Mmmmmm. New Bike Smell.
At the end of last week, Matt pulled the trigger and bought himself a Specialized Allez Sport Triple.
You can’t tell in the photo, but it’s a powder-coated black that gives the bike a very cool stealth bomber look. Tres chic.
I should — I guess — point out that I had a nice little moment of well-deserved embarrassment when the bike shop guy (Scott, co-owner of Pacific Cycles) was going through the Care and Feeding of Your New Bike spiel for Matt. When Scott got to the "Keeping Your Bike Clean" part, he paused and looked meaningfully at me, then said: "If you clean your bike as often as Fatty, you should be punished. Everyone here hates working on Fatty’s bike because it’s always so filthy."
And yeah, he was talking about my road bike — not my mountain bike.
And yeah, it’s always filthy.
And no, I still haven’t cleaned my bike.
Matt and I had a good ride Saturday, though — we rode out to work (Matt’s not just a friend, he’s my manager … at least for two more weeks) and back to see how he’d handle commuting. That’s a 20 mile round trip with big climbs at miles 9 and 18. And Matt rode the whole thing like a champ.
At least, that’s my story until two weeks from now.
New Bikes Are Contagious
About the time Matt and I started looking for a bike for him, I started getting the new bike bug, too. A couple weeks ago I was thinking about cyclocross, but it turns out almost all the races are on Sundays, which don’t work for me. And since I have the attention span of a gnat, I was easily able to turn my new bike itch toward the track.
So…today, after work, I’m heading down to Sammamish Valley Cycles to order a Bianchi Pista. That’s about the entry-levelest track bike there is, but then again, I’m about as entry level as a track cyclist can be.
Shiny!
In a couple weeks, my bike will arrive. Then I’ll be out at the Velodrome at the loneliest possible times, learning how to pedal without coasting. I’m so excited, I can’t think straight.
Today’s weight: 166.4
Bonus: I’ve got a new article in Cyclingnews: My latest fake news piece, "OLN to Broadcast Vuelta a España to US Audience…With a Few Small Changes." I swear, every time they accept a piece from me, I can’t help but wonder: "How long ’til they realize what a complete and utter dork I am?"
Comment by Matthew | 08.29.2005 | 8:01 pm
Let the record show: I did *not* fall off my bike at any point during the ride. Your skills at indoctrinating new ridings to the cult must be improving.
Comment by Unknown | 08.29.2005 | 9:03 pm
Kudos on the new bike! Soon you’ll be pulling up to other riders at stop lights, mocking them for their dependence on brakes. I just picked up a 2004 Marin Argenta back in July from REI’s outlet for a pittance. Italian steel frame with carbon seat stay and fork, and Shimano Tiagara components. After riding a mountain bike, the road bike handles like a Ducati!
Comment by Unknown | 08.29.2005 | 9:28 pm
So ahh…….since you are getting your bike in 14 days ish I propose the following timelineDay 17 – First Ride at the trackDay 18 – Post your fixie on FGG, becoming the 455th chrome pista Day 21 – Realize Pistas are not ‘Hip’Day 22 – Scour Ebay for a track frame that isn’t a PistaSeriously though, I wish I had a velodrome ’round me. I would love an excuse to buy another bike.
Comment by Fat Cyclist | 08.29.2005 | 9:41 pm
What’s fgg?
Comment by Jeff | 08.29.2005 | 9:45 pm
Matt, wait until he takes you out mountain biking. he’ll shove you off a cliff as soon as look at you. And why did you let Fatty buy a bike named "Pasta?"
Comment by Fat Cyclist | 08.29.2005 | 9:48 pm
Mmmmmm. Paaaaasssssta.
Comment by Unknown | 08.30.2005 | 1:00 am
Careful on day one on the new bike. I rode a track bike one time. It’s the first corner that get’s you. Instinct says coast but as soon as the the body complies to that instinct, gravity and momentum reach over and grab you by the…And about being accepted by Cyclingnews. Don’t ever stop submitting. The world of bike racing needs humor. You give us all a welcome break from doper stories and "President Bush rode his mountain bike today" press releases.
Comment by Robin | 08.30.2005 | 1:09 am
fatty:fgg => fixed gear gallery
Comment by Unknown | 08.30.2005 | 3:24 am
I’m a first time commenter but I just wanted to say you’ve got a great blog! I read it daily. It’s funny how one gets hooked on these things. Anyway, I think the Pista is a great idea. That way you won’t have a lot invested and when you do go for a bike upgrade you’ll have the Pista to let other people try it. I live in Kansas and we don’t have a velodrome so I make do riding my Steamroller on the road and bike paths. Great fun and a nice change of pace. Have fun!
Comment by mark | 08.30.2005 | 3:56 am
BinkiTime!!!I got my Pista a month ago. Been to the velodrome and had a blast!!! (To be honest, I have NEVER, NEVER, NEVER riden so hard in my life. If you have never participated in a competition, you should try. It sets "expectations." I about coughed up a lung in my first race. And I continue to after each race….)Gregg’s has it for $500, not the MSRP of $550. SVC seems to cater to the "been at Microsoft longer than 7 years" customer. i.e. _not_ me, but maybe you. Options??? Well, my option is to work for another company…Then Friday, my bullhorn handlebars and tape came in. Saturday was spent installing a front brake and handlebar tape. I was smiling a lot on Saturday. And then, of course, I go for a ride.Wow, I rode to Marymoor, Woodenville, and back. (everyone, that is one flat piece of riding.) I was fast (OK, no speedo, it was all perception, and it was GREAT!! And I FELT fast.) I coasted four times (reminded 100ms later, that, NO, you can’t coast). Nevertheless, it was a GREAT time.Can’t do the commute to Microsoft yet on the fixie, because of the 520 hill, but O MY GOD WAS THE FLAT PART FUN!!!How many times has the FC pasted me on the 520 hill? Too many?? I don’t know. I don’t wanna know. Rock on, Crouton.
Comment by K.C. | 08.30.2005 | 11:39 am
You don’t need a velodrome to enjoy fixed-gear riding. Hell, you don’t need a track bike… any fixed gear bike will do.When I started riding seriously many (too many) years ago, I was lucky enough to have been mentored by a coach who was a huge proponant of fixed-gear riding for roadies. We didn’t even touch our race bikes until we had logged 1500 miles of fixed-gear riding.Riding in a group of 15-20, everybody using 42×17 or 18 is an experience I will always remember… that and what 38 mph in a 61 inch gear feels like!Good for you. The Pista is a beauty.
Comment by Robert | 08.30.2005 | 4:31 pm
Is that the cool kind of bike that lets you slam your foot down and skid?
Comment by Strawberry | 08.30.2005 | 5:44 pm
I never learned how to ride a bike. I’ve never ridden a bike. Isn’t that just sad. I’ll never understand the saying "If you fall off a bicycle you just get back on." Good job and I think it’s great what you’re doing. Keep up the good work. Keep on keeping on!
Comment by kris | 08.30.2005 | 5:53 pm
…..if there’s a place you gotta go, I can get you there, I know. I’m the map. If there’s a place you gotta get, I can get you there, I bet. I’m the map. I’m the map. I’m the map, I’m the map, I’m the map. I’M THE MAP!!!!!!If I have to have it stuck in my head all day, somebody else does too.
Comment by Suzanna | 08.30.2005 | 10:00 pm
Exactly what I needed, some good bike buying info, thanks!
Comment by Steve | 09.16.2005 | 4:57 pm
I missed your update with the track bike picture a couple weeks ago. Where are the brakes?