Fifty Plus (50+) - Betsy Flies Again

Betsy is the name I have given to my ’02 Cannondale R700 USA Edition with the red, white and blue American Flag paint job. Betsy was outfitted with Shimano 105 9-speed double components. She was a faithful steed, never failing me over five years of riding the Texas hill country roads. Early last year I added to my stable a Motobecane Century Team, a carbon fiber frame with Dura Ace 10-speed triple components. The smooth ride and the additional low gears made the Moto the bike of choice for most rides. Not content to Betsy go quietly into the night, I decided to mend her worn fabric with all new Ultegra 10-speed triple components. I finished the upgrade this weekend and Betsy flies again. It is good to have the old girl back again, and it is good to have two road bikes ready to go whenever the spirit moves.

http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/oo191/MJNelsen/Cannondale%20Upgrade/DSC02319.jpg

Ride On!
-Spoke

I've found it a necessity to have at least 2 road bikes. Betsy is a sweet looking ride.

Sweet. Looks newer than new!
Now, are you really going to ride her?

Gorgeous bike! What size is she?

Gorgeous looking bike.

However, the next picture needs to show dirty bar tape. That lily-white look has got to go.
(No offense to Betsy). And that's as far as I'm going to take that comment.

Betsy has a 56cm CAAD5 frame. In addition to the Ultegra components, I installed a set of 44cm Ritchey BioMax handlebars. That made a big difference in comfort. Oh, and the white bar tape, well it will be dirty in no time. I've got a group ride I'm starting next Saturday, and Betsy will be my ride.

Ride On!
-Spoke

An old friend of mine called her lilac '83 Toyota Corolla "Betsy" and my first thought was, "Oh, no, not that car again!" But then I remembered that this is a bicycle forum and calmed down again.

Your Cannondale looks great, but I don't understand why you named her "Betsy." There have been several famous Cannondale riders, Super (Lion King) Mario and Tinker Juarez come to mind, but I don't recall any famous Cannondale riders named Betsy. I better do a Google search . . .

Rick / OCRR

Why Betsy? It's quite simple, go back and look at her paint job; red, white and blue, stars and stripes, then think "Betsy", as in "Betsy Ross".

Ride On!
-Spoke