Try as he did, Beets could not drag slocolnago out. The planets just did not align for a trip to e-ville this weekend. Ramona was eternally greatful, she's had a brutal week and the weekend was packed with kid's stuff.

The down pour let up Saturday afternoon so I squeezed in 75 km at 25 kph. No stopping at all, one power bar on the go ( "a la mussette") 17 C and very windy. Did a bunch of hill repeats, about 600 m of climbing. I had way more energy that I've had all spring. It must be the warmer temperatures, cycling in the cold rain is exhausting.

Or, maybe it's the cool new wheels, bars and stem !! To be truthfull, the wheels feel fantastic, very stiff and responsive, but quite comfortable. I had to choose between Ti cogs at 13/23 or 12/23, or steel cogs at 13/26. I went for the steel 13/26. So, I will have 36/26 climbing gear for the Cols (about 38.5 "). I did 10 climbs without using the small chain ring at all, the 26 is a dream.

The new cassette also shifts much more smoothly, it is a Record with the fancy side cuts that help the chain ride up onto a bigger cog, etc.

The bike now weighs in at 19.9 lbs "neat"; 21 lbs. with pump, 2 bottles (empty), tools and spare tubular. Not bad for a steel bike. A guy (MAJOR weenie) was picking up his new C 50 when I was in picking up mine. Not a speck of steel or aluminum on the bike, all Ti and carbon fibre. It is a 62 cm frame and it weighed in at 16.9 lbs !! See, $14,000 can save you all of 3 lb ! They have a 52 cm C 40 in stock, $5,000 for the frame, stripped. Hmmmm, better warm HQ up to that one first.

Slocolnago