Black and White...

Made it happen...very light and trick looking...

2010 vs 2011 Cervelo R3 SL OR 2011 R5???

Decisions....decisions.....

Looks like I'm probably leaning towards the discounted 2010 models since I've read that the 2011's require some new exclusive to Cervelo standard "BBright" bottom bracket and crankset that only Rotor makes at the moment. Also read that BB30 is suppose to fit with some adaptors, but, even those adaptors are not yet available. Also, there still is no geometry out on the 2011 models.

BUT, it does look like the newer R5 (no...not the $CA$ version) will be better than the 2010 R3 SL: "The new R5 closely mimics the R5ca. For 2011 it replaces the current R3sl. Bastie said that bottom bracket stiffness in the R5 is 100-percent higher than in the R3sl it’s replacing, and the head tube is 40-percent stiffer. Even with the improved rigidity, the 2011 R5 weighs the same as a current R3sl."

100% and 40% stiffer......hummmm........

http://girodilento.com/2011-cervelo-r3-first-picture

Just Thinking.....

I've been waiting for this price drop to finally happen.....and when I checked today, IT DID!!!

Been looking at the Cannondale HM, Scott CR1, Look 585, Kuota KOM and others, but I think the Cervelos below would be the lightest, stiff enough, best riding, and best fitting and looking for me:

R3SL???????? -

OR...

R3??????? -

I like both color schemes....just not sure if 100grams is worth the extra dough...

Feel Fine...

Today was a super great day...so...I'm hoping 2010 will be a really good year...hopefully a really good decade...

Since the legs have been feeling really spent lately I didn't expect much today, but, when I jumped on the bike this afternoon, they felt OK and even somewhat peppy. So, I decided to do a long ride out to Hawaii Kai and back. And, for the first time (maybe ever), I had an unbelievable ride out AND back.

When you hear someone say, "May the Wind Always Be At Your Back," after today, I really know how wonderful this is....especially with today's beautiful clear blue skies and perfect riding weather...

On the way out, with some pretty decent southerlies I was feeling fine and pretty easily rolling a 53-13/14ish gear on Nimitz, then Kalakaua, then Diamond Head Road and Kal Hwy. I was thinking I better not go too hard since it's going to be HARD riding back all the way home. But I couldn't resist, the speed felt so good...so...I kept on rolling the big gears all the way out. Up Lunalilo Home Road it was 53-12 and I'm flying way over 25 thinking...man, it's going to be a grind all the way home.

Took the left at the fire station and the wind feels not that bad...round bend back towards the ocean and it's not that bad again. Hit Kal Hwy and I'm flying back in the 53-14ish and I'm thinking What's Up??? Of course...the winds have somehow magically switched from Kona into into a light trade somewhere in Hawaii Kai and it's smooth smooth sailing all the way back!!!

Got home feeling spent, but great. Man!!!...what a great first long ride of 2010...

Kuraki Mai - Feel Fine
]

For 2010 - "May The Wind Always Be At Your Back..."

Merry Chirstmas - 2009...

The wonders of Skype - the most amazing program in the whole wide world...
Direct and live from Honolulu to Kurihama...

After a fun party - eating all kine and too much food last night, sleeping in till late, wrapping all my presents this morning, and opening all my good presents today...I just HAD to ride...but...I was dragging.....so I got out the door after 5pm, late as usual...

The dreamy dreary overcast weather this Christmas day sort of matched my melancholy mood...and Ipod set to shuffle, when these two favorite songs came on... it felt...just...right...

The Emotions - Flowers:

BoA - Do the Motion:

...Merry Christmas...

Yooooooo.....Been a While...

I've been very slowly getting my デブ arse back into bike riding again after a couple month break due to some strange sensations brought about by trying to change my riding position (way higher seat) and pedaling style (pelvis rotated forward). What were the sensations.....exactly like this: http://www.tipna.org/info/documents/BrochurePNE.htm

To "fix" the problem, instead of taking any too drastic measures, I just decided on good old stretching, r&r and time off the bike seat!!! Things have gotten a lot better, but not close to being fully "cured" yet. But, about 3 or 4 weeks ago, I just couldn't take it any more and HAD to get back on the bike.....riding for only short bouts initially, but up to over 3 hours recently...with a MUCH lowered bike seat...

Last Thursday, I got my first dose of some fast riding (due to seeing David on Lagoon) and now I can finally start to feel the fitness kicking in!

Yesterday after work was a good day. I got on the bike at 5:22 and even though I got to ride only 40ish minutes till the sun set...I rode pretty strong for the whole time. Towards the end I decided to do some super fast spinning and then this song by Orange Range came on which is PERFECT for super fast spinning...since it gives you some short breaks interspersed with some super MANIAC spinning tempo sections!

OrangeRange - Matsuri Danshaku

Although I only lasted for about 1/3 of the song yesterday...in a few weeks, I think I'll be strong enough to do the whole song!

Weekend Sporting Wins...

SUMO: Asashoryu kicked some @$$ this weekend after first loosing to Hakuho during regular time. During the OT rematch it was super exciting as it looked like Hakuho had a slight advantage for a few seconds, but Asa somehow found a way to pull it off!!!

CYCLING: I was so happy when I found out Cadel won the World Championship Road Race! After much bull in the Tour and even more real bull in the Veulta, he finally got his redemption. Plus that, I think he is one of the few guys whose really doing it totally on his own without any "assistance."

Speedplay Pedals???

http://www.speedplay.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.slipperypedals

You've got to be kidding me...I wonder what other "two pedal brands" they tested against? 33 seconds is killer "free time" with just a change of pedals...maybe they were thinking old school platform and clip pedals?

I would seriously consider switching if I didn't just buy another pair of my old Time Impacts...

Malaekahana 40k TT

Last Sunday was the annual 40k TT out at Malaekahana. As usual, got there a little later than I wanted to, and combined with a early start, I got in a shorter warm up than usual...NONE. Straight from the car right to the start line.

Conditions were rainy for the first couple miles and extra extra windy. In fact, the winds hit 48mph out at Kahuku. On the way out, I decided to ease into the race for the first 10 minutes or so to try and work up to my race effort. After about 15 or 20 minutes I finally felt pretty good - I was feeling good all week actually.

It was really really windy and I got to the turn-a-round in about 32 minutes or so...no worry, I knew I would have a raging tail wind on the way back. Well, it wasn't as much of a tail (more of a side) as I thought it would be...either that or I was losing power.

Because I was feeling good all week, I really thought I could do another 57 something, but I stopped the clock in 59:09. Not really all that happy with my time, but considering most people rode slower this year than last year, I could only feel good that I matched my last year time (59:11) in probably the toughest conditions I've ever did this race in.

Another thing I could feel good about, was that I was probably the fastest "dork" sporting a side mirror!!! That thing probably puts out some massive drag, but, I figured considering the rainy conditions, I wanted to ride in the road whenever possible - not having to weave in and out of the shoulder over the slippery painted lines and blot-dots. I ended up riding on the faster and smoother road for about 98% of the ride and I never once looked back to see how the traffic was. I figured it was probably a wash considering...and I felt a lot safer too...

Me w/ mirror :-)
http://www.photoreflect.com/pr3/orderpage.aspx?pi=0NKM000J000097&po=97

For sure next year I need to go back to my 10/1 intervals to really push the anaerobic threshold...this year I only did long non-stop 30 to 60 minute sessions and never really hurt myself like those 10 minute intervals do. I just didn't have that extra toughness to push through those sections where it got tougher.

ALSO, I have GOT to get me a disk rear wheel...all the way back during the race ALL I could think about was those charts which show how a disk can "push" you along in strong side winds (high yaw angles). See: http://www.hedcycling.com/aerodynamics_technology/

The D-man also did this race and did the fastest time he's ever done in the tough conditions - he even beat "most" of the riders he "planned" to beat.....like all the g..ls lol...
http://www.photoreflect.com/pr3/orderpage.aspx?pi=0NKM000J000102&po=102

RESULTS (June 21, 2008 Malaekahana 40km TT)
1 2 MIKE ZAGORSKI Elite Men 1/2/3 0:53:56.85 27.6
2 24 TONY LANG Master Men 30+ 0:56:21.95 26.4
3 16 RAY BRUST Master Men 30+ 0:56:46.50 26.2
4 69 TAI BLEWCHTA Elite Men 1/2/3 0:57:45.85 25.8
5 22 KEVIN KAWAINUI Master Men 30+ 0:58:02.90 25.6
6 8 AARON WALLEN Senior Men 4/5 0:58:03.05 25.6
7 31 EDUARDO SA Master Men 30+ 0:58:41.05 25.3
8 60 CARL BROOKS Elite Men 1/2/3 0:58:43.10 25.3
9 1 GARY SHIELDS Master Men 50+ 0:59:01.50 25.2
10 27 MICHAEL OKURA Master Men 30+ 0:59:03.40 25.2
11 28 STEVEN SERIKAKU Master Men 30+ 0:59:09.50 25.1
12 18 MIKE FERREIRA Master Men 30+ 0:59:31.50 25.0
13 66 GREG PRICE Master Men 30+ 0:59:58.00 24.8
14 25 DAVID LUM Master Men 30+ 1:00:22.60 24.6
15 7 CASEY TUCKER Senior Men 4/5 1:00:29.90 24.6
16 13 BEN SAMBRANO Senior Men 4/5 1:00:40.15 24.5
17 45 DAVID SUMIDA MASTER MEN 50+ 1:00:52.95 24.4
18 61 DAN MILLER Elite Men 1/2/3 1:00:56.60 24.4
19 70 JOHN CLIMALDI Elite Men 1/2/3 1:00:56.65 24.4
20 37 DEVERY ANDREWS Master Men 30+ 1:01:07.60 24.3
21 3 NGUYEN LE Elite Men 1/2/3 1:01:08.55 24.3
22 10 TROY KEIPPER Senior Men 4/5 1:01:36.95 24.1
23 63 JAMES MCGUIRE Master Men 30+ 1:01:47.75 24.1
24 33 MIKE ABBOTT Master Men 30+ 1:02:49.75 23.7
25 29 JASON SMITH Master Men 30+ 1:02:54.70 23.7
26 26 DARIN MIYAMURA Master Men 30+ 1:03:14.55 23.5
27 11 NOEL CAOAGAS Senior Men 4/5 1:04:01.50 23.2
28 19 MIKE FUJITA Master Men 30+ 1:04:02.15 23.2
29 32 ROBERT ROY Master Men 30+ 1:04:10.65 23.2
30 56 MICHELLE FOSTER Master Women 30 1:04:14.00 23.2

100 to Zero in 2...

Today, I got a flat like I never had before...

On a slight turn, riding in the middle of the road by Salt Lake library, I ran over some d@mn unseen %$^@%$*&@!!! scum piece of metal and puctured my still almost new EVO CX front tire and was down to the rim in like 2 seconds. Pretty scary when you think about it...what if I was doing 30+.....no wonder the pros ride on tubulars...

The tire still looks salvagable...so I decided to try one of those shoe goo repairs...

But, in case the tire is ruined...I was so p!ssed that I ran down to McCully tonight and bought their last EVO CX. They only have the old 290 tpi tires...there are new 320 tpi ones out now!

Anyways...I still can't get over how good these tires ride and grip...and with my new rims, how fast the setup is...

Cont. My Rear Wheel...

I was all set to go to work last night...when I heard that today was the Kuhio Day State HOLIDAY!!! What a surprise! I was this // close to going to work this morning...

Anyways, put the day off to good use and spent about 3 hour building my first rear wheel...and although if took a LONG time, it was satisfyingly fun!

Here it is with the 6 pull drive side spokes laced. I took a long time deciding whether to lace the pull spokes heads out or heads in. But, after reading the Sapim site and seeing they recommended the pull heads in, that's the way I built it. From what I've read it's supposedly a better bracing angle and I knew I wouldn't have any clearance issues with my rear derailure since my current Open Pros were built pull spokes head in. My only issue was that the Dura Ace hub I was reusing was laced the other way originally...oh well...

Not knowing exactly how to do a 2x rear lacing, it was a good thing I took some pictures of the original 650c build so I had something to follow. Not as difficult as it may look or sound...

All built and trued up!

Took a really long time to true it up as I didn't have all the "proper" tools (only a Park spoke wrench) and was doing it all by feel. But, after slowly tightening left and right, things really started to fall into place and I think its really a tight build...a LOT tighter than my front wheel. I will be tightening up my front wheel again for sure...

For this wheel, I used one of my old frames as a truing stand. For my front wheel, I used an old steel fork I had laying around. Also used plain old Phil Wood grease on the threads and the nipple seats. I read that if you lace it up really tight, you shouldn't need any Spoke Prep...we'll see...

One thing I remembered today (and should have know yesterday) was that to prevent twisting the spokes 360 degrees while tightening, I needed to push on the rim to detension the spokes, made truing much easier - versus almost damaging the spokes trying to hold it with a cresent wrench...duhhh...

Also, on this rear build, I decided to "debur" the nipple seats using the ball-end of an allen wrench...not sure if it was really needed, though, I read it was good to do...

Took some weights:

Rear DA 7700 24h Hub: 310g (no skewer)
Kinlin 24h 30mm Rim: 460g
24 Sapim CX Ray Spokes: 115g (278, 280)
24 DT Alloy Nips: 10g (yeah...chancing the alloy on the DS)
24VeloPlugs: 5g???
TOTAL REAR WHEEL: 900g

Front DA 7700 24h Hub: 120g (no skewer)
Kinlin 24h 30mm Rim: 460g
24 Sapim CX Ray Spokes: 110g (272)
24 DT Alloy Nips: 10g
24VeloPlugs: 5g???
TOTAL FRONT WHEEL: 705g

TOTAL SET: 1605g

Wow...pretty light and looks super trick...not bad for a set of 30mm deep aluminum rims w/ Dura Ace hubs...can't wait to ride it!!!

Long Ride with New Deep Drop 215

With all the cold and wet weather (and the colds) over the last month or so, today was the first day in a LONG time for me to put in a ride of over 3-1/2 hours. After the ride, I could tell that my body really needed it...

It was beautiful with some pretty decent Westerlies making riding the "easy way" harder. After my usual neighborhood warm up, I hit Tantalus from the stop sign after about 1:20 or so. Witht he wind blowing up the mountain, I figured I could do a pretty decent time, but was not really sure how the legs would be since I haven't gone hard for a long time. Did it in 19:19 so I figure with the regular wind it would have been about 19:45 or so...not bad, not good, but OK considering...

My new Deda Deep bars are pretty good, but I'm still working out the best position. I've been fiddleing with the angle, a lot, and with my seat height. Then today, I could tell my stand up climbing was really over working my upper body, compared to the Shallow bar. Since the hoods are higher with the Deep's bend, I decided to slam my bars all the way down, iow NO SPACERS, and that seemed to really help my stand up riding. And now, the drops are really really really really deep...we'll just have to see how this works out...

Selle San Marco Zoncolan - REPORT

The saddle was super bad a$$ looking in person...unfortunatley, it was like sitting on a sack of jelly fish!!! If the saddle had some decent support, it might have been a keeper based on the looks alone! The shape was pretty good and flat all the way around too...too bad...it's back to Performance Bike...

I should have probably read better...it was called the Zoncolan Gel Around saddle!

Also, it weighed a ton at over 260 grams so, considering my bike is already pretty heavy, I can't see adding more lead to it, considering my Terry only weighs like 180 grams or so...with all missing leather and such...

Pulled the Trigger...

Mavic Ksyrium SLs, Elites, Cosmics, Open Pros; Velocity Aeroheds, Deep-Vs, Fusions; Heds, Neuvations, Williams, Other Shimano Wheels, Tubulars???, Miyamura Kinlin Specials, etc, etc, etc...

I'm not 100% sure I made the right choice...but after a month of research, demoing and thinking...I finally pulled the trigger on a set of these:

Dura Ace 7850 SL Wheels - hopefully I made the right choice...

They're Here.....Vittoria Unique 30th Aniversary...

Strikingly Stylish and Beautiful...



And like many of the finest things made in Italy, think Ferrari, looking like 300kph while standing still...

Selle San Marco Zoncolan...

Got this ultra trick white saddle on order too...

My favorite seat is the Terry Zero (iow, my experiment with the Concor didn't work out).

But even though...I'm always always on the lookout for new seats that might fit my a$$. This one looks like it has a chance, pretty flat from side to side and front to back, and with a cut-out to boot.

We'll see how this works out...

New Shoes - Vittoria Unique

Got these new ultra light shoes on order:

I've been riding around on my RB-1 with my old Time Impact pedals and TBT Time shoes and, I think I like the stiffer shoes better than my current plastic soled Sidi Genius Megas. The TBT Times are old school "pro" shoes and even before carbon soles, the TBTs were known for being one of the best. But, the pedals and shoes do weigh a ton...

These new carbon soled Vittorias are super light (400g per pair) and they look good...I just hope their wide enough for my feet. If not, it's back to Performance and maybe on to the Sidi 6.6 Carbon Megas, or, maybe the carbon soled Shimano's in their wide size...
http://www.vittoria-shoes.com/schedaProdotto.aspx?imgBig=3&ID_prodotto=83&ID_pagina=3

Already 3 Days Into January...

Taken in September from the roadway above Bamboo Ridge fishing spot.
2009 is off to a flying start as today is already the 3rd day!!!

Spent it riding for about 3-1/2 hours out to Hawaii Kai with my RB-1 and the D-man and Todd. Good thing we had 3 people on the way out cause it was really really gusty, but, at least the rain stayed away...

Can't wait for this lousy weather to finally pass...I want to ride my race bike.

Caught in the Rain...AGAIN!

Saturday: Thank goodness for fenders. Got 2 hours into my afternoon ride on my RB-1 with my Race Blade fenders on, then...got REALLY dumped on in McCully. Rode on the sidewalk from McCully to the State Capital then threw in the towel. Had to get a ride back home from my dad.

While waiting a the capital, an asian tourist from the mainland, who knew abouty bikes and could appreciate a cult classic like the RB-1, said that the Bridgestone was super cool "rocking fenders." Oh Yeah!!!

More RB-1 Upgrades...Dure Ace Forever!!!

Got around to more upgrades on my Bridgestone RB-1 cause of all the rainy afternoons this week.

Spent LOTS and lots of time taking apart and cleaning up all of these old-school parts...thank goodness I never threw these away!!! Got to take it for a ride yesterday and it was running really good compared to the lower grade Suntour GPX components. And, it felt plenty fast...

Dura Ace FOREVER!!! This rear Dura Ace 7400 derailleur is still super solid with absolutely no play in the parallelogram at all after all these years (and a couple of crashes - one I remember on a right hairpin coming down Tantalus).

Companion front derailleur still shifts super fast and direct. (Took off the 9-speed DA I had originally put on.)

The ORIGINAL 6-speed SIS Dura Ace shifters. Working absolutely flawlessly even now. I still remember when I first upgraded from Suntour friction shifters (with Ultra 6 freewheel) to these "new" indexed shifters. It was cutting edge back then. But still, it only became industry standard when Campy finally got on board several years later. Once that happened, friction shifting was gone forever... Although, Shimano still provided a fail safe friction mode with a twist of the D-ring.

Back in the day, I had all the cogs to make straight blocks, wide ratio sets, super low gears, whatever. Of course, a 6-speed Dura Ace 7400 freewheel with champagne colored Dura Ace Uni-glide cogs.

Weight savings compared to Suntour GPX.

Crankset: 690-595=95g
BB: 300-190=110g
Bolts: 40-0=40g
Front D: 105-100=5g
Rear D: 225-200=25g
Freewheel w/ cogs: 25g???
DT shifter R: 50-45=5g
DT shifter L:5g???
TOTAL SAVED: 310???