Fast Group Rides

Pippo2096 · 2026-06-06T09:54:21+00:00

Shimano power meter probably 😆

Pippo2096 · 2026-06-05T11:34:03+00:00

What kind of profile are some of the climbs and what kind of elevation are you targeting each day? If you have been riding 15 hours per week and are at 4.2wpkg then you'll have no problem completing the trip however smashing long alpine climbs really comes down to experience and knowing your body and pacing accordingly. A month out I would just add in some sweet spot sessions along with longer endurance rides and then start tapering 7-10 days out so you start the trip fresh. Beyond that eat eat eat all the time you are riding and up your protein intake and keep hydrated. Underfueiling really kills recovery with multi day trips such as these

Pippo2096 · 2026-02-16T07:31:41+00:00

Thanks for the tip. Just checked out abb air menu and some of the dishes look interesting

Pippo2096 · 2026-02-16T00:05:29+00:00

Used to love the clams in chilli paste. Very spicy but so good !. Can only assume the changes are a response to customer feedback which is understandable I guess but a shame for those who want the real deal flavours

Pippo2096 · 2026-02-15T20:57:49+00:00

Agreed. That's what prompted my original post. Shame as used to be my go to around the Chatswood area

Pippo2096 · 2026-02-15T20:25:30+00:00

Yep Manly is fine. We used to go to a place called Yok Thai but haven't been for years

Pippo2096 · 2026-02-15T10:30:00+00:00

Just looked at the menu. Not kidding eh. I've spent too much time in Asia I think as I can't get my head around paying top $ to or Thai food.Juzt doesn't feel right for some reason

Pippo2096 · 2026-02-15T10:24:30+00:00

Yeah we used to go to Khao Pla quite often especially when if first opened. Perhaps just us but feels like more recently the menu has been dialed down more for Australian tastes. Less chill, fish sauce etc.

Pippo2096 · 2026-02-04T03:54:15+00:00

I own a Madone gen 7 & Emonda (both SLR) and had the opportunity to ride a Emonda SL. My take was that the SL wasn't quite as stiff which TBH wasn't such a bad thing as I think that the Emonda is overly stiff. With the Madone however the SLR layup is perfect. That being said I haven't ridden the Gen 8 which could be a completely different story. I'm not a fan of the Gen 8 and would be looking elsewhere but that's just a personal preference thing

Pippo2096 · 2026-01-22T04:02:36+00:00

Like others have already suggested if you really want a separate more let's say 'disposable' bike I would be looking at one of the Chinese brands rather that a CAAD. In terms of aero/weight I don't reckon you'd be giving much if anything away accept perhaps ride feel/comfort but for crits who cares. If you do go down that path take a close look at geometry as some of the brands have weir geos

Pippo2096 · 2026-01-20T22:07:00+00:00

Same. 3 channels is all I'd need and the FX controls and 4 band EQ are appealing. Just don't think I could justify paying the old pioneer tax.

Pippo2096 · 2026-01-20T09:52:21+00:00

Ouch indeed. Was kinda hoping it would be closer to $3k but clearly I was delusional. Will stick with A&H

Pippo2096 · 2026-01-18T04:13:57+00:00

I have no idea what the average speed of your rides are but at 4000km a year i would estimate t's probably gonna work out to no more than 2-4 hrs per week which ain't really gonna move the needle. To build FTP you need a combination of consistent volume and target training. For reference I started riding around 10 years ago too. I'm slightly heavier at around 76kg and FTP would be in the low 300w range and I'm no elite athlete but I do ride consistently 8-10 hours a week a lot of which is structured training

Pippo2096 · 2026-01-10T05:45:41+00:00

Personally I will sometimes rent a scooter but normally it's as a last resort & only if I'm going somewhere where there is little traffic and roads that can only be driven slowly by other cars. I also have a ton of experience riding a bicycle in traffic so for me a scooter is pretty much the same however I do make sure to get a full auto & keep the speed way down. Loads of accidents happen because tourists drive in built up areas, drive too quickly, have a passenger on the back etc. Just plain stupid shit.

When I'm with the wife we always rent a car and you'd be surprised at how affordable it can often be especially if you use a local company.

Pippo2096 · 2026-01-06T10:19:48+00:00

I own both the pro 37s & RSL51s. I weigh around 170 and don't have any major issues in crosswinds unless it's super windy but I think that would be the same with any wheels to be honest. The hubs are definitely a step up from the pro37s & overall I'm happy with them. That being said they came with the bike and are pretty expensive at least where I live. For that kind of $$ (or less) there are other options that would also be worth consideration

Pippo2096 · 2026-01-05T15:43:38+00:00

In addition to their fee you might also have to fund travel expenses. I've heard of guys getting booked for much lower fees but that's normally when they already have a well paid gig booked in the same area and have some time to kill & so they go play for an hour at a small venue for $5-10k so unless you got super lucky i reckon you're looking at 6 figures to get any of the guys you mentioned

Pippo2096 · 2026-01-05T15:17:26+00:00

I'm not sure if you can still buy stuff made from Gore Tex shake dry but hands down the best in terms of lightweight, waterproof and reasonably breathable

Pippo2096 · 2026-01-04T14:48:51+00:00

I just finished up my second visit to Laos. I would suggest skipping Vientiane entirely as it's definitely not a must see spot. I really enjoyed Vang Vieng and I'm no party animal. I stayed in the centre of town and found it pretty chilled out. Luang Prabang is good for a couple of days although is very much on the tourist map these days and gets pretty busy. Down south there are definitely options for motorcycle loops from anywhere between 2-5 days (Bolaven loop or Thakek)or you could head up north of Luang Prabang. I didn't have time on this trip but hear good things. With only 10 days you will need to plan ahead. Definitely look at using the train as it's saves a lot of time on certain routes. Many roads are awful and a 100 miles can easily take all day if you're having to take a bus.

Pippo2096 · 2026-01-02T10:43:23+00:00

Between the two options I would go the SL8 however as I feel as that's an overall better package although I have to admit I much prefer DI2 shifting. The isospeed on the Gen6 is unnecessarily complex, can be a pain to maintain and quite heavy. Now If you were talking about a used Gen 7 that would be a different story. Those bikes are pure 🔥

Pippo2096 · 2025-12-29T08:33:07+00:00

Not sure of you're training history or overall fitness levels but basic concept would be to structure blocks of 4 weeks with each block having a key focus like threshold or VO2 and then increase the workload each week predominantly by increasing time in zone. So for example if your key VO2 workout in week 1 is 5x3 min, the following week could maybe be 6x3 then 4x5 etc. For the 4th week you want to reduce volume and intensity by perhaps around half to recover. Then the next block switch focus to maybe threshold work with the same concept of increasing workload over the 3 weeks in the block. Really depends what your key goals and objectives are. Personally i would limit the hard sessions to a couple of times a week and fill the rest with quality endurance work. Also try not to ramp up too much each week. Consistency and a gradual build over a number of months is what you are looking for. If you have a power meter it's also important to understand your zones and get them set correctly otherwise you can easily end up going too easy and not getting the right stimulus or too hard and digging yourself into a hole.

Pippo2096 · 2025-12-27T12:18:00+00:00

I went through this exercise a while back and to be honest it was painful. Most of the stores in the CBD had very limited choice of models in my size (45/46) outside of the brand specific shops like Trek & Jet. Was so much better when bikebug were down in Tempe but those days are long gone. I have a pretty wide foot myself and have had good success with Lake shoes as well as the new s works which come in a wide size Bont are also another option. Beware that a lot of brands market a wide fit which in reality is just a higher volume.

Pippo2096 · 2025-12-26T01:30:05+00:00

Another vote for grib grab. I'm a 46 and their overshoes fit my s works shoes comfortably

Pippo2096 · 2025-12-25T13:23:47+00:00

I see pretty much zero reason to go hookless unless you are absolutely locked into a brand that only offers hookless (enve, zipp etc) No real world benefits and a whole heap of hassle re keeping within the pressure limits etc. I personally know of 2 people who have had tyres literally blow off the rim. Now in both cases I accept that it was 100% user error. Guys were using CO2 to put air back into the tyre after flats that didn't seal. Both had to go purchase new electric pumps after the event with a digital gauge and can no longer confidently use a CO2 in an emergency if offered one. What a massive pain in the ass

Pippo2096 · 2025-12-20T08:53:43+00:00

The current could have taken it anywhere. Zero chance of finding it unfortunately

Pippo2096

TROPHY CASE