alanknm

I've been looking over some of my split times over the flats and I've got to admit it, I've become a speed junkie. As soon as I see a decent section of flats, it's down into a tuck on the drops, a quick shift into the big chainring and away I go. I can't help it. It doesn't feel right if I'm doing less than 20 mph on the flats and I feel better if I'm doing at least 25. At 30+ I start feeling a moment of zen.

How do you spot the signs ?

When the stem gets flipped and the bars get dropped lower.
When you start running out of gear inches.
When you start thinking about what N+1 is going to be. Is it going to be TT or crit when you were originally thinking maybe cyclocross.

I haven't gotten totally addicted yet. I'm not at the end stage where I'm looking at bigger chainrings, aero helmets and aerobars. and heaven forbid... $3000 for a pair of Zipps.

Is there help for the addicted ?

Cleave

Hi,

To help channel your addiction appropriately, read, The Rider, by Tim Krabbe. Then read, Roadie: The Misunderstood World of a Bike Racer, by Jamie Smith and Jef Mallett. Then start racing.

ftwelder

One of the local clubs does a time trial event a couple of times during the season. It's very popular.

I rode in central NY on Saturday and had a blast riding on flat/rolling terrain.

alanknm

Hmmm.. And I was afraid that I'd start chasing cars down the street.

Allegheny Jet

I'm 58 and I have had to do two TT this year and have probably done 6 - 8 TT specific workouts in preparation. I hated every second of it because they just plain hurt. The 4 x 2 mile intervals @ 27+ mph hurt and races really hurt. However, after every workout and TT, I looked at my power files to see where I could have done better and begin to plot in my head for the next time. I built up a TT bike from a $78 Price Point aluminum road frame, $79 fork, unused TT bars from my son's Cervelo Duel, rear wheel cover for my Power Tap wheel, TT seat from Performance Bike, backwards seat post, aero helmet... I think I could ride faster with a TT specific frame... possibly spend some time doing the local Thursday night TT’s…, Yes, I'm a speed addict...., I hate TT's because they really hurt…, but...

BlazingPedals

There are no exits on the highway to Speedville.

tsl

That seems to be bike-specific for me. I have one bike that will chase anything, including cars. It also likes to draft in traffic. I have to be careful with it because it'll even draft police cars.

My other three bikes are content to pass traffic...

jppe

Come join us-2 more events left this year-we'll help fuel your addiction. And just wait until you see some of the bikes and other "speed" equipment.

www.carolinatt.org

Bob Ross

^^^This.
Though it's a real 50/50 cointoss: racing will either totally cure you of your addiction, or totally fuel it big-time.