Finding the right bike

It all started about 20 years ago, when I got a Tigra bike (made in Switzerland) with Campagnolo and Shimano Accessories. My grandmother bought it for me and I was the happiest girl on earth. It was during the time, Mountain Bikes started to be super fashionable but unfortunately also unaffordable at least for most people, including me. I have to admit, I wasn't a fan of the MTB and I still kind of dislike them. So I got myself a racer at the age of 12. Yes, most people thought I was crazy to get a racer in the mountains, when all you need is a MTB but I fell in love with my Blue Tigra. I got aerobars adjusted to the bike and off I went.

This is now 20 years ago and even though I still love my bike and share fond first Tri Memories, it's time to get something a bit "more serious" or at least... something that won't kill me on the street. I had my bike fixed many times but I think, this time it seems, it's just a wee bit too much damage and beyond repair... to a state where I can really ride fast.

So... searching for a new bike was quite a challenge. Not only is it difficult for a girl my height to find the perfect frame 51/48 but to be actually taken serious by the guys who sell bikes. I went into shops where the salesperson was more into me than into selling a bike to me.... thinking, if he makes me a good deal, he'll get a date out of it too. Duuuhh.. not working with me... 

Other places were pretty pro but unfortunately, the prices are somewhere in the sky above... behind the clouds.. can't really see them.. and other places.. well they didn't even bother talking to me and offer help. (Silly Blonde.. this is NOT a shoe shop.. this is a bicycle shop... get out or here!!!) 

I did some research online to find a second hand bike, but again either way too expensive or not my frame.

Today I ventured into another shop, which I pass every single day on my way to work.... and last week I saw the most wonderful Tri Bike being loaded onto a car and my heart almost stopped. Yes... I am a "weird" girl.. I get minor hear-failures when I see a nice bike. (Ok... I admit.. I get that also when I see beautiful heels hahaha.. HEY.. I'm a girl... I'm allowed to love heels haha)

So in this shop, I was shown the second hand bikes first and surprise surprise they even got two in my frame size.. woohooo and then we went to have a look at the new ones... He showed me two bikes... one from 2009 and one from 2010 of the same brand... but ever so slightly different. (Both are Endurance Road Bikes, especially for women, meaning the whole aerodynamic is a wee bit different to a "male" bike) 

The 2009 is the more expensive.

Here you've got the details:

http://www.specialized.com/nl/en/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=38456&gold_ses=

Now the other "candidate" (and my personal favorite)

this one 

Details here:

http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/SBCWomenBike.jsp?spid=45717&sid=10Dolce&ssid=10WMNSRoad

Now the big differences are: The 2009 has Aluminium Frame but the fork and the seatstays are carbon where as the 2010 has only the fork made of carbon. The 2009 has all the extra parts (such as brakes and rear dérailleur from Shimano Tiagra whereas the 2010 has only bits and parts from Shimano Tiagra. The wheels are different too, the 2009 has Mavix CXP-22 whereas the 2010 has Alex S500. The levers are also ever so slightly different. the 2009 has them together (up and down) the 2010 has them separated. 

But here it comes.. the biggest difference and for me personally the most important one is, that the 2010 has 2 sets of breaks. the "regular" ones and the ones that we all know from the very old bikes. This is for me most certainly a big PLUS for the 2010. Now I know, that I could get the breaks for the 2009 as well, but it's also a question of money. I should mention, both bikes come with lifelong guaranty on the frame and one year on all the other parts. (another reason, not to buy second hand.. especially when the prices are almost identical to a new one)

Right now, I am just not able to afford a "super non plus ultra" bike. What I am looking for right now is a bike that gets me into the whole routine again. A bike that makes me feel comfy and I love to ride every day. A bike that I will be able to use in Sprint Tri's and then take it from there. I'd say, once I am up to "longer distances" I am able to get a better bike or at some point even a REAL Tri Bike. (ah. my heart just jumped again lol) 

And now one more thing... it's small but nonetheless is't important... the "girly factor"... yes. the 2010 is just more beautiful... absolutely... (IMHO) and I actually fell in love with it. 

But, I am willing to listen to rational thinking Athletes who have only their best intention in their minds... to give me the best advices to choose the right bike.

Another month

Just another month till my first 10K run this year and nope, I am NOT in shape at all. Maybe it's because I was forced to take such a long break (6 months of no running what so ever) or maybe it's because I'm getting older (gosh.. now THAT's a scary thought).


When I think back to my youth, age 8 or 9, going on holidays to my grandfather, I loved running. I ran every single day around the lake of St. Moritz. Once around the lake are about 5K ( 3 Miles) and I ran it in 21 minutes. Looking back at this time and my age, I am not really able to figure out, how on earth I was able to run such a fast time and yet, I do have to say, that as a kid, I had tons of energy and was always on the move.

So it come with no surprise, that I am really disappointed with the times I run right now. 5K in 32 - 35 minutes, buuuhuuu. What happened? Where did the speed go? Is it really just age or did something else happen? No matter how I look at it, I can't figure out. Yes I still have the killer instinct... I still wanna be the fastest and give 110% and rather die than give up but something IS missing. Could I only put my finger on it.

Of course I have more weight to carry but I am also much stronger than over 20 years ago. Yes, I do have troubles with my feet and my back but that doesn't stop me from working out. I swim (which I didn't do properly as a kid) and I bike (ok I did that like crazy as a teenager too) and I just try to work out smarter with a plan. As a kid I didn't care, I just put on my gear and went to work out, was it running, horseback riding, snowboarding or the weekly youth- workout Wednesday afternoon. Maybe it is all in my head. Because I expect a lot of myself, have dreams and goals and I do care too much, that I put too much pressure on me? What if I wouldn't give a damn? Would that change my workout, my performance, could I go faster and push myself over the "limit"? As a kid, there was no such thing as "limit".. The sky was wide open and I knew, if I only believe, I can do anything. Getting older and growing "mature" (which I don't think I am fully there yet, thank G-D hahaha.. I still have my silly moments), I fear, that I kinda lost my spirit.

So I am going to set myself a "goal" for next week... run like a was a kid again... not worrying what others around me think or do... just do my thing.. run as fast as I can and most important.. have FUN... because it was fun as a kid .. and it still is... I feel great after the workouts.. when I see that I can actually accomplish so much in such a short time. I still have the thrive. I still have the power and the will and I know that my mental strength is there too... just need to re-discover it. My physical strength was never the problem. I get in shape super fast.

The first day running hurt.. but only three weeks into training of the 10K I ran it under 60 minutes.... I'd say.. for someone who's been out for so long, that's pretty good... so I know.. I have it in me.. I know I can run the 10K in 40-45 minutes... if I only believe in myself... and find the right pace.
Well I am off running and next week I finally go to the gym again and spend more time in the water too. I want to do an open water 1K (just for fun) in about a week. It's a good cause. In Memory of Nadav.

I still have huge goals... huge dreams... and I know a lot