Crash at Murrieta+Cracked Frame=NOT HAPPY

Can you really console someone after their brand new custom SC Velo/Incycle team bike get’s completely ruined? Would you even approach such a volatile and emotionally emptied bike racer? Especially given the terms on which the bike was ruined; nimrods attempting to negotiate a turn at a higher speed then the skills granted by God in place.

It was just a matter of time before turn #2 claimed flesh and carbon from the Cat 3 pack, the cycling Gods were above and salivating at the riders in front of me taking corners like a drunk hillbilly driving a lawnmower.
So with 3 laps to go, it finally happened. The self about 2/3 of the way up the pack, heard the sounds like nails on a chalkboard. Like an earthquake ravaging an IE suburb, it’s something you hear before you feel. The click clacking of spokes, the screech of brakes; lycra clad, waif like humans launching into heaps of sheared carbon and artery slicing chainrings.


Well, sweet baby jesus if I didn’t do my damndest to get out of the way. I moved off the road into the dirt swinging outside. I thought for sure I was going to get around it, but the people in front of me had other ideas. They all moved over too, and before I knew it I was airborne.

You know, it’s a sad thing when you are flipping upside down and actually have a few seconds to think, “f..k, this is going to hurt.” Wham! First impact on the top of the helmet and back of the shoulders as I slide upside down, the sunlight blinding me. Just skidding along and still thinking, “Jesus, I cannot believe I crashed.”
I come to a halt and slowly pick myself up. The stinging on my skin where I skidded along is developing. My handlebars are bent all the way down and curled underneath my top tube. I cannot move the steering tube. Oh well. Paramedics show up and take care of the walking wounded. About now I’m thinking “no big deal, I will be back tomorrow.”


Then I see it. The CRACK.























My heart sinks to the doldrums. I mean LOW. You got to be kidding. I got this bike a month ago; it has FOUR races in it, and is now utterly useless. Now my spirit sinks. Later on Mother will offer:

“At least you’re ok, the bike can be replaced.”

“Hey, the important thing is you’re not hurt bad, don’t worry about the bike.”

REALLY!?! I don’t see anyone offering to front me the money to fix it! FERCHRIST’s sake I have medical insurance I could get a freakin' lobotomy tomorrow and it will be a $5 copay. Like I give a shit about me. Losing the bike is worse, but I still love you mom.

New Steed

Well, the team bike is here. I was lucky enough that my size (56) was one of the first to come in. A quick review:
First off, I love the color scheme. It was chosen by the owner of our main sponsor (Incycle Bike shops) Dominic Galenti. Since my last bike was black it was definitely a huge change, but I think it looks awesome. These are the specs:

Frame: Cannondale Super Six
Cranks: Cannondale hollowgram SI
Drivetrain: Full Shimano DA 7900
Wheels: Mavic Ksyrium Elite (my favorite wheel ever)
Bars/seatpost: FSA K-force carbon
Stem: FSA OS-115 alloy
Seat: Fizik Arione CX
Pedals: DA 7810
Computer: Garmin Edge 305

First ride, and the first thing that came to mind was "different." I really thought my System Six would have felt the same but it doesn't. It's very hard to describe actually. At first I thought it was sluggish and heavy, but that doesn't make sense because it's super stiff and lighter than my other ride. What I thought was "less snappy" was actually just a smoother ride. It's definitely not flexy, sprinting up a hill during a training ride and the back wheel slid back and forth a couple of times. So whatever you put into the pedals goes straight to the road that's for sure.

DA 7900:
Very different from 7800. A little less travel, but more of a positive shift, similar to sram/campy...You really know you shifted from the feel of the shifter, but you don't even notice it on the bike. The drivetrain moves through the cogs and chainrings smooth as butter. Two things I will have to get used to is the size of the hoods and the lack of cables in the front. I feel like I am going to fall through the bars, it just looks so empty there now. The hoods are much smaller and feel like older campy hoods with ergonomics. All in all, I am very pleased. BTW, just a tidbit I called Shimano and the 7800 DA cogsets are compatible with the 7900 groupset, so at least I don't have to buy an extra set for my racing wheels.

Now the question is, how many wins will the bike bring me this year? We shall see.....

Some pics: