Today's the Big Day!!

[cusepack]

Well, today I'm being fitted for my new Trek 2100. After we recovered from Hurricane Katrina, and mind you, I say "recovered" lightly as it was nothing compared to NO, Miss, Ala., but once power was restored my LBS was able to start getting caught up with assembling bikes. So . . . inasmuch as I'm excited, I'm also nervous - I signed on to read the threads and I'm hit with "crashing posts". Oh, my heart goes out to the girls and I wish them a speedy recovery. I know it's inevitable that I'll take a few spills, but I guess now that it's D-Day, I'm sweating a bit!!

K

[Nanci]

Cool! Are you taking her out for a ride when you get her home?

I'm getting a late start today- I was the second leg of a group of twelve people who are ferrying a dog up to Cambridge, MA. His family evacuated from NO to Tampa, but are stuck at an in-law's who won't allow them to keep their dog. There's a family in Cambridge who is going to foster him until his real family is back on their feet in their own place again.

Only two weeks till I take Lava (bike) to see some real mountains in GA at the Six Gap Century- glad she has a triple chain ring!

Nanci

[cusepack]

It's been quite the day . . . went to the bike shop and spent over two hours there, between being fitted, putting on the computer, tape, cages . . . boy, and do I need some time getting use to the new seat!!! The bike is absolutely beautiful - actually much better looking when I knew she was finally mine!! I did pretty good with the clips - I have a tendency of walking with a bit of a "duck foot" stance, so when mounting my bike and placing my feet on the clips, I'm inclined to turn my feet out a bit, so I have to remember to point them straight - I told the fella, "I'm actually very coordinated, but today, I look clueless". It took some practice, but I think I'm going to be okay. And clipping out is much easier than clipping in. He suggested that when I first start riding to clip in with one foot, take some strokes, then clip in my other foot - works for me, so for now, that's what I'm going to stick with. He also traded out the stock seat and gave me a Bontrager WSD seat with a bit more cushioning. It wasn't my tush that was hurting, rather the more sensitive area - and oh, how embarassing explaining that one to him!! He was quite kind and I have to say, really catered to everything I was saying, and explained the do's and don'ts for me. Oh, and he took the stem off and turned it upside down, bringing my bars up just a tad. He said that this will help me adjust to the new position, and as I become more comfortable, he'll turn it right side up again - I'd never heard of this but he explained Bontrager makes them this way so the rider will get a better fit, and, it's simple to do, which makes his life much easier!!!

Let's see . . .oh yes, I got a helmet - he gave me a great deal on a Trek helmet - he only had the Giro Atmos, and I really didn't want to spend that much, and I actually like the fit of the Trek - room for my ponytail which was very important to me (besides protecting my brain, of course!!).

I took her out for a small ride trying to keep myself safe from all moving vehicles!!! It's smooth like butter, truly. I don't know how else to describe it. I'm absolutely thrilled with it and look forward to a longer ride tomorrow. I keep going back to my office (where I keep her) and just stand there, look and think to myself "I can't believe I finally got it."

Geez, I've written a book . . . sorry about that

Kathryn

P.S. Nanci - nice to hear about the foster family for the dog. I have a hard time keeping the news on when I see all the animals that were left behind, tied to trees . . . my heart mourns the loss of the people as well as the animals. How's everything going with your new bike? Still enjoying it?

[Jo-n-NY]

congtats kathryn on your new bike. posts like your bring back the excitement in me when receiving my new bike in dec.

excuse the typing as i am one if recent crash victims. it is my first injury in many years of cycling and i will toss it to learning experience. you will be just fine.

i am also glad to hear you are well after katrina.

wishing you many happy rides with your new bike

joann

[cusepack]

Thanks Joann for the well wishes. I plan on taking my bike out today - hopefully get in a longer ride - I think with each ride I'll become more comfortable. It's quite a change from my 7 speed crusier - certainly doesn't take as much power and the positioning, well, that's another adjustment as well. All in due time, right

I'm wishing you a speedy recovery - keep yourself in the cycling loop by reading all the wonderful posts here and perhaps reading some mags and books - I've recently read Lance's War, which was very good, and am now reading 23 days in July. I love all that behind the scenes stuff!!

Take care.

Kathryn

[mom2twins]

Kathryn Congratulations on your new bike! it's always so exciting when you bring a new one home. It also sounds like your bike shop is awesome. I hope you had a nice ride today

[cusepack]

Had a wonderful ride this afternoon - miles and miles without my even realizing how far I had gone. I was telling a friend today . . .when I was on my bike, and I know this might sound strange, but I felt empowered . . . I felt strong, proud . . . just an amazing feeling and inasmuch as I wanted to continue to ride, the storm clouds came rolling in and I didn't want to get my baby wet!! And everything felt new . . new not in the sense of "brand new purchase", but new in the sense of the sounds, the feeling of the wind . . . it's was a really incredible feeling. I can't wait to go riding again tomorrow, but . . .I'm having a couple problems . . . the part of my hand, the cushioned area below my thumb is bothering me a bit. I've tried adjusting my hands in different positions and the fella at the LBS said it would take a bit of time for me to adjust, but I'm wondering of other's suffered from this too at the beginning. Also, I'm using clipless shoes with the pedals that came with the 2100 (they're Shimano 520's, I believe) and I'm having some pain on my bottome foot on the outside arch - is this normal, and something else I need to adjust to? Maybe I'm just use to my cruiser handlebars and big 'ole pedals?!?!?!

Kathryn

[Nanci]

Hi Kathryn,

My hands hurt, too, and it felt like I could never find a comfortable place except when they were in mountain bike position. But then, even the next ride it was better, and now it feels very natural.

I don't know about your feet. Could be the small pedals, and the cleats on your shoes could be in the wrong place, though if LBS set them up, I would doubt that. I've read that long distance bikers move the cleats back a bit from the ball of the foot to prevent foot tiredness. Or you could just have to get used to them. Mine hurt after a while on long rides. It helps a _lot_ to get off and walk around, or just be off the pedals for five minutes, every hour of riding.

Nanci

[bcipam]

I'm assuming during your fitting the LBS guy also positioned your pedals etc. Typically the pain you are experiencing is related to an improperly placed cleat. It should be right at the ball of your foot. You may have to move it back and forth. And the right shoes really make a difference. I love Sidi's. I tried a pair of Specialized Shoes. Paid alot of money for them, but had to go back to the Sidi's. My feet have thanked me profusely for the change. If you foot problem presist you may have to consdier a different pedal something with more of a platform like the Dura Ace or Look pedals.

As to a helmet, the most expensive and the cheapest do the same thing, protect your noggin'. The Atmos costs more cause it's lighter and has more ventilation but your other helmet will do as well. Just remember, one crash, helmet needs to be replaced. All helmets, no matetr the price are good for one crash only.

Have fun riding. It's alway fun to get a new machine!

[DirtDiva]

Are you getting the right amount of arch-support from your shoes? If shifting the cleats doesn't work, you might want to try replacing the insoles before you shell out a whole lot of cash for new shoes and/or pedals.

[cusepack]

I posted a little update in the "Tricks' forum, but I wanted to let you know my hands and feet are doing much better today. I sat back a bit more on the seat which helped my feet (although still not completely pain free) and by relaxing my shoulders more, my hands relaxed as well and the pain dissipated soon thereafter. If, after a few more days of riding I don't feel pain free in my feet, I'll take my shoes and bike in to the LBS to have my cleats adjusted and perhaps get some different pedals. My cleats are placed at the ball of my foot, but maybe a fraction of an adjustment will make the difference I need. The shoes feel great on my feet and the fella said they were very good, so maybe before purchasing a new pair, I'll do as tlkiwi suggested and purchase some insoles. Whatever I need to do, I'll do as I want the most comfortable ride possible.

[AKRoadie]

Congrats on the new bike! I got my 2100 in May- just love it! I made a few tweaks to it - I agree with the most comfortable ride possible! This forum is a wealth of information and i read and re-read all the advice and product reviews. I put some chromoly Speedplay Zero pedals on my bike - love the double-sides and the float option, a Terry Butterfly seat (the cut-out is ab/fab) and like you, my thumb pads were aching and I put on some Fizik (spelling?) gel bar wrap and that has really helped (in conjunction with good gloves). I agree with the feeling you described - I too feel so free and empowered out there, just riding and loving life. Enjoy your bike!