Finally My New Road Bike is here!!

[Giulianna23]

nice looking bike you got there, congrats!

Thanks

The more I look at her.....the more I like her...

[2wheelr]

So Pretty!!!! Congratulations!!

[BreezieD]

Very nice. Contests!

[Giulianna23]

so pretty!!!! Congratulations!!

very nice. Contests!

ty

Brought me to Work today... she was good to me..no saddle torture for 8 miles. Lets see tomorrow that I will go for 30-35 miles

[Giulianna23]

So...instead of starting a new thread I decided to just update on this one in regards of my road bike and my riding progress.

I got me some MTB shoes and have already change the pedals to the Shimano PD-M530 MTB Pedals (yes the ones with clips on both sides of the pedals) . I got also and indoor fluid trainer ..and started practicing getting in and out the clips. Well...today was my first day on the road with the clipless shoes/pedals and let me tell you that I was able to ride 25 miles with no problems clip/uncliping...woohooo...also what a difference on the ride..so much smoother and speedy. I was able to go about 20mph at some point of the ride on the flats and keep up with my friend whom is a faster rider than me. I felt like a real cyclist today lol... and no knee pain nor numbness at all .. I am getting better on my shifting as well. Can't wait until next Saturday to go ride with him again. I am really seeing a progress since I started riding with him.

BTW.....here is the new member of the family

Escape City 2013.... I love it!

[Giulianna23]

So my bike suffered a transformation a couple of days ago. She deserves it after putting up with me and holding up with all the beat up I had put her through all season long. I wanted to make her a bit lighter so I got new wheels and she was in need of new rubbers as well. The handlebar tape and saddle were in bad shape too, so replaced those also.

I will keep this bike for another season or two and then will get me a new one with nice components. But for now I am in love with what I have and happy with her performance.

Here is "Trooper"....she is a real one.

[zoom-zoom]

Gorgeous...and I'll bet it smells awesome (I <3 new bike smell!). Enjoy!!

BTW, I just noticed your avatar...is that a JDRF jersey? Circa 2011 or so? Are you still on a team? Did you ride this year? I was in Nashville.

[Giulianna23]

Gorgeous...and I'll bet it smells awesome (I <3 new bike smell!). Enjoy!!

BTW, I just noticed your avatar...is that a JDRF jersey? Circa 2011 or so? Are you still on a team? Did you ride this year? I was in Nashville.

That's a JDRF jersey . I am not on the team yet but would like too in the future if I get good enough. I have been training with them this season and help whenever and however I can with the cause. I have improved so much since I started riding with this team. The coach is really good and helpful, a really nice guy. He is also the main organizer of one of the meetup cycling groups in Indianapolis. I did the second day of the Hilly 100 ride and was able to climb every single hill on the route where I saw younger men and women , fit, with high end bikes and nice cycling gears walking up some of the hills. I felt very proud of myself. I couldn't have done it without him (the coach). He wasn't there but all the training and advice he has given me and one of my girlfriends has paid off big time.

I am looking forward to officially join the team in a year or two

[zoom-zoom]

I am looking forward to officially join the team in a year or two

Ooh, our team is mostly all talking Death Valley next year -- you should do it, too! DV was my first ride and a great experience, though it was so hot that they eliminated the climb up Jubilee Pass.

[Owlie]

Ooh, our team is mostly all talking Death Valley next year -- you should do it, too! DV was my first ride and a great experience, though it was so hot that they eliminated the climb up Jubilee Pass.

You guys need to do Tucson (is there still a JDRF ride in Tucson? I think there is) at some point. Just sayin'.

[Giulianna23]

Ooh, our team is mostly all talking Death Valley next year -- you should do it, too! DV was my first ride and a great experience, though it was so hot that they eliminated the climb up Jubilee Pass.

Yeah I thought about it. But I really want to be prepared for it. I am improving really fast by training twice a week with the Team. But I really need to drop a significant amount of weight if I want to do Death Valley someday and also need a way better bike than what I have....lol. My bike is a low end entry level machine that had served me well this year and I love it but I know even dropping the lbs I want this is not the bike to take to that kind of ride. I know these hills here in Indiana are a joke compare to climbing the mountains in DV. But I have it in mind, to do it someday in the near future when I get better and gain more experience. I am just now learning how to climb steep hills.

BTW Everyone was very sad that they had to cancel that trip this year. I am thinking maybe in 2015 I will be ready for Death Valley. In excellent shape and with a new bike ...lol...hopefully!.

[Giulianna23]

You guys need to do Tucson (is there still a JDRF ride in Tucson? I think there is) at some point. Just sayin'.

Yeah... JDRF Indiana Cure Chasers are riding Tucson!

[zoom-zoom]

A few of our team are headed to Tucson, too, because of the cancelled DV ride.

And I think you could totally do DV on that new ride!

[Cyclingfun]

Isn't it fun to have a new bike! All those lovely anticipatory feelings... but I'm finding after a year of having one, and quarter of a year with the other that I'm still enjoying that buzz every time I see either of them and even cleaning them gives me pleasure (sad or what?!), let along riding them. Have a ball with yours - it looks great!

[Giulianna23]

A few of our team are headed to Tucson, too, because of the cancelled DV ride.

And I think you could totally do DV on that new ride!

Yeah over here is the same. A few of the team did the Hilly Hundred last weekend to make up for not going to DV. I am very interested in doing it one day but definitely it will be with a different bike. I got this one a year ago and really beat her up this season to the point she needed new tires and handlebar tape.. so I decided to give her a new and different look and make her a little lighter by changing the tape color and getting lighter wheels + tires.

I am really enjoying cycling.