New bike!

[kacie tri-ing]

So, I got an amazing deal on a bike from the classifieds on beginner triathlete. It is getting shipped today, and I am SO excited I can hardly even stand it, let alone focus on anything I am supposed to be doing today!

For our anniversary this year, DH and I are going to get professional fittings on his race bike and my new bike.

She is sooooo pretty.....I just keep finding reasons to look at pictures of her online. I can't WAIT to get some pedals on her and GO! I have 7.5 weeks until Louisville, so hopefully 7 weeks of training on her will get me totally ready!

Sorry, I just had to talk/brag/share!

[Veronica]

You didn't tell us what you're getting!

Veronica

[blumensh]

We need pictures!!!!

Congratulations!

[kacie tri-ing]

Ha! You are right!

2008 Scott Contessa Plasma Ultegra


I don't have pictures of my own yet, since she is getting put into the mail today! I can't wait for her to get here!

[Veronica]

Nice! What's the Louisville bike course like?


Veronica

[kacie tri-ing]

Hilly and hot :cool:

[blumensh]

Eww that IS NICE!!!!!

[kacie tri-ing]

Thanks!!!!!!! I am SO excited to get her...then i will add some pizzaz to her and post pictures.

[OakLeaf]

Exciting! Pretty bike. :)

[GLC1968]

Awesome! Congrats!!

[colby]

I got Lucy about 5 weeks from my first Ironman and it was enough time. I went from a road bike triple 105s (never riding aero) to a triathlon bike compact double DA/Ultegra mix riding aero most of the time on a hilly course.... it's doable. :) I wouldn't go any closer to your race than about 5 weeks, though, because you need time on the bike.

You will want to get it fitted ASAP, and you will want to ride a couple of long rides on it on a hilly course to get used to the differences in riding aero (or that bike's aero from your current bike's aero) and (hopefully subtle) differences in gearing. Also watch for saddle discomfort, you won't have a huge amount of time to dial it in, and you only have a few long rides left.

Awesome! :D :D :D

[Tri Girl]

Gorgeous bike!!!! Now not only are you going to DO great in KY, you're going to LOOK great!!! Woot!!!:D:D:D:D:D

[kacie tri-ing]

Thank ladies!

She is on a truck in New Hampshire headed for Atlanta!!!!

She is flying super fast to get here tuesday morning, and we have fittings planned for our 3rd anniversary wednesday! YIPPIE! I appreciate the encouragement. I am a little nervous about the transition. I will basically only be missing one of my 80+ mile rides on her this weekend. Next week I will leave my darling road bike for the duration of training :D

Tri girl--it is really hard to underestimate the importance of looking good/cute while doing this stuff!!! :D:D:D

When I get her, and get fitted, I will post up pictures....in the meantime, I will check UPS tracking continously!

[blumensh]

I got Lucy about 5 weeks from my first Ironman and it was enough time. I went from a road bike triple 105s (never riding aero) to a triathlon bike compact double DA/Ultegra mix riding aero most of the time on a hilly course.... it's doable. :)

Did you see a big improvement in your time going from a Road bike to a triathlon bike?

[colby]

Did you see a big improvement in your time going from a Road bike to a triathlon bike?

Yes, but I don't know that it was a fair comparison - I also got a good bike (which I paid over twice as much for as my road bike) that was well-fitted and has race wheels on it. ;) The aero bars do make a big difference on windy courses (which is common where I live), and I notice I go downhill faster. It's a smoother and more comfortable ride, though some people have more discomfort aero than I do. So, yes, I did see a significant improvement, but, I don't know that it was worth it for my first year until I knew my way around the sport and knew I wanted to invest in it. :)

[Veronica]

I chose to not get a tri specific race bike, but went with a road race bike instead this year after doing tris for two years with the road bike I had.

I didn't think I'd be comfortable in the aero position of a tri bike. Just going to a lighter more aerodynamic road bike made a huge difference for me.

Ride what you have for awhile. If you find yourself hooked, then spend the big bucks. :D

Veronica

[colby]

I chose to not get a tri specific race bike, but went with a road race bike instead this year after doing tris for two years with the road bike I had.

I didn't think I'd be comfortable in the aero position of a tri bike. Just going to a lighter more aerodynamic road bike made a huge difference for me.

Ride what you have for awhile. If you find yourself hooked, then spend the big bucks. :D

Veronica

I totally agree. If my focus was not basically exclusively on triathlon at the time, I would have reversed what I did and got a nice, light, road bike and considered a triathlon bike a couple of years later, if at all. In the end, I'm considering replacing my road bike anyway, and I was at the time I bought my triathlon bike - the triathlon bike just presented itself at an opportune time (when I had tunnel vision and bike lust simultaneously). ;) I'm betting I probably would have ended up buying the triathlon bike this year anyway.

In the end, it's the engine makes the biggest difference after all. :D

[surgtech1956]

Beautiful bike -

[kacie tri-ing]

Thanks! I am following her on UPS!

I am fortunate enough to also have a sweet road bike, and this is the third year that I have been racing tri's on her too. I am glad that I have the road bike, and the deal on the tri bike was just too good (and I just finished teaching an extra summer job!!!). I can't wait for her to get here! I am nervous about the aero position, but I have a fitting planned (he uses lasers and stuff! It is supposed to be a pretty great guy and it takes 3 hours), so hopefully he will be able to nail down my position!

[Veronica]

Hey, you don't have to justify getting a new bike to us. :D

I just don't want people starting out in tri thinking they HAVE to have all the fancy gear. It's nice, but tri is still fun on mountain bikes and sneakers. :D

Veronica

[kacie tri-ing]

I TOTALLY agree with that!

I did my first few on a hybrid, then a ton of races and 3 HIM's on my roadie :D

[kacie tri-ing]

SHE'S HERE! And soooo pretty......

So now we live in a 700sq ft condo and three of our bikes are inside (and the rest are outside). I can't ride her until i get her fit on wednesday (because the seat post has to be cut), but I can't stop looking at how pretty she is!!!!!

ok, back to gaze at her!

[colby]

SHE'S HERE! And soooo pretty......

So now we live in a 700sq ft condo and three of our bikes are inside (and the rest are outside). I can't ride her until i get her fit on wednesday (because the seat post has to be cut), but I can't stop looking at how pretty she is!!!!!

ok, back to gaze at her!

Whew!! Wednesday can't come too soon. That first ride will be exciting. :D

[GLC1968]

SHE'S HERE! And soooo pretty......

So now we live in a 700sq ft condo and three of our bikes are inside (and the rest are outside). I can't ride her until i get her fit on wednesday (because the seat post has to be cut), but I can't stop looking at how pretty she is!!!!!

ok, back to gaze at her!

You could still take a pic for us, you know, up close and personal. I'm just sayin'....;)

[kacie tri-ing]

Bike fitting is done!!! I am posting some pics :D You may see that he is cutting the carbon in one, and I look horrified

[kacie tri-ing]

Opps! Here they are!

[kacie tri-ing]

Oh--here's the one where I am mortified

[colby]

So....... how does she ride? How does it feel? ;)

[kacie tri-ing]

Scary....I am a little terrified of her :p My coach is going to ease me into the transition in bikes this week, and I think that will help me adjust! More to report soon! PS I would NOT suggest anyone start on one of these bikes!:D

[colby]

Oh--here's the one where I am mortified

OMG. I would be, too. :eek:

[colby]

Scary....I am a little terrified of her :p My coach is going to ease me into the transition in bikes this week, and I think that will help me adjust! More to report soon! PS I would NOT suggest anyone start on one of these bikes!:D

So, how did the long ride go!? Inquiring minds want to know! :cool:

[Alex]

Congrats on the new bike!

[Bike Chick]

Beautiful bike, Kacie! I can't wait to hear your ride report.

[kacie tri-ing]

So, last week I had a monster of a training week, and my bike was awesome for it!

Still working out a few kinks, like hydration, but I have a new set up for that now!

For people who ride in this position, how do you deal with chaffing since you are tilted forwards some? My bike fitter worked on my hip tilt, but I think I loose focus after 80 miles :rolleyes: I have really great shorts, but I think I should re-learn how to deal with chaffing.

Granted, I was also dealing with chaffing from an 18 mile run with no shade where body glide didn't stand a chance the day before a long ride. Colby...any suggestions?

Beautiful and fast bike though!

[colby]

So, last week I had a monster of a training week, and my bike was awesome for it!

Still working out a few kinks, like hydration, but I have a new set up for that now!

For people who ride in this position, how do you deal with chaffing since you are tilted forwards some? My bike fitter worked on my hip tilt, but I think I loose focus after 80 miles :rolleyes: I have really great shorts, but I think I should re-learn how to deal with chaffing.

Granted, I was also dealing with chaffing from an 18 mile run with no shade where body glide didn't stand a chance the day before a long ride. Colby...any suggestions?

Beautiful and fast bike though!

Different shorts chafe differently, my tri shorts chafed worse than my bike shorts (which I discovered during test rides) in the girly zone. On the tri bike, I get more chafing at the base/inside of my sit bones and the sides of my girly parts where my legs connect (hard to describe) vs. ON my sit bones. I have to be generous with the bodyglide there and so far that's been the recipe for success (if I forget it, I hurt). I also have developed patches of tough skin on my sit bones. ;)