Season’s first race less than two weeks away

And I feel ready. While I haven't exact;ly set the road or the trainer on fire so far this year, I feel really good on the bike and feel I’m in best shape I’ve ever been in for this time of the year

Forty days of training, fourteen of these have been road ride. .

I have to admit, while my first ride on the BMC was amazing, the WOW factor wasnt as great as I thought it was going to be. I did see the HUGE difference that I expected.

Yesterday, the roads were sloppy so I pulled out the Fuji. From my very first pedal stroke, I realized the difference. It’s like comparing a Caddy to a Yugo! Amazing how much a difference two pounds can make.  And how much better the BMC handles rough roads.

BMC SLT01..First impression

Triva...BMC, who has done a great job portraying itself as the quintessential road brand, actually started out as Bob's Mountain Company.

I've always been a bit puzzled by BMCs. I can remember the first time I saw the frame and that if was fugly!

But I've read the reviews, and in the case of this bike, the deal was what sold me. It was a deal I could not pass up. If I had I would be kicking myself for eternity.

I've only put 43 miles on the bike, so this may be a bit premature, but all I can say at this point is WOW!  The more I ride it, the more I want it.

Amazing bike. Light, fast, and comfortable. Stiff and alive, and handles rough roughs great. The bike feels like it would move by itself. I may even has a sprint now! Every bit of energy applied to the pedals is transformed into forward motion. It hasnt seem much climbing,  but I feel it's going to be incredible on the hills. (It’s screaming “Take me to the Hocking Hills”!) Bike is stable and predictable.

Another plus..it gets attention. This is not your Dad's bike. I'm not riding the same bike everyone else is. I’ve come to enjoy its head turning capability and emotion that stirs within me every time I see it. It’s nice being the centre of attention, even though it’s not me, but the bike!

In the past, I've always said it's the machine and not the motor. Well, I thinking differently now (maybe I'm trying to justify the money spent, but hey, it was a steal! And after all the years and miles, I think I was deserving)

New ride is here!

BMC SLT 01 Team Machine

It’s the look!

there’s a fine line between what the snobbery of cycledom considers to be wanker and what’s considered PRO.  If there’s one thing I know it’s how to look PRO.  Having the look is key.  If you don’t have the look, I’m not going to let you have the wheel I’m sitting on.   Let us start from the bottom up outlining the basic rules of how to dress PRO.

Shoes

Not PRO: Thou shall refrain from wearing mountain bike shoes unless one is racing cyclocross in Belgium. Nothing will relegate one to the back of the pack quicker than wearing a set of mtb shoes on a bunch ride.

PRO: One shall only consider wearing white shoes.  However, the better one gets, the more obnoxious one’s shoes can be.  If done carefully, one can disguise lack of ability and fitness with a loud set of shoes.

Socks

Not PRO: Thou shall never wear socks that are low cut, dirty, non-cycling specific, any color other than white.  Socks are paramount. 

PRO:  High-cuff (12cm, no more no less) Capoforma socks are only to be worn.  Preferably brand new every time one rides.

Photo by fyxomatosis

Leg Warmers

Not PRO: Skins or any other compression garment underneath one’s shorts are strictly forbidden.  These are not meant to keep one warm and demonstrates one paid $140 for some tight pants with no understanding what they’re for.

PRO: Though shall use embrocation in place of leg warmers whenever physically possible.  When not possible one’s leg warmers must match perfectly with shorts.

Shorts

Not PRO: Thou shall n0t wear plain black shorts unless racing for Rapha Condor.   In addition, any shorts without a bib are strongly frowned upon and demonstrate one’s noobness. 

PRO:  One shall wear superb quality shorts that make a statement one’s commitment the roadie image.   Again, do not consider wearing anything except for bibs. 

Jersey

Not PRO: Yellow, Green, Pink, Pokadot, World Champ, etc are strictly forbidden for everyday use.  ProTour replica jerseys are also not permitted unless one is Gerro or equivalent stature.  Cutoff arms are largely disproved upon unless one is of Italian descent or has worthy deltiods.  Tanlines are PRO and are a statement of one’s level of commitment to being PRO.

PRO:  PRO-approved jerseys can be acquired from Campagnolo, Santini, Rapha, Capofroma or an obscure Belgian team one raced for over the summer.  Under no circumstances will anything other than full zip jerseys be worn.

Arm Warmers

Not PRO: Loose fitting armwarmers or long sleeved undergarments are not PRO.   This clearly demonstrates one does not appreciate proper layering techniques.

PRO: One’s armwarmers shall be a perfect match with thy jersey. Tight fit is key.    If caught in a dilemma, armwarmers are better being too short than too long.

Helmet

Not PRO: Thou shall not don a helmet exceeding 3 years old and below $200.  Subtle differences in helmets can make them look either cheap or PRO.  $200 is that threshold.    Visors and magpie diverting tie-wraps are automatic exclusion from the PRO Beach Road peloton.  Helmet shall be worn over forehead 2cm above eyebrow, not tilted back.

PRO:  If in any doubt – WHITE.  One cannot faulter with a $200+ Giro or Bell helmet.  Hideous are Metz helmets.  One’s cycling experience is displayed by the way one wears thy helmet.   Give heed to this small detail that is paramount to the PRO look.

Cap

Not PRO: One who dons a baseball cap underneath thy helmet shall incur a hefty penalty.  Proper cycling caps shall’nt be worn backwards.  And unti Marco Pantani comes back from the dead, thy bandanna shall never arise.

PRO:   Cap is only to be worn when armwarmers (at minimum) are called for.  35 degree weather does not warrant the use of a cap.  For locally PRO-made caps checkout Rocketfuel

Sunglasses

Not PRO: Casual-wear sunglasses or anything with a wire frame is highly unacceptable.

PRO: Oakley Jawbones and Radar are PRO.  One cannot falter with any of these. Occasional models of Rudy Project are satisfactory and Giro are starting to become cool.

If you catch me violating any of these rules please pull me aside and politely tell me.  As snobby road cyclists we have all signed up to a commitment and obligation to make each other look and feel PRO.

Out of hibernation!

Today’s weather…sunny, high of 50 degrees.

Today’s ride…36.5 miles, 2 hours. Longest ride since mid Sept. Awesome ride!

It was really cool. Seeing new life and the signs of spring as the snow melts