Punk Ass: Biker, Zen Stress Monkey
New Linkage
Things have been a little slow in Punk Ass land of late. I'll probably have some good stories after Saturday's Hill Fest .....ah yes, I can hear the sound of muscles straining and lungs bursting already :)
I've added and update my links section so check'em out........
5 Bikes, 1 Ass
Since I was on vacation last week (one of the" hang around the house" type), I thought I go out and do something fun and different. Now, since I plan on getting a new bike next spring, it makes sense that I'd want to go take a few out for a road test before buying right? Well, what made even more sense to me was test riding some now while I'm feeling really good (as opposed to all rusty in the Spring), and while the feel of my current bike was fresh in my bones. So I went to
Wheelworks in Belmont with a list of potential new rides.
- The first machine I took out was the new Specialized Roubaix Comp 18 with a Shimano Ultegra drive train (except for the FSA carbon crank). I had heard very good reviews of this bike. One of the things that is unique about this particular model is the Zertz gel inserts in the fork, seat stays and seat post. They are supposed to dampen a lot of the high frequency vibration and smooth out the ride. I have to say they work very well. The ride was super smooth. As great as that may sound though, I felt that it took away some of the crispness and agility needed for sprinting and climbing. For me, the ride was a little to spongy. Still overall, this is a nice bike and would be great for doing centuries where body fatigue from road vibration really plays a roll.
- The second in the line up was a Trek 5500 with the new Dura Ace 10 speed set up. This bike was awesome. Steering was tight and precise without being twitchy, the ride was stiff but comfortable and the drive train felt like every ounce of energy I put into peddling went right into the bike. The only downside was the price, which, with the Dura Ace setup, was about $1,000 more than the Roubaix. This is to be expected but it's on the very top end of my price range.
- The third in line was a Cannondale Six 13 with the Campagnolo Centaur 10 speed group. I really, really, really wanted to love this bike. I've been a big fan of Cannondale for a long time; I love my R500 to spite the ho hum group set. Unfortunate, the new Six 13 was a let down. The handling was super twitchy, the ride felt hollow and a little lifeless (though better in a sprint than the Roubaix) and the Fi'zi:k Arione saddle was not as comfortable as I had hoped (though admittedly, saddles are a VERY personal thing). Don't get me wrong though, this is a great bike, just not a great bike for me and not at all what I had expected. Maybe the more expensive model with the Dura Ace Group would be a little better.
I wanted to try out a
Kestrel Talon, but they didn't have one in my size. The salesman had some time on his hands (being a Monday morning and all) and looked around for something else that would be fun for me to try out.
- It ended up being a brand new Orbea Orca Team Jelly Belly that they had just got in. This is a sweet ride!! The carbon fibre tube work was just beautiful. It felt very similar to the Trek but the ride was a little silkier. The most noticeable difference was the 10 speed Campy Chorus drive train; It was definitely not as stiff and precise as the New Shimano and I still really don't dig the thumb shifters. But I tell ya, hook this bike up with the Dura Ace 10 speed and you'd have a masterpiece on your hands.
After that, I had one last bike on my list that I wanted to try but they didn't carry it . So, I was off to International Cycles in Newton to see if I could track one down.
- The bike I speak of is the Cervelo Soloist Team. This is another bike that I've heard really good things about so I was very eager to check on out. WOW!! I got on and it felt like this bike was made for me, like it was en extending of my body. It was light, nimble, solid and comfortable; it just plain did everything well. The only problem with this bike, and the salesman told me about this right up front, is the brakes suck. He also said that he'd replace them with Ultegra Brakes to match the rest of the group on the bike for little or no cost. I am so pumped!! I have absolutely found my next bike!! As a bonus this was also the least expensive of all the bike I tried.
So here's the round up in my order of preference:
- Cervelo Soloist Team
- Trek 5500
- Orbea Orca Jelly Belly '04
- Cannondale Six 13
- Specialized Roubaix Comp 18
All Great bikes. This experience has definitely tought me that reviews and perception of a bike based on reading the specs is no substitute for actually putting it through its paces.
R 30
Just a quick note on something non-cycling related. The other night D and I went to see
Rush on their 30th anniversary tour. What a great show; they played for 3 hours and pulled out some great songs that they haven't played live in some time. These guys are and always will be among my all time favourites. It was their music, back in 1980 that inspired me to pick up a bass and learn to play. They've become part of my personal mythology and it's a true joy every time I get a chance to see them live.
Seacoast Safari '04
This past weekend, Buzz and I rode in the third annual Seacoast Safari for Cystic Fibrosis. It's a 150 mile ride from Plumb Island airport to the University of New England in Bitterford Maine (just outside Portland) and back. There were twice as many riders as last year and the event raised almost three time last years total!! The Route is beautiful, it goes right along the coast up route 1A. The views of the New England shore line are just spectacular.
I also got to use some fancy racing tactics I learned from watching the Tour. On the way up, there was a bit of a headwind and I was thinking that Buzz and I could use a little shelter for a few miles. Well, like a gift of Mana from the heavens, the UNH cycling team's paceline steamed by us. So, I grabbed the wheel of the last rider on the line and we fell into there slipstream. After a little bit, Buzz started to fall off the back, so I dropped back, had her grab my wheel and pulled her back up to the group. This was of course made even MORE exciting by Phil Liggett and Bob Roll's commentary in my head :) I bet I'm not the only one out there on the road with an imaginary play by play going on......it's ok to admit it....really......I TOTALLY understand :)
On the way back, Buzz and I and one other rider were working together to try to catch a six man break away. After about half an hour of work we had just about caught them when my stupid shoe lace got caught on my big chain ring and I had to stop to untangle the mess...D'oh !!!!! Who ever though that cycling shoes with laces was a good idea was smoking crack! Seriously! Of course I was the dope that bought them......but still......come on.......errrrrr....whatever.
As we headed down the coast, we fell in with four very friendly riders who let us tag along. It was nice to have someone else besides Buzz and I setting tempo for a while! By the time we hit Hampton, the six of us were joined by the MGH squad and several other riders. The group was now being lead by Dr. Andrew (this AND last year's #1 fundraiser btw), who looked to be a very kick ass cyclist. I decided that it would be really fun to sprint with him at the finish. So, over the last 10 miles or so I started to work my way up the paceline so I would be well positioned for the sprint. Coming into Newburyport I was second in line sitting right on the Dr.'s wheel as the two of us pulled away from the rest of the group. At the last half mile I pulled alongside of him and gave him a nod, stood up and sprint with everything I had left. I looked back and..........ooops, he had slowed down to ride in with the rest of the group. This left me feeling both disappointed and a bit like an ass (not a Punk Ass mind you, just an ass). But hey, I know it's a ride, not a race and everyone hugged and shook hands at the end so all is well.
Punk Ass Needs You !
On October 2-3, I'll be doing my last and biggest charity ride of the season; the MS Bay to Bay 150 in San Diego. This is a really big deal for me since 1. I live in the Boston area and have to fly to the west coast to ride. 2. I haven't flown since I was 8 years old and am not sure how I will deal with a long flight (my bike is REALLY freaking out about going on the plane!) 3. It's the first time I've done two centuries in on year and 4. This is D's first fligh ever! So if you would like to E-sponsor me and help fight MS, I've just set up a new link over in the right margin. It's under the heading "Sponsor Me". This links to the California MS Society's sponsor a cyclist page. Just click to go there, then click the sponsor a rider button. In the fields where it asks to enter the riders name, enter
Christian Bachmann. Then once my name comes up just click on it to make a donation. Thanks so much for all your help.
Random Rumblings
Yes once again, life has reared its knobby little head and prevented me from posting in a timely manor, so I offer my most humble apologies.
O.K., So the Tour is over and I was wrong, wrong and wrong. So much for intuition! It was sad to see Tyler Hamilton have to abandon; but at least his team place second in the team time trial. I was of course glad to see Lance and the Blue Train kick butt. Watching those guys work together honestly makes me a little moist :0
On Saturday, I got my very first flat on my front tire after hitting a nasty pot hole on a decent. Of course I was up on the hoods gripping the brakes when I hit so, it sent nasty shock wave all the way up my arms into my shoulder blades . Plus, now I think I'll need to have my wheel trued up. I guess I'm due for this though. I mean after having gone for 2,000+ miles without a flat, it must just be my turn.
Yesterday D and I took a spin out through Concord and Bedford and she did great! Though she is currently going through a saddle crisis....It really is tough to find just the right..um....shape. I was sporting my brand new old school sleeveless Clones jersey (thanks Guin!!!) so I could show off my most awesome farmers tan. My upper arms are so white Buzz says that I give off a Casperian glow that may actually blind anyone who looks for more than a second.
So all in all, nothing too exciting going on..........
UPDATE: Phew, my wheel was OK, my hub needed a $10.00 adjustment..all is well :)
