-wheel whilst also using every bit of muscle power I have! :)
You need to turn these rides into training rides from the usual mentality of “i think im Lance Armstrong for a day” and maybe more people might take you seriously. Honestly…you want a work out, two abreast, ride through some turns at 50-60kmh and you’ll feel better for it. No need for a sprint at the end, leave it for Glenvale or Sandown….In one post you want respect, in another you show the worst (selfish) skills in a ride…and im sure you cut out the real worst of it all….bit of a hypocrite Wade!
Thanks for your comment FST. Definitely some valid points in there.
However, before you call me a hypocrite I suggest you read my posts in their entirety and understand what I’ve written.
Thanks and ride safe this weekend.
::WW
Can anyone just ‘turn up’ to a bunch ride like the NNR? Just arrived in Melb and my bikes get here tomorrow, so pretty keen to meet a few like minded peeps. However I’m no ‘Pro’ :)
as long as you look like one!
checkout http://www.skcc.com.au/index.php?id=270 for local training rides
thats the St Kilda Club Cycling site
Comments on this entry are closed.