The rubber to the road...

[Rawhead]

After much thought (and persuasion from Bski) I decided to buy a road bike. Here are the specs:

2001 Felt F45
Shimano Ultegra Front and Rear Derailleur
Shimano Ultegra Shifters
Shimano Ultegra Crank
Shimano 105 Brakes
Easton Vista SL Wheels
Serfas Acuna Seat

Cost: $350!

And of course... you gotta have a pic! (note: the pic was taken before flipping the stem)


Special thanks to the fine folks over at Switchback Cyclery for flipping the stem for a better fit (have I mentioned this place is awesome?) and to Bski for going above and beyond assisting me setting up everything else to make it comfortable!

I can't wait to take it for a decent length ride.

[xhuskr]

nice intro to road riding!

[BSki]

Welcome to the dark side. The speed can be addicting. Its definatly different than the mntb bike.

Oh, and you failed at your pic.

[Endo Verendo]

Killer deal. congrats!

[Pain Freak]

Awesome deal and great entry bike. I love road riding and we do long distance a lot. Most of our training rides are 100+ miles. It takes a while to get up to that level though. We are riding from Murietta to Long Beach and back on Saturday (140 miles). We have people jumping into the ride along the way at different points. You're welcome to join us for a while if you'd like. We take a lot of the Santa Ana River Trail, so people can come in and go out at any point they'd like.

[biglimey]

As much as I hate to say it, that's a kick ass bike!

[allison]

That's bitchin. I dig the green!!

[Jman]

Not to hijack the thread but how do you get from Murrieta to the Santa Ana River section?

One last question what's the mileage from the begining of the Santa Ana River route to the end and back? I heard 100 miles round trip but not sure if that's accurate.

Also, very nice bike. I got a road bike a few months back and it totally changed my participation in the biking hobby and re-ignited my passion for bikes. It'll boost your strength and stamina and you'll totally see a difference when you get on the mtn bike!
Congrats

[Waldo]

Cool bike. I hope to find a deal like that one of these days.

[rjcornelia]

damn i thought this was a for sale thread!!! shame. have fun with that, looks real nice!

[SheDevil]

Originally Posted by Pain Freak

Awesome deal and great entry bike. I love road riding and we do long distance a lot. Most of our training rides are 100+ miles. It takes a while to get up to that level though. We are riding from Murietta to Long Beach and back on Saturday (140 miles). We have people jumping into the ride along the way at different points. You're welcome to join us for a while if you'd like. We take a lot of the Santa Ana River Trail, so people can come in and go out at any point they'd like.

I might do a little hop and drop on this ride.... if you're going to LB do you head toward HB/NB on the river trail or do you cut out before that???

Oh and good deal on the bike...however don't choose painfreak to ride with first.... trust me on this one.

[Pain Freak]

We take SART all the way to the coast then head north.

[SheDevil]

I'm picturing hop in at Orange....lounge on the sand in HB whilst ya'll ride to LB....hop back in on your way back. Beauty **Snicker** Still makes it 25 miles for me.

Music in the background **somewhere between margaritaville and "if you like pina coladas"**


PS there is an Adventure Expo in LB this weekend???? Anyone know of it?

http://www.adventureexpo.com/

[Rawhead]

Thanks for the invite to the ride! I don't think I'll be ready for a longer ride just yet, but I plan on riding it to work as often as I can. I rode it to work today in an attempt to become more familiar with the feel of the bike (SO much different then my full squish Mt. Bike!). I hope to ride it down the Santa Ana river trail to the beach soon! Maybe I'll hop in and join you in a few weeks

[BSki]

SheDevil: I like your way of thinking when it comes to riding

Painfreak: You sir, are a freak. Anything over 80 miles training I dont quite grasp the concept. You training for a double?

JMan: PCH up sart to the end is about 35 miles (depending if you go through the campgrounds)

Raw, remember now that you have a road bike, while on the road bike, this is very very important to understand this little secret, never say hello to anyone on a Mountain Bike. Never say "On your left" when passing them. If you get caught at a stoplight with a Mnt biker and they greet you, scoff at them and tell them to go hug a tree and to stop hogging your bike lane.

[lkn2ryd]

BSki is right. Don't forget to shave your legs and arms. You really shouldn't even acknowledge other road bike riders...especially if they have casual jerseys on, like, "Rosarito to Ensenada", anything "Pale Ale", riding for any type of "Cure". Remember sunblock - makes your legs shinny. Mirrored sunglasses...and never, ever, look like you are gassed. Road riding - THE DARKSIDE, but helluva fun.

If you are smaller than Mike "Pain Freak", riding with him could be fun, get in his draft and eat a sandwich.

[bjammin]

Originally Posted by lkn2ryd

BSki is right. Don't forget to shave your legs and arms. You really shouldn't even acknowledge other road bike riders...especially if they have casual jerseys on, like, "Rosarito to Ensenada", anything "Pale Ale", riding for any type of "Cure". Remember sunblock - makes your legs shinny. Mirrored sunglasses...and never, ever, look like you are gassed. Road riding - THE DARKSIDE, but helluva fun.

If you are smaller than Mike "Pain Freak", riding with him could be fun, get in his draft and eat a sandwich.

All too true!