Monthly Archives: April 2005
Maiden Voyage
After spending a few hours cutting down the steerer tube on the fork, installing the computer, adjusting the seatpost/saddle, etc., I finally got out for the maiden voyage of the new bike tonight. I ended up being able to get out on the road at 3:30 for what I planned on being a 30 minute shakedown ride around the neighborhood. Just to check out the gears, position, wheels, etc. WOW, all I could think of was ‘ridiculous!’. As in ridiculously light, fast, smooth, did I mention FAST?!?! Well, after about an hour and a half of riding I found myself pretty far from the ‘hood. I was having a blast, but was nearly frozen to death. It was around 35 degrees and blowing/raining/snowing/sleeting. Quite the break-in ride…
Good thing I had some cash on me, I stopped at a convenience store and bought fig newtons, Gatorade, and a Clif bar. Yummy. I was able to sit at a table inside and wolf that stuff down. I started shivering something fierce, though. Dang, I’m soooo ready for WARM WEATHER!!!! Especially after the time trial experience last night. Been a long cold winter of riding and training.
Anyway, it was pushing 7:00 by the time I made it home in a blizzard with big flakes blowing sideways and about a 1/2 inch of snow piled up on my outstretched arms. Good times!
The bike was ahhhhhsum!
RACE REPORT #6 Cherry Creek TT series – week 3 CAT 4
Eewwww. What’s that smell?!? Oh, sorry, that’s just me. I STINK!!
Man, I’m starting to get the impression that I really suck at this time trial stuff. This was supposed to be my day to shine. I’m finally over the cold I had for 2 weeks, this is my rest week so my legs should be fresh, and I have my TT bike all put together (I rebuilt my old Bianchi frame with new bars, shifters, etc.). Well, the weather was atrocious and I ended up posting my worst time yet (28:01). Dang.
I rode what I thought was a fairly conservative pace to the turnaround, thinking I would crank it up a notch on the way back. HA. I couldn’t go any faster. I actually had to drop into my little chainring on flat ground because of the headwind.
Hats off to Tim. He actually matched his time from the previous weeks while most of the rest of us lost significant amounts. He was using his brand new shoe covers, though…
When I got back to my car I sat inside and screamed in agony for a good 10 minutes while the feeling returned to the frozen chunks of meat that used to be my hands. Boy, what fun!
Oh, well. 3 down, 4 to go…
New Baby
Thanks to a last-year model still sitting on the showroom floor at the bike shop, and a sponsorship arrangement our team has with Orbea, I am now the proud new owner of a 15.5 pound race-rocket. Full Dura-Ace 10 speed components and Mavic Ksyruim SSC SL wheels. Doesn’t get any better than that.
It was love at first sight.
This frame is a little bit smaller than my LOOK, and has semi-compact geometry. I was really looking for a more aggressive riding position and this fits the bill. Not to mention it is LIGHT!! Good-looking, too. I hope I can do it justice.
The Scene Begins 