lots more riding

I've been doing alot of riding and haven't taken time to write. I'm feeling good with race day only one week away. My new bike came in and is waiting at the shop in the box, ready to be built. I can't wait! I'm considering some upgrades and I'll comment more on them if I go ahead and get them. Happy Easter

days getting longer = longer rides

I've been getting to do quite a bit of riding over the last week. It has started to get slightly tollerable out and going outside isn't so terrible any more. Race season is less than 2 weeks away with a road race in Washington, PA on April 3. I went to the bike shop over the weekend and decided to test ride some bikes now that it is a bit nicer just to ensure I was getting the right size bike. It turns out I needed a 56cm instead of the 58cm we had ordered. Rich said he would change the order first thing Monday and when he called to change it the 58cm had already been sent. Now it has to be sent back and the other one ordered and it won't be here until the end of April. That is sooooo far away. I guess it won't hurt me to wait. Also, I won't be tempted to ride it and get it all dirty and grimy on these roads that still haven't recovered from a long winter.

Spring break was great! I actually even wrote a paper for micro lab and then found out it wasn't due for 2 more weeks. Then my father and I went for a bike ride. We went 20 miles and it was pretty cold. It was a slow ride but still nice.

It snowed last night. So after a weekend with temperatures in the 50's I was stuck inside on the trainer again today for 20miles. Oh well, I guess spring will be here soon or I'll go crazy, either way it won't be long.

It's a nice day to ride!
I just got back from Indiana and a 40 mile ride this morning. It was really nice outside, 55 degrees. It was very windy, with a tail wind the whole way to Indiana and then riding into the wind the whole way home. The good news is on the way there I felt like I was flying. I stopped at the bike shop and bike is not in yet but I'm more excited everyday. Get out and ride and stop reading this, it's too nice to be indoors today.

More base miles

Today was beautiful. Well, not really but for PA in March it wasn't half bad. Rich keeps telling me about these base miles I need to get in. I rode 45 more base miles today, actually 44.94 if you want to get technical. It was a really nice ride. I tried my new camelbak and hated it. It felt like it was cutting off your breathing the whole time you were wearing it and drinking was also difficult. It is impossible to breathe while sucking water out of this thing and breathing is sort of important when riding a bike. It's probably going back. The only reason I might keep it is to use as a backpack when on the bike. It was nice and aero and once loosened up didn't affect breathing other than when drinking.

Speedplay Zero stainless steel pedals
I got my new Speedplay pedals in the mail today when I got home and just installed them and tried them out. The fit is great on my Shimano shoes. The double sided entry is great and really easy. They feel like they have a really secure lock on your feet once you clip in. It may just be me but I can't really tell much difference between the float on the Speedplay pedals from my old Look style pedals. I do have them set for 7degrees of float so they are pretty similar to my old pedals in that way, the Look's had 6degrees of float. The contact area seems to be as large as the Look's or atleast I can't feel a difference there either. For me the main difference seemed to be the ease of the double sided entry and the cleats are metal on the bottom and don't seem like they will wear as fast as the Look cleats. I've tried the X series and really don't like all of that float, when I stand to pedal or sprint I bounce my heels off of the chain stays.

Students and facility from the Conemaugh SON in Philadlephia at The Promise of Nursing for Pennsylvania Gala

Students from the Conemaugh SON in Philadlephia at The Promise of Nursing for Pennsylvania Gala
On Wednesday we made the trip from Johnstown to Philadelphia. We met at 0815 in Johnstown and then left at 0900. We started with 2 cars following each other and then picked up 2 more cars in Bedford. The trip was long and uneventful. Wink, Wink! It was a great time.

Cannondale Factory
Today Rich, Bob, Mark, and I braved the elements and headed out into the snow to Bedford, PA to tour the Cannondale factory. We ate breakfast at Denny's, yum. Upon arriving at the factory I thought it was sort of odd because it is home to one of the world's largest bike companies but the building has no signs or any markings and could very easily be passed over without a second thought. When we got inside we met with Heidi and she told us who would be giving out tour. We started in the testing and destruction department. We got to see how Cdale tests all of the parts they use and make. We also got to see frame and fork tests along with a frame desturction, which took something like 1600 lbs of pressure. It was also cool to see how your bike flexes under normal pedaling and you don't even notice. Then we started to tour assembly. It was facinating to see this process from the beginning, sheets of metal, through the finished product being shipped out. It is amazing the speed and skill that is used to tack the frames together before they are taken to be welded. Then the welders are probably some of the best in the world. Their welds are extremely smooth, they get sanded afterwords but probably don't need it. I am excited to recieve my new Cdale but scared because although I'm certain the frames are safe now I've seen how thin the aluminum is in some places. It is a wonderful experience and I'm very glad I got to go today. It makes you feel good to know such a high quality product is made right here in the USA. Then to top it all of Heidi gave all of us "Cannondale Factory Tour" shirts when we were ready to leave.