New bike! Such joy!

[Lise]

Now *I* did it! I bought my new road bike! It's a Bianchi Veloche, and the feel of it is incredible. It rides like silk. My body's humming with joy.

By the end of last season, I knew I wanted a "good" bike. I'd gone from my found-in-the-garbage-and-fixed-up Schwinn to my Marin Larkspur, and that was a huge step up. I love my Larkspur. I've done 5 triathlons on her, a metric century, and countless miles zipping around Chicago. But... I knew she was heavy and slow compared to the bikes I drool over in transition at the triathlons. I committed to the goal of a 1/2 IM tri next year, and several shorter tris this year. I'd like to do a century at some point.

I joined this board, and you all have taught me so much. You've also given me the courage to love biking and dream big. I rode downtown to the Bike Expo today--a complete waste of $7, I'm sad to say. Almost no bikes to look at. Got some Cliff bar samples, bought some socks (of course), and thought, well, I know where the bikes are! I rode up to On The Route bikes, my dear LBS, and told Dennis what I wanted. He had me test ride a gorgeous red Fuji, marked way down, aluminum with carbon forks. Felt amazing. Then I rode the Bianchi. OMG. I could not believe that it felt so much better than the Fuji, which felt amazing to start with! I rode a carbon Fuji, too, but after the Bianchi, it felt too ...um...rough. Don't know how else to say it. I think there's a "joy meter" in me for bikes. Just being on a bike is a 3, the Fujis were a 7, and this Bianchi, even not yet fit to me, was an 8.5. Holy cow. I have never felt that way on a bike!

It's got the most beautiful wheels, and Trek, it's steel! Feels so, so good. They're putting a Terry Butterfly Cromoly saddle on it for starters (I hate the saddle it comes with). Going back Tuesday for the first fit. I feel like I want to send them flowers! I guess they're prefer my credit card . Here's the best part: The cost is about $100 more than my tax return. Sweet, no?

So I got in about 16 miles of riding, am over the moon about my new bike, and will now go climb into an Epsom salt bath. I could hardly wait to let you ladies see her, though! Here she is:

[SandyLS]

Hey Lise,that's my bike too! I got mine last spring about this time of year. I only put 1000 miles on her last year but I love her and that beautiful celest color. I had to ditch the stock saddle also. She is so much fun to ride. I went from a trek mountian bike on the road to 'our' Bianchi. She makes me feel like I am flying, even though I still not as fast or fit as I know she can make me. You will enjoy her, I'm sure of it! Have fun.
Sandy

[betagirl]

oooo how pretty. Congratulations! Got a name picked out? New bikes rule.

Hey you're in Chicago right? I have lots of century experience and do several every summer. If you want to do one together, let me know. I'm a distance junkie and am looking for some recruits

[Nanci]

Congratulations, Lise! She's a beauty! I love that Celeste color.

Nanci

[Lise]

Hi, Sandy, hi Beta, hi Nanci!

Sandy, how wonderful that we have the same bike! Now I see her in your avatar. Do you have the same wheels? They are beautiful. Glad to hear you're happy with her. That saddle though--who are they kidding? I was starting to lose feeling in my nether regions on just the test drive! Well, not quite that bad...

Beta, yep, I'm in Chicago. LBS is on Lincoln, just south of Belmont. What centuries are you planning to do? I'll look at my tri schedule and see which one I could do with you. That would be cool. I'll pick your brain about training. The 16 miles I did today feels like a lot, but I know I can pick it back up quickly. I've been running all winter, and now it's time to get back on the bike. I cannot believe how wonderful this bike is.

Names...what was the name of that super hero in the 60s, with a cool car and a sidekick named Kato? Green Lantern? That's what came to me as I looked at her. But I also like the name Celeste, for her color. Probably some name will come to me, and I'll find myself thinking of her that way, and I'll come back and tell you all.

[Surlygirl]

Hi, Sandie, hi Beta!
Names...what was the name of that super hero in the 60s, with a cool car and a sidekick named Kato? Green Lantern? That's what came to me as I looked at her. But I also like the name Celeste, for her color. Probably some name will come to me, and I'll find myself thinking of her that way, and I'll come back and tell you all.

No No No. Kato was the side kick of the Green Hornet. Okay, I confess I'm a child of the 60's.
Oh and I just love the bike. Its gorgeous.

[betagirl]

Hey Lise

These are the rides I typically do:

Folks on Spokes Easter Ride: 4/9 (Fuji Girl and I are doing this one actually). We're probably doing either 25 or 35.

Arlington 500: 5/21. Up to 68 miles. This one is kinda hilly. Starts in Barrington.

Udder Century: 6/4. Good ride, goes north up into WI, then back down. Last year was REAL windy on the way back. That was fun

Swedish Days Ride: 6/18. Leaves out of Burlington, which is out west sort of near Elgin. Up to 124 miles!

Old Mill Century: 8/27. Leaves out of Oregon, IL.

I also did RAIN (ride across indiana) and the MS150 in IL last summer. I'm not sure about doing RAIN again. If I can find someone to go with me I'll probably do it again. It's 152 miles in a day. I also do RAGBRAI, but that's more of a big party

Rides I'd like to try this year:

Heatstroke 100: 7/9 out of Burlington WI. 100 miles.

Biking with Beanzie: 7/16 out of DeKalb. 101 miles.

North Shore Century: 9/17 out of Evanston.

Let me know if you want to do any together. Congrats again on the sweet ride.

[Lise]

Hmmmm....way too soon for the one you and Fuji are doing 4/9. Good for you guys, though. I'm running the Shamrock Shuffle on the 2nd (not the 8th. I keep saying that! And it keeps being wrong!).

The North Shore Century is put on by the Evanston Bike Club, and they have a special place in my heart. My mom went through some major transformations about 15 years ago. She stopped smoking, sold the house in the suburbs that she'd grown up in, and started riding her old, and I mean old three speed bike. She joined the EBC to have people to learn from and ride with. My bro, sis, and I got her a new bike for Christmas that year, and she was off. Mom doesn't ride as much lately (she's 70. I still say she's being a slacker. ), but she usually provides support for that ride. It would be a big thrill for her if I did it. I think I will! We can do it together! Maybe Fuji, too, and anybody else from TE who's "in the neighborhood". Great plan.

L.

[Eden]

Congrats on your new bike! That was the Green Hornet who had Kato as a side kick, I think his "girlfriend" was Casey if you are looking for a girls name. Wow - I'm impressed that you were doing tri's on a Larkspur. I've got one, but I bought it for messing around on trails and gravel roads and such that were a little to harsh on the road bike, but I didn't want a full blown mt bike. You'll really be fast now!

[Nanci]

That color makes me think of something to do with the sea. But Celeste is a good name, too. My bike is named after one of her colors, Lava Red. She's much more of a Lava than a Pearl (White). You are so lucky!

Nanci

[Lise]

That's it! That's it! Green Hornet! I knew Green Lantern was wrong! I do not remember the Green Hornet having a girlfriend at all, so I am most impressed that you remember her name, Eden. I kind of like the name Green Hornet. Really fast. Zippy. Stings, flies away! (I kid myself on that one. )

And yes...she is more sea green than celestial blue...ahhh, her name will come to me.

You guys, the Fuji aluminum w/carbon forks was soooo beautiful. A firey red with great decorations. $700 cheaper, too. But once I rode the Bianchi, it was alllll over for the Fuji. This will be my bike, maybe the only "good" bike I own. I'll ride her and love her for many years. Worth the extra money. That's why I work. To have money to do what I love. Who knew I'd end up loving a bike so much. It occurs to me that now I need to get serious about maintenance, learning how to care for my new baby.

Eden, thanks for the compliment about doing tri's on my Larkspur. I just didn't know if the tri bug would stick with me, so I wasn't going to buy a "great" bike until I knew. But I've watched heavier women fly by me at tris, and thought...it may have something to do with the bike. Having ridden the Bianchi around a few blocks, I can safely say that I will be much faster in my next race! Good to train on a heavier bike. I'll feel like I'm flying on this marvel of lightness.

[annie]

Worth the extra money. That's why I work. To have money to do what I love. Who knew I'd end up loving a bike so much.

Lise, Congrats!!!!!!! What a gorgeous bike! And you are so right..... worth the extra money! Money that YOU earned and should be able to spend on your enjoyment. By the by...... I love my bikes, too!

annie

[tprevost]

Lise,

How GORGEOUS is that bike! Congratulations and excellent choice! Enjoy and don't forget to post a picture of you in action on your new Bianchi! Can't wait to hear what you decide to name her!

Tracy

[wavedancer]

Lise,
Gorgeous new bike! I know you must be thrilled. May you enjoy many swift and smooth miles on her!

Linda

[Trek420]

Lise "It's got the most beautiful wheels, and Trek, it's steel!"

Resistance is futile! You will all learn to love steel frames

Wishing you and your new love many many happy fun filled zippy speedy yet comfy miles. You're faster when you're more comfortable, that's my theory anyway, doesn't work for me but .... a theory.