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Cannondale Scalpel SE2. It's a low production niche bike, strange geometry, parts bin bike that I think Cannondale used as a research and market project to see if we would buy.
120/115 travel. Compared to the 2020 flock for XC bikes it's similar in head tube angle and travel, but this bike is a bit shorter in wheelbase and the BB is 15-17mm higher on the bottom bracket. That translates into more braaaaap and an awesome ability to pedal through rock gardens.
It has a few problems though. First of all, the seat une angle is basically "wrong" but with very little post extension it's no issue. The BB is really high so my feet don't touch the ground and when you come off the bike it's a bit of an event.
However, it's insanely fun and I'll use it for long races, playtime, and big stuff like New Mexico and El Paso. It's so much fun.
Top Fuel is for short races / dirt crits. My girlfriend and I can swap bikes too.
Looking for feedzone helper for Road Nats in Colorado Springs Saturday Aug 10. Will help with fuel, lodging expenses if needed. email info@949racing.com for more info.
Anybody hear near Montreal that might be interested in handing me bottles at XC worlds this Friday morning, 23rd?
I'm racing at Mont Saint-Anne. Maybe one bottle per lap. 90 minute race, 4-5 laps. World Championships. Long shot, but I thought it couldn't hurt to ask.
Made the podium! After 4 tries, I finally did it, finishing 3rd. I think I timed my peak perfectly. Had really great legs today. Actually passed Tinker on the second lap then was leading for about half a lap. I have never been even close to Tinker for more than 2 minutes into any XC race. He is been a sponsored pro since he was 15 and is a multiple world champion both pro and amateur. Second-place Tommy Olsson won last year in Andorra. Olsson was actually the strongest rider today but had two flats. He was using a big sealant cartridge and had to change a wheel in the pits. I'm noticing the fast guys don't even carry a tube. I will have to try that from now on. Battled with him for second place on the podium, just missing out on the last lap.
Started from the second row which was a great relief. Was able to move up to the front group during the short start loop. heading out of the first lap I was shocked to find myself at the very front of the race sitting on Tinkers wheel. That made me believe and dig that little bit deeper. It's been a great experience. I know what I need to work on for next year. Maybe I can bring home that rainbow jersey.
Lots of improvements in power thanks to Trainerroad last winter. Just put up 325w for 20 min which is a new FTP record for me. Can't wait for 2020 and to try some racing
Lots of improvements in power thanks to Trainerroad last winter. Just put up 325w for 20 min which is a new FTP record for me. Can't wait for 2020 and to try some racing
Nice. If I may ask, what's your weight?
Is the Fuel the Radioactive Orange? Ordering a Project One Domane SLR in that color. Hawt.
Is the Fuel the Radioactive Orange? Ordering a Project One Domane SLR in that color. Hawt.
I'm 182lbs now, goal weight for 2020 Spring debut is 170, and an FTP closer to 325w. Trainerroad has been amazing, most of my rides this year have been at speeds and powers i never anticipated to have until a few more years from now. I did a 120mi/6000ft at 19mph 197w, most of my rides are over 19mph, I can hang at 20 for ones under 60mi. Also did a 100/5000ft at 19.3.
Yes its Radioactive Orange, and its even better in person! I really want a Madone, but I really don't think its $4,000 better than what I have, and that's basically what it would cost me to upgrade.
Nice work. Personally I'm not much for the indoor cycling craze but lots of respect for how it motivates riders to work harder and stay on a good program. Keep at it brother!
Nice work. Personally I'm not much for the indoor cycling craze but lots of respect for how it motivates riders to work harder and stay on a good program. Keep at it brother!
The Domane SLR will be my new gravel bike.
It was a bit tedious at first but I have no regrets about it. Taught me a lot about my fitness, and made me stronger mentally by hanging on during the times I thought I couldn't. I had some weird beef with some local riders/friends last year, so that was a bit of motivation as well. Everything started off civil and then a few of the guys with bigger mouths kept instigating over stupid crap: I'd take a segment and they'd send their faster guys from "their crew" to try to knock me off. Lots of talking ensued from them about how amazing their group was and how they were going to "take over". They all continued to talk about how stupid I was for training inside all winter while they did their once a week group rides wearing 3 layers and going 15mph
They're not talking this year LOL. You live in an area that's a bit better for year round riding. Also I feel like its easier/safer to do intervals when you have long climbs locally, so you can really settle in for a 10-20 minute effort up one climb with few interruptions. The longest consistent climb I've found here is 1.7mi and just shy of 600ft which is ~10 minutes, and it's not close enough to home to utilize regularly.
Nothing more gratifying than schooling haters on the bike. Make them suffer, they earned it.
I got a lot of grief for racing the 45+ category in local cross races (at 55 years old) on my MTB occasionally. Had all the other riders I beat one day, boycott the awards ceremony. I won nationals two weeks later, they didn't
Feels great to make progress, and seeing so many guys faster than me who are also older than me gives me more positive hopes for my future on the bike. I started riding with two local guys, one is a TT and climbing beast (360ftp and 165lbs) and the other is a descending madman. Generally when they go out, Pat gets KOMs on the climbs and Jeff gets KOMs on all the descents. Leads me to my next question:
Both riders own numerous bikes, and I was talking to them about what i want, in the form of a Madone Disc. That day, Pat was riding his System Six, and Jeff was on his Madone SLR Disc. Both said they think disc brakes on road bikes are overrated, Jeff said he never feels like he doesn't have enough brakes when he's on his Ridley Noah Fast (rim brake) compared to the Disc Madone (and Jeff is probably 190lbs), and Pat said something similar that he never feels under-prepared when hes on one of his many rim brake bikes. Both have way more experience than me and said they don't think that discs offer much benefit, at least where we ride.
What's everyone's feelings on disc brakes for road bikes? I was all for them but the more and more I think about how I ride, where I ride, when I ride, they just seem unnecessary. That said, peopele who ride in mixed conditions and on mixed terrain can still benefit from them, but while i thought a whole ago that my next road bike will 100% be disc brake, now I'm basically 50/50, until companies can bring the overall weights of the rim vs disc models a bit closer together.
Disc brakes are simply better. They are also a tad heavier. For me, the slight weight penalty is far outweighed by the numerous performance benefits. I descend pretty well, having several KOM's and top tens on popular descents. Brakes are absolutely a factor in that.
It's like saying "well my 9 speed works fine, I don't see why I need 11 speed"
"well my 9 speed works fine, I don't see why I need 11 speed"
I'm offended.
For what its worth, my next bike purchase is an aero road disc bike. Not for the discs primarily, but for the thru axles. I am constantly amazed by how my 12/12mm Cross bike accelerates and climbs compared to my QR rim road bike and 15mm TA/QR rear MTB.
Almost forgot. In June I got 2nd at XC nationals in Winter Park, CO. I've won XC nats before and been on the podium many times so happy with the result.
But the one that really mattered to me was road nationals in Colorado Springs (6000'). Never done road nats before.
Finished 3rd behind two former national champions. The winner rode the Tour de France during his pro career and was a former masters world champion. 4th also former world champion on track and current world hour record holder. My poverty former national champion stripes barely hold up amongst this fine group of total baddasses. Won the bunch sprint for 3rd from a reduced group of 8 riders. Data shows I hit 47.4mph about 40 meters before the line. Line was on a 100m flat section after a 200m long 2% downgrade section where we were flying. I'll never forget the maneuvering, timing and launch of that sprint.
Congrats Emilio, though I’m used to seeing wins from you 🤪
Need some diet help. Currently 183lbs with a belly. Need to get to 170. Thinking of switching to mostly veggies and fruits and cutting out frequent weeknight drinking, also cutting out eating past 7ish. Any other thoughts? My diet is crap and I can gain so much by cleaning up
I found it really helpful to just track what I eat during the day. You might be surprised in how much you are actually eating (too much or too little).
Then I started to focus on calories, carbs, and protein. If you can hit your protein target without going over your calorie target, the weight will start to come off. I say you should track your carb intake because I made the mistake of cutting too many carbs and had muscle cramps.
I find that when those three numbers are within range, everything else falls into place.
If your goal is 170lbs, you need to shoot for 120-170grams of protein. Once you hit your goal, you can taper down to 80grams as your minimum.
Edit: Forgot to mention that I eat 6+ times a day. And drink at least 3L of water. Eat less more often.
I had a nutritionist tell me to only eat fruits before noon, and vegetables afternoon. And don't eat anything 2 hours before bed.
Also do not eat and drink at the same time. Separate solids and liquids by 30 minutes. This ensures you actually get the nutrition from your food and aren't flushing it through too quickly. This took awhile to get used to.
07-29-2019, 05:31 PM
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