TESTING THE MONSTER
TESTING NEW PRODUCTS is always exciting. How will they perform, are they better, will they, make us go faster...
... can the challenger knock out the current champion?
Why do we test?
'Cause we're always looking for an edge...
... when pursuing impossible.
For gravel, my current go to is the Conti Terra Speed 45,
and if it came in a 50 I doubt I'd test these giant Pirellis.
The bar is high.
Things...
- much bigger side lugs for cornering
- larger tire to run lower pressue
- acceleration
... I want to scope out.
After...
- 4hrs,
- 50 miles,
- 4200' of vert
... here's what I know.
I rolled out with 21 lbs in the rear, and 19 lbs up front.
Low,
almost MTB Low.
Because of the much beefier side lugs,
the front end is ponderous at low speeds.
High speed, non-technical, they are definitely faster. Not by a lot today, but I'm guessing that just gets better as I get more comfortable with them.
Where it got interesting was the single track.
The more I hit,
the more I was willing to lean it over and let 'er rip.
As I flicked through a series of somewhat smooth, fast, single track s-turns...
... I was really feeling it.
Thinking how fun it was to flick back and forth,
one edge of the tire to the other.
Exiting the final rocky section in pure bliss, I looked down and saw...
... my Wahoo, and the entire mount were gone.
Bounced off?
So, yeah, I was going fast.
I retraced about a half mile, to where I last remembered seeing the computer.
Nothing.
... if you're not to keen on God stories, you can stop reading now...
I stopped.
Thought about asking God for help,
thought how stupid that was.
Does God care if I find a computer that supports my hobby?
Decided not to ask for help.
Changed my mind.
Said a quick prayer.
Retraced my steps all the way back to the rock section where I first noticed it missing.
The whole way there, I'm feeling impressed to look to the left of where I was riding.
I stop.
It wasn't to be found.
Then, just about 15' ahead to the left, in a pile of river rocks, I see it.
Does God really care to help us in our day to day?
===
163 lbs
7ish hours
0 PushUps 0 PullUps and more
10 minutes stretching
30 minutes Reading/Journaling
116/109/3 (fitness per Training Peaks)