First Ride Report

Technically the 3rd ride, but as the first two were brief spins around the block, not sure they count!

So with the threat of rain nullified, and the wind speed lessening, and without the usual rucksack on back (for commuting), at a little after 7.30pm yesterday evening I set off for my inaugural ride on the Cayo.

First impressions were good - nice and smooth, faintest of clicks as gears are changed, nice whirr of wheels/tyres on tarmac, loving the freewheeling souind of the Fulcrum's too. Still undecided about the ride position - seem too upright for the hoods, but very comfortable on teh drops, although this is a new position for my brain / body to adjust too - plenty of time though...

My cunning plan was to follow 3/4's of my route to work, thereby giving me an indication of how the Cayo matches against the Trek. This I duly did, comfort on uneven road surfaces was markedly better, as was straightline average speed, climbing (well pointing bike slightly uphill) felt better, and the bike was more responsive to changes of speed too. As intimated above I spent the majority of the time on the drops and also on the large chainwheel.

Stas were 19miles in just under 1hr 1min - 18.7mph average (was higher earlier in the ride but got caught in traffic for the last 1.5-2 miles).

Not sure if it was a case of road rage or whether the driving instructor whose car I undertook at speed (on a 1.5/2 lane stretch of road) just liked my bike, because he felt the need to firstly aim his car at my back wheel, then come alongside me and gestciulate / mouth some unidentifiable words in my direction before screeching off (breaking the speedlimit) then pulling onto a garage forecourt, stopping to (presumably) pursue the conversation further, although at this he was foiled as I maintained speed to glide past him. he then overtook me again further down the road and disappeared into the dusk that was then falling. - On reflection I should have taken his phone number that was liberally splattered all over his car, as I am not sure his driving technique was worthy to be passed on to others, but hindsight as ever is a wonderful thing.

Might go for an early one Saturday morning...

You beauty!

After what feels like a lifetime, I finally took reciept of my new bike yesterday. - The Focus Cayo 105 Triple 2010.

Aren't Wiggle just brilliant? - Bike arrived fully assembled, just had to fit handlebars to stem and affix pedals (which I had sourced seperately but arrived in perfect sequential timing!) and Wiggle supplied the multi tool and pedal wrench with which to do it all too!

Fiddled with the set-up and went for a spin around the block - silent gear changes, lovely click/whirr when freewheeling. Got back amended the handlebar position and repeated the procedure. - Strangely on my Trek I favour the hoods as my riding position and with the aero bars fitted, hardly ever use the drops. With the Cayo, the drops feel really comfortable albeit for the short amount of time that I spent riding yesterday.

Still awaiting some Bontrager Race Lite Bottle Cages due next week and in the market for a pump, saddle wedge bag and aero bars.

Full initial ride report to follow....