Commuters thinking about transitioning to Road Biking
05-10-08 | 06:47 PM
#26
Jet Jockey
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 4,941
Likes: 30
From: St. Paul, MN
Bikes: Cannondale CAAD9, Ritchey Breakaway Cross, Nashbar X-frame bike, Bike Friday Haul-a-Day, Surly Pugsley.
I'm falling to the Dark Side right now as well.
After commuting for a while, I'm getting more and more enthralled with the thought of having a fun "go fast" bike with no purpose but speed. I got my first taste of racing a couple of weeks ago when I pulled my team through the cycling portion of the Laughlin AFB Adventure Race to an eventual second place finish. (On the podium!) Yes, almost everyone there was a non-cyclist while I commute nearly every day...but dropping them like they were standing still was, well, addictive.
Now I understand the true power of the Dark Side.
I'm buying my CF speed machine this month. Then my fall will be complete.
After commuting for a while, I'm getting more and more enthralled with the thought of having a fun "go fast" bike with no purpose but speed. I got my first taste of racing a couple of weeks ago when I pulled my team through the cycling portion of the Laughlin AFB Adventure Race to an eventual second place finish. (On the podium!) Yes, almost everyone there was a non-cyclist while I commute nearly every day...but dropping them like they were standing still was, well, addictive.
Now I understand the true power of the Dark Side.
I'm buying my CF speed machine this month. Then my fall will be complete.
__________________
Good night...and good luck
Good night...and good luck
Last edited by Banzai; 05-10-08 at 06:56 PM.
05-10-08 | 07:26 PM
#28
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,369
Likes: 0
From: Reston, VA
Bikes: 2003 Giant OCR2
I think so too.
Maybe I'm just being naive, but it's interesting to me that I don't see more people training with a heavy bike/gear setup to make it harder on themselves- it seems like the current thinking is to make it as easy as possible (light bike, no gear, clothing, etc).
Can someone explain this?
Maybe I'm just being naive, but it's interesting to me that I don't see more people training with a heavy bike/gear setup to make it harder on themselves- it seems like the current thinking is to make it as easy as possible (light bike, no gear, clothing, etc).
Can someone explain this?
I truly think that pushing that beast uphill for a few months really helped. As others have pointed out, I suppose I could have just pushed it harder on the road bike anyway (since it has, like, gears and stuff). But for some reason I think the beast bike helped. I don't know if it was the psychological impact of seeing single digit speeds on the cyclocomputer and saying 'Oh *hell* no' or what. But I sure noticed a difference come spring.
05-10-08 | 08:40 PM
#29
Batüwü Griekgriek
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,927
Likes: 7
Bikes: 1986 Trek 500 Tri Series, 2005 Cannondale R1000
do it.
no need to splurge on a new bike at first. Treat yourself to some nice new tires or wheels and go on some longer rides. You'll know soon enough if you like slow touring, fast racing or none of the above.
no need to splurge on a new bike at first. Treat yourself to some nice new tires or wheels and go on some longer rides. You'll know soon enough if you like slow touring, fast racing or none of the above.
