FLASH-POINT BLOG ARCHIVE: Apr 2006

I went away on a much needed vacation for a few weeks. I relaxed, had a few beers and worked on my golf game. It still needs some more tinkering. But when I came back I felt refreshed. After a nearly inconsolable season of cold and sleet the sun is finally here to stay.
My golf clubs were pulled out of the trunk of my car and replaced with my bike. Dirty running shoes now smell up my backseat. I feel focused and ready to train. This past weekend I threw down consecutive multi-hour rides. And although my quads are now a little sore, I felt strong. The first day I went rolling on my standard bike, no aerobars, no flashpoints. After 35 miles of solo biking over rolling hills I was holding a 20 mph average with only moderate effort. 
Today I recreated that ride on my P2K with my flashpoints. Only today the wind was brutal. There were sustained gusts that I couldn't hide from. Long, exposed stetches of road made me feel as wide as an NFL lineman. At points just going 15miles per hour on a flat road took nearly a herculean effort. But the flashpoints-they get some credit. The silky smooth hubs allowed me to roll up small risers in the pavement that had sucked away my speed just the day before. The downhills bowed before me, and I could keep pushing the big gear long after the street became level. Yet, discounting those mean headwinds, my overall effort was dialed back from the day before. Final average speed: 21.7 mph--a big difference.
The flashpoints certaintly aren't a magical bullet that will take the place of hard work, but if you put in the hard work, they seem to help. 

We had quite temperature drop in the evening, so I had to ride with gloves and toe warmers again.The wheels did very well in those windy conditions. You can definitely feel the wind against the wheels, but they are never unstable. You just have to be alert and concentrate when you ride into the wind.The way back was just....FLYING ;-)

This my first report after putting on about 250 miles on my FP60s. The first few of those were on my old frame, but most have been on my new Serotta CSI. I've tried the wheels on both bikes, just to see if I could tell a difference from my hold wheels. I provide this background as a prelude to my admission that I am not yet experienced enough a cyclist to really notice subtle differences of the wheel sets ; but when I first rode the FP 60s, I knew I felt good. I climbed easily for not having ridden over the winter, and seemed to roll effortlessly. I had been working out in the gym over the winter, but really believe the wheels made a difference.
On the new bike, I am experiencing a much more sophisticated frame and ride. I was so appreciative that I had the FP60s to put on my new bike; they look great with my white, with red and black trim frame, and I know I have faster, better wheel set than I probably would have bought myself otherwise. I have been going out alone mostly, just adjusting to a whole new set up. For not having ridden from early November to late March, I have been climbing my usual route hills more easily than I remember, and reaching the top with more zip in my legs and lungs to keep pedaling. My coasts are long and fast.
Yesterday, I went out on my first group ride of the Spring - a 42 mile, mostly flat route through suburban Indianapolis. Like they always do, the group went out faster than I wanted to ride, but I am getting smarter, and I didn’t try to keep up but hung back with the "sweeper", letting my legs and heart warm up. After our mid ride stop, I went out with a faster group and for most of the ride hung onto the wheel of the riders in front. On the home stretch, I dropped back again, but was riding well, and going past my companions quite easily on the short climbs we did have. At the end of the ride I felt really good, and know that I am on my way to a very fun and growing 4th summer as a cyclist.
I want to acknowlege and thank Flash-Point Racing for giving me the opportunity to b e a part of a goup of riders who (from what I have read so far) are more experienced and knowledgable than I. I don't know if I will ever race, but I do like improving my capacity to ride with faster groups, and the challenge it provides me. Thank you Flash-Point Racing.

Well, it seems like the temperatures have finally gotten more spring like here in the Atlanta area, though there have been some fierce storms in the Southern region of the U.S. I guess winter is still trying to hang on in some respects, even in April.

Anyway, things could not be better with the wheels. I've been doing my usual ride near home, but I've been itching to take my bike (and the FP60's, of course!) up to Virginia. My grandmother lives in Lynchburg, better known as "Hill City." Hill City?? I'll finally get to test my legs (and the wheels) on some serious climbs.

I'm going up there next weekend for Easter, so there will be some climbing in order.

Oh yeah....I need to put some pictures on this thing!!

Well, the weather this weekend wasn't as nice as I was hoping...however, I HAD to get out.It was very windy Saturday and Sunday, so that was a nice test for the wheels.The bike feels stable and comfortable. Also, after several rides, the Flash-Points are (still) very true. Didn't expect that from such a wheel set.
I have a hard time to judge if I'm any faster compared to riding with training wheels - but I really hope it is the case!
Can't wait for summer...