I Pulled the Trigger….Not the Finger
This evening I was able to look at and ride the Specialized Allez Elite I talked about yesterday. The guy was kind enough to bring it to me because I didn’t have a bike rack to bring it back home in the event I did buy it. He even cleaned it up some before bringing it over.
He was selling it because his girlfriend basically said he has too many bikes (four) and needed to get rid of one. I jokingly told him he should get used to those kinds of demands if he intends to marry the chick. He hadn’t even listed it on Craigslist yet but saw the ad I posted a couple of days ago describing what I was looking for in a bike.
You all saw the pics in my bicycle comparison chart post but let me fill you in on the components. It’s an Allez Elite Double with a 53/39 crankset and 9 speed 12-26 cogs. The front derailleur is Tiagra while the rear is 105. The shifters are Tiagra STI. It’s also got the Zertz inserts in the carbon fork and seatpost along with carbon seat stays.
Overall I was very impressed with the bike when I rode it. It’s a huge difference from my Cannondale. It was quick on the pickup and braking. Shifting was awesome. I admit it. I was in love.
So, once I get it totally cleaned up I’ll take some more pics of it to post.
Thanks to everyone who listened to me moan and bellyache over the last few months about not having a bike. No excuses now.
Read MoreI am alive…
Ok, a quick update here since I’ve neglected this blog for so long (not much to write about since I couldn’t ride). Anyway, I’m now officially in the search for a bike. I know I’ve been searching before but now I’m ready to pull the trigger if I find what I want.
I won’t be able to get exactly what I want (105 components) brand new but I’m happy with a used bike if I can find a good deal. I could buy new in the Sora component range (to get at least a 9-speed cassette) but am open to used bikes if I can find the right one. I had myself fitted on Sunday to verify exactly what size I need (52cm) so I know to shoot for that.
For some ready, the picking on Craigs List here in Dallas seem to be really slim (I’ve been watching it for months) and a bike my size, with what I want, is rare. I actually posted an ad today stating exactly what I want to see if that generates any sellers for me.
We’ll see how it goes.
Read MoreI’m Glad 2009 Is Over But I’m Thankful
2009 was kind of a rough year for me and my family and I’m glad it’s over. That doesn’t mean 2010 will be any better but I have hopes that it will be.
I’m sure 2009 was rough for a lot of families due to the tough economic times, horrible housing market, and the topsy-turvy job outlook. Why was it rough for us? Here’s why:
- Yesterday marked exactly one year that I’ve been in my new job in Dallas, Tx. I was fortunate to get this job considering the economic hit the construction industry took in late 2008 but working in Dallas, Tx with my family living in Jacksonville, FL wasn’t something I had planned for. They stayed in Florida because we can’t sell our home due to the poor real estate market and because our oldest daughter is a Senior in high school. Over the last year I’ve seen my wife and three girls several times and got to spend two weeks with them at Christmas. That’s a far cry from being able to see them when I get home from work everyday though. I missed birthdays, performances, dances, anniversaries, family get togethers, and more. I honestly thought when I left the Navy in 2006 that I was done with the family separations.
- My wife had a significant surgery to have both jaw joints replaced. She suffered from TMJ for many years and over the last couple of years went through several minor operations to fix the problem. The final step was to replace both joints. I was there for the surgery, and several days afterward, but not being there during the one year recovery period has been rough (she has four months to go). She’s doing good but still has some hard days.
- Being by myself this past year I put in a significant amount of time during the summer training for my first century. As luck would have it, I noticed some damage to my bike two weeks before the event that prevented me from being able to ride. It sucked to have put that much time into training and then not be able to do the event. When training for that century I saw dramatic improvements in my health that have been erased over the last few months while I’ve gone bike-less. I still don’t have a bike but have continued to harbor the desire to ride/train. With any luck I hope to have a bike soon (life has a way of getting in the way though).
Those are just the highlights. Looking back it’s hard not to get down, or depressed, and I must admit that at times it was very tough both physically and emotionally. As a man, a father, and a husband, it puts your mettle to the test.
Don’t feel sorry for me though because I’m thankful. Unlike a lot of people I’m fortunate enough to have a job. I hear of and see examples everyday of husbands and wives being out of work for months. My family is healthy and not living on the street. They’re provided for, aren’t going hungry, and have a roof over their heads. Not everyone has that. Isn’t it interesting how tough times bring a better understanding to what’s really important?
What will 2010 bring? I don’t know. I have high hopes it’ll see me permanently re-united with my family but only time will tell. I want to ride that first century and perhaps I’ll get it done this year. Maybe I can really start to shed these unwanted pounds by riding again.
I’m not going to list those as my goals for 2010 because, honestly, I don’t have much control over them. That doesn’t mean I can’t look forward to 2010 with higher hopes.
Read MoreGot A Great Surprise This Week
Last week @blackbottoms ran a contest on Twitter. After he announced the winners (I wasn’t one) I tweeted, “I suck at these Twitter contests.” Then @weiland proceeded to tell me about the contests he had won on Twitter. I thanked him for rubbing it in. A short while later I got a direct message from @blackbottoms (Matt) letting me know that they had a tshirt for me and to send them an email with my address. Way cool! I exchanged a couple of emails with Matt and he wasn’t sure he had one in my size (we all know I’m girth challenged) but he would see what he could do.
Tour of Utah Leader's Jersey
On Wednesday I received a package from Blackbottoms. I immediately ripped it open and didn’t find a tshirt. I found a yellow leaders jersey from the Tour of Utah! I was totally blown away! How cool is that? I was shocked. Blackbottoms has been the designer of the leaders jersey for the Tour of Utah for a few years now and it looks sweet.
I tried it on and it didn’t fit. I was bummed, but not surprised, because I’m really hard to fit in cycling jerseys. That left me with a dilemma….what to do with the jersey. I came up with a few ideas:
- I could offer it up as a giveaway to my Twitter followers but I didn’t like that idea (I liked it too much).
- Maybe I could go the Fat Cyclist route and auction it off to help pay for a new bike since mine is broken and out of commission. While I think the jersey is awesome I just don’t think I’d get the frenzy that Eldon does because, let’s face it, it’s not a trip to the Tour de France or a $7,000 bicycle. But it’s a Tour of Utah Yellow Jersey!
- What if I gave it away by raising money for LiveStrong? I think that would be a good cause.
- Lastly, what if I just kept it and used it as a goal for the upcoming new year to be able to fit into it by the end of the year? I think that would be a great physical challenge and it wouldn’t be easy. A great motivator.
I’m leaning very heavily towards #4 because I need a physical challenge like that. I’m hoping to be able to get a new bike in the next few weeks (I now I keep saying that but life keeps getting in the way of funds) so that’ll be taken care of.
For Matt at Blackbottoms – thanks. You totally shocked me (which is hard to do) and I sincerely appreciate it.
Read MoreWhat’s On Your Cycling Christmas Wish List?
It’s that time of year again where each of us gets asked by our significant other what we want for Christmas. In our family each of us writes down our needs, wants, and wishes in that order. It helps put into perspective what you think you need. You should try it. If you have kids like I do, you may be surprised at some of the answers.
Courtesy of Skeese Greets
So, I had to tell my wife what I wanted for Christmas. I always tell her not to spend a dime on me but it never does any good. If she’s going to get me something I might as well give her an idea instead of tempting luck (and I don’t have much of the good kind).
Most of you who read my blog know I need a new bike, and my wife knows I do too, but that’s not something she can go out and get because of the test-riding and fitting that goes into it (not to mention the fact that she’s in Florida and I’m in Texas). Same goes for stuff like a helmet and a trainer. I’ll get those when I’m ready.
What I did decide on was a couple of simple things like socks, CO2 cartridges, and a magazine subscription. When I give her my list I always make a Word document that contains a pic of what I want along with a link to the exact item on the Internet. That way she doesn’t have to worry about stuff like sizes or thread/unthreaded CO2. Simplicity is key.
So, what cycling related items did you put on your Christmas wish list this year?
Read MoreTen Stocking Stuffers for Cyclists
The holiday season is fast approaching and with it comes every wife/husband or girlfriend/boyfriends dilemma….what do they buy their cycling significant other? Like last year, I decided to put together a list of ten items that a cyclist might find useful if it were to end up in their stocking (I know I would….so, if my dear wife is reading this, please take note). Here they are:
- Pedros Beverage Wrench
– everybody needs one of these laying around. - Shebeest Glass Prism Sock for the women or the Hincapie Merino Wool Sock for the guys.
- The Capo Roubaix Hat for men. – I think this just looks totally cool.
- Planet Bike Blinky Rear LED Light
– every cyclist needs good rear illumination for those evening or early morning rides.
- Park Tool SW-7 Triple Spoke Wrench
– I can’t count the number of times I wish I had a spoke wrench with me.
- Innovations Ultraflate Plus CO2 Inflator
– if your cyclist already has an inflator then re-stock their supply of CO2 cartridges.
- Fi’zi:k Saddle Pa:k w/ Clips
– I know I need to get rid of my oversize mountain bike seat bag.
- Bicycling 1-year Magazine Subscription
– every cyclist needs this.
- The Time-Crunched Cyclist: Fit, Fast, and Powerful in 6 Hours a Week by Chris Carmichael
- Chamois Butt’r 8-Ounce Skin Lubricant
– you gotta protect yourself.
Capo Roubaix Hat
There you have it. Some pretty simple items that, I think, would make any cyclist happy to find in their stocking this Christmas. If I’m not mistaken, most of the items are under $20 (with some under $10) which is easy on the bank account.
Read MoreCONNECT WITH BTL
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