Topic: My new weekend ride

[quadzilla]

Since I'm turning the big 4-0 this year I wanted to get myself a nice sports car. Something like a RX-8, Lotus, NSX or 911, any of those would do fine.   I opened up the budget, not enough there.  Then asked my partner and she came up empty handed also. So back to the drawing board. 

But I still wanted to buy something new for myself so I decided that I'll get a new road bike as my old one isn't that great, actually it is a piece of and I have ridden it maybe twice in the last 15 years.
 
I wanted something that I would keep for at least 5-10 years (the technology doesn’t change that fast on bikes) without feeling I needed something better.  It has been 15+ years since I've done any serious road riding and now I think it is time to cut back on the mtn biking and log some long and lonely miles. 

Since picking it up on Wednesday I've only done a couple of short (20-30kms) rides after work and I love it.  I never realized how much I missed ridding road or maybe it was the change I needed from mountain biking (which I’m not giving up entirely). 
 
I looked at more expensive (lighter) bikes but for what I will be doing (50-200kms rides) it wasn’t worth the extra money to me. Besides, my 195 pound body would only challenge its durability faster than the money leaving my wallet.
 
I've already planned out my route(s) for this weekend (in town) and then next weekend will be the rides of truth.  I'm going up to Collingwood with some buddies for some 80-100km days combined with some long hill climbs.  I know the bike is up to the challenge, so hopefully my legs and lungs will help me beat my buddies on these rides to wear the imaginary “maillot jaune”.

Also…because I bought myself a new bike and being the great guy that I am, I'm also buying my partner a new road bike. Her bike is still being built right now as she didn't want the road bike type handlebars so they are changing it to flat bars.  I looked for a good performance hybrid but it was tough finding something light enough with the right components for a decent price, this is the best compromise.

The mandatory but not so great picture.

Bianchi ML3 Veloce in the Bianchi Celeste team colour with a carbon fork and Campy Veloce 10 speed components. (short version).

[wing]

Very nice bike!  Congrats.

[mdxtasy]

Very nice.  How much does she weigh?  No not the significant other....the bike.

[Railton]

Looks like a 11-23 and a 39/53 set up.
I use to bike with a chap (Maude Barlows ex) that has an old repainted Bianchi in the same colors. Still rides it I'm sure complete with Broks leather saddle and non-sealed hubs!
Enjoy!
Railton

[sirAQUAMAN64]

Uhmmmm, I like the black and mint colour scheme? (don't know too much about bikes)

I've been riding mine more this year since moving to a house. Luckily, rusty has been performing well (she sat for a few years on the balcany) and it's nice to be on 'er again.

[quadzilla]

Very nice.  How much does she weigh?  No not the significant other....the bike.

I never put it on the scales but I would say 20 (+/- 0.5) pounds. 

I found the cost to save 1-2 pounds at this point was so high it wasn’t worth it to me. The price of a sub18 pound bike is crazy.  If I really need to drop another 0.5-1.0 pounds I’ll skip dessert. 

Looks like a 11-23 and a 39/53 set up.
I use to bike with a chap (Maude Barlows ex) that has an old repainted Bianchi in the same colors. Still rides it I'm sure complete with Broks leather saddle and non-sealed hubs!
Enjoy!
Railton

I'm impressed and very close.  12-23 and 39/53. When the old knees start to get tired in another 5-10 years I'll change it to the compact 36/50. There is something special about an old bike that is well taken care of.

Uhmmmm, I like the black and mint colour scheme? (don't know too much about bikes)

I've been riding mine more this year since moving to a house. Luckily, rusty has been performing well (she sat for a few years on the balcany) and it's nice to be on 'er again.

You are the first to actually like the colour.  Everybody else dislikes it, except me of course.  You should come up north and ride, it is so much fun if you like hills that is.

[safristi]

ALL I can say is "YER NUTZ"......protect them....and maybe we will see ya in "Le TOUR de PANTS" around Toronto Island next year

[ovr50]

Like the color also, good looking and must be a very functional bike. Enjoy, quad. 

[sirAQUAMAN64]

You should come up north and ride, it is so much fun if you like hills that is.

Colour is very sharp. Not seen too often, not dull, colourful yet subdued. Kinda snobby but outdoorsy. I could go on but 

Don't think I could keep up with you Quadster. Maybe in my heyday. I'm in the midst of getting back into it, but I'd have to shed many pounds to keep up with the big boys - tho I'd put forth a damned good effort. I just have a Wheeler mountain bike with front suspension. Nothing fancy but I was still proud of it prior to introducing it to the balcony.

[Railton]

I'm impressed and very close.  12-23 and 39/53. When the old knees start to get tired in another 5-10 years I'll change it to the compact 36/50. There is something special about an old bike that is well taken care of.

My eyes can't discern between a 12 and 11 from where I'm standing (I think the 11 is more standard with 11/21 9 ring cassette) I had a custom 11/25 9 ring cassette made up when I rode the Gats.... sometimes up to 5 loops. in my Ironman training days.
Railton

[safristi]

DAMN "something" is wrong here can ya'll SPOT THE MISTAKE !!!!

[initial_D]

Very nice looking bike! 

Inspired by Trainman, I'am gonna get me a new one of this.   

[quadzilla]

My eyes can't discern between a 12 and 11 from where I'm standing (I think the 11 is more standard with 11/21 9 ring cassette) I had a custom 11/25 9 ring cassette made up when I rode the Gats.... sometimes up to 5 loops. in my Ironman training days.
Railton

Holy !  Five laps in the Gats, that is very impressive. Then again doing an Ironman is beyond impressive! 

I remember riding in the Gats 20 years ago when I lived in Ottawa and it was amazing then. You were either going really fast or really slow, or at least I was.

Still remember the first time there, rode up with my Dad to watch some bike races wondering where the end of the hill was.  It’s on my list of places to go back to ride and revaluate this year.

Don't think I could keep up with you Quadster. Maybe in my heyday. I'm in the midst of getting back into it, but I'd have to shed many pounds to keep up with the big boys - tho I'd put forth a damned good effort. I just have a Wheeler mountain bike with front suspension. Nothing fancy but I was still proud of it prior to introducing it to the balcony.

You really need a road bike to enjoy road riding around Collingwood as the climbs are long (one I think is almost 15kms) so the lighter more efficient bike really helps out.  But, I thought you also had a road bike? 

I’m really not all that fast, I would say average or a little above.  Besides, are you not 14 years younger than me? 


On a side note: Watching the TDF last night (actually every night) and they showed the speed of the two guys in the break away climbing on the HC climb.  It was between 10-15kph!  Gee, if these guys are going that slow I could only imagine how much slower I would be. 

[tortoise]

Looks great Quad.

I grew up with mountain bikes but recently I had the chance to ride a friends Trek road bike.   I was blown away by how much more efficient they are.  Every little bit of energy gets immediately transformed into forward momentum.

I just bought a new bike myself.  It's a gently used Norco Fireball.  I got it for a steal and can now get back to riding the trails.

Enjoy the road, and watch out for cars!

[barrie1]

I should be getting my 21spd Mopuntain Bike out of the Barn real soon as it would do me some good to get back into it. Mine is a Raleigh BigHorn with the short but lifted Handlebars on it. The tires take 95lbs air pressure and I can do 40MPH on occasion in a straight road. God Bless my Saddlebags as they can hold a lot of water and ice for when I stop. 

[dorin]

I should be getting my 21spd Mopuntain Bike out of the Barn real soon as it would do me some good to get back into it. Mine is a Raleigh BigHorn with the short but lifted Handlebars on it. The tires take 95lbs air pressure and I can do 40MPH on occasion in a straight road. God Bless my Saddlebags as they can hold a lot of water and ice for when I stop. 

40 mph on an old Raleigh BigHorn, eh?  I'd take that bet!

[safristi]

Huh!!! ...is this wot they mean by CROTCH ROCKETS ??

[quadzilla]

40 mph on an old Raleigh BigHorn, eh?  I'd take that bet!

Count me in also and I'll let him pick any bike he wants.  But knowing Barrie he has a 350 tucked in there somewhere.

[initial_D]

Yike, 40MPH on a mountain bike is fast.  I could manage 40mph too... in meter per hour tho.