No Skid? No Bueno

Sixteen year old kids on track bikes in the OC take note.
Without sounding like a total granny, there wont be anything big or clever about riding brakeless when you fall on your face.

Lovely

God its so nice here. I am loving it.
Tonight i spun past the beach in the evening - rode up from Huntington to Newport and back. It was so fun with the sun going down and watching the sunset. It was quite breezy though so the hair has taken a life of its own.

Beaches + Sunset =Good times!

Excuse the hair.

Driving bike in car to beach is pretty weird!



Pretty , pretty , pretty.

Happy Birthday TIMO!

To one of favourite people in the world ; you might as well face it , we love you! Happy Birthday! I am wishing you and Ball and the warball bump and amazing day xx

OMG OC

So America is officially amazing. I have only been here a few days and am already loving it.

Found the trail to Huntington and Newport beach. About 15 mile round trip i shall be making most days.


Jim chilling in OC. Loads of roadies & Lyrca around but no one on fixed yet. Should solve that tomorrow when i head to Long Beach for LAfixed ride

Song of the summer...

My vote is on..

London to LA

So i have just arrived to Costa Mesa after a whole day on the road. The whole travel process went way too easy. Chaperoned to airport, lovely breakfast, 4 seats to myself on plane and 7 hours sleep! Huzzah! Im fighting the jet lag now though. Cp is in town so tomorrow we are toying with the idea of going sea kayaking (no really!) but not before we get the bikes out for a razz down the beach and a night out in Hollywood tomorrow. Cant believe Im actually here !

The ever helpful 'tilda assisted with packing ..

My bike bag is so huge Melle and i fitted in it

Lots of stuff for a wee lady


Miss you Londoners all already! x

let the packing commence...

I have been thoroughly useless and not packed a thing even though the flight is less than 48 hours away. I did for some weird reason decide to browse Harrods today . I just wanted to do something very London before the off. I then stopped in to Topshop to pick up my Cyclodelic printed silk scarf. Am loving it ! I then proceeded to burn £200 on clothes for Americaland . Oh well, there will be nothing like a danger pack tomorrow to keep me busy !

A week to make you think .

We have just returned from 18 hours in a van on the way back from Austria for this years' board test. I have to say that its been a really hard week , but one that really has made me appreciate the life and the people i have around me . Sadly, on Tuesday Keith Macintosh,an incredibly experienced snowboarder was caught in an avalanche in kaunteral where we all were riding and did not make it. I did not know keith but he was riding with some of my friends when the incident happened. His best friends over at Mcnab have beautiful tribute to him. This week stood testament to me for what an amazing bunch of people the British snowboarding industry are. Everyone really rallied around this week and stood side by side with eachother as we faced up to the tragedy that happened. It was incredibly emotional as we all stood at the top of the mountain and then all took some runs for Keiths' memory together. I feel so blessed by the people i have around me and more than ever, feel the wish to embrace every day to the fullest. My thoughts are with Keiths' friends and family.

Ah

I want this wee guy. I would buy him all the cat nip he could ever dream of!

King of Kong

This is the most amazing documentary ever . Please watch it !


Billy Mitchell =Pure evil.



He got what he deserved I love it when the good guys win!

Cracking times in Kaunertal ..

Albeit an 18 hour car journey to the Austrian mountains, we have finally arrived to Kaunertal. Journey was fun if a little long and we kept ourselves amused , although no one wanted to play 'Count to 1000' which is my favourite traveling game ever ! We are here this week as the awesome flatmate organises the annual snowboard test , which means we get to ride lovely spring conditions and test all the the 2010 kit . Wahey ! In the spirit of helping out, we arranged to be Ians' 'welcome girls' as everyone came into resort yesterday. We soon succumbed to boredom when we discovered most people were arriving later and we were averaging one car an hour. We decided to resurrect the old favourite , the jump shot. I found out thats its well hard to to a timer jump shot , so this is the best we got .






Pretty shattered after a day on the hill in the heat. We are in das hotel listening to my favourtie 80s tunes before a few beers and an early night ! I bloomin' love this song .. i think i nominate 'rock on with your bad self' as a contender for best lyric of all time ..

I'll have a double macchiato and a flu mask please ..

Only on Brick Lane ..



On the subject of coffee i am having issues with it at present. I refuse to give up my daily coffee in these credit crunchy times. Although i do now pick up the buy 1000 get 1 free vouchers and get them stamped at my favourite 'Brick Lane Coffee'. I went off dry cappuccinos (too milky) and now i get double machiatos (maybe not milky enough). I have toyed with the idea for asking for an extra splash of milk on the side , just in case. When that happens i think i should have a stern word with myself , get back on that wee bike and ride home to make a cup of tea.

Shopping !

Got to get my wee self some new things for USA (apart from factor 50 ) . Huzzah for Shop 14 !

hello mrs cutie mccutecat

Fixed Mag 3 Launch !

So , i am SO happy that FIXED 3 is launching at Shop 14 on Wednesday . As I live with the Sansom i have witnessed how much work goes into this and i can't wait to see it . Plus its happening before i go away so i shall highjack it as some kind of leaving shindig too i think !

Wednesday night booze train - oh oh!

Sort it out Boris ..

Call me traditional but i believe you should be able to actually cycle in a cycle lane ....

I heart stewie!

I remember when we went to Universal Studios and won a giant stewie. We then talked in stewie talk for about 10 days. I have watched every single episode and it still does not tire . Rewatching the one when Stewie gets sunburnt tonight . Soo good!

Amazing night ..

I'm paying for it now !

i want one !

leaving work is weird..

.. but at least it leaves me a ton of time to go and ride bikes !

100 single ladies

This morning at Piccadilly .. gutted i missed it !

Amusing

My mate Butters makes me laugh ..

Cyclodelic launch ride

Last night SBC and me all headed down to support our friend Amy and the launch of her and her friends Sarahs' Cyclodelic line launching in the mighty Topshop. I'm long withstanding fan of Topshop and i have to say i can't support things like this enough ! Its great to see a small , passionate business run by two cyclists getting the platform to take their line to the masses. The line has some really great pieces. Personally, im going to go and get one of their printed scarves. So cute !

Anyway the ride was super mellow and fun, we had a printed map for our check points provided , thats' unlike any other alleycat i have been on ! Oh and champagne at one checkpoint! Very fun . The Guardian had a wee article in it today and i really agree , we needs more girls on bikeys ! Now then, get your on bike, get yourself down Toppers and get yourself some Cyclodelic!

Thanks Winston for the pics ...

Foxx and Me Choolie



Me




Hot ladies

I heart Joe Mchale

Joe Mchale - he is too brilliant ! I cant wait till im in america and i can watch the soup on the telly instead of online !

Fame at last ...

I just found this from the Ride site , fame at last eh ! Its a nice little write up about my leaving do although im not sure what emphasis i was trying to do with my hands! Link to article is here and photos too. it was a great night !


Kat Mackenzie leaving Red Bull…


Alot of the readers of this site wont know who Kat Mackenzie is, but no doubt every one of you will have seen an event she has organized or know a rider she has hooked up. Kat Mackenzie was in charge of Freesports at Red Bull UK and looked after both Kye Forte and Sebastian Keep. Kat is directly responsible for both of the Empire of Dirt events which arguably was the best UK BMX event of all time. We’ve got Kat to thank for that…

Last night was her sending off party at Red Bull HQ in London. Thanks for the good times Kat, take care and have fun…

-Robin

The perfect Californian swimsuit

When you are pale and scottish like little me , the annual purchase of awesome swimwear is quite the challenge. We need to choose colours that don't wash out the scottish pale, cover as much as possible without looking like a nun and still look rad. I found Pistol Panties a year ago, and their stuff is officially amazing. I ordered their Jane suit online only to find that they only had it in coral. Everyone knows that coral + white =ew so i resigned myself to disappointment . On my way back from seeing the guys at Urb - Orbis today about the possibility of some projects i popped into local Shoreditch shop Bordello only to find that they can find me the one i want ! Yay for shops close to home !

Im very excited !

Empire of the Sun

New favourite band and also name of one of my favourite films from the 80's. Come play London ozzos!

Lovely London Sunshine !

So it decided to finally be sunny yesterday on the last day of the bank holiday. Bank holidays don't mean so much to me at the moment since 'every day is a holiday! Half the crew were sidelined by a late night session at the London Fields so i couldn't get them up but Foxx, Ian and I were joined by Cp on her first day on a bike and we went on a lovely deserted ride through the city to southbank where we rode a few spots; outside the national theatre, by the millennium bridge and St Paul's. I was trying wheelies all day which was super fun apart from the fact i haven't got the hips quite right yet! got a few pop ups which felt so good that i have decided to spend most of today keeping trying ! Yay! London was so pretty , i am so in love with it when its sunny.

Being out and about meant we bumped into some pals .. First up was nate who i love and havent seen for a criminal amount of time! Then Ricky who i don't think i have seen since Empire ! He was careering around with all the Nike 6.0 team on a London trip. Talking of BMX. i checked out to see what Kye and Co are getting up to on their Oz trip and found this amazing wee clip they put together! Officially awesome.


On The Road With United :: Melbourne Australia :: 05.04.09 from Channel 4Down on Vimeo.

Je voudrais ...

GOOD-BYE JOE LIGHTENING

Ah. It's a bitter sweet day as i say good-bye to Joe Lightening ! He has given me almost two years of good times, but as soon as i got my other bike in August he has been relegated to the back of 'bike corner' in our house and was rarely used. The good news is that he has gone to my best pal and she will give him a wonderful home. I did him up for her for the transfer. which was fun . New white deep v's to white hubs, new white vittorias, miche crankset , front brakey sorted avec purps cable, new chain and its a winner ! I'd say add a new white charge paddle or a white turbo and some white grips and its' on !




To welcome her induction (which i'm sooo happy about!) and partly cos I have time right now to plan a full week for her i have suggested;

1. Monday - Bikey session around the "Iron works veledrome" . i.e our kitchen table
2. Tuesday - Riding her into work, coffee stop on way
- Evening -Trix in Spitalfields, can o kronie and noodle king.
3. Wednesday - Easties at the Royal Inn on the park
4. Thursday - Hang out with SBC and go for city burn
5. Fri - Sun - General east hang out , maybe even trip to Mitchison Road.

I'm very excited about this ! So for me it currently means just 1 bike which we all know is unacceptable ... BUT .. I am going to US of A for a while and If i can get my lovely friend Ted persuaded, then I'll be getting a custom frame before the end of summer .. C'mon Tedder, you know its a good idea !

AW.

Now, this has been on youtube for a gazillion years and I've just found but lets just all repeat after me:

"CUTE !"





AND FUNNY!



HAPPY EASTER EVERYONE

XX

Another sad sad day for London cyclists

I'm incredibly sad today as again the London roads have claimed another cyclist. In fact this now takes the number of cyclists killed this YEAR in accidents' involving HGVs' to 4. The last fatality was yesterday . I am incredibly sad as this accident took place on the route that i have travelled twice a day, every day for the last 5 years. I stumbled up on the scene late this morning after an appointment in Regents Park and what i saw made me cry. There was a stationery 'London Concrete' lorry in the middle of a left turn, a completely mangled bike and a rucksack still trapped underneath the back two wheels.

As a Hackney Wick resident , i travel alongside 'London Concrete' and other HGV/Plant lorries on their way to and from the Olympic site every day. These lorries frequently scare the living daylights out of me and know its time for the Mayor to STEP UP and do something about this. The city has a lot to sort out for cyclists & motorists. We need better education for starters . Green bike lanes in London are NOT safe, they do not grant a cyclist immunity from left hand turning vehicles. ASL boxes are not safe either, motorists and especially motorbikes always stop in them more give space for cyclists to be in them. Constant railway works and the Olympic build mean that hundreds of extra lorries are careering around our narrow victorian streets, not often with the knowledge of where they are going or pace of London traffic. We need education and we need to educate both cyclists and motorists - especially lorry drivers on increasing their awareness and giving respect and space to others on the road.

I'm not sure what we as a cycling community are going to do about it but as i cycled home to write this behind a non-indicating London Concrete Lorry i decided that I am 100% going to do my little part to try and make a change.

Like our Eilidh Memorial spoke card said: RIDE ON, RIDE FREE x

best birthday ever ..

So fulfilled life time ambition to learn vogue by Madonna .. sweet ! thanks to Sam for the photies !

rollapul-ow!-za

5 x 1k of hell !

I finished 7th overall in league but we were stoked on 3rd and 4th in the finals ! Go 'Team in your face, yo!"

matilda sansom foxx

oh how i will miss her !

Happy birthday ME!

WOOHOO, i love my birthday! Check list is go:

1. learn vogue dance routine with friends last night in 80s get up. check
2. Lie in with gato . check
3. take myself for bike ride.
4. lunch with the girls
5. another bike ride
6. coffee with mels birthday cup cake brownies
7. out with the bestest bunch of peoples ever. check! Half of them are at the brits .. boo but they are so rad and posted me a message ! Yeah timo !

Kitten and Cutters

A ton of bike has gone recently . Mostly due to the 'working for me now' factor and the start of british summer time ! YES !
Foxx and I did the Rollapulaza 1k finals last week . We suprised ourselves and did pretty good - 3rd and 4th and knocked a ton of time off our bests! I shall post pics. Foxx just got a new bikey too which is sweet - the volume cutter . Hers looks way nicer than this but you can see what the frame looks like on this pic.




I've also been hanging out with my best pal - Matilda Sansom-Foxx who seems to be pretty stoked that im around the house more. Im trying to get her to perfect her posing but she always seems kind of non - plussed. I love her soo much it hurts! This is me generally annoying her through the medium of kisses ..

Missing you already !

Missing me already!

Well after almost a decade with the Red Bull, Ive decided to leave and am out of there at the end of the month. I've had an absolute ball but i want to do something new- spend some time in the US of A and Canada, write my movie and spend all day trying wheelies ! As they are rather awesome they have decided to throw me a bash at our offices, where i will be able to robot dance to my hearts' content with all my pals. Im currently making them a double disc CD for my leaving called, "MIssing me Already" and "Missing you Already" so they can play my music on the stereo when i go . I created a game called 'The Hour of Power' at work whereby i used to play 80s power ballads and make the office put they arms above their head and sway along. They will probably miss that. Im not 100% on the content yet but i know that Lionel Richies' All Night Long will be the last track ! Ive ended every party i've had since 1998 with that and never had a single complaint !

Ghost Bikes

There has been a recent campaign to get some ghost bikes redone in London by members of my forum. Our safety on the roads has been on my mind a lot recently; fuelled by Mel's coller bone accident, the death of the girlfriend of a forum member and by nearly witnessing a fellow cyclist being crushed. London is awash with HGVs', all careering towards the Olympic site and along our narrow streets, often seeming to not know where they are going . For me ghost bikes are some positive out of tragedy . If the site of them catches just one drivers' breath and make him consider his actions more then all cyclists safety will benefit in the future.



(image from gorillaphoto)

New shop is nearly go !

Shop 14 , a new bikey shop is opening up just off Brick Lane on the weekend. I'm have decided to go off snowboarding and am going to miss its opening and bloomin ' Valentines alleycat too. Which is annoying, but at least it gives another slow person the chance to get DFL !

The list of what they will be stocking looks amazing and my friends over at fixed gear london are really involved too, including me Julie who has designed a T for them. She also has some of new ones on her Hell Yeah label . I shall mostly be wearing this as a dress , amazing !




Oh and note to weather .. feel free to stop raining, sleeting, hailing or snowing at time you please ! We are done with it now !

i love this more ..

my head is in a spin , my feet don't touch the ground ..

Wow. So last few weeks been a 'challenge' to say the least . A ton of stuff has happened :

SBC entered the rollerace league. We sucked but we can only get better in the Madison at Rollapaluza Kinspin 2 this Friday ... EEK!

Took new whip to Richmond park , lockring cracked .. on hill . Survived but had to get train home. Annoying.

Finally admiited to getting the computers "spinning wheel of doom" and "whirring fan of death" sorted . about to shell out £450 for the repair . Ouch.

oh yeah .. and my kittens' become a teenager and currently is over cuddles. Distressing.

oh well at least Beyonce is still awesome ..



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I said puck you miss !

Best thing to come out of Oz since brunch and invisible zinc ? Answer is Summer Heights High . Tune in !

Everyone alright for Sunday drinking ?

Been a really nice weekend of chilling and some riding. Got the new whip finished so im all happy with that, its such a lovely ride i'm hooked already. With bike 2 finished i decided to take a potter to Tour De Ville for a bit of a window shop on Saturday. LOTS of lovely things in there. Ian remarked that the ideal number of bikes is n=+1. N being the number of bikes you currently have. I agree, you always need a new one.

On Sunday we all met up for a spot of lunch at the Brittania which could soon be a new local. A quiet Sunday roast turned into tequila drinking carnage and dancing in the pub. Its was fun times until i heard that my little Mel went and cracked her little head again pedalling home. Booze pedalling not to be advised. I think im going to knit her a massive beanie helmet to keep her head safe. Get well soon mel ! x

Big bunch of trouble makers .......!

Cycle Chic?

Seeing the response from the London community to Topshops' new window display has made me think a lot about the what heck we all have to wear when we cycle. I have concluded that its bloody impossible to look 'chic' in London when you put the miles in on your bike .. Especially between November and March when you have to face rain, sleat , hail, wind, extreme cold and the ocassional ray of sunshine.

We all met for a burn last night and between us we could have completely beaten this guy in the layer-stakes.

We all tend to favour the tights, jeans , leggings, double socks, boots, double t , jumper, battered old riding puffa, scarf , hat and double gloves combo . You wont find that on a manequin in topshop i tell you.

I will however, shout about a few welcome additions to the cycling wardrobe which you should seriously get involved with if you going to see the winter though.

1. American apparel winter leggings .. warm..






2. Legwarmers - put the 80ss back on speed dial - they will bridge the gap between calf and foot where all the cold air gets tractorbeamed in and makes your toes freeze. Im keeping the colour simple though, lets not get too carried away !






3. Fleece lined boots . Ive currently swapped my vans classics for winter and am rolling in a black pair of vintage leather boots . Im holding out for a pair of these though - toasty!






I conclude cycle chic is hard . It also means you have to stash a second wardrobe at work and you tend to leave the exact thing you want to wear on a saturday in the office on the weekend!

Roll on summer when it can be jeans and a hell yeah t shirt again !

James Bond made me do it !

well check this out ! How can you not have a burns supper when Hoy, Sean and lulu have sang to you to make you all homesick and proud ? How could you not ? ! Ill ignore the fact that Hoy aside, the other two of them probably now live in the Bahamas and that haggis is pretty wrong and dig out the whisky glasses in a couple of weeks time ! 250 years old is very old indeed !

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