Decided!

Got my frame back from Trek so that means build up time! After much contemplation, I've decided to upgrade from my current Ultegra 9speed to SRAM Force 10 speed. The new kid on the block, but its been highly praised and seems on par with DA 10...even a bit lighter. So maybe it'll take a few miles to get used to the new shifting...but I'm sure I'll like it. I've been able to feel the ergonomics of the hoods and test the mechanism a few times in the shop...all felt nice. Originally I planned to do my opening race of the season on Saturday, but the build-up will have to come first. Can't wait!



And if you're into Chuck Norris...he stars in the new Mountain Dew commercial!

Finally...

After having my Audiovox for close to 3 years, I finally got a new cell phone. LG recently released their VX 8600 and IMO is the nicest choice in the Verizon collection. Slim, lightweight, and pretty stealth. Enjoying it so far...even my Haddaway - "What Is Love" ring...and not just a ring-tone...a real sound projection :-)

Prismacolor

Some random sketches of mine from the semester thus far...

Heat wave!

Wow...it got up to 46 degrees today! Should be like that tomorrow as well. Unfortunately I'm still confined to the rollers. Thinking about what early season races I want to attend. First one of the Branchbrook series starts March 3rd...week and a half away!

Got my Veloflex tubulars today...sweeeeet. Still waiting on the 5900 to come back from Trek...I'm getting antsy. My POS steel "rollers-only" bike is a bitch to ride outside, haha. I should have got something else in the beginning of winter for better outdoor riding. Live and learn...

A shot from the daily nightly session:

weekend riding

Saturday proved to be slightly warmer than the days surrounding it. Ventured down to Gladstone where its a whopping 5 degrees warmer to put in some more base miles. There is a local 7 mile loop that provides some good climbing and rolling...so I tackled that 6 times. The thing that is nice about this loop is diversity. A nice steady 1/2 mile climb, undulating terrain following, another 1/2 mile steady climb, and flat time-trial-esque run in to the start/finish. Through the block of Gladstone itself are a few nice, open stretches perfect for some sprint intervals.

Following that I took a little spin through Bedminster for a remaining 6 mile spin. Didn't realize how slow I was spinning until I got passed by a Northeastern Hardware rider, haha. Ah well...a Cat1 :-)

A few items...

Since purchasing my Bontrager carbon wheels a few months back, I've been deciding which tubulars to run on them. After much research (and trying to find the best deal), I will most likely go with Veloflex Carbon. Italian, handmade, reliable, and relatively well priced...as far as tubulars are concerned:


I have sort of come to the conclusion that I will still use my 5900 as my race bike of '07. Thats not to say I won't purchase something new (when a deal comes along)...but I've come to the realization that its still a good ride. With that said, the stem and handlebars will get replaced. Most likely with Deda Newton:

And Thomson X2 stem:


Might upgrade to 10speed as well...So that should tide me over :-)

Keeping her clean...

Damn its been cold! Even with the increasing light towards 5pm...it would be too cold to hop out on the bike anyway. It hasn't really gotten above 22 or so since Sunday. So because of that I've still been hitting the rollers every night. My tolerance for cold this year has definitely gone up...but anything below 25 and I just can't keep my fingers and toes from going numb.

Its been hard keeing the G35 clean too with this cold weather. Anytime I've attempted to wash it...the water freezes the second it hits the car! The other morning I was semi-successful in using super hot water. That allowed me about 10 seconds per section to scrub with the mit before it froze again. And once again...my fingers and toes are numb in a matter of minutes, haha.

Ordered some socks about two weeks ago...but one pair was backordered. They came in the mail today...Always a welcome surprise when something arrives unexpectedly...

It goes quick...

I had made mention a few posts down that I'm rearranging my usual "quick" breakfast....opting for some healthier (and tastier) products. Soooo, here's what I've been having most mornings. I must admit I feel better. I think in the past the sugar rush from my cupcakes would wake me up...but by the time I got to work, I'd come down off the high...big time. Anyway...my tummy is liking the new change...



Been increasing the workout schedule on the rollers. Still doing 5x5 min intervals...with either 2 min spin or 5 min resistance spin in between. Been setting the resistance level to 2...which equates to a nice workout when pushing the 53x16. The burn is there! Usually putting in 70-80 minutes a night...really the only time I have. I guess I could hop on in the morning...but ummm, well....I dunno if thats gonna happen :-)

Visuals

Some iterations for a recent invite that I did. Not the chosen ones...but I think they still turned out pretty nice :-) I definitely liked the way the brown/blue was working...sort of giving off a winter tone. I should really compile a website to sell all the cards I have done over the years. Then maybe I can retire before 30...

Was it worth it? hmmmmm

I was dying to get "outside" and ride. This shitty weather wasn't gonna stop me. Despite the 3inches or so of snow we received last night...the morning sun "seemed" to be helping. I rolled out around 9:20 to find the roads in decent condition, but a few sketchy spots on the shoulders. Anyway...no one turned up for the 10am meeting point...so I continued on solo thru the backroads of Allamuchy. Altogether a ride of about 37 miles. Felt good...although my fingers were numb on several instances...and that kept me from carrying on.

I did manage one spectacular aerial crash on my own...just a lapse of concentration while adjusting my glove...combined with hitting a snow covered pot-hole. LOL. Oh well...no harm done.

Some Salty shots post ride...



After being back on my back-up bike for a few rides...I'm starting to think the front end is stiffer than my 5900. The old school combo of alu Cinelli stem/Profile bars is feeling better than my Carbon ITM/alu ITM stem. Maybe its time to get some new alu bars (Deda/Easton) when the 5900 gets assembled again...

2007!

Recevied my clothing order for the Skylands Team for 2007. Essentially the same kit as '06...but I needed a few extras. Washing the same jersey and shorts after every use would be too tough for a lazy guy like me, haha. Anyway...totally psyched about getting the season underway.

Training has still been going well although it has mostly consisted of interval training on the rollers in the evenings. Been outside on a few steady distance loops...but its still been hella cold. Hope to get out with the guys tomorrow...although the high should only be 24. crap...


Ended up sending my 5900 away for some warranty work on the headset/fork. Due to the conical shaped tubing used for the steerer-tube...I can't just replace it myself. So anyway...since its free they'll hook me up with a new fork and headset. Won't be oversized like before...but it should be back to new! Below illustrates the uncommon fork used...


Anyway...I'm counting the days till I get her back. In the meantime I'll be re-acquainted with me old bike and the old school downtubes!