Bean Long
October 4th 05, 12:37 AM
Well, what a trip this morning. First commute on my new Giant TCR2 (read
old posts if you want to find out why it's not the OCRzero I was bragging
about). I was a little apprehensive this morning after being up with a
sleepless baby until the wee hours and only getting about 4 hours sleep.
I'm also recovering from a nasty cold/flu and have been on the bike only a
few times in the past few months due to baby trouble and other poor excuses.
So, I was expecting a crappy ride and assumed I wouldn't enjoy it. Anyway,
got my gear together and hopped on the beast, clipped in (my first SPD's)
and rolled out the driveway. I immediately noticed the extra speed just
rolling down our street (compared with my old hunk of cheap steel) and had
to remind myself of the different geometry and gear/brake positions on this
thing. Wasn't long before I had to test my skill at popping in and out of
the pedals at a major intersection and was quite proud of the fact that I
didn't fall over... not even once! Next was Farrer Ridge. Not a steep
climb by anyone's standards but the first test of the legs of a morning and
usually where I see little kids and grandfathers rolling past me as I
struggle up the slope. Not this time though! I came up behind what seemed
to be an experienced rider with a roadie and quickly passed him (more like
floated by actually) and reached the top of the hill in no time flat. Said
rider was on my wheel when I got to the top and we exchanged 'good morning'
s and turns at the front for another few k's. Got past the few traffic
lights and onto the unhindered section of bike path that I take to work and
we got chatting. "Nice bike" he says, "looks new". Since this is the first
time I'd been able to keep pace with someone in Canberra, it was probably
the reason I was able to have a conversation in along time. Had a good chat
all the way to Commonwealth Bridge (turns out he knows someone I know...
yada yada yada) where I went my way and he his. Got swooped once just as I
made it to work, then checked my travel time. WOW! A whole 8 mins off my
best time on the clunker! An average of around 29 (very good for me on a
gentle commute) and I would consider myself very out of shape (I could
describe the shape specifically but I think most of you would feel ill).
I'm so chuffed! Money well spent and a nice ride!
Cheers,
--
Coffee Bean - Without the coffee!
Remove "yourfinger" before replying
old posts if you want to find out why it's not the OCRzero I was bragging
about). I was a little apprehensive this morning after being up with a
sleepless baby until the wee hours and only getting about 4 hours sleep.
I'm also recovering from a nasty cold/flu and have been on the bike only a
few times in the past few months due to baby trouble and other poor excuses.
So, I was expecting a crappy ride and assumed I wouldn't enjoy it. Anyway,
got my gear together and hopped on the beast, clipped in (my first SPD's)
and rolled out the driveway. I immediately noticed the extra speed just
rolling down our street (compared with my old hunk of cheap steel) and had
to remind myself of the different geometry and gear/brake positions on this
thing. Wasn't long before I had to test my skill at popping in and out of
the pedals at a major intersection and was quite proud of the fact that I
didn't fall over... not even once! Next was Farrer Ridge. Not a steep
climb by anyone's standards but the first test of the legs of a morning and
usually where I see little kids and grandfathers rolling past me as I
struggle up the slope. Not this time though! I came up behind what seemed
to be an experienced rider with a roadie and quickly passed him (more like
floated by actually) and reached the top of the hill in no time flat. Said
rider was on my wheel when I got to the top and we exchanged 'good morning'
s and turns at the front for another few k's. Got past the few traffic
lights and onto the unhindered section of bike path that I take to work and
we got chatting. "Nice bike" he says, "looks new". Since this is the first
time I'd been able to keep pace with someone in Canberra, it was probably
the reason I was able to have a conversation in along time. Had a good chat
all the way to Commonwealth Bridge (turns out he knows someone I know...
yada yada yada) where I went my way and he his. Got swooped once just as I
made it to work, then checked my travel time. WOW! A whole 8 mins off my
best time on the clunker! An average of around 29 (very good for me on a
gentle commute) and I would consider myself very out of shape (I could
describe the shape specifically but I think most of you would feel ill).
I'm so chuffed! Money well spent and a nice ride!
Cheers,
--
Coffee Bean - Without the coffee!
Remove "yourfinger" before replying