Okay, Fine. I am Specialized!

If you know anything about me you know I've been endlessly bike shopping since late fall. I was only "shopping" until my friend Ann's husband, Danny, had to go be a hero and buy her a bike. Then, the fever got worse.

In January, I decided that I needed Aero Bars. That held me for a bit. In March I started riding w/ a faster group and the fever flared up again. Then came April when I (on a whim) decided to do my first Time Trial. I did quite well, I think. Looking at all of the pretty bikes around me got the itch going ONCE AGAIN. I couldn't help but notice that I was the only one out there racing on a STEEL BIKE (although, an awesome steel bike...)!

I think things happen for a reason. So I knew it was fate when I walked into Peachtree Bikes last Wednesday night and mentioned my interest in a Specialized Ruby Pro to find out that there just happen to be one - a NEW one - in a price range I could handle. If my memory serves me well (and it typically does) - it went down kind of like this:

Me (to Mike and Lori B.): Yea...There is a Specialized Designs for Women demo in town I think...I read it somewhere online. I know Epic Bikes did a demo ride tonight while Specialized was in the area.

Mike (Peachtree Bikes, shop owner): Hey - you mentioned you didn't want to drop to 650's (referring to a conversation about Orbea that we'd had earlier in the evening) - if you were to go with Specialized, you wouldn't have to - what size did you say you need?

Me: Yea, I saw that. I need a 48cm and I've been looking at the Ruby Pro for a while but I just hate to drop the cash. Trust me, I speak specialized as well as I do English.

Mike: Wait, did you say a 48? Hang on a sec...[Mike takes off to his office...my curiosity and I followed...]

Mike: [he "hunt and pecks" out a web address] Look at this! I can get you a deal on a 2008 Ruby Pro w/ the Dura Ace package since the '09s have just come out. They seem to have just a few left in your size they are trying to move! The price is great [he grabs a "calculator" and starts crunching numbers] ..... and you get a better deal since you're a Sorella!

Me: No shit!? Look at that! [I practically dance a jig...]

Mike: I'm about to place an order...if you know you want one...you wouldn't have to pay freight if you let me know in the next few days so I can order it with my shipment.

Me: Let me go home and sleep with my husb..I mean, sleep on it... that's a really big purchase...BUT...it's a really good deal, too...

I bought the bike on Saturday morning. I just couldn't help it - I've tried not to like Specialized because it's just so dang popular but I'm impressed with their lifetime warranty and the beautiful geometry that is unmistakable - even when seen from a distance. If anything was going to be the buzz kill, it'd be "the fit". I'm picky about my geometry - I won't make another purchase unless it fits my body and my riding style. So I climbed on a 48cm Ruby Elite that was the shop and it fit my body like a glove. Fate, I tell you.

I'm so excited I'm having to try NOT to talk about it or think about it. It's being ordered from Specialized tomorrow so it should be in by Friday. Then we'll have to tweak and fiddle with it, I'm sure. The crankset needs changing - I think it's time to move on from the compact (the topic of another post, perhaps?). I can't wait to ride it. I can't wait to take it out on the Wednesday night Sorella ride (which starts at 6:30, btw...not 6:00) and race up Olympic hill.

So to all of you who have humored me as I rant about bikes over the last 6 months - God Bless you - thank you - now you only have to listen to me rant about the changes I plan to make to this one.

Another Long Hiatus!

I haven't ridden to Mexico yet - my hiatus is purely related to the amount of things going on in my life over the last month or so... here's a REALLY quick recap:

* March was a good riding month for me. I made my FCA Endurance debut (formerly known as "A group") and I managed to keep up for the majority of the ride. Was dropped on the big hill but I regrouped cut off the pack by taking a detour and finished the ride with them. I felt the most amazing sense of accomplishment. It was the fastest average I've had to date - over 22mph average for over 20 miles.

** My birthday sort of crept up on me...I woke up on April 6th to realize that my 20's were gone. I'm not at all sad and I don't feel any different. My family showered me with bicycle related gifts which will be posted here soon for you all to gawk at.

*** I have spent an inordinate amount of time worrying about a friend/trying to provide support for a friend who in turn has had to spend an inordinate amount of time worry and trying to provide support for his daughter. Out of respect for their privacy, I'll leave it at that.

**** I am involved in a legal battle at work. Don't worry, I didn't do anything wrong but I'm having to spend WAY TOO MUCH TIME dealing with it/worry about it. I worry, that's what I do. It'll pass sooner or later. I haven't done anything wrong, I just have to continue to remind myself that I'm not on trial here and I don't need to worry about defending myself - despite the accusations that may be made.

***** I have spent a great deal of time focusing on the needs of my family - especially my daughter. 'Nuff said about that too.

****** I have been on a bicycle quite a bit...surprise surprise. I did okay in March with regards to mileage although still not nearly enough...in April, I'm off to an okay start but last week the weather was really cruddy and this week I'm taking it easy - I am most likely participating in my very first time trial this weekend. I'm so nervous that I can't talk about it any more than that. More to come, I'm sure... But all in all, the mileage is increasing nicely. And in case you've ever wondered...that sidebar on the right logs only my actual road miles - it doesn't include miles on the torture...er...trainer.

******* I have accepted my addiction to cycling and all things related and I've decided that I don't need therapy. Therefore, I've decided to ride more than I write. :)

********I got my new Sorella kit? That's probably not big news to anyone but me.

So, as you see, I have had my plate full...as I type it, it really doesn't seem like much but there is a lot "in-between the lines" that I really can't/won't discuss right now. I'm cool, riding is cool, the family is cool - that's all that matters.