Savageman HIM : Official Thread (Page 4)

There's no reason you can't ride the hybrid, assuming you have the gearing.

Speaking of gearing...  I picked up a new road bike last week.  Wow!  What a difference.  I knew the cassette on my old bike was 14-28 but what I DIDNT know was that my chain ring was 52/42.  Seriously, who does that?  I was concerned about going to SM since my new bike has a 12-27 cassette but when I test rode it and found how easy things were.  My new chain ring is 50/34 so I have a lot more gearing on both sides now.  On top of that, the bike feels 5lbs lighter than the old one. 

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I'm sticking with my triple front. Ive got 52/42/30 and a 12-26 9 speed. I rarely use the 30, but when I need it it's nice to have. I've considered going compact in the front but not sure what it buys me really, except a bit easier shifting and a bit less cross chaining. I tend to ride the 42/24 combo on a lot of hills and wonder if that's too much stress on the chain. I hate to drop down to the 30 cause then I have to shift the rear a couple steps too. I guess that's what the compact would buy me.

Didn't mean to turn this into a mechanical discussion but I guess with those hills it's appropriate.

i have the same 52/42/30 and 12-26 but an 8 speed.  i didnt hesitate to remain in 30/26 for extended periods of time depending on which hill i was on.....
perhaps im just a wuss. 
like you said, when you need it, its nice to have.  it may also help you seal the deal with earning your brick!  (not that it cant be done on a compact or other type of gearing combo)

Cool.. so at least you guys with the triples know what I'm talking about.  I had a similar bike but with no 30 to fall back on. 

Nice to hear the gearing is better. I'm having an internal debate right now. My cassette is a 12-25, my TT has a compact and my road has a standard, I'm in the mode of do I just want to ride the TT, or take the crank off and put it on the road bike..... decisions decisions.

Not sure what happened but I was trying to quote "TROTPNTBLL" in the above post.

So here is some humour to make up for it. Got this from a Tri Club members post.....

http://comics.com/frazz/2010-07-13/

No problem with a hybrid.  A number of folks rode mountain bikes last year.  As you live at Deep Creek you get to ride the course plenty ahead of time, so if you can do it on your hybrid, then go for it!

I got to try out my new bike on one of my 18.5 mile hilly routes last night.  I shaved 3 min off the PR I just set last week on my old bike.  I was shocked because I felt a little uncomfortable on the bike.  I feel too stretched out and I can't go to the aerobars without feeling a bit unstable.  I'm thinking of putting my FF seatpost on it to close the gap between the seat and handlebars. 

At any rate, it looks like I did buy a little speed.  ;-)

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I would go by weight and gearing. My TT bike is heavier then my road bike and the race wheels and cassette are not suitable for this type of terrain.

I'm using my roadie.  Gearing, weight, and comfort over aero for this race.  Even took off my aero bars on the roadie just to decrease weight.  Also, I remember back in 2008 that they had zones on the descents that you could not be in the aero position due to safety concerns because of high speed..

I booked my lodging today at Whispering Pines Cabin in Accident Md.  Anyone else get their accomodations taken care of yet?

You booked your stay at a place located in "Accident?"  Sir, you have no fear.  I'm not generally superstitious but I am so nervous about this event that I would probably make an exception in this case.

I need to book something too.

Yes

Yes, me and my peeps are at WISP. Its the ski lodge. It's just a few minutes from the start and pretty reasonable.

Road the course yesterday on the road bike. Trying to picture tri bikes on the Spring Lick descent . Where the cue sheets warn of dangerous descents...BELIEVE...its no time for aero...

The gravel is deep from Mellinger onto Spring Lick and its mounded on the sides and sometimes in the middle. About 3/4 of the way down the chip seal gives way to the old road surface....not crying...it's SM.

Just one dog...think it was on North Glade....the ones half way up Westernport RD weren't to be seen.

3/4 up the wall in 34/26 then tire spin...turned left but to chunky....counting on the switch to a 28

No sign marking Spring Lick or Miller....watch you mileage cue for Spring Lick...For Miller when you pass the neon green garage and house on Jennings, Miller is coming up on the left.

If you haven't ridden the course yet I recommend it. Its almost time!


Edited by 2moremiles 2010-07-22 3:02 PM

Thanks for the update. 

Im taking my first run at the course this weekend.  Getting excited.

Sad to hear that the Spring Lick chipseal still is loose.  It's been a month since they laid it.  But, we've still got 2 months to go, so it'll compact itself yet.  Still confident it will be good by raceday.  Just need some cars to actually drive on it - oh wait, no we don't, cars on Spring Lick would be bad.  I'll be there this weekend and will ride it myself.  Confirmation from roads dept that they will repave the Westernport Rd descent that was torn up this winter.

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Wow, lots of people from BT will be there.  We should meet up somewhere for a group shot.  We may want a group shot BEFORE the event so some of us don't look like zombies. 

The pre-race dinner at this race is unlike any you've ever been to.  As in, the quality of the food is legit! 

I signed up Monday.

I got a room at WISP.