summer's back 😑

Temps in the mid-80's, unholy humidity and lots of headwind made for a long slow day on the bike. 

Paris Roubaix, final 100km

 

Via Strava

fall riding

 The best time of the year for riding in Minnesota, in my opinion. 

bad blood 😑

 

Blood test results from last week. As you can see, my numbers were never particularly great even before I got sick last summer. Six rounds of R-CHOP chemotherapy and 18 rounds of radiation did not help matters much.

Don't get me wrong. Every ride has been wonderful this year, but it has been a bit annoying seeing my riding buddies continue to gain fitness over the summer while I am stuck in slow mode. It would be great to get at least back into the normal range, but I am being patient as I have absolutely no control of this situation.

We’ll see how thing look in the spring and I will plan on getting dropped on the climbs until then.

Paris Roubaix training

I'll be ready when the time comes.

2004 Time VX Special Pro

This bike had been consigned to the trainer a number of years ago but with the failure of my 2010 Ridley Helium I decided to see if this one could get back on the road. I cleaned it up and had it fully inspected to assure there were no surprises. I had the Ultegra 6800 group moved over from the Ridley and have taken it for some rides outside for the first time in over a decade.

I had forgotten how nice these Time bikes ride. Responsive but in no way a harsh ride. My only real knock on this thing is that it was made in the days before wide rims and tires were a thing so the widest tire I can get on the rear wheel is a 25mm. 

I worked for Time for 8 years and spent a number of years talking about Resin Transfer Molding, Vectran fibers and how Time was unique in their ability to tune a frame for the perfect ride. It's really a shame that this bike spend so many years inside.

I'll try and make up for it now.

Saboo Takaki

 

Saboo is an inspiration. WTB has a profile on their website and it's worth your time to read it.