Tuesday, February 22, 2011

My New Hot Wheels! Speed Concept 7.0 WSD

It has been a long time coming, I was due for new bike. As much as I love “Big Red” and all of the great times we have had together, my body needed a break from the cruelties of an aluminum frame. I’m hoping for a big season this year, filled with some longer rides than last, and for that I just really wanted a faster and more efficient racing mate to do it with! So let us just take a moment to remember the good times with Big Red, then I’ll give the spot light over to my new beau! (yes the season’s race schedule is at the bottom… be patient you’ll get there soon!)

Big Red:

longhorn

vegas

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IMG_8610 800 x 533

Those were good times Red, good times…

 

Now to show off the new racing machine…My Speed Concept 7.0wsd (size XS!) I haven’t had my official fitting yet, so there are a few adjustments to be made, but until then here you are:

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You may have noticed that I’ve switched out the crank for the Quark Cinqo power meter! Pretty stoked to be riding with Power! There are days that heart rate and perceived effort just do not line up, and this way I add a third dimension to (hopefully) assist in making the right training decisions!

Another really cool aspect is the cadence sensor is actually built into the bike frame! Along with all the cables being internally routed and the rear breaks are “invisible” as they are hidden away behind the crank and actually built into the frame!

I could not be any happier with this bike so far! It rides so smooth! More importantly I’m sure that you also noticed just how hot cool slick pretty my bike is :) I think one of the first things that came out of my mouth when I brought her home to show off to the Boss was that “if I’m going to be racing on a pink bike… I better be throwing down some damn fast bike splits!” He replied of course with a quick chuckle, hands on hips, and a “yup”.

Speaking of racing around, if you’ll allow me to take your attention off the bike, and we’ll talk race schedules! Let me know if you’re going to be racing/ participating/ or cheering at any of these events, I’d love to say hi!

March 26th: National Half Marathon- I was originally hoping to go sub 1:25:00 buuuut did I mention that I caught the Whooping Cough back in December/January? Yeah, it can take up to 3 months to fully recover from whooping cough, I was about 5 weeks! Training took a dive, and I’m still kind of feeling it. The goal now is more to “see what you can do”, with no exact time in mind.

April 16th: Rumpass in Bumpass International Distance- I’ve raced this course twice now, the second time being the 3rd race in 3 weeks. I was “told” if I had raced that second time having actually recovered from the last two grueling weekends I would have shaved at least 8-10 minutes from my time…Sheeet, just three minutes off my time would have put me in the overall winner circle. So I’m hoping for around a 2:15ish time. But to be very very honest, I’d be really happy if I just managed to NOT swim an extra 500yds than everyone else :)

May 22nd: Escape from Fort Delaware- This is a new race course for me, and I’m really just using it as a last warm-up to the “A” Race in June!

May 28th: Good God, I know my Coach is going to make me do it so I might as well put it on here… The Jim McDonald 2mile swim. This annual race reminds me each year why it is that an Ironman competition is not in the near future… why do I dread 2 miles open water so badly?

June 11th: This is IT! Boise Ironman 70.3… I’d really like to take this race by storm! I’m looking to go 4:45-4:50, and looking to be in the tops of my age group/ overall. Those are big fighting words, I know, but sometimes you just have to say your goals out loud to achieve them!

July 2nd: Well I think this dash only lasts about 15yds or so, and my big poofy dress isn’t as aerodynamic as I’m used to!

September 11th: If all goes well at Boise 70.3 I’m hoping to qualify for this one and just enjoy the experience in Vegas!

October- November… who knows. I have a lot riding on June, and I guess I’ll have to make changes if necessary!

 

I hope everyone’s training hard and rewarding themselves with cupcakes!

14 comments:

Mike said... Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

Very nice! All of those bikes I've seen at the shop are sick! Best of luck with your training and season!

Lauren said... Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

That bike is awesome! I was looking at that one as well, but sadly it was way out of my price range..so I went with the 2011 Quintana Roo Duclce...which is black and pink...bad ass yet so pretty :)

I am doing the shamrock full as well as Rumpass. Ill make sure I say hello if I see you!

Christi said... Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

Sweet bike!

Lauren said... Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

I also wanted to ask you or The Boss about aero bars! I raced last season on a rode bike and just got my tri bike about a month ago. Did it take some getting used to for you to be in the aero position for a long time? Ive taken my bike around hains point several times and its getting easier but it is still a challenge to stay on those bars for more than 3 miles at a time!

Lesser is More said... Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

That's a sweet ride you've got there! I'll be spectating for a whole bunch of people in my training program at National, so I'll be on the lookout for you. I'm also hoping to be officiating at most of the local tris as well (still waiting on assignments), so between the 2 of you, I'm sure we'll get to meet up at one of them.

Best of luck with the training and getting over the cough - oddly enough, that seems to be going around, because you're not the only one I know recovering from it.

Molly said... Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

Very very pretty new bike!!! You're going to kick some butt this year!

jenez_world said... Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

i cant help myself but i think you need a pink helmet to match your bike ! a girl has to co-ordinate !

Tami said... Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

nice! now, if we could lay off the cupcakes and blueberries muffins and get this snow and cold weather away we can enjoy our new bikes!

Bobbie said... Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

Lauren- If I could have only recorded the conversation between myself and my coach when he found out that I was only "partly/ minimally" training in aero! I guess the big question is are you only able to stay down in areo for that long because of nervousness or because of fatigue/discomfort? Flexibility is a big player for stamina in Aero. For me it was getting the guts to stay in aero. Now that I'm past the nerves, I can do 70miles in aero...and actually prefer to!

Lesser- I look forward to seeing you around the races!

Jenez- You have totally read my mind!

bmatt said... Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

That Whooping cough is some terrible crap. I had it last winter and all I can say is that hope I never get it again. Waking up in the middle of the night coughing my lungs out stinks. Hope your over it.

Jayne said... Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

Julia will LOVE your new bike when I show her the pictures - though hers is pinker. And has sparkly streamer things from the handlebars. Congrats!!

Danielle in Iowa in Ireland said... Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

Ooh! Pretty! But yes, you do have to be fast.

In the first photo, I thought the longhorn was tied to your bike (I didn't see the stake). I thought "Dang, that girl is brave!"

Carly said... Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

BEAUTIFUL bike!
I too am a triathlete + closet baker, also new to your blog. Can't wait to learn more about what you do :)

Beth said... Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

I'm just starting to look at tri bikes and this exact bike is at the top of my list. How are you liking it now that you've gone a whole season on it?

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