Thanks Willi and to you as well my fellow Leo.
Today is bike day again. I had quite the adventure riding to work this morning. It was again rainy and cold(ish) and I had to fight the urge to stay in my nice heated car. But I got the bike out and checked (and filled) the tires. As I was unhooking the pump I broke the stem from the tire. Fortunately the tube stayed inflated so I decided to ride the 12 miles to the bike shop to get the tube replaced.
When I got there, 2 cops where standing at the repair part of the shop talking to one of the technicians. Another one of the technicians asked me what I needed. I explained that I had taken out a stem and wheeled the bike up to the counter. Now, my bike is an older Giant (this shop sells and promotes Gian) but it is a very high end Giant road bike. It has a paint scheme that all the guys realy love. It is black with orange, yellow and white racing decor on it. But not only is it a really nice older bike but it has all upgraded high end racing components on it. The frame is high quality aluminum but all the components are carbon including the forks. The tires are extremely light. I bought it used from a bike shop in downtown Portland for a mere fraction of the price of a newer such model and had it fit specifically for me by the owner of that store. With my purchase he allowed me to pick out a saddle and I picked out a very nice saddle that is yellow and black and fits the bike and me well.
I say all this because I am still quite a newbie rider. I probably only have 300-400 miles on this bike total. And as I am standing there explaining my dilema I had to admit that I did not know how to change out my tube. The guy looks at the bike and looks at me and I told him that this is my first road bike. He and the cops and the other technicians all start to laugh and make comments about that being quite the exceptional first road bike. One of the cops looks at me and asks if I am out there speeding all around town on it. I told him that I can average 15-16 mph over the course of my 25 mile ride on it. They all admitted that was pretty impressive.
So then all the technicians came over to look at and admire the bike and one of them even had this bike at one time. They told me about all the components and upgrades that were made to the bike and how it was definately owned by a real bike race enthusiast. The one who did my tire could not believe how light the tire was. I was told when I bought the bike that the wheel and tire set cost over 700 dollars alone. He asked what I paid for the bike and they all told me I had gotten an amazingly great deal. My technician commented that the saddle that I picked out was over a 100 dollar upgrade. It was very cool to learn so much about the bike that I picked out and to learn that I had luckily made a great bargin.
I love the man I bought this bike from and will go back there again if ever I buy another although from talking with these guys there will never be a need for me to buy another.
So I learned how to change my tube this morning on the way to work and I missed my first meeting. Next time it will go faster. When I got to work and dismounted I found myself limping. My quads are screaming at me right now and so I intend to go VERY slowly on the way home tonight and just enjoy the scenery. This weekend will consist of back workout and REST days to allow legs to recover a bit.
Of course I do have to buy new running shoes (trainers orders again) so that might set off a little itty bitty 5-10 mile run.....
