I don’t care what they say February 15, 2010
Posted by Bill in Equipment, Reflection.Tags: american river parkway, bikes, madone, older rider, training
1 comment so far
After today’s inaugural 20 miles on my “new” build Madone, nobody can ever tell me that a non-racer geezer doesn’t belong on a race bike. Well, they can tell me, but now I have no reason to listen, without a moment’s doubt.
Why should the pleasure of easy climbs followed by acceleration off the crest unlike anything a heavy bike can produce be reserved for young team and pro riders?
There is no practical and age-appropriate machine for any particular individual or age group. If you want to feel a snappy turn and you want your bike to shift effortlessly, without hesitation or grumble, you find a way to make that happen for you.
After this build, giving me a truly awesome ride at 15 pounds 2 ounces (with pedals, without water & tools), I have something that tells me in uncomfortably unforgiving terms that the only limitation is the rider and the condition thereof. This bike screams “Come on!” as I think about how to spend my time. Do I take advanced training in Tivo programming, or do I divert into the garage and spin for awhile?
Posts to come will have more to do with returning to a higher level of conditioning at a certain age. WIsh me luck. Or better yet, join me.
Too long away… November 30, 2009
Posted by Bill in Reflection.Tags: american river parkway, bikes, partner, trek
add a comment
Thanksgiving holidays brought an opportunity to get back onto the Parkway after a long year of change; a marriage, a move, some grief and struggle, much joy. So much to be thankful for, also things to cry for.
We did fifteen miles to ease back in, then stopped to watch the salmon at the American River Hatchery make their battered and weary way up the ladder into the “processing area” to spawn. Their life-ending struggle put our past year in perspective, to tell the truth. Here we were, watching them at the end of their lives, not the other way around.
And a new Trek is growing to join my mate’s. Stay tuned.
