The Cervelo is a TT bike, so there's no "drops" per se. According to the aero bike fit calculator on the www.competitivecyclist.com website, my distance from the saddle to the aero bar pads is pretty extreme even by TT bike standards. But, I seem to manage it OK - it gives me a very low aero position, with a very flat back. The only issue seems to be vision - it's hard to get that low and see much more than 20 meters or so in front of the front wheel. But, most TT's are on straight flat courses, so who cares?

The photos were from my first ride, so you're not seeing the aero helmet/booties, and no disk rear wheel. Since then, I've moved the saddle up about 5 cm, and forward about 10 cm. The angle of my arms is now much closer to 90 degrees, and my back is flatter now too.

The real question is whether I'll be able to hold that position and crank out max watts for 40K..but my previous TT bike was set up similarly and I managed it, so I'm hopeful. And when I get down that low and narrow, on a bike that's so damned light and aero...well, it feels like riding a rocket. With any luck, I'll be able to break the 1 hour mark for the 40K.

FWIW, I've got 2 TT's coming up in the next two weeks - the 31K Dunlap TT (near Davis, CA) next Sunday, followed by the 40K Northern California/Nevada district championship race in Sattley, CA the following Sunday. I have no illusions of winning, but I'm hoping for a decent placing...will advise either way.