My first chance of 2013 to escape the spin bikes, I joined for Mission Farms Sunday Afternoon ride on 2/17.
Cycling
February AIDS/LifeCycle Update
10-Day Forecast. More warm weather, please?
There have been a few warm days, but not as many as I expected in mid-February. When it’s above 50 degrees, I’m out on the road. I’m getting used to spin classes, and they’re an excellent workout, but they’re no substitute for getting out on the road.
February Training Goal. 5 hours per week.
I’ve bumped my goal from 3 hours to 5 hours per week in the month of February. If most of the 5 hours must be spent in spin classes, this will be a challenge.
February trip to LA. Hello Pork Pedalers!
As I mentioned in my last post, I’ve become acquainted with several members of the LA-based Pork Pedalers AIDS/LifeCycle (ALC) team. I thought it was only appropriate to make a trip to LA to match faces with Twitter handles, and get to know my ALC teammates. I’ll be in Los Angeles February 21-25. On Saturday, I’m planning to do a ride with my team or the larger so-Cal ALC group, then go to the ALC expo on Sunday. It’s my first time to LA, other than a day-trip several years back. I’m excited for a long weekend and some cycling in LA!
ALC Fundraising Update
I’m half-way to my goal of $3,000. There are still a few months to go. I’m confident I’ll exceed my goal with your support.
More to come soon!
Sabbatical Approved! AIDS/LifeCycle 2013
Right before Christmas break, I received exciting news from my employer. My month-long sabbatical, which I applied for in November had been approved.
A major part of my sabbatical will be spent raising money for and riding my bike in AIDS/LifeCycle. AIDS/LifeCycle is a 7-day bike ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles to raise money and awareness in the fight against HIV/AIDS. The 545-mile ride takes place June 2-8, 2013.
After announcing the news on Twitter, I soon realized several friends from Los Angeles were also participating in the ride. Many have done the ride in the past, and ride on a team, called the Pork Pedalers. They invited me to join, and excitedly, I took them up on the offer.
Beginning in January, I’ve been doing a spin class 3 times per week. At times, even an hour of pedaling with your heart rate above 150 has been a challenge, but it’s getting easier every day. I’m hoping for warmer weather soon so I can get out on the road for some real riding.
To ensure success of the event and make the biggest impact, I must raise at least $3,000. I’m confident with your support; I can exceed that. I’m already one-third of the way there!
More to come soon!
Kansas City (KC) Bike to Work Day 2012
Kansas City Bike to Work Day is Friday, May 18, 2012.
I live in the Waldo neighborhood of Kansas City and work in Leawood. I’ll be coordinating a Bike to Work Day 2012 event for those in Waldo/Brookside neighborhoods who work in Leawood or South Kansas City. You can be an existing bike commuters or looking to discover the benefits of biking to work. Details to come.
2012 KC Bike Week Events
- May 14 – Bike Week Opening Ceremony
- May 15 – Beginners and Family Day
- May 16 – Ride of Silence
- May 17 – Bike In Movie
- May 18 – Bike To Work Day
May is National Bike Month, brought to you by League of American Cyclists.
Cannondale CAAD9 4 – My First Road Bike
Over the past few months, I’ve scoured the internet and visited nearly every local bike shop, sometimes more than once shopping for my first road bike. After a long search and several test rides, I was overwhelmed by more brands, models, and component sets than I ever imagined possible.
Initially, I was looking at the Raleigh Revenio 3.0, Felt Z85, and the Giant Defy 1, but after visiting River Market Cyclery and test riding a Cannondale CAAD10 5, I was sold on the Cannondale brand.
After a bit more searching, I found a 2010 Cannondale CAAD9 4 at Leawood Bicycles that was just my size. Since it was a 2010, it was also on sale for a great price. I went home, slept on it, and the next day made up my mind.
The CAAD9 is the predecessor to the CAAD10 and was last Cannondale bicycle to be handmade in the United States. I also liked the CAAD9 4, because it was equipped with a full SRAM Rival groupset, including a carbon crank.
I bought the bike on August 6. As of today, August 23, I’ve put just over 100 miles on it. It’s a great, responsive ride, though I’m still getting used to the firmer, smaller road saddle. I definitely don’t leave home without my biking shorts on. The CAAD9 has more of a racing geometry, so I’m taking it in today to have the stem flipped, so the my riding position will be a little more relaxed and comfortable.
| Specifications — 2010 Cannondale CAAD9 4 | |
|---|---|
| Frame | CAAD9 Optimo aluminum, taper-butted |
| Fork | Slice Premium monocoque full carbon |
| Weight | Unspecified (60cm frame, I’ll weigh soon) |
| Components | |
| Seatpost | Cannondale C2 Carbon |
| Saddle | Prologo Kappa Pas |
| Drivetrain | |
| Shifters | SRAM Rival |
| Front Derailleur | SRAM Rival |
| Rear Derailleur | SRAM Rival |
| Brakes | Tektro R580 |
| Brake Levers | SRAM Rival |
| Cassette | SRAM Rival |
| Chain | KMC DX-10SC |
| Crankset / Bottom Bracket | SRAM Force BB30 Compact, 50/34 |
| Wheels | |
| Rims | Shimano RS10 |
| Hubs | Shimano RS10, 20h (rear) & 16h (front) |
| Spokes | Shimano RS10 |
| Tires | Vittoria Zaffiro Pro Slick, 700 x 23 |
| Other | |
| Warranty | Lifetime – Frame |
| MSRP (Price) | $1,799 (I got a deal, since it was last 2010 model and I bought near end of 2011) |