135 miles, actually. LA2SD

The irony of being anxious – no, terrified – about riding more than double my longest distance is that what I needed most was sleep, and the worry kept me awake much of the night. This happens in the days leading up to races as well, it’s just that I had less time to obsesses over this ride having only agreed to do it a few days prior. I managed to get about 6 hours of fitful rest, but I was still haunted by a whopper of a migraine from Wednesday night. I don’t know if the drugs I take for the migraine exit my system in 24 hours, or more importantly, if the migraine had left my system. Migraines are both neurological and vascular in nature and here I was twiddling both of those functions. Signing up for races, agreeing to insane new distances, these are ways to push myself and my limits on my terms.

Le Boucher is branded

Took a trip to Red Dragon Graphics in the South Bay Galleria and had vinyl stickers made for Le Boucher.

I managed to get the stickers made and applied before security came by to scold me for bringing a bike into the mall.

It cost $30, but more importantly, was a worthwhile 35 mile round trip ride on the new bike!

Le Boucher is born!

Triathlon bike research wrap-up.

Barring some unknown radical change, it appears that I will be joining the Cervelo Mafia. I got my independent confirmation today from Ian Murray, a well known and respected triathlon coach, bike fitter, bike enthusiast, and generally great guy. I emailed him my summary findings and geometry questions and he unhesitatingly recommended the Cervelo. He had some suggestions on some simple changes/upgrades which I may execute depending on price. They are also things I can do at any point once I own the bike. For those doing their own research, here is a summary of my research and findings:

The Cervelo P3C test ride.

I didn’t want to like it. I’d convinced myself that something that popular, so talked about, insanely hyped, could never live up to that level of expectation. And then Aram from Predator Cycles, that cruel man, called me back to say that the Cervelo’s tube dimensions were significantly better than the Orbea Ordu for my ideal geometry. So there it was; I had to test the Cervelo. I could no longer deny the bike my coach is in a relationship with on Facebook, the clear podium winner of Ironman competitions, and the most recognizable bike in the triathlon world. I went down to Triathlon Lab thinking I would test the P2C, which was the affordable model in my price range. Imagine my shock and awe when they rolled out an ‘08 P3C, 2007 and 2008’s flagship frame, for less than the price of the Orbea Ordu.

Specialized Transition Comp test ride at Cynergy

Cynergy Cycles in Santa Monica is a roadie’s dream. By roadie I mean, in the nicest of ways, a person who exclusively rides a road bike and cranks out miles with an iron chainring heart. I’m talking a person that wears their yellow Livestrong bracelet even at formal affairs. The bibs always match the jersey; like the carpet matching the curtains. In fact, no less than three people commented on how much they liked my Primal Wear muscle and bone jersey. Cynergy stocks the Rock N’ Republic bike clothing, the designer jeans turned bike team sponsor brand. A roadie likes speed in much the same way that a triathlete likes speed, but they eschew the bar-end shifters and live in the drops. Cynergy in Santa Monica was founded by and aimed squarely at the roadie crowd and they’ve done a great job in creating a store staffed by pros (who know a lot more than just clothing). They carry a limited line of great bikes. I say limited because they’re not going to stock one of everything. They have specific brands they proselytize and these are good brands. When I went in last week to scope their inventory they had two tri bikes, both by Specialized. The Transition Comp is the second from the bottom of the Specialized line, and the Transition Pro is third from the top. (There are 7 models in the overall line.) I had a friendly chat with a salesman and made a date to come by to test ride the Transition Comp.

Predator Cycling frame fit, and a little Ordu heartbreak.

Today I took the first step towards a custom made bike. I was contacted by Predator Cycling via this very blog, who wisely assessed that if I was looking for a tri bike it was worth my time to come in for a frame fit session. I biked over to get myself warmed up and began a conversation and process that would lead to just a little heartbreak over my love affair with the Orbea Ordu.

Triathlon Lab rocks me with an Orbea Ordu!

Some weeks ago the owner of Triathlon Lab contacted me via Facebook and not only apologized for the way I had been treated in the past, but wanted to know specifics so she could address the issue with her employees. As a result I was inclined to give them one more try, this time letting her know when I would be coming with my intention to shop for a new tri bike. She gave me two names, and at least one of these employees would be in the shop on Friday, the day I was able to devote the most time to biking down and test riding my options. I am happy, delighted even, to report that Triathlon Lab took very good care of me, was attentive to all of my questions and concerns, and my sales person was exceedingly knowledgeable, helpful, and gregarious. I was treated like a serious triathlete and shopper, and I feel like they went the extra mile to make sure my experience was a good one. I also got to pet the exceedingly sweet Labrador with which Triathlon Lab shares a name. Way to go, Triathlon Lab! Which means for several days I’ve been ecstatic to test ride the Orbea Ordu, the sexiest bike I’ve ever seen.

Predator Cycles, a field report.

 

D. and I had a man-date Friday to go and check out Predator Cycles on Abbot Kinney in Venice. I had spent the last few days compiling my tri bike maker list and had been turned on to some custom bike makers around town. I heard of Predator from Coach Brian, who was out on an 112 mile Ironman training ride last Saturday and on his second loop ran into a pack of guys riding Predators. He asked them about the bikes and they said that Predator did a whole computer diagnostic thing to custom make a bike to that rider’s power output. He asked them how much it cost, “they just laughed”. When he told me this I had to go – pseudoscience AND astronomic pricing? Show me the way!

Sledgehammer of sleep.

Sometime around 9:30 last night I fell asleep on the couch. Not just asleep, dead, zombie, couldn’t move my limbs asleep. My wife went to bed, the dogs were sitting on the floor waiting to be walked, and I was stretched across half the futon unable to move my body. Sometimes I can ignore what my body is telling me and sometimes I’m just hit with a sledgehammer.