Chinese Wheels vs. The Rest

Lately I have begun to get restless, and I have begun feeling that itch that I'm sure all cyclists are familiar with, to buy something.  Yes no matter how satisfied we are with our bike, due to the rapid amount of products released daily, the urge to buy something never wavers.  I have had my bike for over 16 months now, and apart from a bike computer, I have not spent any money on upgrading it.  So I think I deserve a little upgrade, and from my knowledge and research, buying a wheelset is the cheapest and quickest way to improve the quality and speed of your ride.  This has brought me to a crossroads, because although I want to buy some new wheels, I don't want to spend a fortune doing so.  After hours searching the web, the option of Chinese and Taiwanese made wheels, like those from Yishun and Dengfu, has become quite appealing to me.  They are dirt cheap at $500 for 50mm carbon clinchers, and are most likely similiar quality to wheelsets of double the value.  Infact a large number of companies these days simply buy these wheels from overseas, place a sticker with their brand name on it, and raise the price by $300 dollars.  I am very close to ordering a pair of these wheels, and would recommend to anyone in the market for wheelsets to have a quick look before making a decision.  Since this is a topic of much discussion in the cycling world at the moment, feel free to leave a message, on your opinion on asian made wheels.

Race Report (Runaway Bay)

Today the local Gold Coast race was held at the Runaway Bay Luke Harrop cycling track.  Due to the large multi stage event held down at salt, the Battle on the Border, there was not the usual large fields instead there was about 15 in c grade and 11 in the a and b combined race.  I was in the a and b combined race which surprisingly turned out to be a good race despite the lack of numbers.  Instead everyone was required to work and there was plenty of attacks as the possibility of a break succeeding was increased.  I would've attacked at least 5 times throughout the race, not because I thought it was the winning move but because it was fun.  Racing without attacking for me is boring.  There is no better feeling than asserting and demonstrating your strength over others with a quick acceleration.  In the end no one from the race got away and I came into the final corner in 1st position.  Unfortunately I was overtaken by 2 rides with 10 meters to go, giving me a close 3rd place position.  I was happy with this result, although in hindsight I could've probably given a bit more in the sprint.  Hats off must go to the organizers at cats cycling club for still holding the race, as there was beautiful weather and good racing.

Finding The Best Cycling Routes

What I find is one of the greatest part of cycling, is the adventure of finding new, better and quiet cycling routes.  I have been in the process of doing this for over 2 months now since the move of house.  I have nearly completed my explorations with only a few more routes to traverse before I am comfortable with the knowledge that I know the most important cycling routes on the gold coast.  Through these explorations I have found what I believe are routes which are perfect for all sorts of training.  There is the 1km computer street industrial circuit only 2 km from my house, which is perfect for speed training.  There is the long and steady ascent of beechmont, with its 6% gradient for 10 or so kilometers, which is perfect for strength training and sitting down climbing.  Aswell as numerous short sharp climbs in and around Hinze Dam that are perfect to increase power and work on standing.  I am happy with what I have found so far in this part of the Gold Coast, and will continue to search for better rides for as long as I cycle.  Happy exploring everyone!  

Winters Approaching

As cyclists we all dread that time of year when winter slowly rears its ugly head.  You know it is arriving when the temperature begins to drop and it become harder and harder to get out of your warm and cozy bed to go for a ride.  Although this is a problem for some I found that winter brings with it one much more serious problem.  Because although you can toughen up and rug up for a ride in colder temperatures you cannot avoid the shorter days, as precious time which could be utilized with rides out into the countryside is taken on both sides of the day.  Soon it is near impossible to get in the kilometers required to whip some butt at the next race.  It is this problem which I have begun to notice when I left the house this morning for a 40km ride, it was 6 oclock and the sun was just beginning to cast light over the Gold Coast.  It made me realize why I don't like winter, its not the cold, its the time lost which could be better spent in the saddle.