Kali will SMASH!!

July's gonna be a great month. Here's why:

1) PowerGrips. Wow! Amazing what a difference it makes to have your foot fully attached to the pedal. I had been thinking that I was gonna have to start doing serious weight training to get strong enough to use the big chainring on the TriCross, and I was really missing the triple ring on my old hybrid. On my first ride with the PowerGrips I started using the big ring immediately, and actually felt more comfortable on it. (If PowerGrips are this good, I may re-consider clipless pedals & shoes next year....)

2) New handlebar position. I was going to borrow juvel01's idea of extra tape to change the grip on the bars because I had been uncomfortable in the drops. When I went to a new LBS I was told I probably couldn't find a comfortable position because the bars were tilted too high, which meant I was having to bend my wrists sharply to put my hands in the right spot. The tech shifted the bar just a bit, and, voila!, I can now tuck down, grab the drops, and fly.

3) Rock'n'Roll lube. Applied the new lube last night and wiped it clean, rode today on the dusty, gravelly towpath, then came home tonight to find no dust, no grunge, no black crap on my chain or cassette. Anybody want two cans of White Lightning spray lube?

4) TE forum! It's been so nice to find a place where I feel like I could ask the dumbest question and get knowledgeable and considerate, and sometimes humorous, answers. I've picked up some great tips over the last couple of weeks.

5) And, last but not least, the Tour de Schmalz, er, France! Nothing gets me more motivated to ride than watching these guys busting their butts each day. Blood (Thor's this time), sweat, and more drama than you can shake a chainstay at. Gotta love it.

If you haven't guessed, I had a really good ride this afternoon... :D

YAY! For all of it! :D