You could always chance it in a cafe up the Valleys. What’s the worse that could happen?

We’ll have to add a loop through the covered market then.

@RobSandy

Not even a round of Welsh Cakes?!

I’ve never known the Mrs to make Welsh cakes (remember we’re not even a little bit Welsh), but her flapjacks, millionaires shortbread and other cakes are awesome.

If I wasn’t a cyclist I’d be be a big fat bastard.

Not even a round of Welsh Cakes?!

@RobSandy

I’ve forgotten where negotiations got to previously

I think you were hosting and paying for a mega splurge in Cardiff?

Nice try.

You might get a home made flapjack and Sandy Mansion if you’re very nice to me.

I’m still up for it in principle and can do more or less any weekend not in school holidays.

I may, however, have to pull out at the last minute and while I’m fairly wonderful my non-attendance shouldn’t put too much of a dampener on the whole thing.

Also, sussed out another route yesterday that takes in the Devil’s Elbow.

 

I’ve forgotten where negotiations got to previously

I think you were hosting and paying for a mega splurge in Cardiff?

 

@Kyle

 

• Rule #43 violation.

WHUT?!

I’m fairly sure he meant that the ‘author’ of that article has violated Rule #43.

Ah, I see. Well, I disagree with that to. He’s not being a jackass, funny or otherwise. He’s just being really boring.

. Any news on a potential Welsh Cogal?!

I have thought about t vaguely but I’m not really able to plan things too far in advance at the moment. Unless we try to agree a date and I’ll come or not depending?

I’ve forgotten where negotiations got to previously

@Kyle

@RobSandy

• Rule #43 violation.

WHUT?!

I’m fairly sure he meant that the ‘author’ of that article has violated Rule #43. Any news on a potential Welsh Cogal?!

@RobSandy

• Rule #43 violation.

WHUT?!

• Rule #43 violation.

@chuckp

I’ve talked to a lot of people who have a similar feeling about riding a bike. Even at the ripe age of 33 I ride my road bike like a kid on a bmx bike.

i’m 47, and it’s the same for me.  i will say that i much prefer centuries and Grand Fondos to racing, now.

Wrong! : https://cyclingtips.com/2017/03/commentary-forget-velominatis-rules-youre-not-wrong/

What a boring article. I really don’t know why he bothered.

Test rig.  Trying to figure out where to put the battery for when electronic shifting came along…..

I’ve talked to a lot of people who have a similar feeling about riding a bike. Even at the ripe age of 33 I ride my road bike like a kid on a bmx bike.

Ahh, maybe I need to watch it again. Wouldn’t be a bad thing!

@Buck Rogers

@Ron

Le Samyn was incredible! For that matter, that’s three great one-day races in a row. It’s a good time to be alive and love cycling!

Felt for #2 today. Guillame tricked that youngster as only a more senior race knows how. Big G probably would like to give a double middle finger to Lefevere, or did so tacitly.

Super Hardman race! Just awesome. I watched the last 55 k’s on the rollers today.

Man, what a tough one. I just LOVE the Napoléon Race series!

I totally thought that Keirsbulck was the Man of the Match and did more than his fair share in the wind. Not sure how he tricked the younger rider? They were both fucking dead on that final climb and never had more than about 20 to 30 seconds on the main chasing group for the whole last 50 k’s. Brutal!

That was a great race. Especially after what I thought was a disappointing omloop/kbk opening weekend. Way too predictable, but still in awe of Sagan’s ridiculous abilities/super powers. I think the guy who won le samyn just held is nerve while the younger guy panicked into leading out the finish. Roll on the spring classics!

Yes, such a great race.

But I did not think that there was any tricking going on or any panicking.

They both knew that the chasers were close and both were attacking the hell out of each other in the final 3 k’s.

I thought that they both did a great job and that the strongest guy on the day won in the end.

@Ron

Le Samyn was incredible! For that matter, that’s three great one-day races in a row. It’s a good time to be alive and love cycling!

Felt for #2 today. Guillame tricked that youngster as only a more senior race knows how. Big G probably would like to give a double middle finger to Lefevere, or did so tacitly.

Super Hardman race! Just awesome. I watched the last 55 k’s on the rollers today.

Man, what a tough one. I just LOVE the Napoléon Race series!

I totally thought that Keirsbulck was the Man of the Match and did more than his fair share in the wind. Not sure how he tricked the younger rider? They were both fucking dead on that final climb and never had more than about 20 to 30 seconds on the main chasing group for the whole last 50 k’s. Brutal!

That was a great race. Especially after what I thought was a disappointing omloop/kbk opening weekend. Way too predictable, but still in awe of Sagan’s ridiculous abilities/super powers. I think the guy who won le samyn just held is nerve while the younger guy panicked into leading out the finish. Roll on the spring classics!

Le Samyn was incredible! For that matter, that’s three great one-day races in a row. It’s a good time to be alive and love cycling!

Felt for #2 today. Guillame tricked that youngster as only a more senior race knows how. Big G probably would like to give a double middle finger to Lefevere, or did so tacitly.

Super Hardman race!  Just awesome.  I watched the last 55 k’s on the rollers today.

Man, what a tough one.  I just LOVE the Napoléon Race series!

I totally thought that Keirsbulck was the Man of the Match and did more than his fair share in the wind.  Not sure how he tricked the younger rider? They were both fucking dead on that final climb and never had more than about 20 to 30 seconds on the main chasing group for the whole last 50 k’s.  Brutal!

Felt for #2 today. Guillame tricked that youngster as only a more senior race knows how. Big G probably would like to give a double middle finger to Lefevere, or did so tacitly.

I’ll just post this here as it’s the current thread. The weather for Le Samyn today is truly Belgian! Maybe we’re in for a classic classics season?

Strade Bianchi looks like being wet this weekend too.  Unfortunately that covers Sunday too at the moment…….

@kixsand

Only noticed now, but do you prefer blue cleats? I always use yellow to save my knees (skiing gives them already enough battering and bashing) but I’d be interested in experience whether blue or even red feels better.

Ya – good question.  I used yellow for a long time and then had a pair of blue ones lying about so I threw them on and honestly didn’t notice a lot of difference so I’ve stuck with them. I have observed that my pedal stroke is fairly linear up and down without a lot of wandering knee or ankle movement.  I expect that I’d be fine with red cleats too as long as everything was locked in square.

Only noticed now, but do you prefer blue cleats? I always use yellow to save my knees (skiing gives them already enough battering and bashing) but I’d be interested in experience whether blue or even red feels better.

@Teocalli

@wiscot

@Ron

Was playing soccer last night when a sweetheart of a Youth decided he wanted to kick around my spare ball on the sideline. He and his pal kept on coming onto the field, interfering with the game. Someone told him to cut it out. He proceeded to punt my ball into the woods, then try to walk off. Told him to go collect it. He did, then threw it into the middle of our game. I told him to quit being a puke. He gave me the finger and told me to fuck off.

I imparted some wisdom to the scrawny teen: You’re going to do that to the wrong person one day soon and it’s gonna hurt. Badly.

I cannot imagine acting like that to a field full of much larger adult strangers. Good god.

The kid is lucky you were not the “wrong person.”

Many years ago in the era when I used to play Rugby, 3 guys went to mug a chap who happened to play for another Rugby club in the area. They picked on the “wrong person”, 2 ended up in hospital with broken bones and the 3rd ran off while he was dealing with the other two. In those days the Police were able to say “they got what they deserved”. They still charged them with attempted mugging though.

I’m told, “he had it coming” was (or perhaps still is) a legitimate plea in Texas courts for when you’re charged with killing someone…

My similar story was when one of the rugby boys I had coached was getting married.

He was having drinks at a pub with his work mates and his Dad was there as well. By now his Dad, who was always a little bloke, was getting on in years and a bit frail.
He’s at the bar when some of the local lads can’t be bothered waiting and basically shove the old bloke out of the way and take up the bar.
Well the son had followed in his father’s footsteps. Dad was a Vietnam SAS vet (Aust.), who had gone on to command the regiment. The son was now a senior SAS officer, and his work mates were all SAS.

Suffice to say the local lads learnt a bit about respecting your elders.

@Teocalli

@wiscot

@Ron

Was playing soccer last night when a sweetheart of a Youth decided he wanted to kick around my spare ball on the sideline. He and his pal kept on coming onto the field, interfering with the game. Someone told him to cut it out. He proceeded to punt my ball into the woods, then try to walk off. Told him to go collect it. He did, then threw it into the middle of our game. I told him to quit being a puke. He gave me the finger and told me to fuck off.

I imparted some wisdom to the scrawny teen: You’re going to do that to the wrong person one day soon and it’s gonna hurt. Badly.

I cannot imagine acting like that to a field full of much larger adult strangers. Good god.

The kid is lucky you were not the “wrong person.”

Many years ago in the era when I used to play Rugby, 3 guys went to mug a chap who happened to play for another Rugby club in the area. They picked on the “wrong person”, 2 ended up in hospital with broken bones and the 3rd ran off while he was dealing with the other two. In those days the Police were able to say “they got what they deserved”. They still charged them with attempted mugging though.

I’m told, “he had it coming” was (or perhaps still is) a legitimate plea in Texas courts for when you’re charged with killing someone…

It just kinda blew my mind. First of all, he was the one being the prick job. Secondly, why be a total asshole to a group of strangers, especially ones that could tear your head off? His buddy also told me to relax. Right. They’re the ones punting someone else’s ball into the woods but it’s crazy to ask them to go find it.

Thankfully I’ve reached a slightly enlightened place where I realize it’s just not worth it to get into a fight with a stranger, as much as I wanted to smash that dude.

After 13 minor surgeries to remove Basil Cells, I am constantly covered in 75 SPF sunscreen. As a result, I am in violation of Rule #7 to perpetuity. That is much better than being forced to take 4 weeks off of my bike to prevent scarring on my Pantani like pate.

 

I am, however, highly versed in Rule #9 and #5 as a result.

Is there an inverse relationship to Rule #7?

I think to comply with Rule #7 there has to be the potential for tan lines. It’s not a rule I’ve ever been that worried about, to be honest.

Cycling, in particular, was something I had not done in over twenty years. This connection with my younger self was like finding the mainline of happiness that I had lost for many years. When I ride the bike, I still find freedom in each pedal stroke.

@Rick

@RobSandy

@wiscot

I’ve had a couple of good shaves now to pre-empt the race season and because I was having a massage last week (the thought of going for a massage with hairy or stubbly legs now fills me with horror) – is it common to be upset by the pale-ness of one’s guns?

I would say no. I wore knee warmers on my ride yesterday which exposed much of my calves. Even with super white socks on, my legs still looked awfully pale. Supposed to be 65 on Wednesday, Dare I wear shorts?

If you never uncover you’ll stay pale all year.

I will uncover as soon as I can and still stay pale all year. Because I live in Wales.

I am, however, highly versed in Rule #9 and #5 as a result.

Is there an inverse relationship to Rule #7?

I think I meant to say “I should say SO.” I’m always embarrassed by the glare from my guns when I first wear shorts.

You could alway go for a Trump Tan – the Orange would match the V colour (with apologies if that is too political – please do not respond with political comments!) but his face tan does seem to be Rule #7 compliant.

@RobSandy

@wiscot

I’ve had a couple of good shaves now to pre-empt the race season and because I was having a massage last week (the thought of going for a massage with hairy or stubbly legs now fills me with horror) – is it common to be upset by the pale-ness of one’s guns?

I would say no. I wore knee warmers on my ride yesterday which exposed much of my calves. Even with super white socks on, my legs still looked awfully pale. Supposed to be 65 on Wednesday, Dare I wear shorts?

If you never uncover you’ll stay pale all year.

I will uncover as soon as I can and still stay pale all year. Because I live in Wales.

I am, however, highly versed in Rule #9 and #5 as a result.

Is there an inverse relationship to Rule #7?

I think I meant to say “I should say SO.” I’m always embarrassed by the glare from my guns when I first wear shorts.

@wiscot

I’ve had a couple of good shaves now to pre-empt the race season and because I was having a massage last week (the thought of going for a massage with hairy or stubbly legs now fills me with horror) – is it common to be upset by the pale-ness of one’s guns?

I would say no. I wore knee warmers on my ride yesterday which exposed much of my calves. Even with super white socks on, my legs still looked awfully pale. Supposed to be 65 on Wednesday, Dare I wear shorts?

If you never uncover you’ll stay pale all year.

I will uncover as soon as I can and still stay pale all year. Because I live in Wales.

I am, however, highly versed in Rule #9 and #5 as a result.

Is there an inverse relationship to Rule #7?

Love those!

My new dancing shoes…

 

I’ve had a couple of good shaves now to pre-empt the race season and because I was having a massage last week (the thought of going for a massage with hairy or stubbly legs now fills me with horror) – is it common to be upset by the pale-ness of one’s guns?

I would say no. I wore knee warmers on my ride yesterday which exposed much of my calves. Even with super white socks on, my legs still looked awfully pale. Supposed to be 65 on Wednesday, Dare I wear shorts?

If you never uncover you’ll stay pale all year.

I will uncover as soon as I can and still stay pale all year. Because I live in Wales.

I am, however, highly versed in Rule #9 and #5 as a result.

@wiscot

Just figured it out. Anquetil is reading the paper as he has misplaced his sunnies and needs something to protect his eyes from the glare coming off Privat’s guns. It’s the Tour. It’s therefore July. Has Privat been wearing tights all season? At least I’ve an excuse for my legs being that shade of white: a) I’m from Scotland b) I live in Wisconsin, and c) it’s February. What Privat’s excuse?

I’ve had a couple of good shaves now to pre-empt the race season and because I was having a massage last week (the thought of going for a massage with hairy or stubbly legs now fills me with horror) – is it common to be upset by the pale-ness of one’s guns?

I would say no. I wore knee warmers on my ride yesterday which exposed much of my calves. Even with super white socks on, my legs still looked awfully pale. Supposed to be 65 on Wednesday, Dare I wear shorts?

Just figured it out. Anquetil is reading the paper as he has misplaced his sunnies and needs something to protect his eyes from the glare coming off Privat’s guns. It’s the Tour. It’s therefore July. Has Privat been wearing tights all season? At least I’ve an excuse for my legs being that shade of white: a) I’m from Scotland b) I live in Wisconsin, and c) it’s February. What Privat’s excuse?

I’ve had a couple of good shaves now to pre-empt the race season and because I was having a massage last week (the thought of going for a massage with hairy or stubbly legs now fills me with horror) – is it common to be upset by the pale-ness of one’s guns?

Been skiing all week and crashed this morning so now recovering with this new article! Agree it’s great to have a new one.

Bang on!

@wiscot

@Steve T

As an Arsenal-mad lad, my favourite player was Liam Brady. I had the yellow away kit circa 1979, and whenever I played it had to be all left-footed like him, even though I was naturally right-footed. He just looked cooler than anyone else, and I still think lefties look more stylish than right-footed players. If I was a kid today, I’d have to be Mesut Ozil. Style is everything.

Great picture, by the way.

I’m assuming you’ve read Fever Pitch? Great book.

You’re right. Everyone recognises some part of themselves in that book. Classic.

As an Arsenal-mad lad, my favourite player was Liam Brady. I had the yellow away kit circa 1979, and whenever I played it had to be all left-footed like him, even though I was naturally right-footed. He just looked cooler than anyone else, and I still think lefties look more stylish than right-footed players. If I was a kid today, I’d have to be Mesut Ozil. Style is everything.

Great picture, by the way.

I’m assuming you’ve read Fever Pitch? Great book.

Great picture, by the way.

These folk are not far from you. http://www.pilothousecycles.co.uk/new-page/

I fancy coming over sometime and talking a look at Paulus Quiros based in the same building as I hone down my options for a custom build.

1500GBP for a Speshy Allez sprint with 105. Seems like a reasonably priced bike yet I betcha would be a lot of fun to ride fast and put the hammer down in some crits. Especially after you upgraded the wheels yes. Doesn’t look like Speshy is offering up the Allez sprint frame sets alone in the UK. They have some cool color ways available in US that would be fun to build up.

@RobSandy

@Teocalli

The purple bike’s seattube looks more angled back – but the saddle looks like it’s pointing up so perhaps the front wheel is slightly raised on something.

I want a new bike. Racy, carbon, Ultegra (but not Di2), not too pricey. What should I look at? More concerned with stiffness, aerodynamics and position than weight.

Looks fucking sexy too

You’re right, it looks an awesome bike. But about double my hypothetical budget.

Any thoughts on the more budget end aero road bikes? I’ve seen bikes by Sensa and Boardman that both look awesome, full aero carbon frame and mostly Ultegra kit, for roundabout £2k. Granted, you’d probably want to replace the wheels pretty sharpish.

@Buck Rogers

@Randy C

Then I think to myself, thank goodness we’ve evolved and have moved beyond the black shoes white sox thing exhibited here…

Cheer all

Ha! Now don’t start that again (b/c we all know that it does not get any more classy than pure white socks with pure black shoes!)

agreed!

You got the same shoes as me. Except mine are white, obviously.

@RobSandy

@Teocalli

The purple bike’s seattube looks more angled back – but the saddle looks like it’s pointing up so perhaps the front wheel is slightly raised on something.

The top tubes seem to be running parallel but I think it’s just the angle and that the bike behind is further forward.

Any idea what the thing on the bottom of the down tube on the blue bike might be? A sort of canister. Maybe for tools or something but it seems an odd place to put it.

It’s the motor.

@ChrisO

Any idea what the thing on the bottom of the down tube on the blue bike might be? A sort of canister. Maybe for tools or something but it seems an odd place to put it.

Probably that is the canister where they kept La Bamba back in the day. They did not have to be so discrete in those days, ya know.

The boring bit is that it might be a CO2 canister as they did use them way back and given that they have their own spare tubs under the saddle they were obviously not depending on the team car.

Any idea what the thing on the bottom of the down tube on the blue bike might be? A sort of canister. Maybe for tools or something but it seems an odd place to put it.

Probably that is the canister where they kept La Bamba back in the day.  They did not have to be so discrete in those days, ya know.

@Cameron W

The canister is a CO2 inflator. I think they were first used before WWII, and you can see Bartali carrying one behind his seat tube in photos from the 40s.

To me the canister looks like some sort of Wile E Coyote rocket apparatus.  i’d like to think that is what it is anyway.  I loved Road Runner.

@chuckp

Very cool. And these cats too, Low bikes in San Fran, are building custom alloy frames and bikes. They have quality snapshots of their bikes at Flickr and that are fun to check out different colorways.

@Teocalli

The purple bike’s seattube looks more angled back – but the saddle looks like it’s pointing up so perhaps the front wheel is slightly raised on something.

The top tubes seem to be running parallel but I think it’s just the angle and that the bike behind is further forward.

Any idea what the thing on the bottom of the down tube on the blue bike might be? A sort of canister. Maybe for tools or something but it seems an odd place to put it.

@wiscot

@Ron

Was playing soccer last night when a sweetheart of a Youth decided he wanted to kick around my spare ball on the sideline. He and his pal kept on coming onto the field, interfering with the game. Someone told him to cut it out. He proceeded to punt my ball into the woods, then try to walk off. Told him to go collect it. He did, then threw it into the middle of our game. I told him to quit being a puke. He gave me the finger and told me to fuck off.

I imparted some wisdom to the scrawny teen: You’re going to do that to the wrong person one day soon and it’s gonna hurt. Badly.

I cannot imagine acting like that to a field full of much larger adult strangers. Good god.

The kid is lucky you were not the “wrong person.”

Many years ago in the era when I used to play Rugby, 3 guys went to mug a chap who happened to play for another Rugby club in the area. They picked on the “wrong person”, 2 ended up in hospital with broken bones and the 3rd ran off while he was dealing with the other two. In those days the Police were able to say “they got what they deserved”. They still charged them with attempted mugging though.

I’m told, “he had it coming” was (or perhaps still is) a legitimate plea in Texas courts for when you’re charged with killing someone…

@Ron

Was playing soccer last night when a sweetheart of a Youth decided he wanted to kick around my spare ball on the sideline. He and his pal kept on coming onto the field, interfering with the game. Someone told him to cut it out. He proceeded to punt my ball into the woods, then try to walk off. Told him to go collect it. He did, then threw it into the middle of our game. I told him to quit being a puke. He gave me the finger and told me to fuck off.

I imparted some wisdom to the scrawny teen: You’re going to do that to the wrong person one day soon and it’s gonna hurt. Badly.

I cannot imagine acting like that to a field full of much larger adult strangers. Good god.

The kid is lucky you were not the “wrong person.”

Many years ago in the era when I used to play Rugby, 3 guys went to mug a chap who happened to play for another Rugby club in the area.  They picked on the “wrong person”, 2 ended up in hospital with broken bones and the 3rd ran off while he was dealing with the other two.  In those days the Police were able to say “they got what they deserved”.  They still charged them with attempted mugging though.

No matter how they feel, I think cyclists look younger on the bike. I also think I (and most people) look heavier when on the bike for some strange reason. The Gorilla for example looks well, like a gorilla on the bike and like a little kid on the podium (if you don’t look at his guns that is).

Agreed. Off the bike in street clothes I look pretty decent (6′ 1″ and around 190lbs) but I’ve seen pics of me on the bike and I look like Lampre man. WTF?

Was playing soccer last night when a sweetheart of a Youth decided he wanted to kick around my spare ball on the sideline. He and his pal kept on coming onto the field, interfering with the game. Someone told him to cut it out. He proceeded to punt my ball into the woods, then try to walk off. Told him to go collect it. He did, then threw it into the middle of our game. I told him to quit being a puke. He gave me the finger and told me to fuck off.

I imparted some wisdom to the scrawny teen: You’re going to do that to the wrong person one day soon and it’s gonna hurt. Badly.

I cannot imagine acting like that to a field full of much larger adult strangers. Good god.

The kid is lucky you were not the “wrong person.”

I imparted some wisdom to the scrawny teen: You’re going to do that to the wrong person one day soon and it’s gonna hurt. Badly.

I cannot imagine acting like that to a field full of much larger adult strangers. Good god.

Frank: I like this essay and you express in it thoughts that many of us probably also think. But, I have another view of my bicycle and riding it. My bike is a time machine. When I ride it I am often transported back to my youth and the feelings that I enjoyed while riding my bike, at least in a metaphysical sense. That is the best part of riding for me. I am chasing my youth and while I will never capture that, I can recapture those feelings and I will do so for as long as I am able.

In a similar vein, I know I’m old(er) but when I ride I don’t feel quite so old. Not quite chasing my youth, but feeling younger than my actual chronological age. And always nice when I’m able to hang with the young(er) guns.

I’ll just put this here for you to contemplate.

 

I’m also a sucker for alloy bikes.

I was/am so tempted to pick up a new CAAD12 Ultegra bike just because I suspect it’s a awesome combo of great bike and price, I dig the color (yep, black, go figure) and I love my CAAD10. I’m sure the bike would be a blast to ride fast and race and a mech Ultegra you know is gonna be buttery smooth. And so far I’ve successfully resisted that temptation. You know what’s stopped me ? I was looking at the junction of the seat stays and seat/top tube and w/the alloy welds it looks like they’re all attached with a big blob of bubble gum. Seriously.

If you want to be tempted by a new alu bike, check out Bond Bikes. Beautiful frames. One of the co-founders is my fellow PEZ contributor Lee Rodgers. If I had the $$$ lying around for another bike, I’d be seriously tempted to get one.

https://www.bond.bike/

https://www.facebook.com/bondbikes/

https://www.bikerumor.com/2016/11/30/newcomer-bond-bikes-touts-customizable-frames-wont-break-bank/

I’m also a sucker for alloy bikes. Just love the price/performance idea. Both my CX and road bikes I race are alloy ‘dales. And really, nowadays with the modern wide rim-bed wheel sets and high volume low p tires one can get a pretty good ride on any decent well engineered bike. I’ve bombed the CAAD10 down miles and miles of dirt roads and pounded out fast century rides over chip seal with no comfort issues. And I also have a C Roubiax. So I’ve compared the two “ideas” over a bazillion miles. The C bike is just a little lighter. I’d posted a little back about the idea that a CAAD12 had to be a damn good bike for the money and a blast to ride fast and I wanted one. But there is the aesthetic quality about this:

that I just can’t get past. See what I’m talking about ? Seriously, does that look like a wad of chewed bubblegum that the tubes are all joined up with?

@Teocalli

The purple bike’s seattube looks more angled back – but the saddle looks like it’s pointing up so perhaps the front wheel is slightly raised on something.

I want a new bike. Racy, carbon, Ultegra (but not Di2), not too pricey. What should I look at? More concerned with stiffness, aerodynamics and position than weight.

Looks fucking sexy too

@Teocalli

The purple bike’s seattube looks more angled back – but the saddle looks like it’s pointing up so perhaps the front wheel is slightly raised on something.

I want a new bike. Racy, carbon, Ultegra (but not Di2), not too pricey. What should I look at? More concerned with stiffness, aerodynamics and position than weight.

Don’t know the pricing in the UK, but the Focus Izalco Max might be worth looking at. Same frame all the way through the range, pricing changes pretty much come down to wheel & group combo you choose.

@Randy C

Then I think to myself, thank goodness we’ve evolved and have moved beyond the black shoes white sox thing exhibited here…

Cheer all

Ha! Now don’t start that again (b/c we all know that it does not get any more classy than pure white socks with pure black shoes!)

agreed!

Then I think to myself, thank goodness we’ve evolved and have moved beyond the black shoes white sox thing exhibited here…

Cheer all

Ha!  Now don’t start that again (b/c we all know that it does not get any more classy than pure white socks with pure black shoes!)

I’ve been riding this, most impressed, Trek do full groups so it is all Ultegra, (I swapped mine out for DA9100), the wheels are excellent, nice and wide, throw on some Vittoria Corsa in 25mm and it’s a great ride. I race masters 45-50, certainly not the flashest bike in that demographic…

http://www.trekbikes.com/nz/en_NZ/bikes/road-bikes/performance-road/émonda/émonda-sl-6-pro/p/1441990-2017/

google tells me £2875

 

I want a new bike.

Don’t we all !

I was/am so tempted to pick up a new CAAD12 Ultegra bike just because I suspect it’s a awesome combo of great bike and price, I dig the color (yep, black, go figure)  and I love my CAAD10.  I’m sure the bike would be a blast to ride fast and race and a mech Ultegra you know is gonna be buttery smooth. And so far I’ve successfully resisted that temptation. You know what’s stopped me ? I was looking at the junction of the seat stays and seat/top tube and w/the alloy welds it looks like they’re all attached with a big blob of bubble gum. Seriously.

A bit of a counterpoint. Youthful exuberance and openness to new beliefs and points of view are certainly qualities one should continue to foster as one gets older. However, let’s not discount the value of experience and wisdom that comes with age (for some of us, anyway!). There are a lot of things that I “believed” as a younger man, without necessarily having the experience to know if those beliefs were valid. Many of those beliefs have been tested throughout my life, and many have fallen by the wayside. However, there is a certain joyousness when life’s experience affirms a long-held belief. It’s a way of sorting through this mess we call life and finding a way in the world and peace within ourselves. I’ve had occasion over the past year to examine and sort through a lot of what I believed about myself, the people around me and my life. While that work is never done, I feel more more free and at-ease as a result.

Hey Oracle. I hope you’re well. Will you drop me a line at greid@wisconsinart.org please? Thanks!

There were six French teams in the race: France, France North East-Centre, France Southwest, France-Ile de France, France-West and France South-East. Nothing like a little competition!

I suspect the purple Mercier bike is Privat’s and the blue Gitane (?) is likely Anquetil’s. Privat won stage 2 and held the maillot jaune until stage 4 when he lost it to Anquetil who would win the race overall for the first of his five tour wins. He was only 23.

I just got this

https://www.giant-bicycles.com/us/tcr-advanced-1-disc

but I don’t race. Super solid bike though as I’ve had it out on some pretty rocky two tracks, short sections of single track, and tons of dirt road with no issues. It just barely fits 28mm continental clinchers. I’m 1.88m and 84kg (6’2″, 185lbs). The bike is a size M/L. This is an “Ultegra” bike, but only the FD, RD and cranks (comes with compact) are Ultegra. Brifters and brakes are somewhere between 105 and Ultegra, cassette is 105, chain is KMC. It has thru-axles so that may not work for racing either, but ups the stiffness factor. It’s not bespoke, but Giant’s factories make frames for lots of other brands so in theory their crap should all be ironed out. YMMV.

Good luck.

Exactly my thoughts!  Youth after Dead Tired; Hopefully, suggesting a turn for the better. Thank you Frank and I hope you are feeling and doing well.

@Teocalli

The purple bike’s seattube looks more angled back – but the saddle looks like it’s pointing up so perhaps the front wheel is slightly raised on something.

I want a new bike. Racy, carbon, Ultegra (but not Di2), not too pricey. What should I look at? More concerned with stiffness, aerodynamics and position than weight.

Sarto are sweet and you can customise the tubes for not a lot extra.  http://www.sartoantonio.com

oh… and if that pic were snapped today we can guess what they’d be looking at? Such a natural pose. Staring at the phones and txt’ing/snapchatting/instagramming…

When I’m cycling around town I sometimes can’t help myself…when I see someone completely ignoring the world and/or me approaching them on a bicycle, I’ll yell “Oh my god! Would you look at that!” Usually gives them a pretty good reminder that you shouldn’t walk around oblivious to the world. And, I guess this is proof that I haven’t outgrown enjoying a simple prank.

AND…YES! We have a new article. Youth following Dead Tired. This is exciting!

I keep on wondering when I’ll grow up! I’ll do something and think “Heck, I’ve been acting like this since I was a teenager, aren’t adults supposed to stop finding humor in _____?” Oh well.

On a cynical note, the one unfortunate thing about getting old is definitely knowing too much and not being able to believe that bullies and idiots and selfish assholes will mature and grow out of it. Nope, they just grow older. That’s been the one big disappointment of adulthood for me.

The purple bike’s seattube looks more angled back – but the saddle looks like it’s pointing up so perhaps the front wheel is slightly raised on something.

I want a new bike. Racy, carbon, Ultegra (but not Di2), not too pricey. What should I look at? More concerned with stiffness, aerodynamics and position than weight.

Cheer all

Having purchased my first road bike, I love it, the speed it accelerates is amazing, the feeling of taking corners far quicker that my 700×25 tyres should (in my mind) cope with and gunning it both up and down hills.

Getting back on the bike has given me a new enthusiasm (even in the depths of British winter) to get out there and blast around, even if its just the 5 mile sprint to work.  I find myself making some very childish sounds as I ride down hills, swerve drain covers and overtake (stationary) cars.