Down and Out

Not me - my bike. It's down from the rafters and out the door. (But it might be going back up again if it snows!) I have already bagged two rides on my two wheeled road friend and boy, it feels fast - especially after a winter season on the mountain bike.

I have a 2005 Trek Madone 5.9, which I've modified a little to make it faster - well, it does when I go above 20mph! I've got some slick Bonty aero wheels and carbon aerobars, as I had planned on doing a couple of triathlons this year - it looks the business. I love the aerobars - it's the first time I've ever used them and it's great to have another position on the bike; I love the tuck. I don't have enough confidence to use them all the time yet though and they can get a bit hairy when I go over bumps! My plan is to train with the heavier componentry until June, when I'll ditch the aerobars and get some lighter wheels to make climbing easier. Hopefully this should make me faster and lighter up the hills of the dreaded 'Dragon Ride'.

With only 9 weeks to go, I've got to step up my training quite a bit in the next few weeks. I'm up to rides of about 1hour30mins but I know the ride will take me well over 5 hours. Got to put in the miles or there will be no smiles :) (Strangely, I don't think I'll be smiling at the end of the Dragon Ride....)

The Time Machine

Who says ‘it’s not about the bike’? After a weekend’s riding my Trek 9 Series at a favourite trail centre in South Wales, I have to disagree.

My husband and I were mountain-biking in Afan Forest last weekend. I wanted to try my carbon fibre race machine on more challenging off-road trails than offered by the Kentish countryside; and, because it was my birthday, I chose where we went.

Saturday’s ride was a wash-out; literally. It rained and rained and rained. But the weather could not dampen my enthusiasm to test my bike. Our first ride was Cwm Carn’s Twrch Trail and within a few minutes of riding … wow! I realised how fantastic a carbon fibre bike was going to be at climbing. It made me feel awesome: it was nimble, quick and light. Riding this bike was no effort at all, despite the horrendous weather and the loss of brake pads (my fault). And, I completed one lap faster than I have ridden that course before. This bike was fast!

We rode my all time favourite trail on Sunday: Skyline. This course begins with a long and gruelling climb from the trail centre. However, this bike took the ‘gruelling’ and the ‘long’ out of the climb and we were climbing comfortably and enthusiastically.

It wasn’t just the climbs where I knew time was being saved but technically too. This bike did as I told it.

I never thought the material of a bike would affect me. However, I can fully empathise with carbon converts: what fantastic bikes they ride. I really can’t wait to see how well this bike performs on the race scene which is all about quick times; I’m so excited and if it wasn’t snowing right now … !

Measure for Measure

Four years and 10 months ago, the penultimate instalment of my student loan was used to buy my first ever mountain bike. It was a Trek 8000 WSD in white and silver.

I hadn't ever had a mountain bike before and therefore had never considered the importance and the effects of bike set-up. As far as I was concerned, provided I could reach the pedals and could touch the ground while sat on the saddle, what else mattered? However, the local shop (and, of course, the husband) did advise me. And, over the following year(s), I took their advice as essential: forgetting one thing, they were all men.

You see, there is a reason for a WSD. Us girlies generally have smaller hands, narrower shoulders, smaller frames and our main centre of gravity is generally sat on the saddle. It has taken me four years to realise this! And, it is owing to my confidence in other women mountain bikers that I realise this: my coach and watching 'competitors' at the Champery World Cup last year. We do sit differently; we do ride differently; and, I shouldn't be trying to mimic my husband's bike set-up for a more 'racier' experience!

This week, I received this season's racing bike: a sophisticated, gun-metal coloured, carbon-fibre machine. And, this week, I used a tape and a level to measure it up to my WSD. 

It fits perfectly!

I have three weeks now to get myself up to my bike's readiness. For once, bike set-up seems easy ;)

Stocking Fillers Aplenty.....

With Christmas well and truly upon us, it's time to consider what to give our nearest and dearest. If your man, Dad or Mum, Grandad or Grandma, son or daughter loves cycling then it won't be too difficult to find an appropriate little stocking filling number amongst these handy Trek goodies:

Trek Beacon Road Bar End and Trek Beacon ATB Bar End are a must for all cyclists at this time of year. These handy beacon lights fit inside road or mountain bike handlebars for additional, simple, out-of-the way safety lighting and they look really cool too! Great for the commuter, enthusiast or kids! (RRP £12.99 for ATB and £11.99 for road.)

Wrench Force Pint-Size Pocket Pump is a neat little addition to your cycling accoutrements. Incidentally, the pump got a great 8/10 review in Cycling Weekly recently; “If you want lightweight and no bulk, then the Pint Size is excellent. For such a small pump the amount of air it exhales is excellent.” So size really doesn’t matter! At only 6.75inches and weighing a mere 85grams, it’s perfect for your jersey pocket and anybody’s Christmas stocking. (RRP £19.99)

Trek Incite 8i and 9i Wireless Computers. If you want to track any piece of your cycling performance, you'll need a computer. Look no further! Featuring high resolution colour screens for outstanding readability and aesthetics, auto-start/stop, new aero magnet and new Speed Trap technology which allows you to put a wireless sensor directly into the fork leg itself, the result is a pretty neat stocking filler. (RRP £29.99 and £24.99 respectively)

Pedros Green Fizz is an earth-friendly foaming bike wash developed to work on the entire bike. With special foaming action, the surfactants of Green Fizz coat the bike and help wash away all the troubles from the toughest of rides. Pedro's created this product for use in the sloppiest of conditions without harming the flora or fauna. Green Fizz can be used with or without water. We’ve stocked up so make sure it fizzes into your order bucket! (RRP £4.99/470ml spray and £8.99/1 litre spray)

Waterbottle Soft Shell Pack. This pack is designed to make your life easier and is all about function and easy access. Basically it’s a pack that holds its shape empty or full and handily fits into your water bottle cage – use it for inner tubes, snacks, mobile phone – whatever you like….and it’s right there in front of you. (RRP£14.99)

Don't delay, get down to your local Trek dealer today where you'll find these and other stocking fillers aplenty!!

Welcome to SheSpoke

OK. We'll be transitioning from our newsletter to this blog, and we'll be posting real soon.  In the mean time, be sure and explore the new Trek Web Site.

Cheers!