Sunday, December 28, 2008

Audio Ambitions

I'm also rather inclined to splash out some of my bike cash (if it sells) on some audio kit. Since selling my decks in 1996 I've always wanted to get back into domestic DJ'ing. But times have changed now and I have to think about CD's and MP3's, not just vinyl.

In Malaysia DJ'ing kit didn't appear to be readily available but here in Dubai I've found a place that sells decks, CD players, software and vinyl to MP3 converters.

I can then indulge in one of my great passions - E.L.E.C.T.R.O!

Changes

I got a comment on my last post and am surprised that anyone actually still looks at my blog as I hardly ever write anything these days. Thats because I'm extremely busy at work - giving less time for training (my most common blogging subject), and the blogging itself.

Now I'm at the end of 4 days off for Xmas so have a few secs to blog.

Nowadays my training/exercise is limited to a 70km bike ride every Friday. Partly due to the sun setting at 5.45pm, I am not inclined to do anything in the evenings - and a 7am start in the office knocks out the mornings too.

But I really enjoy the weekend rides. It's a 6am start and these days the temperature can be as low as 15 Celsius! At that temperature I can just about survive with arm-warmers and a vest under my jersey. Any colder and I'll need a windproof layer and tights! I tell you though it is a very refreshing experience!

There are usually 100-150 riders and its a controlled ride. 2 by 2 all 90% of the time, with the front 5-10 pairs doing turns at the front. The first 35km averages 32kph. Then there's a sprint where the adrenalin starts to flow and I usually end up tucked behind someone doing almost 50kph for the last few '00 metres.

On the way back we average 34kph, with some sections sustained at 37-40kph depending on the wind. I do some good turns on the front myself. The group usually splits and I enjoy trying to stay in the front pack, which I usually manage to do. However I've heard that the 100 & 120km groups ride faster!

I'm inclined to concentrate on cycling these days so have decided to sell my rapidly depreciating Planet X, which spends most of its life on the wall with the wheels in a bag. If I do a triathlon I still have a road bike.

At the same time I'm re-setting my ambitions away from triathlons. I have an idea to do the Tour of Flanders cyclo-sportif in Belgium in April, and perhaps a few mountains in the Alps in July or August.

We'll see what happens. I'll do the odd blog post too.

Friday, December 26, 2008

PlanetX

Due to a change in circumstances my beloved Planet X tri bike is for sale...


- Planet X Stealth Pro Carbon frame & forks (Size XL - 58cm crank centre to top of seat stay)
- 10-spd Dura-Ace 7800 group incl BB & bar-end levers
- Planet X Pro Carbon 50mm aero wheels with American Classic hubs. Tubular tyres. Perfectly true wheels.
- HED Vantage 8 aerobars.
- Deda Newton 80mm stem.
- Look KEO carbon pedals.
- ISM Adamo Road saddle (strange but wonderful!)
- Shimano Ultegra chain.
- Shimano Dura-Ace 12-25 cassette.
- Cane Creek integrated headset.
- Hydrotail + 2 x carbon bottle cages
- Oval Concepts brake levers
- + Planet X padded wheel bag
- bracket and sensor for Polar HRM.
- crank is 175mm & front mech fitting is braze-on. Chainset is 52-39.

Bought in July 2007. Done less than 900km. Never crashed. Beautiful smooth ride.
Fork steerer tube has not been cut.
This bike helped me take 20mins off my Half-Ironman bike leg time.

Cost more than AED17,000, selling for AED13,000 or nearest offer. Call Adrian 0504817906 if interested. Located in The Lakes, Emirates Hills.