OK, so I have the shiny new bike.  I do not as yet have a computer for it – there’s one on order – so I’m having to approximate stats here.  First off, I went out on it for 16 miles or so, taking it easy (it was pre-event!), on Saturday morning with M. Today  I did a 35 mile loop with G, which took about 2:25 elapsed time, and therefore averaged around 14.5 mph ish…

New bike stats so far:
ODO: 61 miles..

It’s hard to say whether or not it’s set up right as yet, because it all feels different.  Nothing is the same – from how it works, to how I sit, to how I hold the bars!  Changing gears is proving to be easier than I’d though, whereas braking is harder.  Changing position, between the drops, the tops, etc., is something I need to work on.  The one time I stood to go up a hill, it was all so wobbly that I sat down again – clearly more work required there too.  I got my middle of the back shoulder pain earlier than expected so A may be right and we may need to change the handlebar stem to adjust the reach length…or maybe it’s something I have to get used to?  After all, the “old” bike was much longer…and if getting shorter causes pain, will even shorter be worse?  As for my right ankle…

On the positive side – apart from being VERY pretty – it seems to be a much smoother ride.  Although A thought I might need a carbon seat post, I don’t think that’s going to be an issue.  The gears seem, if anything, to be a little lower than on the other bike, which is nice.

On balance I think it’s going to be grand…I just need to practice more 🙂  So, feast your eyes on my new baby – I’ll add photos from the other side another time!