I decided earlier this year that I was going to try my first triathlon before the end of the 2009 season. With the exception of a few leisurely jaunts on my mountain bike, I have not been on a road bike since I was 17 years old. And even then that was on a Schwinn 10 speed with the fat tires.
So last month, I purchased an actual road bike from my friend Justin (@Mangorunner) because he had moved onto bigger and better things when he bought his new Cervélo Tri-bike. I got his old Fuji Roubaix SL road bike. I say old, but it has a brand new frame and carbon forks. He was also nice enough to throw in a racing saddle and aero bars.
I went out for two test rides mainly just to tune the deraileurs and to see if the seat height was positioned correctly. I rode it in my running shorts and after just 14 miles I was convinced that the seat (saddle) on this bike was some sort of sick joke. My a$$ hurt in places that I didn’t even know existed and I was concerned for a short period of time that my plumbing might never work again. What’s worse is that when I rode the thing I looked like a complete freakin’ idiot. Seriously, anyone driving by me would’ve thought that I was drunk given the amount of weaving and swerving that I was doing. I tried to follow the white line on the side of the road, but it was all I could to not go off the road sometimes. Just when I thought it couldn’t get any worse, I attempted to drink from my water bottle while riding. Holy Cow!
I don't look much better
I needed a plan. I did some research on the internets and bought some appropriate cycling attire. I bought a pair of cycling shorts with a nice thick chamois (pssst - check out Aevero - if your order a pair of shorts, $29, they’ll throw in a free cycling jersey).
I don’t care if it feels like I’m wearing a diaper, I can at least walk after getting off the saddle now and I’m no longer fearful for the safety of my plumbing. So that solved one problem, but not the main one. What about my attrocious bike handling skills? That is going to take time and practice. I went out two days ago for a 20+ mile ride and my line was a little straighter. I also didn’t feel like I was taking my life in my own hands each time I reached for the water bottle.
About the only excitement I had on the entire ride was when this one jackass in a red Saturn decided it would be really funny to swerve in front of me in the break down lane and laugh about it. To you I say, red Saturn with Mass tags 54Z P99 - F you! Your sense of humor sucks.
Here is my course and elevation profile for Tuesday’s ride. I averaged 16.68mph on this ride. That’s not great, but it’s not too terrible for a newbie who just lost his training wheels. I have a long way to go!!!
Anyone who has any advice or can direct me to online resources, your help is greatly appreciated. The first step is admitting you need help. I need help.
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