I started riding in 2006 and rode with the Ascent Cycling on their Saturday morning ride midway through July 2007. At first (about a ½ mile) I thought the pace was too slow, but I soon learned about altitude and the puking associated with climbing (dry heaves are the best!!!); Florida and the Virginia coast where I moved from don’t have altitude… or hills. After a while I started to get to know the group and quickly learned to put my turtle shell on under my jersey. Nothing… I mean NOTHING is out of bounds at Ascent. I could’ve stayed in the Navy and been harassed less – really! But, that is what makes them so much fun. So, I put forward a few rules.
Rule #1 - Show no fear… EVER!! It’ll just hurt.
Rule #2 - Never ever leave yourself open. If you do… don’t acknowledge it!
Rule #3 - Never share anything personal… Just trust me on this.
Rule #4 - Pat does all the work, Clay just sits at the computer… Accept this fact.
Rule #5 - Abi looks innocent… They’ve taught her well, again trust me on this!
Rule #6 – V looks innocent too… Refer to rule #5.
I’ll think of more rules in my next blog, but you get the picture.
So there we were (inverted on an uphill) riding along when Pat rides up next to me and says… really loud (because road riders don’t have an ego) “Hey did you know that your bike is the same bike they rent at (an unmentionable bike shop near the Santa Fe Trail). Everyone looks… how embarrassing (That frown from Garfield comes to mind about now). At least I was smart enough to not try a come back. Oh yeah, another rule.
Rule #7 - Comebacks should only be verbalized if your coming from the third rope and you’d better have a second comeback formulating.
If you violate this rule, you’ll be very sorry. It’d be like falling into the piranha filled Amazon River while hemorrhaging. The successive months were quick, sharp, never ending reminders of my “rental” bike. Yet, all was in fun, I think???
Pat did a custom fitting on said “rental” that really helped… my riding, not the harassment.
One day I was in the shop getting several new inner tubes (I swear, it’s a conspiracy by the tube manufacturers) when Pat says (in a professional non-condescending way) “We have a great deal on a new Fuji to replace your rental bike”. I try to act cool and shrug it off, but the bug was planted (Don’t fight the bug, just go with it. This isn’t a rule, but more of a guideline or fact). I get home, call the shop and see what the price is... Not bad. As the Man of the house, I immediately tell my wife that “I’m getting a new bike and that’s all there is to it”. To my surprise she gave me permission. Sweet… I call Pat back, get the bike ordered and what seemed to be 13 years later, when you get the bug nothing goes fast enough (It would have been sooner if Clay actually did any work, that I am sure of) my bike is assembled and ready for fitting. The bike is a 2006 Fuji Team Issue; you know… the one with the WCS “rainbow stripes.” I show the bike to my 16 year-old and all he says is “What’s up with the rainbow stripes”? My wife is all over this like white on rice… It was cruel and unusual punishment even for me. People in the riding group were no less ruthless… until they picked it up; 15.6 pounds will quickly get any riders attention. Upon closer inspection, they see Ritchey WCS Carbon everywhere and a full Dura-Ace groupo.
The difference between an aluminum frame, even with those ridiculous “fartz” inserts and a full carbon frame is astonishing. I couldn’t believe how well carbon soaks up the bumps and buzz yet squirts forward with each peddle stroke. The seat is a Selle Italia SLR that looks thin, but kills road hum, fits my backside and works well with my chamois. Ah, time for another rule.
Rule #8 - A chamois should be in direct contact with your… contact area, and never go cheap on the chamois. Again, trust my personal experience on this.
The first few times I shifted I had to look down at my cassette to make sure the chain was moving. Dura-Ace shifting is so smooth and quick… Dura-Ace (Porsche, whatever)… There is no substitute. This brings me to my last rule for now.
Rule #9 - When Pat and Clay say that your new Dura-Ace brakes stop better than your old brakes… believe them or you might almost crash your new 15 pound carbon road bike (need I say more about the brakes).
Wheels - My Fuji came with Cane Creek Volos wheels and bladed spokes. CCV’s aren’t the lightest most flux capacitor wheels out there, but… compared to my old ALX 290’s, it’s like free horsepower. The CCV’s spin up really quick and just for comparison, I put my old rental bike in top gear, hooked it up to my trainer and spun the rear wheel as fast as possible freewheel style. The wind from the spokes was really strong (maybe a good thing on an indoor trainer with no ventilation). There was virtually no wind from the CCV bladed spokes.
My Fuji Team Issue goes way faster than I can go, but never feels twitchy or out of control. It holds a nice tight line flying through Garden of the Gods and is rock steady on long downhill speed runs at the Air Force Academy. Bottom line: If your not worried about pedigree name brands (S and T), but want great performance, quality and light weight, stop by Ascent Cycling for a Fuji demo, or show up Saturday mornings at 7:30 and ride with us.
P.S.
Pat, Clay,
Thanks for all you do!!
Jimmy
