For 2013, I would like to become familiar with power measurement training. The only problem is that I would prefer to use a crank-mounted power meter, but riding what is basically a track bike on the road, the only unit that will give me a perfect chain line is the $3,000 SRM, which uses a Shimano Octalink bb and track-standard 144mm bolt circle rings (both good), but requires you to send the unit back to the factory just to replace the battery (after 1500 hours - about two years for me), and this track-specific unit is not waterproof (bad). The other units use road cranks, so I'd have to experiment with mounting the ring on the inside of the spider and packing spacers inside the rear cog - not really elegant or feasible with a real track hub (I use the bike on the track as well).

The idea is to use the powermeter to optimize my effort in next year's Furnace Creek 508. But first they have to accept my entry in April...

I did have a goal of riding London-Edinburgh-London, but because they only accept 750 riders (and I'm sure there are a good 3,000+ randonneurs out there with hearts set on riding it, and 2,250+ will be severely disappointed that they can't get in, and I am reluctant to be one of them), I decided to use my limited vacation time to take advantage of an opportunity to ride for a couple of weeks in Italy instead. I'll be in the Abruzzo region (across from Rome on the Adriatic side of the Appennini), drinking Montepulciano, watching the finish of a Giro stage in Pescara, maybe seeing a seldom-seen Wagner opera (Rienzi) in Roma.

And I'm getting a trip to Maui set up. The goal is to ride up Haleakala on the fixed gear, very early in the morning, catching sunrise on the way up. Debating if I'll take a double-sided rear wheel with a freewheel so I can coast down.

Luis