Sunday, December 30, 2007

Not so secret training weapon/ egg beater woes.

As promised, i picked up the ergomo computer today. I didn't have much time to look at it before work, but i managed to crack open the expensive case and take a peek. I also skimmed the directions. Hopefully the bike shop is open tomorrow so i can chase the threads, but my bottom bracket was just faced so that should be good. The instructions are very detailed to say the least 56 pages, at least they didn't waste paper, they put it on a tiny cd :)




My initial impression was wow, i can't afford this. My second and third ones were better. it appears to be very solid and the only disappointment was that it didn't come with a heart rate chest strap. give me a break ergomo, you have an msrp of $1600. Very soon i will be training with power. I am also very interested in the features, they are almost too much for me to comprehend. Power (current, average, max,) heart rate (current, average, max,) back light, intervals, power zones, altitude (current, cumulative, max,) time, temperature, % gradient (current, max,) cadence (average, current, and maybe max?,) and some other stuff i cannot even remember.








In some more news on a more solemn note, my egg beater gave it up today. Some people i know criticize the egg beater for it's durability (or lack thereof.) I don't think they are a bad product, i usually get 4000-5000 miles on them before they blow up. That is fair in my opinion,








especially because maybe of those miles are off road, and i often neglect them and only grease them every 4 months. Despite this, i cannot help but wonder how those new look mtb pedals work. Yes, the egg beaters will be rebuilt for now.


I found my bike for next year, It will be a Scott scale 20 with some minor modifications that may or may not include xtr shifters, an xt shadow rear derailleur, different pedals, and some 1200g race wheels for Sundays complete with an xtr cassette. Shooting for sub 20lbs ;)

Saturday, December 29, 2007

Ergomo

Tomorrow marks the entrance of the ergomo pro. I won't be able to install it until Monday i think, i don't have the time, but it will assuredly be cool. Did a hard ride today, really spiked it. My schedule for this season is now posted. I may be making some changes in the days ahead.

Simplify...for every bike gizmo, gadget, diet i add to my cycling life, i try to make up for it by simplifying my other life. This means selling my car, and buying one that is hopefully a bit more optimized for races. (wagon with roof rack anybody?)

Winter training is going so well, and i am able to complete my workouts more than i used to, we'll see how that goes when more hours are added.

;)

Friday, December 14, 2007

Training begins!

Well, 2008 has started, at least for me. Training for this upcoming season has begun. There have been a load of important changes in my training, and i am anxiously awaiting a power meter. Fox Racing Shox is on board for next year, hopefully i will get some more letters back!


I also saw a hawk making a kill in my backyard yesterday, i love birds of prey. You can see the victim under his feet.






Two words: Raccoon Rally 52t!

Tuesday, December 11, 2007

I am totally a serious runner.



Today marks another excursion in my n00b status as a runner. Andrew was nice enough to come along and let me use the "draft" After 35 minutes of trying to hang on, i felt good that i had gotten off my lazy butt and outside on to the rainy, slush/ snow covered trails.









i also crawled across a wooden bridge.









Awesome


Picture of the embodiment of awesome, besides crawling across a bridge.