Two more days

So, I guess I didn't get around to writing those posts I promised. Oops.

The last weekend before I started "tapering" didn't go well. The ride out to Bute on Friday was informative, telling me that I certainly didn't want to be using tri bars without putting in some serious time with them, and sorting out my position a lot better than I had. Unfortunately, I didn't recover, and the weather went downhill fast - unlike me. The 10 mile TT on Saturday was just an embarrassment, being completely unable to even raise my heart rate. The climbing session through the rain on Sunday was no better - I was just shattered.

Now, after almost two weeks off the bike, with only brief spins in the gym or on my tourer to keep the legs moving, I can't wait for Sunday. The bike's been scrubbed from brake levers to dropouts; every part that can sparkle, sparkles; anything that can gleam, gleams. I've put a couple of kilos back on, but I kinda expected that as I replenished my energy stocks. Hopefully it won't make that much of a difference.

Might as well give a breakdown of where things stand, then. More for posterity than anything else.

The rider:

Height: 182cm

Weight: 76kg

Threshold Power: ~280W

5 Minute Power: ~400W

Instantaneous Peak Power: Haven't really measured. Over 2000W.

The bike:

Model: Specialized Allez 2009 (58cm)

Weight: 9.5kg (plus 2*750ml water bottles and small saddle bag)

Wheels: Easton EA50 SL

Chainset: Shimano Sora compact (50-34)

Front Derailleur: Shimano Sora

Rear Derailleur: Shimano Tiagra

Cassette: Shimano Ultegra (11-25)

Shifters: Shimano Sora

Brakes: Unnamed

Headset: Cane Creek integrated

Saddle: ?Specialized road comp

Seat post: OEM carbon-wrapped alloy

Tyres: Continental GP 4000 s

Bars: OEM alloy 440mm

Stem: OEM 110mm @ -16 deg

Pedals: Time RXS

Chain: SRAM PC991

That's about all I can think of short of getting a tape measure out, and I can't be bothered with that. So there you go. A mixture of spec that adds up to a bike that isn't exactly light, doesn't have a very low front end, but at least is quite comfortable. This is being ridden by someone who isn't exactly light, doesn't have a huge amount of power, but at least does love riding it.

Good trails!

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