When I peeked out the window Saturday morning, I was bummed to see a light drizzle. I still had not had a chance to take my new road bike out for an inaugural spin since I bought it on Thursday (they didn’t have the size frame I wanted in stock on Thursday, so I picked it up Friday after work and by then it was too late for a serious ride). Rain won’t keep me from riding, but having never been on a road bike before, I didn’t want to add a slick road to the many factors that conspire to bring my hide into contact with asphalt.
By afternoon, however, the rain had stopped and the roads were dry. So I took my new toy out for a quick 16 mile “get-to-know-ya” ride.
Bottom line: This bike is fast. And it corners like it’s on rails. But I was struck by the fact that the main component of speed is still the engine. No equipment will save me the work of getting up that hill or maintaining a brisk pace. And I wouldn’t want it any other way.
There are definitely some things to get used to. After riding mountain bikes my entire life, my wrists are unaccustomed to those crazy handlebars. It’s not a bad thing; just different, and I need to build some strength in my wrists for the different positions.
Funny, when I got my new mountain bike I thought I should build up some muscles in my wrists for the straight bars.
@Arlyn: do you have bar ends? I find them very helpful when going up hills – they allow me to lean forward a little more to put more weight over the front tire which helps keep it on the ground. It’s also nice to have another hand position for longer rides, and they’re great for “dancing on the handlebars” as they say.