I wanted make a few quick comments on test riding my new Pinarello. This was a long-awaited event, but I needed a new stem to replace the lesser quality part that came with the bicycle. When the machine arrived, partially disassembled in its box a few weeks ago, I didn’t want to put the stem and handlebars together just to have to take them apart again and re-assemble, so I waited patiently for the mailman. The stem finally arrived Tuesday, and I worked on the positioning of the seat and bars yesterday in anticipation of the warmer weather for a ride with Sue this afternoon.
Unfortunately today’s extreme wind prevented me from getting a true sense of the bike’s performance. The lightness of the frame was immediately evident, but it was more of a case of feeling like a leaf being blown all over the road. Trying to hold a decent line was extremely challenging with a 40 mph “breeze” (according to the radio weatherperson) smacking into me as I rode out to meet Sue on the Schuylkill Trail. She was looking to get a long, flat ride in after several consecutive days of running and swimming during her triathlon training. The wind, however, made it feel like a continual climb, swirling and gusting just off the right shoulder on the way out, and not really giving us a true tailwind on the way back either.
I did find out that the ergonomic saddle that came with the bike may not fit my ergonomics! Butt-bone soreness set in very early, which is highly unusual for me. I may want to find a saddle similar to one from my other bikes. I also discovered that my fitness is decent on the flats, due to the windtrainer workouts this winter (ooh, alliteration), but the climbs may be a different story. Again, the wind rendered any information gathered on the hilly route over to Phoenixville useless. This was the shortest “offseason” I’ve ever had, and I’m hoping not to have such a struggle to return to top form this year!
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