Tetrafied
new member
Reged: 02/13/04
Posts: 14
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Well, despite my cracked frame, I got out my Clydesdale...er, Cannondale, and went for the ride we had planned for today. I now refer to my C'dale as The Tank because honestly, that's what it feels like compared to my Calfee. Anyway, we climbed 2 passes of the Breathless Agony ride here in SoCal: Jack Rabbit Trail and Oak Glen. I think the pros were on Oak Glen within the last couple of days. It was VERY windy...almost got knocked over a couple of times, and I'm not the lightest guy (or gal) that was out there today. I could die and never go over Jack Rabbit Trail again. Anyone here ever ride this thing? It's more fitting for a mountain bike, and there was trash strewn about the trail. Coupled with the wind, it was a real treat. Oak Glen, on the other hand, was nicer. It's one of those roads that doesn't LOOK like it's going up sometimes, but the legs are in pain to remind you.
I was envious of one of the gals riding with us who also rides a Tetra Pro. You CAN NOT tell me that there is no difference in the way aluminum rides vs. carbon...more specifically, a Calfee. Well, you can tell me, but I won't listen. There are other big differences in the bike, but it is Honda vs. Porsche for me. We ended up doing about 5000 total feet of climbing and bailed on the third pass we had originally planned on doing as we had been dispirited by the constant wind. Of course, it was a headwind all day.  It was a beautiful SoCal day with temps in the 80's. Life on two wheels is awesome.
Anybody else have a ride they did to share? Would love to hear about it.
Cheers,
Ethan
aka Tetrafied
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easypedaler
contributor
Reged: 02/08/04
Posts: 149
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Tetra.......I have ridden Ti,AL and now carbon. They all have there own distinct characteristics. But the calfee has all the best of the characteristics. Went for 2 decent rides this weekend. Nice weather here in CT on Saturday. Sunday was cooler and windier. Tetra, how long have you had your calfee? and when is she going in for repairs????
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Lon
sage
Reged: 12/20/03
Posts: 595
Loc: Pittsburgh, PA
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I have a Cannondale too and the difference is something. That said they still make a nice frame it is just a very different ride.
I've ridden "false flats" where you ride at a low speed and can't understand why. It drives you nuts after awhile. We don't really have them on our roads in the east. You find them more out west where the roads are newer. Add in a headwind and insanity is not far behind!
I'm still trying to figure out how I can head straight out into a headwind, turn around and return the opposite way into a headwind...    
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KYCalfee
friend
Reged: 01/08/04
Posts: 35
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I too spent the weekend on my "Tank" (Cannondale) this weekend. My Tetra Pro has not ventured north to KY yet. It will be here next week. I have kept it in FL for the winter where I purchased the bike. As for the ride. Major BONK this weekend. Winds here in KY were around 15 mph so I too battled the wind. Not too much climbing this weekend moderately hilly toward the middle of the ride. At mile 50 I bonked!!!!!!!!! I was baffled, my heart rate was great, my breathing was fine, but no energy. Now for the fun part, I was on back farm rodes 15 miles away from home. How do you keep your nutrition for you long rides? I absolutely ran out of gas.
First TRI Sunday (FINALLY!!!!!!!!!)
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Lon
sage
Reged: 12/20/03
Posts: 595
Loc: Pittsburgh, PA
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I never leave home without 3 Clif Shots in my back pockets. I never use the last one until things get desperate.
They are light, easy to carry, and work well. I like strawberry for the caffeine kick. For what it is worth the new Bicycling more or less had it their favorite.
Don't forget the hydration as well!
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easypedaler
contributor
Reged: 02/08/04
Posts: 149
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I give anotehr vote for the strawberry. I usually carry 2 and they are not that bad.
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KYCalfee
friend
Reged: 01/08/04
Posts: 35
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I'll have to give the Cliff shots a try. I had Choclate GU. I guess I used them too early. I didn't have one in reserve when I needed it or I had one too late. Thanks for the advice. I don't think it was a hydration issue.
Thanks,
KYCALFEE
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Max
journeyman
Reged: 12/18/03
Posts: 69
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Yes I too, was out enjoying S. Cal's weather. I got in 50 mile ride with the Renegades through Camp Pendleton, yesterday. It's great riding on the camp, wide open roads with no traffic. There were about 40 of us, it was fast and flat, except for a few little hills. Then on the way home I climbed to the top of Misty Ridge and up the fire road to the water tower, which is a great way to finish my ride (as high as you can go in San Clemente).
It's another beautiful day here, and I can here my Calfee calling me. I gotta go, must not neglect her. Enjoy, it's time to ride.
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MAX
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Tetrafied
new member
Reged: 02/13/04
Posts: 14
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KYCalfee:
Someone's signature on these forums sums it up by effectively saying drink before you are thirsty, and eat before you are hungry. I'm not shy about loading up my jersey with stuff...I am a packrat. I carry a Clif bar or two, a couple of GU's, a banana, apple slices, and Triscuits or pretzels or something salty. I also carry my cool little Nikon 2100 Coolpix for remote rides, so I'm pretty full up. For the 50 miles we did yesterday, I ate all of the above EXCEPT one of the Clif bars and both of the GU's. I ate a bagel and cream cheese and a banana for breakfast well more than an hour before the ride. And don't forget the COFFEE!!! One of the California Triple Crown riders I rode with not too long ago (that's more than three double centuries in a year) said he relies strictly on liquid nourishment during a double. Go figure. I guess calories are calories, but I prefer some solid form of food when I ride.
According to the harshest definition of bonking, I have never experienced quite THAT, but I have gotten to the point where I felt signifcantly weakened throuhout the course of a longer ride, say 60+ miles. One time, the day after a century, I was pushing to hard for too long and KNEW it, but didn't listen to my body. That day I ended up doing 35 miles and was pretty worked. I've learned my body and to listen to it when it is communicating me. There is a difference between pushing myself hard to break through to a new level of fitness, and pushing my body farther than I should; the latter can be very detrimental to my fitness.
As far as liquids, a water bottle an hour is my guideline, more if it is hotter. I usually bring two bottles: one full of water, and another full of Cytomax. I've gotta drink, which means I've got to refill somewhere along the ride, so I plan for this. Many I ride with bring extra sports drink powders in a ziploc to mix a drink during the ride.
Cheers,
Ethan
aka Tetrafied
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Tetrafied
new member
Reged: 02/13/04
Posts: 14
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easy:
I have only had my Calfee about 2 months and was just really getting to the point beyond merely loving it to actually being in love with it. What can I say, I am a sick man. 
I plan to send it in sometime this week, just need to find the time to tear the bike down and bring the frame into the shop to have it returned.
Regarding my C'dale, I don't want to give the wrong impression. I have logged many thousands of miles on that bad boy, and there is still a place in my heart for her. That bike has been real good to me, and old reliable will be in my stable for the forseeable future. Frankly, if I had ran into the same sign on my C'dale, it wouldn't have done any major damage, whereas now I'm looking at a mass of downtime plus probably some kind of hefty repair bill. There is a real-world argument for Ti or Al if you are looking for one. Of course, I'd advise not running into roadsigns on any kind of a bike as a general rule. I'm not exactly stoked about this, but what am I going to do? Also, if/when I do get into racing, I'm riding my C'dale until I'm comfortable going into corners in a crit doing 25+ in a pack of aggressive riders, 'nuff said. They say don't race what you can't afford to replace. I'm listening to that advice.
Cheers,
Ethan
aka Tetrafied
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easypedaler
contributor
Reged: 02/08/04
Posts: 149
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First real road bike was a trusted C'dale. All AL. Harsh but damn fast ride. Of course, I knew little about bike back then. Actually sold it 2 years ago to some guy needing a ride. Hope he is enjoying it. I think I put about 20,000 miles on that bike.
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Jas0n
journeyman
Reged: 01/26/04
Posts: 62
Loc: Westchester, New York
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i would suppose that had you been riding a ti or al bike, there would be decent dent in the tube, which would certaintly undermine the strength of the frame. it seems that if the force was enough to splinter the tube, it would also have dented a metal tube. that said, who knows. bad luck happens. i just hope you get your frame back before the season is over.
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eat to live, live to ride
if it ain't rainin, it ain't trainin
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Lon
sage
Reged: 12/20/03
Posts: 595
Loc: Pittsburgh, PA
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I was bonking on Gu last year but I was in the city and headed for some donuts. A good friend before hearing my story said he would never use Gu again even though he could get it free where he worked. It turns out he bonked on it. I have not used Gu since.
Take care.
Lon
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Max
journeyman
Reged: 12/18/03
Posts: 69
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I ride DCs, and use nothing, but Access Bars, Sustain, water, and usually stop 20 -30 minutes for whatever they may be serving for lunch. I train the same way stopping for lunch at about the 100 mile mark, and just drinking water and Sustain, and eating an Access bar every hour and half. No bonking here, and always have a strong finish.
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MAX
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Siriusguy
new member
Reged: 03/28/04
Posts: 11
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Actually, the universal distress call, "Mayday, Mayday," is a corruption of the French phrase, "m'aidez," which simply means, "help me." But departing from that a bit, anyone looking for a May Day ride, on Saturday May 1st, might want to consider the inaugural Fresno Cycling Club Kirch Flat Century and Metric Century rides, which leave from Clovis, California, from the high school near where late July Climb to Kaiser starts.
The Metric is a rather flat ride, 1000 feet climb total, but the full Century adds another 4000 feet to that, as it winds up into the hills on the north side of Pine Flat Reservoir. Details can be found following the logo link from www.fresnocycling.com
The last two years at CtK showed a good turnout of California Calfee riders, and we'd be delighted to see the same come May Day.
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