Congrats Mr and Mrs Kelleher

I know it’s been a while since I’ve put a column together to fill all of you in on what’s been happening, but the truth is, there’s not much I can say right now. Well not about who I’m riding for in 2007 anyway, which is what most people are asking me. So I thought I’d at least let ya’s know what I’ve been up to lately.

The last few months have been pretty exciting with lots of things happening.

One major event was my Sister Desiree’s wedding. Desi married her fiance Glen on the banks of the Manning River, on a perfectly sunny day, in the botanical gardens not far from Glen’s bike shop.

The bridal prossesion included a couple of Hot Rod’s with Me and Alex leading the pack on a couple of VN1600 Nomad Cruisers.

These things are great to ride on the highway, but they weigh a ton and don’t handle the dirt too well. Our lap past the wedding guests included a couple of tricky Le Mans style chicanes, a tight right hand hairpin, and one cattle grid crossing, all whilst riding beside each other at walking pace.

"It's ok, I'm a professional"

Bloody hell it took some concentration. At one point I decided to give one of the guests a cool looking ‘I’ve got this under control folks’ wave before clipping a rock with the front wheel and barely saving a vicous tank slapper that sent me veering into Al’s turning circle. All I could think of was losing the front end in front of about 80 of our closest family and friends, and if one those babies went down there was no way I was picking it up again!

I survived the ride upright, just, then found the only piece of ground in the park hard enough to park the monsters on their side stands. This was approximately 3kilometres from the ceremony….

We made it back with out missing anything and enjoyed a great day. The party that followed was one of legend. Jager Bombs, Tango shuffles, and AC/DC karaoke solo’s were the order of the day, and the photo’s from the night will go down in history.

"We built this city.... We built this city on Rock and Roll...."

2 days after Desi’s wedding I jetted off to England to tie up my deal for 2007 and look at basing myself O/S for the season ahead, however I only ended up staying there for about 5weeks before I flew back home again. Things certainly changed whilst I was there, and the end result has turned out very differently than I had anticipated before leaving Oz, but I did really have a great time in the UK and am very excited about the year ahead.

Most people know by now that I won’t feature in the 2007 Phase One rider line up. It’s definitely something I have mixed feelings about, as I’ve felt like part of the family over the past 2 seasons. I certainly enjoyed riding for Phase One and won’t forget the times we had together. We’ve achieved a lot and I’ve made some life long friends within the Phase One crew, but I’m also excited about the new opportunity I’ve been given and I intend to make the most if it. More on that soon.

Anyway, in the fairly short time I was in England, whilst staying with my good friends Ray and Lorraine, I managed to spend a night in Regent Street, see a West End musical, take a tour of Stone Henge, attend the Phase One party and sample a 2007 model R1. It was a busy few weeks but a lot of fun.

The Phase One end of year bash was a great night. It’s always good to get a chance to let your hair down with the people you work with in a relaxed environment. Chubby’s awards were the highlight of the evening, my favourite being the ‘best crash award’ that went to Ray for his “Gate Marshall bonnet bouncing” in France. Top stuff. He received a 1988 model Phase One T shirt for his trouble.

The only bummer of the trip was spending Xmas eve and Xmas day without my family. It was a first for me, but it wasn’t so bad as I had enough things at Ray’s place to keep me occupied. It was also about the same time I was confirming my ride for 07 so my mind wasn’t on Santa much anyway!

I landed back in Australia on New Years Day. I actually spent the countdown in the air above Singapore which was another first for me, but I was glad to be back home with my 07 ride all finalised.

Since being home I’ve been working back at the shop and doing some push biking with Al.

Big Al has turned into a Lance Armstrong since I left and has gone full on into his cycling.

"This super glue should slow him down"

The other day we went for a ride and when he walked out of his room with his push biking tights, sponsored jersey, clear lensed sunnies and heart rate monitor, I started pissing myself laughing. See photo attached!

Ooooh lah lah!

I got to admit though, it really is working and he is very fit this year. Fitter than I’ve ever seen him before. Expect him to turn a few heads on the Diablo Kawasaki this year.

Don’t expect him to join the PGA tour though. Australia Day saw him team up with Me and my mates Kyle, Broc and Ticky in the Taree Ambrose Golf Open. Inspired by the boys next door to us at Work, we decided to enter a team and go for the trophy. We organised team apparel (straw hats and white shirts with nicknames on the back) and didn’t even cheat….. Well, not that much anyway, but it wasn’t to be. We got flogged.

I knew we were in trouble when I heard the phrase “A beer a hole should be enough” and after I saw a sweaty palmed Kyle fling a 4 iron 100metres onto the top of an apartment balcony….. On the first hole.

L-R Damo, Kyle, Al and Broc minutes before a 4iron landed on a house's roof in the background...

Still we had a top day with flashes of brilliance from each of us (mainly me) and plenty of laughs.

Recently, I also had the opportunity to visit an increasingly popular Australian land mark, The Cokewall.

Situated inside the nerve centre of Sydney’s Taronga Park Zoo, and my good mates office, lies the great wall. To fill you in a bit, my good mate and Godfather John leads a very unhealthy lifestyle. Along with his work colleagues in the Taronga I.T department, they consume a life threatening amount of Coca Cola each day. Half of which comes in cans. The Coke consumption is only rivalled by that of Malboro’s smooth rich tobacco flavour. It wasn’t until one of boys came up with the idea of stacking the empty cans into a wall that this dangerous practice served a purpose. Now this elite group of dare devils have increased their Coke intake and have even more plans for the great wall (I heard an archway may be in the wings). Check out the pic attached and even better the website link. Funny stuff!

Damo at the great site

Well, that just about brings you up to date.

I only plan to stay here in Oz for another week before relocating to Europe. I can’t wait to get over there and start testing my new ride.

Stay tuned for an announcement soon.

All the best,

Damo.