A stranger's light comes on slowly

Well, Happy New Year, everybody. Been offline for Christmas and New Year's holidays, and still am, officially. But just wanted to thank you all for reading over the past year. I've made new friends and had good conversations with people who I never would've met before if DoubleOhTwo wasn't online.
Hope you all have a great ride through 2010. Keep rubber side down and remember: Ride Joyous! See you in a couple of weeks.

BTW, did you know New Years 2010 is a Blue Moon? It's when their are two full moons in a month which only happens every 2–3 years. Which is another cycle, I guess, so it's all relevant...

Play it on the radio, let the vibes flow through you

Sable & Argent is a fine scooter and bicycle providore on Bourke Street in Woolloommoolloo, and they are now Australia's only stockist of Rapha's fine cycle wear. They had a little do tonight to launch the inclusion of the range in their store, and it was a lot of fun. Sydney is at its finest at this time of the year, balmy weather, silly season, everybody happy.
I got to try on my favourite Rapha piece, the Belstaff imitation Gentleman's Cap, which I have only been able to eye off online up till now. It fitted excellently, just like I knew it would.
It was great to see the sydbma crew representin', including a few old faces. It was also great to see a banjo making an appearance. Will French was there, rolling past the Tour de France route that exists inside his mind, scrawling it upon a long canvas that is hooked up to a set of rollers...
Everyone that has been hankering after Rapha in Australia now has an outlet for their passion! Get down to Sable & Argent and find out why Rapha is some of the world's finest cycling accessories and clothing. Someone please buy the silk scarf before I am forced to!

Show me the things that we felt in the time we were dreaming

My good mate Mr Macbeth works at City Bike Depot, possibly the finest Local Bike Shop in the Eastern Suburbs, and he was rather pleased with the build of this Yeti AS-RC, weighing in at an unbelievable 9-point-something kilograms. This sort of weight is better explained by the fact that this bike literally floats out of your hand when you try to pick it up. Get into CBD and have a chat with The Friendly Staff and let them help you sort out your weight problems!

Maggot brain

These are the people that you meet when you're walking down the street. Wearing downhill gear such as shin pads, elbow guards and full face helmets on one's daily commute is a phase everyone goes through at some stage in their lives, although riding an MTB brings it on faster than a crappy old ten-speed with panniers. The lycra and full face helmet combo was a glorious era in mountainbiking, Shaun Palmer is a testament to this. Glory be to the man who seeks to revitalise the joy and thrill of being so protected and so vulnerable at the same time.

One of my favourite UKMTB articles was one of the first ride reviews of the Giant TCR when it was first released by a brave young Briton who bombed it down the UK's equivalent of Macquarie Pass in a motorcycle full face helmet and racing leathers. It truly was an epiphany for me.

My horse ran second, just like I knew it would

I feel a great amount of pity for our Northern Hemisphere cousins at the moment. Here's some white Christmas snaps from Amsterdamize, stalker, Prolly and Fast Boy Cycles! I'm off to the beach.

I been waiting in the hall, I been waiting on your call

Always a sucka for a well designed logo and a good looking shop! London's Tokyo Fixed via Death Spray Custom! That Mercian hangin' in the window is wearing beautiful fresh paint by the DSC crew... Check that shit out!

They dig a funky speil, yeah it makes some squeal

Sable & Argent have moved their BLOG and SITE so update your bookmarks please!

Victims of a modern world, circumstance has brought us here

I have been a fan of Billykirk ever since they produced the carry-case for Freeman Transport's S&S coupled touring fixed gear. Contracting local Amish craftspeople and therefore providing local employment, the high calibre of their goods and the upstanding philosophy behind their brand has established Billykirk in my mind as manufacturers of gear that last forever and can be relied upon. I especially love the Bike Frame Bag and these wallet and card holders created for a local Mothers Day event, with a design by Scott Campbell of Saved Tattoo. There is an Australian stockist in Canberra, check out the Hands on With X blog HERE and have a look at the Billykirk BLOG while you're at it.

Pleased to meet you say your prayers

My good mate Pete just let me know about the Star Wars x adidas collection which is HOT! If you're into to Star Wars or adidas, I guess. Check the whole range out on the official site HERE! Thanks Pete!

Since, back in the day I held the weight and kept my head up

Great tshirt from Keirin Cycles via Chari And Co NYC.

Le rouge, le bleu

Aw, cute! Found some old pics in the archives of The Contessa, resplendent with her Croce D'Aune Deltas and levers, and Lady Cop – fresh as!

Yesterday the people were at ease, baby slept in peace

Quite an innovation the Fly Bikes boys have come up with: a tube you don't have to take the wheel off to replace! Get over to the website and check out the funky comic about it. Currently only in a 20" version. Got the scoop via Strictly BMX in Melbourne, check out their site HERE, and while you're at it, sign up for their email newsletter!

And I used to sometimes try to catch her

Here's Suzie Astor sporting the fabulous women's Daily Riding Pant. Nice bit of trou, but we wouldn't expect any less from Outlier, who have released this almost a year to the day since they began producing some of the finest riding apparel for the discerning modern rider. Thanks Trex for the heads up!

From the Hudson River out to the Nile, I run the marathon to the very last mile

Loving the Velo Cult photography on their latest shoot to the Bisbee Bicycle Brothel in Arizona. What a great shop! Definitely stopping in here on my US tour...

But if you don't feel like bein' alone, baby I could walk you all the way home

Crappy old ten speeds and nail polish AWRIGHT! Marta from Bicyclegirls!

But where I live the game to play is compromise solution

My mate Makatron is having a show at Hogan Gallery, 310 Smith St, Collingwood. Makanikal Gardens opens tomorrow night, BE THERE!!! Wish I could be! Hope it's a great success, Maka! Check out his website at MAKATRON.COM!

Song that made us what we are today

Click image for flyer!
Hosted by Sydney's premier food precinct Cockle Bay Wharf, the event brings together four of Sydney's leading contemporary artists Ben Frost, Shannon Crees, Beastman and Phibs and DJ & Hip-Hop group 206Collab in a live art and music event.
Project 5 is proudly supporting ICE (Information & Cultural Exchange) in a public art auction in 2010.
Attached is the Project 5 flyer including an invitation to the after-party event at Home Nightclub and Tokio Hotel at Cockle Bay Wharf this Sunday from 6pm.
For more information visit: www.cocklebaywharf.com.au or www.ambushgallery.com

Lotta things on my mind, gotta write out

Hirst's Madone for Lance's Stages exhibition is one of the greatest schemes ever created, in my opinion. Right up there with Death Spray Custom's paint scheme incorporating human hair. Found this pic over on Yann-g's BLOG where you can see plenty more pics of the Stages show.

Put me on the flier and I'm guaranteed to rope in

Candy Cranks and Primate Frames have pulled one of the cutest bunnies out of the hat that I've ever seen. Custom spray on the B-43, Chub and Aerospoke. All paint by Star Enamel. MAGIC! Well done both of you, can't wait to see it in the metal.

I gotta clear this town, no sense in hanging around

Some beautiful shots of the Bike Jerks workshop. More on the Flickr!