CMWC Toronto

Ola,
time is drawing near from CMWC again, and thankfully this time we can just sit back and enjoy it... after a quick flight to Canada...

Navid in Toronto has said he will help try and fix some accommodation for us Dubliners over there if we'd like. Myself (Graham) and 25 are planning on renting somewhere so we have a spot to chill at whenever we want and don't have to be reliant on others, maybe we're getting old... I dunno.

If anyone else is interested please let me know asap as Navid needs numbers and I'm not sure who from Dublin is definitely going and what their arrangements are. I'm looking at being there from June 11th to 18th or somesuch.

Send me a mail: dublinmessenger@gmail.com and we'll figure it out.

www.dublinmessengers.org

just to let anyone that might care know, I've been tinkering and you can now access this site through www.dublinmessengers.org. Yay!

Global Global Gutz Results

Here we are... scroll down to find yourself. 16th is the best Dublin time. i don't know what we have to do, but we have to completely re-think the nature of the course if we want to start posting quicker times. Seems we're stuck in a rut...
Congratualtions to all the racers.

1 Jens Reinert Hamburg 0:30:59

2 Daniel Hamburg 0:31:00

3 Irek G Warsaw 0:31:21

4 Mrówa Warsaw 0:32:15

5 Bandit Warsaw 0:32:19

6 Prettyboy Sydney 0:32:39

7 Doddy Sydney 0:33:24

8 Big Rob Sydney 0:33:45

9 Simon Lieberg Bremen 0:33:52

10 Alexander Drögmöller Bremen 0:33:52

11 Georg Hasselmann Bremen 0:33:52

12 Daniel Heisler Bremen 0:33:52

13 Ralph New York 0:35:14

14 Andrew New York 0:35:35

15 Matt Brisbane 0:35:38

16 Kropa Dublin 0:35:46

17 Lizard Dublin 0:35:47

18 Piki Warsaw 0:35:50

19 Maciek Warsaw 0:35:50

20 Daz Dublin 0:35:52

21 Sean Dublin 0:35:52

22 Tomas Warsaw 0:35:59

23 Janek Warsaw 0:36:11

24 Mlynek Warsaw 0:36:12

25 J.T New York 0:36:27

26 Crihs New York 0:36:30

27 Jacobs Boston 0:36:50

28 Someone New York 0:36:50

29 Frankie Nun, el Divino Santiago 0:36:56

30 Croth Boston 0:37:10

31 Olli Hyytiainan Winnipeg 0:37:11

32 Miler Warsaw 0:37:19

33 Mark Leoppky Winnipeg 0:37:36

34 Karl Brisbane 0:37:47

35 Jim Kuz Toronto 0:37:54

36 Pornosteve Zurich 0:37:55

37 Martin Larsen Toronto 0:37:59

38 Cris Cali New York 0:38:00

39 Samwise Sydney 0:38:03

40 Pinky Gaab Santiago 0:38:15

41 Will Melbourne 0:38:20

42 Mex Sydney 0:38:26

43 Link New York 0:38:33

44 Yatika New York 0:38:39

45 Eric Slowski Boston 0:38:50

46 Jorge Abarca Santiago 0:39:06

47 Glenn Macaulay Winnipeg 0:39:26

48 Benjamin Bloomfield Winnipeg 0:39:26

49 Jamie Vrooman Winnipeg 0:39:26

50 Jeff Kidder San Diego 0:39:30

51 Ernesto San Diego 0:39:31

52 Andino "guaraná" Reyes Santiago 0:39:32

53 Bryan F. San Diego 0:39:32

54 Vince Zurich 0:39:42

55 Steve Dublin 0:40:05

56 Emerson San Diego 0:40:08

57 Mario "velocity" Boldoy Santiago 0:40:16

58 Dave Brisbane 0:40:30

59 Ed Dublin 0:40:34

60 Lucasz Dublin 0:40:36

61 Aryeh Smith Toronto 0:40:38

62 Carlee (First female)

Toronto 0:40:42

63 Andy McGillioray Toronto 0:40:44

64 Pete Rubi Boston 0:40:49

65 Gary Bolivar Boston 0:40:50

66 Brendan Shea Boston 0:40:51

67 Beardo Boston 0:40:52

68 Simon Brisbane 0:41:00

69 Bidu Zurich 0:41:23

70 El Comelon Zurich 0:41:30

71 Nathan Brisbane 0:41:30

72 Paul Brisbane 0:41:55

73 Kevin Dublin 0:42:00

74 Jordan Field Toronto 0:42:01

75 Rob Zurich 0:42:06

76 Kerr Dublin 0:42:09

77 Ale Verdugo Santiago 0:42:12

78 Doctor Brisbane 0:42:19

79 Sam Brisbane 0:42:20

80 Noal Brisbane 0:42:21

81 Tom Brisbane 0:42:22

82 Damian Brisbane 0:42:22

83 Pete Sydney 0:42:23

84 Rangi Sydney 0:42:25

85 John Melbourne 0:42:34

86 Dan Melbourne 0:42:36

87 Josh Melbourne 0:42:39

88 Pete Brewer Toronto 0:42:46

89 Pascal Zurich 0:42:47

90 Cameron Hildebrandt Toronto 0:42:48

91 Tim Kassel 0:43:01

92 Ania Warsaw 0:43:02

93 Michel Santiago 0:43:04

94 Tobias Kassel 0:43:07

95 Bob Sutton Toronto 0:43:14

96 Jano "michelado" Montano Santiago 0:43:18

97 Matius Santiago 0:43:36

98 Steveiator Melbourne 0:43:40

99 Pablo Santiago 0:43:48

100 Johannes Zurich 0:43:48

101 Cordones Flojos Santiago 0:43:50

102 Steve Melbourne 0:43:51

103 Sewin on fire Santiago 0:43:52

104 Liam Melbourne 0:44:00

105 Jessie D Toronto 0:44:06

106 Kyle New York 0:44:08

107 Trek slick Santiago 0:44:08

108 Pip Melbourne 0:44:23

109 Udo Dada Santiago 0:45:14

110 Brett Brisbane 0:45:17

111 Britlee New York 0:45:25

112 Quintrileo Santiago 0:45:28

113 Casco Giro MSN Santiago 0:45:29

114 Dan Brisbane 0:45:38

115 Jaime Santiago 0:45:40

116 Bado Sydney 0:45:42

117 Niall Dublin 0:45:56

118 Pete Brisbane 0:45:58

119 Stefan Kassel 0:46:08

120 Marty Kassel 0:46:11

121 Sebi Kassel 0:46:12

122 Zeb Sydney 0:47:08

123 El-Jeffe San Diego 0:47:15

124 Stan G. San Diego 0:47:16

125 Dennis-Johnycrash-Tha Mennice Frankfurt 0:47:18

126 Moritz Mindnmatter Frankfurt 0:47:23

127 Mace Brisbane 0:47:27

128 Paragon Sydney 0:47:33

129 Natalie Dublin 0:47:46

130 Chris Dublin 0:47:46

131 Tom2 Brisbane 0:48:00

132 Chris Streetfighta Frankfurt 0:48:13

133 riley Adelaide 0:48:22

134 Sketchy Rick San Diego 0:48:41

135 Mattallica San Diego 0:48:42

136 dannoz Adelaide 0:49:00

137 Chris Dinsmore Norfolk 0:49:03

138 Rastas Santiago 0:49:08

139 Mayobike Santiago 0:49:12

140 msn lentes Santiago 0:49:13

141 Rene-Schwanenflug Frankfurt 0:49:36

142 Dennis Cologne 0:50:09

143 Rupe Cologne 0:50:12

144 Fabián Santiago 0:50:16

145 short amarillo Santiago 0:50:18

146 Andy Brisbane 0:50:20

147 James Brisbane 0:50:21

148 Carolina Santiago 0:50:28

149 Negro "fantasma" Pablo Santiago 0:50:44

150 Michelle Dublin 0:50:55

151 Lawrence Santiago 0:52:12

152 PPVaz Santiago 0:52:30

153 Wes Cheney Norfolk 0:53:21

154 PedroXT Santiago 0:53:30

155 Nata de Leche Santiago 0:53:34

156 Anette Zurich 0:53:48

157 Osita Santiago 0:53:58

158 Robert Kurtz Norfolk 0:54:01

159 JotaPé Santiago 0:54:58

160 Aaron Brisbane 0:55:39

161 C.J. Brisbane 0:55:41

162 Juan Madrid 0:55:42

163 Federico Madrid 0:55:45

164 Anja Cologne 0:55:54

165 Coco Madrid 0:56:02

166 Marcel Essen 0:56:49

167 Noah San Diego 0:56:50

168 Tim Essen 0:56:51

169 Guillermo Madrid 0:56:56

170 Jochen Essen 0:57:25

171 Alvaro Madrid 0:58:21

172 David Madrid 0:58:23

173 Lars Kassel 0:58:58

174 David Buchta Norfolk 0:59:36

175 Laura Caughey San Diego 0:59:57

176 Albano Madrid 1:00:00

177 Aitor Madrid 1:00:00

178 Elise Melbourne 1:01:48

179 Alberto Madrid 1:02:00

180 Andre Cologne 1:04:31

181 J. Jitensha Norfolk 1:05:28

182 Dirk Essen 1:05:59

183 Philipp Essen 1:06:20

184 Martin Essen 1:07:27

185 Henry Essen 1:07:36

186 Markus Essen 1:07:39

187 Sarah Melbourne 1:09:06

188 Clara Madrid 1:10:00

189 Rafa Madrid 1:10:00

190 bowie fist Adelaide 1:10:00

191 big mick fist Adelaide 1:10:00

192 antoin fist Adelaide 1:10:00

193 Edu Cologne 1:33:31

194 Jane Zurich 1:50:13

195 Denis Zurich 1:53:07

196 Chrisiaan Zurich 1:54:43

197 Mats Zurich 1:54:53

Janka Cologne DNF

Gaku Cologne DNF

Uula Cologne DNF

Hans Cologne DNF

Eik Cologne DNF

ErasMostro Santiago DNF

Xerófito Santiago DNF

NN Santiago DNF

NN Santiago DNF

Mattias Zurich DNF

Marc Zurich DNF

Tobias Pohl Bremen DNF

Clint Sydney DNF

Paul Sydney DNF

Rocco Dublin DNF

Tim Dublin DNF

Gary Dublin DNF

Tomkow Essen DNF

Jepp Essen DNF

Oliver Essen DNF

Alex Heimkind Hamburg DNF

Alf Tejaoa San Diego DQ

Global Gutz Results

16 racers, 21 kilometres, some beer.
1: Kropa (and 1st fixed): 35:46
2: Lizard: 35.47
3: Daz: 35.52.2
4: Sean 35.52.8
5: Steve: 40.05
6: Ed: 40.34
7: Lucasz: 40.36
8: Kevin: 42.00
9: Kerr: 42.09
10: Niall: 45.56
11:Natalie (1st female): 47.46
12: Chris: 47.46
13: Michelle: 50.55
dnf: Rocco
dnf: Tim
dnf: Gary

And here is the course: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=1803514

Check the global Gutz website here over the next few days to see how you fared on the worldwide scale.

Thanks to everyone who came out to race, and everyone that helped out.

Track season/ polo season

With the evenings lengthening and the weather trying to warm up, fair weather cyclists are once again brushing off the cobwebs and lubing their bits for the season ahead... what that entails is that the call has gone out from the Track Federation and the Irish National Bike Polo Squad of Death.

They are both commencing their two wheeled festivities soon and would like the messengers of Dublin to get off their collective lazy asses and boost the numbers. Both activities are great, I highly reccommend trying them, proper track racing is hardcore and will show you up for the weakling you are, while grass bike polo with the pros will have you spinning your legs at a frantic pace and getting knocked around a field by large men with sticks.

Seriously though, they are both great pursuits and a welcome change from slogging around the city all day. Both groups of people, while having very different cycling habits, are friendly, enthusiastic, and are two of the only groups of people in Dublin that actually respect us! Chapeau!

Here be the details for the track:
From Hugh Byrne:
"This years Track Season opens with a training day for accredited riders on Saturday 3rd May. Sign on /bike hire etc from 10.30 but session starts at 11am sharp. Our Track League then starts on the following Wednesday evening and this is open to accredited track riders only. Sign on & bike hire/set up from 1830 but racing starts at 7pm. No accreditations on Wednesdays and Full Racing or Restricted Competition (Track) Licence is required for racing."
Full details can be found here.

As for the polo, Evan, who organises the affair, has in formed me that they will be meeting Thursday evenings. They also play on Sunday mornings, but we've never been good at that have we? They generally play from around 7 until the sun goes down. All you need to bring is yourself. They have proper grass polo bikes, wich are a lot of fun to ride, and they supply mallets as well. These guys often travel to international competitions and all are encoursged to join them. Remember bike polo was started in Ireland many moons ago, and has been played on the horsey polo grounds in Phoenix Park for a long time. Give me a shout if any of you fancy going up next week after work. We can grab something to eat and cruise on up as a group.
Bray seafront, 1908

Global Gutz details

Ahoy hoy...
So Global Gutz is this Saturday. We've decided to go for the 1pm start as we guess noone really wants to race at 9pm on Sunday...

I've to ride the course today to confirm the distance, but be prepared for 21k.

We've no prizes really, but hey, fuck prizes right? €5 entry, winner takes the pot, and is in with a chance of winning return flights to Toronto for this years CMWC.

This is not your average alleycat remember. For one, the course is designed to be simple, straight and as fast as possible, for once the race designer is not trying to make you cry. You are not just racing for yourself, but for your city. We all want Dublin to be well up there when the global results are posted. To this end it makes sense to work together as much as possible. Sprint at the end if you have the legs. I'm guessing this might be one reason some other cities do so well. Racing together will give everyone a better overall time... and I have a devilish finish in mind that will make for a great sprint finish if we have a bunch coming in together...

I hope to get off my ass and have flyers circulating this afternoon, Thursday at the latest.

Also, it is Kropas (Polish Chris) last day in Ireland on Saturday, so even if you're not coming out to race, perish the thought, please come and hang out. We're going to attempt to play polo afterwards, and of course go for a few beers, so come and join us.

Start place is Merrion Square East, inside the park. Be there AT THE LATEST 12.30pm for registration. Race begins at 1pm SHARP!!! No exceptions. One of the great things about this race is that we will be riding at the same time as people all over the world.

See you there.

Planning for Pedals

25 has just informed me that there is a lecture taking place in Trinity College on May 15th. It's the Dublin Cycling Campaign's annual lecture and is free of charge. The talk will be given by Dr. John Parkin and will encompass a wide range of topics encompassing the question 'what factors affect bicycle use?'.

Sounds like it might be worth a look in.
more details available here.

10 Commandments for Motorists

I missed this when it was reported last year, but Dave Moulton brought it back to my attention as I was scanning his blog. Interesting article from the summer of last year:

International Heral Tribune, 19th June 2007.

VATICAN CITY: The Vatican on Tuesday issued a set of the "Drivers' Ten Commandments," telling motorists to be charitable to others on the highways, to refrain from drinking and driving, and to pray you make it before you even buckle up.

An unusual document from the Vatican's office for migrants and itinerant people also warned that automobiles can be "an occasion of sin" - particularly when they are used for dangerous passing or for prostitution.

It warned about the effects of road rage, saying driving can bring out "primitive" behavior in motorists, including "impoliteness, rude gestures, cursing, blasphemy, loss of sense of responsibility or deliberate infringement of the highway code."

It urged motorists to obey traffic regulations, drive with a moral sense and to pray when behind the wheel.

Cardinal Renato Martino, who heads the office, said at a news conference that the Vatican felt it necessary to address the pastoral needs of motorists because driving had become such a big part of contemporary life.

He noted that the Bible was full of people on the move, including Mary and Joseph, the parents of Jesus - and that his office was responsible for dealing with all "itinerant" people - from refugees to prostitutes, truck drivers to the homeless.

"We know that as a consequence of transgressions and negligence, 1.2 million people die each year on the roads," Martino said. "That's a sad reality, and at the same time, a great challenge for society and the church."

The document, "Guidelines for the Pastoral Care of the Road," extols the benefits of driving - family outings, getting the sick to the hospital, allowing people to see other cultures.

But it laments a host of ills associated with automobiles: Drivers use their cars to show off; driving "provides an easy opportunity to dominate others" by speeding; drivers can kill themselves and others if they do not get their cars regular tuneups, if they drink, use drugs or fall asleep at the wheel.

The document calls for drivers to obey speed limits and to exercise a host of Christian virtues: charity to fellow drivers, prudence on the roads, hope of arriving safely and justice in the event of crashes.

And it suggests prayer might come in handy - performing the sign of the cross before starting off and saying the Rosary along the way. The Rosary was particularly well-suited to recitation by all in the car since its "rhythm and gentle repetition does not distract the driver's attention."

The document is intended for bishops conferences around the world, and as such offered recommendations for their pastoral workers.

The "Drivers' Ten Commandments" as listed by the document are:

1. You shall not kill.

2. The road shall be for you a means of communion between people and not of mortal harm.

3. Courtesy, uprightness and prudence will help you deal with unforeseen events.

4. Be charitable and help your neighbor in need, especially victims of accidents.

5. Cars shall not be for you an expression of power and domination, and an occasion of sin.

6. Charitably convince the young and not so young not to drive when they are not in a fitting condition to do so.

7. Support the families of accident victims.

8. Bring guilty motorists and their victims together, at the appropriate time, so that they can undergo the liberating experience of forgiveness.

9. On the road, protect the more vulnerable party.

10. Feel responsible toward others.

Belated Paddy's Day Massacre results

Better late than never...

Fri. Night/Rubber Side Down alleycat:
1st: Rocco
2nd: Ed
3rd: Oisin

Sprints:
Rob

Skids:
Rob

Backward Circles:
Daz (30 circles, probably an Irish record)

Trackstands:
Rob

Footdown:
Daz

Sunday alleycat:
1st: Ed and Eoin
3rd: Kropa

1st female: Lola... the only female entrant in any event over the weekend, what's up with that???

Overall Massacre winner: Aaron. He competed in every event, and was technically our only out-of-towner, chapeau!

Big thanks go out to everyone that organised a race, or a party, or helped put in any way, you know who you are. Thanks to all the racers, it would be nothing without you after all. Thanks to Cuan for bringing us loads of schwag from Toronto to give away, Kate for making those awesome caps, Aaron for the leftie Timbuk we still have to find a home for, CCB for the stunning bag that Aaron won, and last but by no means least Xander from House of Pistard who made the cross design for the shirts and gave the limited edition hoodie that Rocco won for the Friday night race.

See you next year.

Global Gutz

We're getting near that time of year again, the worldwide alleycat that is Global Gutz.
I've registered us for it so tough doo-doo you're going to race it, for the greater glory of Dublin and all who ride in her... or something.

For those who don't know Global Gutz is an annual race that takes place in cities around the world at the same time. Every city must design a 21km course in as straight a route as possible, incorporating 5 checkpoints. This means that every city has to ride the same distance.
Male and female winners will win return airfare to this years CMWC in Toronto.

The course we used last year left Dublin's first rider across the line, Lizard, in 14th place worldwide, but the time was 6 minutes off 1st place. In a medieval city like Dublin it is hard to make a course that doesn't involve a lot of junctions etc. so we are at a disadvantage. I still have last years course saved so we can use that, but if someone would like to come up with a new one get in touch.

All you need to know is: 5 checkpoints, not including start/finish. Flat as possible to aid the riders, remember we're trying to help them win this one, 21km measured pretty accurately, and make the course as simple as possible so that there can be no short cuts taken, fairness is the key.

Check the link to Global Gutz in the sidebar --> for more info and previous results.

Tosser

Ok, maybe I'm projecting, but I had to ride back and do a double-take when i passed by this Porsche in the nether regions of Ranelagh this morning...

How good was that track cycling last week? Chris Hoy is a superhero and that's all there is to it. If you want to relive his winning ride in the individual sprint you can check it here. The cocks have disabled embedding.

Brilliant April Fool's from Brooklyn Machine Works on bikeforums.net.

Fuck that wind, I'm so tired.

Full Paddy's Day results will be up soon... I promise.

Cranks yo!

To go with your nice new frame you might be looking for some shiny new cranks? Keirin Culture have started stocking some own-brand Kazane cranks. 'Better than Sugino Messenger and a better price' apparently. One thing they are is cheap.

Can't vouch for these at all, but they sound worth a shot at the price. I've ordered from these guys before and they are cool to deal with. They also stock steel track forks, frames, hubs, all at very reasonable prices.