Steve invited me up to Jindabyne to partake in a days riding as part of his four day Alpine odyssey. I thought I'd make the most of Aussie Day by heading up after work on Tuesday so that we could share dinner and a few brews that night before riding to Dead Horse Gap. (Interesting fact: I thought it was called Dead Whore's Gap, so when I googled it from my work computer I was blocked and sent a warning....soon figured out the error in my way).
 
Dinner was great, Kosciuscko Pale on tap was great and the ride back to the Ski Inn on the Folder was eventful; picture a slightly inebriated man riding a miniature fold up bike in complete darkness becoming airborne on a broken section of footpath. Lucky to come out alive.

We breakfasted at Sublime, it was 'sublime', with a breakfast the size of my head. I paid for that later but it certainly fueled me for the day.
 
The forecast had the weather looking pretty average but the clouds passed early to leave blue skies, albeit high speed and gusty winds. Unfortunately the 35 km ride to the gap was uphill and into a headwind, so much so that I needed to pedal down some hills.......

We stopped in Thredbo for a quick refreshment and a refreshing dip.
 
The return trip was obviously a blinder, mostly downhill with a tail wind I found my self in top gear spinning out on the flats!!

Although the ride only ended up being around the 80km mark, I was well and truly frazzled.

So as a result of the mostly bogan crowd who had swept into the town for Australia Day (read: shinny accessorised utes towing boats/jetskis with Aussie flags flying) we decided there was really no reason to stay for another night, instead we'd head back to town and enjoy a quite drink or two with friends in a park, whilst listening to the most disappointing Hottest 100 in history, what could be more Aussie. On the way we devoured the largest fast food in the world at Cooma, will be returning to that little old milk bar!!

John was kind enough to organise a small gathering in his house centred around Vorn Doolette and his unique folk storytelling musical craft. Vorn and I seem to have spent parts of our lives between the two great cities of Canberra and Adelaide, where he now resides. He is touring and has a self titled album, which he forgot to bring with him to Johns house, but which I've purchased online.

Unfortunately I'm busy packing for Jindabyne so I can't give this photo essay the full attention it deserves just yet; so instead visit his site, read about his achievements, listen to his music and catch him where you can!!

Here's some images from the afternoon, enjoy.

And some more using good old fashioned electrickery.....

I'm not quite sure how to broach the subject of me and a Leica. I've always wanted one in the same way that everyone wants something they don't need; in the same way I want a Colnago, a Mini Cooper S and an Omega Speedmaster. So when I was offered one to borrow by Hung, who had seen the results of my rangefinder shooting over the Christmas break, I was immediately hesitant. At first I replied that I would not borrow it unless there was a chance that I could buy it if I fell in love with it, he avoided the subject only to say he wasn't 'trying to sell it'. My other hesitation stemmed from the fact that we all know it's not about the camera, it's all about the photographer; what if I was to be disappointed (much in the same way that I don't listen to interviews with my favorite bands for fear of them being wankers). I mean, I own a series of cameras that have, over the years, been referred to as 'the poor man's Leica' due to their outstanding performance and considerably lower price.

Of course I have no willpower, so I said yes and took delivery of a mint (read: virtually brand new with no signs of use) Leica M6 with new Voigtlander Ultron 28mm f/2 lens. I subsequently borrowed a Canon 50mm f/1.2 from Chris.

I'd held a Leica in my hands once before, but this time it felt different as I knew I'd get to know it over the next two and a half weeks. Alessi once said the Leica M camera body (first made in 1954) is one of the few designs of the 20th century which he thought was so perfect he would never try to change it. Try Google and you'll find lots more wank, but honestly, I can't disagree.

In an effort not to bore, here are my initial impressions in no specific order, greatly abbreviated and with no basis. Hold is heavy, sure and comfortable. It's easy to use; frame, focus, aperture then exposure. Framing is GREAT as you can see outside of the frame lines allowing better composition. I've had a couple of issues focusing in low light, something supposedly a non-issue on the bright Leica viewfinder. Build quality, yes. It makes me feel like more of a man.

So here's the results of the first day with the black beauty.

And some from the next day.

So my next two weeks will be interesting. The favourites (Nikon FE and Olympus 35 RC) will sit stagnant while I frolick with another.
If I had the choice right now would I buy one? Judging by the images I'd say.......yes. It seems the design has allowed an ease of use second to none (which means you get it out more often) and somehow improved my composition (in my eyes anyway). I think I want a silver one though, although this would attract even more attention. I've actually considered taping the labels and red dot........could be considered blasphemy......

Obviously more to come, and thanks to Liam for the title, funny man!

The process of transition began when Fern gave me her dad's old bike. A no name lugged steel beauty with Columbus drop-outs and almost complete Zeus componentry. The Peugeot had always been a centimetre or two too large, but rode so beautifully that I made compromises; lowered the seat and attached a weenie stem. The last few weeks of it's commuting life were spent annoying the crap out of me with a mysterious creak coming from the front end. The no-name bike from Fern became my new commuter once parts had been swapped and the Pug became clutter. One good thing that came of the part swap was my discovery of a major crack in the fork as I removed the head set race, it was the cause of the creak and soon would have seen me in hospital!

Rick mentioned the fact that he was toying with the idea of a single speed for his mostly flat commute to work. I offered my assistance and here's what evolved. (BTW, it looks far more respectful with the seat at normal person height).

The replacement fork may be an interim, depends if we find a chrome fork that is suitable, otherwise it may see a trip to the local chrome-eriser (?).

All I have now is the years of memories........

........and the new beauty.

I watched a documentary the other night. It said that if alcohol was discovered today it would be banned or classed as a dangerous drug due to the negative effects it has; it's a neurotoxin, which means it can poison the brain. Fortunately it has a long history steeped in tradition, like the Friday afternoon beer. Take for example this last Friday; I met up with Ben, Adam, Ed and Xiaoyi first at the Transit Bar.

We then met up with a bunch of Rats at the Uni House.

From 1992 until 1995, the advice was that men should drink no more than 21 units per week, and women no more than 14. This was changed because a government study showed that many people were in effect 'saving' up their units and 'using' them at the end of the week, ridiculous!

Then it was some quick and, in Eddy's words, 'righteous' kababs before the Phoenix called. 20% of alcohol is absorbed in the stomach so it's a good idea to have some tasty Turkish prior to another beer.

As we all know ethyl alcohol is not a stimulant, so we well and truly relaxed until last drinks were called and the chairs were placed on the tables.

On the way to exiting civic we had some very small beers at King O'Malley's, before we retired to watch the clouds fly by on the grass, talk crap and eventually venture our own ways.

Six out of ten drownings are caused by alcohol..............I avoided swimming on the way home. 

So I learned something from watching the box.

I know this is a ridiculous thing to do, but here goes anyway. I am selling a pile of bike crap I don't use. I couldn't be bothered putting it on eBay or even putting a price next to each item. That means all you have to do is make an offer and justify it (ie. Gimme the price I must have paid for it once upon a time and then value that against use, or how much beer you'll give me).

I'm almost certain this wont work, but we'll see. Enjoy.

P.S. Don't be scared, it's all surprisingly cheap.

Quick descriptions:
- Olmo road frame, post, shimano headset and cranks with BB but no chain ring, 54cm. New powder coat and repro decals, Dedaccia tubing, internal cable routing, hanger with horizontal drops. Minor scuff on fork. (whole bike not for sale unless you want to pay $1000? I didn't think so).
- FreeSpirit men's bike. Purchased in 1983 in the USA. Ridden once and stored ever since. I kid you not! Shimano Positiron gears, dubious quality but a stunner to look at.
- Hilbrick track frame 55cm, fork and Cinelli stem. CroMoly. Minor scuff from a chain drop incident.
- Viper frame and R7 fork, Large, frame brand new (no hanger - available from CRC), fork working but in average condition, FSA headset.
- Schwalbe Hurricane tyres, 26" almost new with tubes.
- White Industries dingle freewheel, 17 and 19t. 17t shows signs of wear, 19t perfect.
- FSA carbon road cranks 172.5mm ISIS. Always creaked on the BB. Rings are good.
- Proflate CO2 pump (new), Ultegra pedals, average (with average cleats), Cervelo carbon seatpost 28.5mm WTF???, Polar system (HR, wireless cadence and speed, temp, altitude, wireless PC link, mounts) has been dormant for years.
- Discs 160mm Shimano and Formula.
- Truvativ Stylo Singlespeed cranks 180mm ISIS.
- Truvativ Style XC chainrings (not sure why the middle 32t is new and of a different brand).
- Carbon soled shoes. Specialized (perfect working order, the usual scratches on sole from use, good), NorthWave carbon/steel/titanium soles STIFF (saw a lot of track work, average condition (without cleats)).
- SMP V8 pedals (smooth bearings, otherwise average), Salsa gloves (too heavyweight for my use, never worn).
- LX and XT V-Brakes, RaceFace 27.2mm post, 12-21 8 speed cassette, LX front derailleur.

I took the minimum of leave this Christmas Break, with the aim of using what I have to head to Japan midyear. As such I planned nothing and did the usual trip home to visit family and see how much my niece has grown, she's definitely looking and acting more like a small human now, loving everything she sees and tastes!

I achieved practically nothing, only sleeping 4 of the 6 nights I spent in Adelaide (with a night spent enjoying some drum and bass Kenny Ken style, and of course New Years).

In between I enjoyed a lot of beach time, some great jet skiing on the Murray, a day trip to the hills and Barossa, and some great food courtesy of mum and any other provider within a stones throw of my bro's house at Henley Beach!! So here's a random selection of 'stuff', not overwhelming in any way as I seemed to only use three rolls of film the entire trip. (All on the Olympus RC 35 or the Minolta 7s as the Nikon FE broke the night before I left......all fixed now though!!)

I caught up with Mike whilst in Adelaide and we discussed the fact that the road trip direct from Canberra to Adelaide via the Hay Plain was really just a waste of a day, a commute. We decided that a two day trip via anywhere else would be a far better option so, powered by Volkswagen and Skoda, headed off a couple of days earlier than anticipated and enjoyed the Coonawarra, beginnings of the great ocean road and a great night in Port Campbell. If it weren't for the tourists it would have been perfect (yes, I appreciate the irony!!). I fear that from now on I will have to schedule at least two days for the trip and I do actually look forward to next time.

Sometimes I wonder where I find my friends, especially after days like the one I spent with Steve a few weeks back. Nothing planned just a morning visit, which turned into a tour of the dump shops, drinks and a spa in the Rat Patrol residence and a quite few whiskeys afterward in Steve's shed. Life is so good.