Steve Peats Jersey from the 2004 Worlds, originally uploaded by the VeloFello.

On the wall at the Boomerang in Les Gets are a selection of jerseys from past racers that have stayed there.

I’d never really paid attention, but I spotted Steve Peat’s jersey, fresh from his ‘oh so near’ run from the Les Gets 2004 World Champs.

I was there - and the moment (in fact the whole weekend) was electric - it’s hard not to feel super sorry for a guy gunning it for the win (which he didn’t get, hasn’t got since, and probably never will get) who then blows it on the second to last corner.

I think he probably signed this the day after the race - kinda tells a story of where his head was at…

One of the cool things about living where I do is the easy access to the mountains, which loom over the town. It’s hardly surprising then to find that two of the biggest names in the ski industry are based (indeed were started) here: Rossignol and POMA

My drive to work takes me past the new Rossi World HQ (quite a bit bigger than my world HQ, located litterally a stone’s throw away (if you’re a good thrower of stones..)

Mostly for Mig’s benefit; here is what it looks like today:

Anyway - here is some press blurb I found on ‘tinternet:

Quiksilver, Inc. (NYSE: ZQK) announced today that its Rossignol subsidiary has selected the Centr’Alp 2 site near Voiron in Isere, France to build Rossignol’s new worldwide headquarters. The inauguration is scheduled for the end of 2007 coinciding with celebrations of Rossignol’s 100-year anniversary.

The choice of a new corporate headquarters in the Voiron region meets the dual goal of giving Rossignol employees optimal working conditions in order to boost future growth while providing a long-term future for the company’s presence in its historical home in the French Alps. In bringing together all company departments, which are currently fragmented over many sites, into a single 15-acre campus, Rossignol aims to promote synergies and creativity among staff by offering an environment conducive to better internal communication.

And here is what it should look like when it’s done:

I was over at the famous Le Boomerang in Les Gets recently (an aussue bar in the Alpes, how odd?) and caught up with old buddy Dan + his buddy Oakley.

Anyways, we got talking and he showed me his secret stash bag… a great idea if ever I saw one…

Lost in the K-Hole is one of the stand-out tracks on the Chemical Brothers album “Dig your own hole” which is a regular motorway album on my iPod. At first listen there is something about it that’s curiously simplistic, for example check out the lyrics:

New idea, new idea
New idea, new idea
<a phrase recorded backwards>
New idea, new idea
<a phrase recorded backwards>

New idea, new idea
New idea, new idea
<a phrase recorded backwards>
New idea, new idea
<a phrase recorded backwards>
New idea, new idea

New idea, new idea
<a phrase recorded backwards>
New idea, new idea
<a phrase recorded backwards>
New idea, new idea
<a phrase recorded backwards>

But it’s a hypnotising repetitive builder… something keeps you hanging on for more, waiting for a break that never really comes (quite unlike my favourite off that album, the superb “Where do I begin”).

What’s this got to do with bikes? Nowt. But it has several somethings to do with life, it just seems to be a suitable soundtrack for this period in my life.

For those friends who think I’ve fallen into a K-Hole (and no, I’m not referring to the druggy kind - those who know me will see the “K” for what it’s worth) please know your thoughts and messages mean a lot to me.

To go and ride (maybe) the PassPortes event with Dan - then see my sister and her mates (also over for a bike holiday) then go and see Ben, Olivier and Jean Michel… all in the next 36 feature packed hours…

dna-test

Felt tip on trace, originally uploaded by Mig Pilot.

Just another gratuitous plug for Mig… he deserves it after all, bless his little Australian (organic merino) wool socks…

This was his original vision - since morphed into this here fine site….

I always enjoy seeing how ideas, concepts, entities develop over time - from initial sketch to finished gleaming shiny smooth finished end product. This was no exception

I’d not seent hem before, but a crypict goodle search led to me a site called Distilled Mag, and via them to Ride Oisans.Both pretty smart, interesting sites (much more information than currently on here!) but what really piqued my interest was that we move in similar circles - and probably live less than an hour apart

Anyway, worth checking out methinks.

I’m still feeling really cut up about this, but sadly our little boy cat Blue died yesterday morning.

I know full well he was ‘only a cat’ but he was my little chap, the only cat I’ve ever understood (and oh yes, he understood me…)

He was a grumpy little sod sometimes (like his owner) but then also so very sweet; he’d protect Amy’s bedroom door so the other cat’s didn’t go in, he would walk with us - like a dog - to the end of the lane and then wait for us to come back. His little ‘head cuddles’ were my favourite part - a mash up between Glaswegean Kiss and eskimo nose-rub…

You only notice how much something means when it’s gone. I’m sorry I didn’t give him that extra cuddle he wanted the night before last, I’m sorry I didn’t think about getting him to the vet sooner, when we knew that “somethings not right with Blue”.

Sleep well my love, you were only with us for four years, but we’ll remember you forever. No other cat will ever match up to you.