Ooops, trip to the bike store.....

Hi, this is my first post here. I bought my first bike about a year ago, but did not really start riding it until this spring. Well I decided that I really, really like biking. My goal is to ride in the MS 150 next year (I have a long way to go, right now I am only doing 30 mile rides). I also figured out that I may not have bought the right bike for what I want to do. Since I basically had no clue what I wanted, they sold me a Trek hybrid. But I've been doing a lot of reading and talking to people and decided that I would probable be happier with a road bike.


So I was just going to go to the bike store to talk to them, look around and make a plan. I test a few and really liked how the Specialized Dolce road. Then the guy showed me the new 08 model and it was all over!!! It's black with a little bit of hot pink. And they had my size. And I just happened to have thrown my bike rack in the trunk. So I got it fitted and brought my new toy home. I can't wait to ride it.

Well congratulations on the new bike, and Welcome to TE.

Have you been able to get much riding in with all the rain?
Take pictures of your new girl and post them so we can see.

Not much riding with all the rain. I'm trying not to complain after so many drought years. I did go this morning and I didn't realize that it was possible to get that muddy on a bike! Here are some pics. I'm sure I'll have lots of questions in the future. I've been browsing around the site and it's a great resource.
http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t...smaul/side.jpg

http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t...maul/wheel.jpg

http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t...smaul/seat.jpg

http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t...maul/side2.jpg

Sweet!!! Congrats on the new bike.

I have an allez dolce from a few years ago, and I still love her. It sounds like she fits AND is cute! Lucky girl!! I can't seem to find the right Fit+ cute combo.. :p

Welcome, Teddie. Ooooooo- a new bike, eh? Sounds like a beauty! Yes, take some pics so we can drool over her, too. ;)
Sounds like you're all set to get out there and hit the road. You'll probably be more comfy on the road bike for the longer distances like the MS150. Which one are you planning on doing (the one there in the DFW area)?

Welcome, Teddie!

The dolce stole my heart, too! :D I had been thinking about getting a bike for a long time, but I wasn't sure what I wanted or if I wanted to spend big money on a road bike. I read lots of articles on bikes, lurked around on this forum, and checked out the website of a local riding club.

One day I decided to go into my local bike shop and see what they had. It was totally overwhelming!! But, they took my measurements and told me that they had a Dolce in my size in storage and that they would put it together so I could test ride it.

Flash forward to when I went back to see the assembled bike. I still wasn't sure...I was really nervous about riding a road bike...and then they brought down this sweet little ride and it was all over. They sent me on a test ride with knowing glances and I've been hooked since!

Have a GREAT TIME on your new bike!!

Thanks!! This site is great, I've been browsing around and have learned so much, what a great resource. I have a feeling it might become addictive!

I'm planning on the DFW MS 150 (I figure if I start telling everyone I'm going to do it, I won't be able to back out of it;) ) Of course it needs to start raining so I can actually start riding a bit more.

A couple of more pics. I'm sure I'll have lots of questions in the future!

Whoooot woooo (that's me whistling)
That's one sweeeeeet ride!!! Wow- she's so pretty- love the detailing on the saddle and the subtle pink accents! Very nice!!! Thanks for posting the pics.

I thought about the DFW MS150 for next year also. I had friends do it last year and they had a blast! Best of luck to you!

It was the saddle that sealed the deal for me!! The bike shop guy was good, I test road a couple of bikes and really liked the Dolce. The one I rode was an 07 model and was bright blue. It was pretty, but I I didn't love it. I asked about other colors and he showed me this one, just enough pink to be pretty, but not too much to be obnoxious! I was talked into the MS150 Saturday night after a couple of margaritas.... But I wanted a cycling goal, so now I have a good one.

Wow, that is a nice bike. I love the saddle. I'm with you, the saddle would have been the clincher. ;) The details on the bike makes it stand out from the rest.

I have a Specialized Sequoia and I really enjoy riding her. The seat is surprisingly comfie too. I think you will find out just how much zoom a road bike has and you'll be putting in hundreds of miles in no time. :)

Keeper, I noticed you don't have clipless pedals. Have you thought about going clipless? Shimano make a pedal where it's toothy on one side and the clip on the other for those who are a little intimidated by clipping in. I use the Speedplay pedals and I couldn't be happier. It allows my foot to float up to 38 degrees or so which is nice since I have a bad knee.

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Originally Posted by sundial

Keeper, I noticed you don't have clipless pedals. Have you thought about going clipless? Shimano make a pedal where it's toothy on one side and the clip on the other for those who are a little intimidated by clipping in. I use the Speedplay pedals and I couldn't be happier. It allows my foot to float up to 38 degrees or so which is nice since I have a bad knee.

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Pedals are going to be my next purchase. I figured that I would give myself a little time to get used to my new bike, then venture on to pedals. I've been doing a bunch of reading about pedals and it's even more confusing than choosing a bike!

Teddie, yep I think you have a keeper. What a beauty.

Keeper - Yeah that is a nice bike - But the beautiful young horse in your avator is gorgeous too! Great head Is he/she yours?

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Originally Posted by spokewench

Keeper - Yeah that is a nice bike - But the beautiful young horse in your avator is gorgeous too! Great head Is he/she yours?

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Thanks!!! I agree that he is a cutie!! That is actually Keeper. I've had him for about 13 years. He is an ex-race horse and I used to compete dressage on him. He is basically retired now and living the good life. So I needed a new hobby, so I've taken up a different type of riding.

Now that's a gorgeous bike. I'm very impressed!

Which shop did you buy her at?

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Originally Posted by pooks

Now that's a gorgeous bike. I'm very impressed!

Which shop did you buy her at?

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Thanks, I like it! I got it at Richardson Bike Mart. They had just gotten them. I first went to the one in Richardson and test rode a couple there. But they did not have my size, so I had to go up to Frisco. Somewhere along the tollway, I went from "just looking", to "yeah, I'm going to get my bike".

Nice bike, I agree, the pink is a nice accent. The detail on the saddle was neat, never have seen something like that before. You will be racking up those miles in no time, and making more goals than just the MS150. Enjoy. And you have a helmet, right?

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Originally Posted by shellyj

And you have a helmet, right?

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Yep, every time I get on. I used to work as a RN in a trauma ICU, so I have seen what can happen. (And it's pink, so it will match!:o )

Nice bike :D

Me want one now :o Actually I've been wanting to buy a road bike. I have a specialized mountain bike and I love it so after seeing this, I think I'll stick with them for my road bike..... (of course I'll have to go try it out first)

WOW! Both horses in your stable are beautiful! Congrats on your great purchase. :D

Keeper, since everyone is commenting on your beautiful bike :p I could use those same quotes for your beautiful horse ( well not the clipless pedals part). Enjoy your new ride !!!!!!!

Ooh! I find it nicer-looking than the 2007. Enjoy!

what part of Dallas are you in? I did the 2005 MS from Frisco to Ardmore. It is a great ride, you will love it. My problem is that it falls the weekend before finals!!!:eek:

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Originally Posted by crazybikinchic

what part of Dallas are you in? I did the 2005 MS from Frisco to Ardmore. It is a great ride, you will love it. My problem is that it falls the weekend before finals!!!:eek:

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I live west, basically in Argyle (near Flower Mound). Unfortunately I have not been able to ride my bike since I bought it. I have been in the hospital with a horrible eye infection (probably got it when I was riding at White Rock Lake and got nasty water in my eye/on my contact). I am ready for my vision to get better, so I can ride!

I am looking forward to the MS150. Now it goes from Frisco to the Texas Motor Speedway and then into Sundance Square in FW. A friend of mine has done both routes and said it's more fun into FW than OK.

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Originally Posted by keeper

I have been in the hospital with a horrible eye infection (probably got it when I was riding at White Rock Lake and got nasty water in my eye/on my contact). I am ready for my vision to get better, so I can ride!
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YIKES!!!

I always think about how delightful it would feel to be "sprinked" when I see the irrigation sprinklers hitting the side of the road as I ride, but then I remember that it's not necessarily clean water, so if it's safe to, I avoid it -- your story makes me glad I do!!!!!

Karen in Boise

The roads in OK were not the best, but it was worth it. I plan on doing more after I finish school.