It's sunny and warming up outside and I'm anxious to ride ... but first a introduction post. Team Astana is in town ... maybe I'll see them on the road?! I didn't ride last week, not even a commute to work, but I got in some great skiing.

I've got a good fitness base to start from (winter spin cycle, swimming, some running, fairly regular bike commutes, ashtanga yoga) and want to get into MTB endurance stuff (an event coming up in March) and possibly work towards some road climbing events (Durango Iron Horse, Mt Evans?).

My road bike is a recreational custom steel Fabris (Columbus Aluthron tubes, Campy Chorus 9sp) I bought while living in Italy. My MTB is a Bontrager 7sp I'm anxious to replace with a 9sp steel hardtail, (possibly aluminum), 26 or 29? ... I don't know. My confidence on technical sections is not great (it's been awhile and I'm out of practice) but I love long climbs and the rewards of carving long downhill sections.

I will possibly get the Bontrager converted to a single speed for short rides around town and in the foothills. It's served me well but I want to get a better, more responsive geometry (the Bridgestone MB-1 was the best) for my short torso, long legs and to stop having to worry about worn obsolete components if I'm far from the trailhead.

Getting ready for a ride ... I'll check the forum when I get back

Ciao