MexicanDragon

Re: drop and back issues. From the original picture, I dropped the seat quite a bit. I wound up dropping it a bit too far, as I had to raise it up a bit, but that bit I raised it did a lot of good. I'd love to get a proper fit, but for now, that's not really gonna be in the cards. Maybe one day. The drop I have going now feels really good. Initial impressions are 10mm shorter stem, adjust cleats, ride more. I'm sure the saddle position could be improved, but until I befriend the fit guy and get a crazy deal, I'll have to go by feel. But right now it feels pretty damn good. **BRENT**

Yay Vicki! As for me, I took the first ride today. 10 days since I got the bloody bike before I could ride it (due to rain, being busy, not being manly enough to ride in sleet/snow/3x* weather, like Nate and Chris). I <3 clipless pedals, I forgot how much better they are (for me). I got out for about an hour, and rode about 40 minutes of it (stopped for pictures, cleat adjustment, seat adjustment, re-learning clipless pedals with a gimp leg, etc). I rode around the complex (slight hill to the back, then a fun trip down, along with speedbumps). I got my cleats adjusted and headed out on the road. I rode down the 3/4 of a mile to where my kids go to summer camp. There's a longish parking lot with 4 rows of parking, 2 on the sides and 2 in the middle, with islands around the middle ones. I worked on cornering and just getting a feel for the road again. I did a ton of down and backs, just getting used to it. The bike just flies. The frame, even though it's no name carbon, seems to be pretty nice. It was pretty smooth, yet still perfectly responsive. I could feel the pavement underneath me well, but it wasn't muted, just... had the volume turned down. I had a lot of fun for the short amount of time I got in today. I really want to keep track of how far I ride, and I didn't think to set an app on my phone til I got home, but I'm diggin' this, and can't wait to do more. **BRENT**

I am not amused. That's it, no more cancelations! Deepak, I'm disappointed. 2014 better see at least one kick ass bike and one trip you have to fly to! Jim, you'll be missed. You all will. We'll have fun without you, and we'll be sure to rub your noses in it **BRENT**

Subscribed. I like those, Jeff. Wrll played, Al. **BRENT**

Does any else REALLY want to see a video of Nate saying/performing this? **BRENT**

And CanLanta, yay! **BRENT**

Oh, shirts. XXL probably for me as well, thanks trav. **BRENT**

Fun will be had. I already have a buddy with a flat bar bike who is wanting someone to ride with. Maybe I'll find a good route to eventually ride out to meet him. Hoping to get get Zoë riding too. She's been kinda scared, but hoping this is the year. **BRENT**

Long post accidentally deleted. I get to start over. 2013 Goals Weight: I'm way too big, and I'm wanting to drop about 40-50 pounds by the end of 2013. Should I do more? Yes. But I think this is actually doable. If I shot for 100 (which would be great), I don't think I could commit to what it would take. 40-50? I think I can do it. Miles: I'm going to be slow, and I don't have a computer/good phone app yet, but I want to try to do 750-1000 this year. I figure 1.5-2 hours/wk at my probable old-man pace (not Mike old-man, but normal old-man) will be enough to get in that number, if it's on the road. I'll do some mtn biking too, which I love, but it beats me up a good bit, and I'm hoping road miles are gonna be easier. Group rides: I've got to get out and meet people to ride with, or I just won't do it enough. I used to know some people from the local bike club, and I was at my LBS today and they have a Sunday group ride, fast and slow groups. I need to get on that. I also want to do either a charity ride, or something like that, by the end of the year. There was one that looked good that happened last year, later in the year, so I'll be on the lookout for that. HC Bike Meet: It needs to happen, and I wanna do it. Hopefully I'll be in decent enough shape that I won't hold everyone up like last time. I hurt my back a couple years ago, and had surgery about 18 months ago. I still have a ton of nerve damage and my right ankle is still really weak. Not that I was ever a runner, but I can't run more than 15-20 seconds at a slow pace before I have to stop. Cycling is something I've been really into in the past, and I'm really looking forward to giving road riding another shot, for both health reasons and to build up strength/endurance for mtn biking, which I've been into since 98, on and off. The kids are at their grandmother's this week for spring break, so I'll have a bit more time to kick things off for the year. It's shit weather + supposed to be snowing, but I'll get out at least a little while this week. I'm looking forward to this. **BRENT**

Here's a little bit of a race of a friend of a friend. Nate, Chris, Mike, Jeff, JP... anyone know what gear he's using? Why aren't you guys posting this yet? **BRENT**

I know colin likes it, but he's, well... you know. You should have the game. Load it up, I'm going to take a nap. **BRENT**

L4D2 blows more goats than colin. I'm sure there is someone that doesn't have it, but we've been playing daily again. It's cheap right now, you said something first, so it's yours. If you're not there, though, we will hunt you down, IRL, and end you. **BRENT**

Hmmm... maybe it said you'd PLAYED it, a demo, perhaps? Meh. If you wanna play, LMK and my last copy is yours. **BRENT**

It said it in one thing. If not, you will soon. (After you buy it.) **BRENT**

I bought a 4 pack. Already sent one to DQ and (Dammit, Colin, to most). I have one left. Gram(Scrake), fitz, DP, DQ, , and I have it at this point (along with nucks, of course). Duel to the death for the last one? **BRENT**

I do like spice.. life? Meh. **BRENT**

But... but... KF? **BRENT**

Grrr. Weather was supposed to be crap today but decent tomorrow. Now it's steady rain and cold through Monday. I don't even have all my dry riding kit, much less wet weather gear. **BRENT**

Want. **BRENT**

Thanks Chris. Yeah, I just got things installed, not adjusted at all. I REALLY wish I had a stand, trying to hold everything together once my helper left was a bit tough. Really cold and rainy soon, and as I haven't been on a road bike in a while, not the the inaugural conditions I was hoping for. **BRENT**

Oh, wheels are Shimano R500. **BRENT**

If you're talking to me, it's supposed to be a 12-25 105 cassette. I live in a hilly/small mountain area, but I don't plan on pointing skyward very much for a while. **BRENT**

Heh. That's just how I had it installed, liked the look for the pix, but I don't even have pedals installed yet. This weekend, I'll get something worked out. I'd love to have the drop like that, though. **BRENT**

Colin has 626 hours and STILL sucks. Great, no? **BRENT**

I pulled in to a big box on the porch. Gotta open the box Best. Helper. Ever. Well, he's cute, anyways. Was trying to build before the sun went down... so didn't take pix of the in-between stuff, but when she was done. So, I haven't installed pedals or taken it for a spin yet, but I need to upgrade the Front D, shifters, wheels, saddle, seatpost, stem, bar, brake pads (ok, brakes), Rear D, and paint. Oh, and crank and chain, oh, and tyres. The d-_-b way, no? Of course, I'm busy from 8am-9:30pm tomorrow, and it's raining until Sunday, but I already have a Sunday ride planned with a buddy. Can't wait to get out there! **BRENT**