These are the finishers of the Melburn Roobaix. Taken at the summit of the Col d’Northcote!

Not that you’d know but now I’m rewriting this from scratch for a second time because Wordpress is a piece of shit, and perhaps because I wasn’t paying enough attention to what I was doing.

Anyway, the Melburn-Roobaix was run on Saturday and by all accounts was a huge success. I wasn’t counting but Trackcunt was and there were more than the hoped-for 100 riders participating. The course was challenging and lots of fun. My bike suffered some wear and tear (just like I did) but it was all worth it.

A couple of punctures were enjoyed but other than that I didn’t hear of any injuries. Although I’m sure a few riders copped some talcum powder in the eyes as a reward for climbing the Col d’Northcote.

Highlights included:
- The Mapei QuickStep squad (recreating the 1999 Paris-Roubaix) - great work guys!
- The workmen near the Bolte Bridge providing an impromptu feed zone and the ’ALLEZ!’ chorus.
- The brutal Col d’Northcote.
- The errr…encouragement and support.
- Our team member Des, taking out the big prize - a pair of polished Deep V rims from CTA.
- Hearing Spuddy’s tyre go ’sssssssssssssssss’.
- This guy.
- The looks on people’s faces at Northcote Plaza as dozens of sweaty, dirty, laughing, talcum-powder covered riders invaded the place buying hamburger buns, rolls and sausages.

Big Thanks to:
- Trackcunt and Ugly for organising everything, including the well-earned bbq & keg.
- Sponsors CTA, Shifterbikes, Fyxomatosis, Deluxe Bicycle Club, Bikenow
- Nath, for showing up just to take some pics.
- and thanks to M!key for helping the breakaway

For more talk and pics, have a look here, here and here… and here.
Stay tuned for the ‘Freeway Madison’ and ‘Mean Streets’.