I did a circuit race there in 2002. Field of 60 or so 35+ masters. Attacked going up the hill from T6 with about 4 laps to go. Brought 2 with me. 2 more bridged across IIRC. I knew I was the weakest sprinter but strongest on hill and solo TT so I attacked solo with 2 to go. 2 strongest bridged across to me about 1k before line. Sat up and didn't take another pull. Made them work. Beat one of them to finish second I think.

 

Emilio Cervantes:

949 Racing Corvette Team

 

 

Look at Sparticus' stem, what a man!

 

He just bought the wrong size bike needing a long *** stem. lol.


found myself a wheelset that im going to try to get (used). its a decent drive to get though, so I hope they don't sell it before next weekend.

 

As disc brakes become popular on road bikes, I suspect there will be a lot of used high end wheelsets on the market.

 

Not too worried about it being High end specifically. I just cant justify spending money on something now that I know I wont be happy with. (cheap wheelset being out of place and the obvious upgrade on a carbon bike being the primary thing.)

Either way, its a 38mm carbon tubular wheelset with tubs, pads and skewers. Its priced well enough that I'm fine with it to be on a nice weather bike as long as they aren't worn out/fubar'd.

Using this wheelset and the pieces I have already picked up the bike looks like it will be about 7.0kg (15.5lbs) I may be off on some things though like the weight of pedals since I haven't picked a system yet (the gym uses 2 bolt clipless cleats for spin class so that almost makes sense to use) and the weight of the cables.

That's not a really big deal to me if its a few grams heavier as long as it functions... just fun to play with. Im by no means spending $ to try and be a WW. cables, pedals, bar tape -who cares the weight as long as they aren't made of lead and work well-for a long time.

 

Stages - 2014 Chico Stage Race

Looking forward to racing on the Thunderhill race course. Hopefully I don't get Zirbel-ed too badly.

This comes to mind:

 

You're aware of what you're getting yourself into WRT gluing/taping tires, flats, etc?

 

Yep. Ive spent a few hours researching, reading, youtubbing. seems like something im willing to do. if not, i can easily sell the wheelset for what I buy it for.


Here is where my bike sits as of todays postal deliveries.

Giant TCR Advanced 0 Overall March 14 by Shlammed, on Flickr


Giant TCR Advanced 0 Components by Shlammed, on Flickr


Giant TCR Advanced 0 Components by Shlammed, on Flickr


Giant TCR Advanced 0 Components by Shlammed, on Flickr


Trying to ball on a budget takes time, lol.
Waiting for the stem to come in (who knows if it will... something odd happened on eBay). Need to go get the wheels and then I need to find levers, get a chain and cables, bar wrap and bottle cages.

 

I love the simplicity of bikes. I'm putting together another VVT swap car right now and it's such a striking distinction.

 

Ran sew-ups ( old school for tubulars) for quite a whole years ago. For training, it is (was) possible to get reasonable priced Clements that wear well. You can also save up flats and send them off to have them repaired by folks that are proficient at it. $5-10 charge I think.

 

This.

 

I learned to put my weight on the outside foot and inside hand when cornering the bicycle. How did I go this long trying to balance on the saddle in a corner?

 

Did you not ride dirtbikes or anything as a kid in Texas?

 

Yes but never put that to the bicycle. Yes, I'm an idiot.

 

Off topic, but speaking of dirtbikes. Does it drive anyone else mad watching guys put their foot down at speed in corners? What small moment in the lack of physics is that a good idea, or become popular. Two feet on pegs and more throttle. Sliding a dirt bike at thirty and putting your foot down does what? Break a foot, ankle, or leg? Does no one teach new riders to balance on the pegs? Okay at damn near stopped and 90deg turn MAYBE it can be used. Spent my teens in the desert, and nothing good ever came of putting a foot down vs. keeping them on the pegs and maneuvering the bike. Sorry, but keeping feet on the pegs has helped immensely going from dirt bikes to street bikes to the now fat out of shape mountain biking I attempt. There is just way more control to be had on the machine than half off.

 

Sticking a leg out increase the yaw moment, stabilizing the bike. Ill do it if I over cook a turn or I think a tire is breaking loose abruptly.

The road racers do it for two reason:
Aero drag helps turn the bike.
Stability

 

I'll give you those, ish. I'm talking motorcycles, and I admit a small thread jack. Aero I can sorta see, stability on track maybe. On the street/dirt I'll keep my legs on the pegs. I find it far easier to re-position the bike being able to force weight into the pegs in certain directions with both on the pegs. To me it's better than going Octo-Dad with a legs hanging out when things get squirly at speed. Should add I'vew watched a couple guys get yanked off, or hurt, on their dirt bikes getting their foot caught on something doing the leg out slide turn.

I guess I've just transferred those ideas to mountain biking. keeping on the pegs lets me throw it around under me.

 

stupid:




@torquezombie- I get a foot out all the time on my MTB. I come from DH racing and flat pedals, but in rough/off camber turns I can go way faster leg out than try and stay feet up. But- going 20mph on a MTB is a lot different than going 50mph on a 200lb dirt bike. Desert riding a dirt bike- keep your feet up.