Big Wheel Keep on Turnin'...

Alas, the search has come to an end. Such weary and sleepness nights: What will she weigh? How will she corner? Will she climb like a billy goat or more like a stuck pig? Only after testing-I kid you not-7 to 10 rides over several days each, (big props to In Gear Cycling and Fitness, Hummelstown, PA) did I finally rest on the Trek Madone 5.9SL with XXX Team Carbon Clinchers.

This photo is an exact replica of my new ride with the exception of the tubing. This picutre is the SSL 55 GSM OCLV tubing which is like riding a toilet paper roll on rumble strips. The climbing makes me religious again but the balance of the ride on the SSL should direct you straight to the urologist.

Coming off the 5200 after 4 glorious years, I can tell that no $8K Merlin Ti, Cervelo Sololist God Send, Cannondale Synapse, Six 13 or Giant T-Mobile can top the majestic and soothing confidence of the Madone. People are fleeing Trek like leprosy because the Lance thing is so not cool anymore but 12 years of research is paying big dividends for a lowly Cat 5 like me.

As I descended on this crisp PA spring night, I was reminded of one thing: No, it wasn't the fact that at 45MPH this bike sings like a Italian soprano on opening night. Nor was it when in the drops preparing for a hill sprint, the machine whispers back to me..."is that all you got?".

The one lone fact that remains and always will is that this rig is far superior to its rider. With that thought muttered you can be assured that I will be grateful for every passing mile on my new baby.

Cheers.