Fred Doucette's Half-Iron and Ironman Focused Group! -CLOSED! (Page 61)

I'm confused by this "trolling" phenomena (I admit, I had to look up what it meant).  People really do that?  I know people like to be A-holes, but I don't see the satisfaction in doing it on a forum like that...it's just text on a page, the "reward" seems very low.

I did find a lot of people's sarcastic responses and the side jokes pretty funny though, literally an lol moment or two (and I never use that term).

Jet-6 front, Jet disc rear.  ProRace 3 tires with Michelin Latex tubes inflated to ~105 psi.

Speaking of race rigs, my back has been feeling good this off season, so I'm toying with the idea of removing a spacer.

Williams 58 Carbon Clinchers w/ PT hub. Going to try Vittoria Open Corsa EVO CX tires with latex tubes this season.  Hopefully, these tires/tubes will be a little faster than the Continental 4000S w/ butyl tubes I used last year. 

Randy

Old style (non dimpled ) zipp 404 up front and wheel cover on my powertap HED C2 Belgium back.  Really want a tri spoke front though...

I've got my first "race" of the season today.  It's a Tacx virtual hillclimb up Alp d'Huez.  A tri store is doing them all day long as a fundraiser for the triathlon club I'm in.  I think there's a competition of some sort, but really not sure on the details, just plan to get there and ride my @ss off "up" the hill.  I figure since aero doesn't matter and I've found my road position to be on par with my aero position for putting out watts, I'm bringing the roadie so I have better out of the saddle options.  I am a little worried because I wish I had a little more than a 25 large cog in back, but with a 34 front, I should be ok.  

Lance did it in like 37 min...I'm going for 36:59

Good luck Joe ... I'm sure you'll do great!

Renee it is pretty exciting that your IM is getting close. 

Have a good weekend... daylight savings is going to make getting in the morning run sunday a little more painful as it will feel a hour earlier

Haha, that would be my sentiments as well

The virtual race went very well.  It was at a new Tri shop in Baltimore (Tri-SPeed Multisports).  I had some issues on the second half of the climb with the tacx unit....it kept freaking out and pausing/forcing me to a stop.  The guy thought it was a cadence issue (if it doesn't pick up cadence it assumes you paused/stopped pedaling and ramps up resistance and pauses the course) and interference with my cadence and my PowetTap.  Then he thought maybe I was overheating the motor.  I choose to believe I was riding so hard that it was the latter

I spent 46 min and change (forget exactly) going up the 8.3 miles.  I averaged 296 W for the climb and maxed out at the top at like 181 bpm.  I believe my norm power/xPower was about 300, but I'm not at my home compy and don't remember.

Actually, what I'm happier about yesterday is that I picked up a new pair of shoes while there (had never been to this store, turns out he's a really nice guy and I enjoyed talking to him...even if he did try to sell me a Kestrel ).  I haven't been completely honest...my footpain/swelling goes away with anti-inflammatory, but comes back.  I think I've traced it to a hot spot in my cycle shoe, hence I've been on the lookout for the custom fit shoes.  I had gotten some Bont shoes with the heat moldable soles on Bonktown, but wrong size (and none in my right size are left) so they're being returned.  The shop had them so I was asking about his experience and I tried on some and found my right size, but I was gawking at full price (almost $400 for the top of the line tri or road shoes).  I asked if there was a discount because he partners with my tri club and he said they would be about $200 (just a shade over what I paid on Bonktown).  I was sold.  I was still slightly in between sizes, so he told me to try out these and if I don't ride them outside (but I can mold them and use on the trainer) I can come back and swap if necessary.  I usually don't shop for high priced items at stores like this because you have zero protection if you order the wrong size or you end up hating them, so it was very nice to have that sense of security.  Can you tell I'm really excited about my new shoes?!?!  Oh, and the cheap price wasn't all due to my tri club, apparently Bont is getting a USA division and their old importers dumped their stock on the market super cheap.  So if anyone is looking for some new shoes, stay heads up for some deals on Bont.

I must say, in my youth and cash strapped days, I went as cheap as possible on cycling gear.  Now I've learned if you pay a premium for the "contact point" items (e.g. saddle, shoes, shorts, pro fit) they will be worth it in the long run.  The Jew in me still finds the best deals though

Good news is my bike arrived only 1 day late not 3, bad news I think Federal Express ruined my Ordu carbon frame. There is big chunk of paint maybe 2-3" in a circle missing along with a big scrap on the frame just above my water bottle cage. I use a hard case Thule box and put pipe insulation around all my frame including this area and bubble wrap around cassette. I guess they squished the box with stuff on top and movement.

I'm so annoyed...

Ordu was a gift from my husband for our 25th anniversary

Camp bike mechanic will look at it soon and tell me if he thinks it is rideable.

Catwoman - 2011-03-13 6:02 PM Oh Kathy, that is horrible. I highly recommend Calfee. They did an excellent job fixing the broken carbon b-stay on my Colnago road bike. Excellent customer service. Send them a picture of the bike and they'll send you an estimate. I wouldn't let anyone repair the frames on any of my beloved bikes. http://www.calfeedesign.com/repair/sending-your-frame-for-repair/Can you still ride your bike?

I was told not to ride it until mechanic checks it out.

In about an hour I should find out what he thinks.

Everyone that looks at it groans as it looks really bad. I took photos..if I can figure it out maybe I'll post a photo.

Kathy,

I cringed when I saw the picture. So sorry!  I know how hard you worked picking that bike out, not to mention the sentimental value.