Wednesday, February 20, 2008

The New Blood Sugar Mobile

After months of careful consideration I finally took the plunge and made a major upgrade in my trusty steed. Prior to Saturday I was riding this 4 year old Specalized Allez with a super flexy bottom bracket, pedals that made my legs cramp and a creaky chain. The frame flexed so much that my Coach affectionatley called it Gumby: Gumby was my first bike since my parents bought me a Dyno Detour during the first BMX craze of the late 80s/ early 90s. I flew over the handle bars of my Dyno when I was 13 years old and didn't get on a bike again until I bought Gumby 4 years ago. So pretty much I learned to ride again on that bike and while I had a love-hate relationship with it, I'll forever have great memories of suffering through many a ride on a bike that seemed to want to give up anytime I got out of the saddle.

Now I've gone from driving a 1980 Pinto to a Porsche 911. My new Orbea Ordu is everything I wanted it to be and so much more! It's way to sexy a bike for my humble needs and I probably never will tap into the potential this frame has but man do I love riding it:





Once Anne finally posts about how to test and ride I'll be all set! On my virgin voyage of Central Park with the new bike I averaged 5 mph faster than the same ride with Gumby (a huge difference!) I can't wait to tackle Lake Placid aboard this rocket ship.

8 comments:

Courtney said...

That is one beautiful new steed that you've got there. How much does (s)he weigh, the weight has to be far less than that of Gumby if you're getting 5mph more on her/him...

I look forward to reading about your rides on this new bike...are you gonna name it?

Anne Findlay said...

Sweeeeet!!! I am so jealous!!

I'm sorry I never got back to you on that. You can see my post about it here: http://annetics.blogspot.com/2007/07/velcro-is-better-than-duct-tape.html

I've found that the configuration pictured is easiest for me to test. Also, I do one thing at a time. Take a test strip out, put the test strip bottle away, put the strip in, get out the lancet, test etc. Also it works best going up a mild to moderate incline where your speed naturally slows and you don't lose too much time. Also, be really careful about traffic. I put velcro on the lancet and test strip bottle and a strip or two of velcro inside my bento box, for good measure. I have dropped the lancet a couple times and it gets me all bent out of shape.

Chris said...

Sweet bike. Congrats on the upgrade. My wife and I have been thinking of getting bikes so we can start riding. My funds are limited, so our bikes will be closer to your old BMX than your current lightning bolt. Enjoy it.

Scott K. Johnson said...

Major sweetness! Congrats!

Cara said...

Looks like you will have fun with this new gadget.

Jamie said...

Looks like one sweet ride! I am jealous too! It seems like a 5 MPH gain by buying a new bike is easier than 5 MPG by losing the donut-belly! ...but still I try!

Brett said...

I like watching people pass me in races and telling myself its because of the new bike. 5 mph!?!?! Maybe that IS why! I'm sure it has nothing to do with the fact I bought my bike on eBay and I way about 10 pounds too much. :)

Dances with Corgis said...

wahoo :) you forgot to mention the fabulous pasta dinner. but i am liking the new pics!