On Saturday I met Tim at Breadworks. I had a cup of coffee and a snack before we headed out into the hills of Cherokee park, Indian Hills, and Mockingbird Valley. I’ve ridden these areas before, but it had been a while.
I was on the rSogn, of course. Tim followed suit, and rode his somewhat new (to him) Sogn. It was interesting to compare the two Rawland bicycles.
I hadn’t wrapped the bars yet, and forgot my gloves. My hands were uncomfortable, but this was more than made up for by the liveliness of the bike. It felt wonderful. I sprinted up hills. I bombed down descents. It’s just a great bike.
Tim and I went our separate ways. I stopped at Cumberland Brewery and had one beer and some sweet potato fries. Not diet healthy, but it just seemed right.
I ended the day with a somewhat hilly 31.6 miles, at a decent pace even.
I went to bed early Saturday night and slept a blissful 12 hours.
Sunday morning I tinkered with the bike. I ended up installing the small rear rack from the single-speed. I also put on the white bar tape that was included with the bike.
I’m not a fan of white bar tape. It gets dirty too easily. It supposed to look “pro”, so in other words, makes me look like a “poser”. Then again, when have I ever cared what others’ thought? This is free bar tape!
The bar tape is temporary. Saturday’s ride showed me that the bars are now at the right angle. I may need to change the cable housing once I have a new handlebar bag. Until then, white bar tape is where it’s at.
In the evening I went out for a spin. It wasn’t long, and I stopped for more beer and food, not helping my weight loss any.
I added a measly 10.4 miles for the day. I did spin at 22 mph in traffic on Bardstown Rd for a while. That felt good. I hit the traffic lights green for the entire stretch. Then I pulled over panting, feeling like I was going to lose my lungs.
It’ll take time to get my lungs and heart where they were. This is the right bike to do it.
Nice looking pair. I’m almost certain a new Stag is in my future – excited!
Funny about the white tape, it was always the same kind of thinking playing hockey (I played a lot at a decently high level). If you use white tape on the blade of your stick you are showing off.