“Fear is the path to the dark side. Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering.”
– Yoda
Isn’t suffering what cycling is all about? ;-)
There was a time I never thought I would own anything other than a mountain bike. I literally scoffed at the idea: “Why would I ever own a road bike?” I asked myself, “Road riders never look happy, and they can only go where the paved road takes them… LAME!”
Well kids… I have to say I’ve been converted.
Any cyclist who starts taking their off-season or early-season training more seriously can attest to the benefits of having a road bike. It enables you to start putting in some serious miles long before it’s possible on a mountain bike. From a training perspective it makes sense, but there’s more to it than just that.
Though I had to look to cyclocross as a gateway drug, I’m starting to fall in love with the road for the same reasons I fell in love with my mountain bike.
Like my mountain bike, it takes me places. Unlike a mountain bike, these are mostly places that I could get to in my car, but as the old adage goes, “it’s about the journey, not the destination.” Truer words were never spoken. A somewhat boring and menial drive, can still make for a stellar ride. Little things that go unnoticed within the bubble of a vehicle are a visceral part of your riding experience.
And then there’s the speed. Dear lord, the speed.
Between some wicked downhills on my mountain bike and some good winding descents on my cyclocross rig I’ve managed to get going pretty quick, but the rock solid feeling you have at speeds north of 60km/h and the feeling of instant power and nimbleness are unique to a road bike – Those are feelings that’ll keep you comin’ back for more, I tell ya.
Since Sheldon tossed a challenge in my corner a while back with his new rig, I thought it only fair that I give him the same courtesy. It was time for me to round out the stable anyway, and after some prodding from my beloved wife I made the plunge. So without further ado, here she is, in all her glory (the bike, not my wife ;-):
So what’dya say Smart, you up for it?
Since Smart is coming down to Calgary for the Prairie Roubaix this coming weekend his call will have to be made prior to seeing things with his own eyes.
What’s at stake?
Pride. Glory. Every lasting bragging rights. Oh yeah, and the first round of post-roubaix beers for any Bikeridr readers in attendance.
I’ll also probably be posting a review of the bike after I’ve had a bit more time to break ‘er in.
I don’t think things should actually be that difficult, but there is a little bit of a curveball in there. As for the logistics? Simple, Smart just has to correctly guess the brand, make and model of the bike (ie. Rocky Mountain Element 90)
nice, free beer everyone hehe.
Ken, to be fair, you should at least mention if the bike is stock or you have upgraded a few of the component that are shown on the pics :)
Interesting, and congrats my friend! We’ll need to celebrate your new ride this weekend. As for the contest, you’re on! We’ll see if that ‘curve-ball’ is something I can figure out ;-)
Hey Sam – Good question – That’s not where the curveball lies. Everything you see in the pics is stock.
Welcome to the fabulous, if not quite often pretentious world of road bikes. Sure I miss mountain biking, and will one day have one again, but the road bike has more than filled the gap. You’ll have to come out here with it and we’ll show you some good rides!
Haha… I’d love to. The one thing I actually really like is that as you’re rollin’ through the countryside you’re usually close enough to have a chat with the guy next to you – That’s something that’s pretty tough as you’re rolling through the singletrack.
With that said though, everytime I wave at another roadie and they don’t wave back I want to turn around and punch them in the throat ;-)
So much anger! Yeah, it’s an odd bunch. Many are super nice people, but there are always some who won’t talk to you if you turn up for a ride with a visor on your helmet. The nice thing about Europe is that it’s got more history here and more people do it, so it doesn’t carry the same level of elitism that it still does in North America.
I’ve had lots of roadies nod at me, but I’ve heard stories of roadies not talking to someone because they have a visor on their helmet, hairy legs, or non-white socks.
Not to judge roadies too harsh, but it’s hard when contrast with the fact that I can’t recall a single time when I’ve passed a mountain biker who didn’t say hi. Anytime I’ve so much as stopped to adjust my saddle height every mountain biker that passes asks if i’m ok or if i need any help. To be honest, it’s one of the things I love so much about the sport.
more pertinent to the task at hand. Sorry Sheldon I’m of no help. I have no idea what it is.
@ Dana – no worries. After some detective work, I think I have it nailed. I’ll ponder for another 24 hours or so and then make my final answer. Can’t rush these things when beers are on the line :-)