Archive for the 'cycling' Category

Tomorrow is my first cycling race. Ever. In elementary, middle and high school I competed in a number of team and individual sports – but that was many moons ago. The adrenaline rushing through my system is making me a bit twitchy. In a good way. I’m really excited about this new challenge.

From the official site:

If the idea of bicycle road racing on narrow, winding roads in uncertain weather and historic settings makes you think of Europe, think again and get ready for the Tour of Bronte in Oakville.

Taking place in Bronte Creek Provincial Park in Oakville, Ontario, the race circuit is a mix of smooth and not so smooth paved and unpaved winding, narrow roads. It evokes the feel of the historic classic races in northern Europe and modern ProTour retro classics like the Monte Paschi Eroica in Tuscany.

What makes it unique? only 20 minutes from downtown Toronto • closed road circuit (no yellow line rule, ever) • half of the course is unpaved • $5000+ prize list • events for the bike racing neophyte all the way up to and including elite amateur and professional riders • a ton of family friendly activities to complete the day • children’s farm, playbarn, century farms and walking trails add to the family friendly atmosphere

On April 10, come ride, or watch, what is sure to be one of the most interesting races in Canada in 2011.

I’ve been chatting with some other riders on our team (any UCI/OCa folks who read this should note that we are not an official team for this race as the team has not yet been registered) about what bike to ride, and what wheels/tires. It sounds like many riders in this event ride their road bikes – much like they do in the famed Paris-Roubaix Hell Of The North race that is taking place on the same day in France. I’m not sure that I want to take my carbon fibre dream machine on these unpaved and gravel roads – especially as there is a chance of thundershowers! Unlike the pro teams I don’t have a sponsor ready to give me a new bike for every race! I’m going to ride my Litespeed CX with Continental 28mm Gatorskin tires on Zipp 404SE wheels. I just got 3T Ergonova bars (400mm) and a 3T stem installed so I’m ready to rock. This is the same setup I’ll ride next week for Paris To Ancaster, except I’ll swap the Gatorskins for 34mm Specialized Captain CX tires. (I’m documenting my plan here so I can make notes on how the gear performed, and determine any changes for future events.)

As for race strategy – ride faster than the other riders! This is my first race and I have no idea where my skill and fitness is compared to other riders. I’ve only been on the road twice with other riders this season – and although I was far and away the fastest in those groups, the other riders were out for their first rides of the season, with minimal off-season training…

Wish me luck – or better yet, come out and support cycling in Ontario!

In late January I was bitten by the bug to get a new bicycle. I love riding and get out every chance I get – a quick 15k or a hard century – it makes no difference to me. I love the speed, the total focus required, the camaraderie, the tech and the toys. Two summers ago my cycling addiction took us to France to see Le Tour in person. And for me to ride some of the famous climbs like Alpe d’Huez.

Accepting the fact that I’d be getting a new ride this season it was time to decide on what bike was for me. Should I get a Cervélo R3? They’re sexy, and Canadian, and highly regarded. Or perhaps stick with Specialized and get a Tarmac SL3? An upgrade to the Tarmac I currently ride. Or something more a little more exotic like a Pinarello or Willier?

While all of these bikes are terrific none of them really made me want them. And the staff at the stores I visited/contacted didn’t do anything to change this (aside from the guys at Gears… but the bike still didn’t do it.) This changed when I checked out Vitess – a new manufacturer of performance road bikes with a showroom located in my ‘hood of South Etobicoke.

I exchanged a number of emails with Julien (the founder and face of Vitess) and learned a lot about the company and their plans before ever visiting the showroom and seeing the product in person. But once inside the showroom the decision was pretty much made that this would be my new bike. Their bikes are definitely not flashy – not covered in graphics with wicked paint schemes. But they look good. And fast. Just what I wanted.

A few weeks later my bike arrived and we scheduled my fitting session – a three-hour intensive session conducted by Fitt 1st at the Vitess showroom – where every part of the bike is adjusted and tweaked to ensure the perfect fit. During my session it was discovered that I need a narrower handlebar than originally thought, and than what I ordered. Not a problem! Julien swapped out the ordered bar with a bar of the correct width and ordered in the carbon bar I originally ordered at the correct size. The next week I returned and we made the swap again – adjusting the fit perfectly before sending me on my way.

With the last six bike purchases none of the stores ever followed up with me to see how I was enjoying my purchase; to see if I had any questions or needed to make any changes. Vitess did – and have stayed true to their commitment of being rider-centric in all aspects of their operation.

Now… regardless of the customer service and rider-focus the bike needs to be a star on the road – and it is. From the minute I got on the saddle and clipped in I new that this was going to be a fun season of riding. And through the first two-plus months of riding this has proved true. After the first 500k of riding here are my thoughts on this terrific bicycle:

• I’m fast. Noticeably faster than previous years. Subtracting the placebo effect of thinking I’m faster because of my new bike, I’m still faster. And my riding partners have all taken note.

• The bike is much stiffer than my Tarmac. This is most noticeable when I switch get out of the saddle and hammer it for a sprint.

• The fit is perfect. I’ve had my previous bikes fit to me but not like this. My comfort level is much higher than I thought possible on a high performance bike – and my endurance is better as my body doesn’t fatigue from holding a position.

Don’t mistake me for some errant fanboy – I like this bike but I’m not blindly tossing out compliments and ignoring the shortcomings… it’s just that for me, there aren’t any. I’ve ridden this bike harder and faster than my previous bikes and it has performed when the others have failed. The only comparison I haven’t made yet is on the roads of France… but trust me I am working on convincing Leah that we should go again!

If you’re in the market for a high performance road bike be sure to give Vitess a call!

I want a new road bike. And I’m slowing convincing myself that I need it.

Vitess – A new manufacturer of high end road bikes recently opened a showroom in our neighbourhood and they’ve got me wanting. Bad. So what’s a guy to do? Have a garage sale!

I’m selling the following goodies:
Bike: Specialized Tarmac Expert: $2700.
Camera Lens: Sigma 18-50mm f2.8 EX DC Macro HSM for Nikon: $450.
Audio Gear: Church Audio CA-14 Omni + CA-14 Cardioid mics and a custom four channel battery box: $550.
Speakers: PSB Image 2B pair: $200.
CD Player: Yamaha CDC-675 5-disc changer: $125.
PlayStation2: PS2, Two controllers, Two memory cards, Madden 2004, The Getaway, Medal Of Honor Frontline, NFL Street ,Max Payne, NHL 2003, Gran Turismo 3 A-Spec ,Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2003 ,Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3, Metal Gear Solid 2 (Sons Of Liberty), NBA Street Volume 2: $120.

The “second” annual Toronto Criterium takes to the streets of St. Lawrence Market this Friday starting at 4pm. Get there early, and stay late to catch all the great cycling action! Leah and I are heading down right after work. I hope to try out my new lens and get some sweet action shots.