My relationship with my new bike has been an interesting one. It would be logical to conclude that a bike custom fit and custom made for you would be, well...a good fit. However, we have had our growing pains. I started out with an open mind, and I had to, because my position was very different than my previous bike. I knew while riding it the first time that I wasn't in proverbial Kansas anymore. I wasn't deterred though, I was ready to take this new position on and discover where it would lead me.
I couldn't wait to get started once I learned my bike was finally ready, so I rode my new two wheeled friend home 15 miles-ish from the shop. In route, the gears locked occasionally. I figured since I hadn't had this brand of components, that maybe I was doing something wrong and I dismissed it as human error. Another issue I noticed was that my right tricep was tight and sore. I chalked this up to being in a rather new position and decided to shrug it off. When I got home I had my wife take a picture of me right away so I could show it off on my website...see photo above. So, even though I was proud of my new bike, we didn't get off to a great start.
The next day, as it turned out was not promising. I discovered I earned a flat tire on the way home from the shop. I wasn't happy about it, but things happen. I changed the tube and went out for another ride. Again, the gears locked and I tried different techniques to prevent this. One example is that I checked to see if it mattered how fast I was turning the cranks when I was shifting. It still happened and it was rather random. I contacted Village Bike Shop and they were more than happy to check it out. It turned out there was not a simple solution to this problem. They had to mix and match components to make it work. I didn't mind this, I just wanted the bike to work well. Ultimately, I got it back after a good chunk of time and gave it another go.
Round three turned out to be better...and worse. No flat tires was a good sign. No locking gears was an even better sign. However, still having the pain in my right arm was not a good sign. Man! I really wanted to love this bike. It's a full carbon, black and white dream, triathlon machine! What's not to like right? Well, the arm issue did not subside and I was still not getting used to the new, non-aggressive position in which I was fitted for. Frustration was beginning to set in.
Enough was enough, I had Village put my bike back as close as they could to the position of my former triathlon bike. I wasn't feelin' it in the new, more upright position, and my arm situation was not getting better, so I just wanted to start over. Again, Village was gracious with my request. As soon as I rode one time with my old position, I was inspired. I was ready to go fast again! This was what I was talkin' 'bout!
I was back, or at least so I thought. The arm issue was still there so, I did this and that adjustment with my aerobars. Actually, it was many, many this's and thats, but I won't get into those details. I thought I finally had this dialed in when I did a 60+ mile ride and my arm didn't bother me...much. It was significantly reduced to the point that I didn't really notice it except when I was thinking about it. This was a great improvement! However, my lower back was quite tight and sore by the time I was about 10 miles from home. Are you kidding me? Son-of-*****!
I knew the only thing to fix my back issue was going to be to put myself in a less aggressive position. I don't want to be in too much of an upright position, but I don't want to have a tight back either. So, I brought my GURU back to Village and asked them to position my bike half-way between where it was per my former bike and where it was when I bought it. My hope is this compromise in position will be the ticket.
I've only had a chance to ride once since getting it back on Friday. I started to ride and the right arm started to get tight. I didn't panic, I thought I might have to mess with this again after the adjustment. I stopped around 4 miles and started do move the forearm pad. The problem was that the dark cloud containing rain, thunder, and lightning was heading my way and sprinkles were dampening my ride. In my hurried state, I didn't put the pad on the way I wanted, but enough that it would stay put while I hammered home. I got back home without getting wet and I tinkered with it some more. I rode about a quarter of a mile and it seemed better, but I won't know until I go on another legitimate ride. I am optimistic however, that I made the right change and the new position doesn't feel to upright, and my back felt good for the short time I was on it. So, my fingers are crossed. If this works, I will be standing on top of the world...until that is I remember I still have my Achilles issue to deal with. But hey, one issue at a time. Did I mention my wetsuit debacle? Oh, yeah, one issue at a time.
I still love this sport and I'm still enjoying my sorted journey down The Road to Ironman Louisville.
Peace.
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