Bikes
Dear Blog Diary,
I bought my first bike from Tipp Cyclery in north Dayton. Owner’s name is Etzio, short bald Italian guy, looks like Stanley Tucci.
It was a beat up Giant road bike, patched with random parts. It was too small which brings me to my philosophy on buying your first bike:
Used
Fits you
Looks cool
That’s it. Mine was $400, PERFECT. I crashed it more than the others combined. Lot of love for that bike.
My mother knows that I don’t like her name, Pamela. She’s far too beautiful for her name, but I love her middle name.
I named the bike Jean.
My second bike was from Bike513 on Colerain Ave. I forget his name. White guy, red hair, long beard, funny. Mountain bike guy and you can tell.
Mountain bike people are definitely the crunchiest of the bunch and the most insane in my opinion. It’s just dangerous! But damn it look fun shredding in the woods.
Simple bike fit. It’s a Specialized Diverge road bike. Nice, casual, heavy. Gotten me through five 70.3 ironman and a few olympic distances, but not what I truly need.
My grandmother, rural white Kentucky gal, was named after the nurse who delivered her in 1638 or whenever.
Named my second bike Juanita.
My third and brand new bike is a Cervelo 105 Race, time-trial bike. Got a bike fitting from my not-coach. Took three hours, bike connected to a computer to see if we raise the saddle one inch, I pump 20 more watts. TT bikes are only good for two things, going fast and straight. I will need it for my first ironman.
I named it, "Mina goroshi." The name stems from the samurai movie, 13 Assassins. I won't spoil, go watch it, so dope, but it translates to "total massacre." I'm in the triathlon game now. Every course can get it.
It's interesting how since I started triathlon, my life has gone the way of my bikes.
Growth is rarely linear. Quantitatively and qualitatively my life keeps getting better. Ups and downs, sure. 2024 was pure kaka.
Find whatever works for you but you better know what is holding you back.
Just like a bike. Lighter, better materials, etc – nothing slows you down more than drag...
And nothing makes you faster than pedaling faster.
Best,
E
#ARTiculate