Scenic Carmel

I arrived in Carmel today. Decided to take a short bike ride around the coast. SO MANY HILLS!

3.3 MILES

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First bike ride!

I went out this morning at 8:30AM because I was so excited to try my bike out. The ride to the waterfront is an easy ride. I wanted to explore a bit more. So I kept on going down sonoma blvd and got to the bridge. I just went over and took a pic at the end. Decided to go back home and tune up the bike a bit.

12 MILES

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FINALLY!!! A BIKE I WILL KEEP!!!

I picked up a bike today from a man in Pacifica. He was asking $550 but I managed to give the first offer for $500.

I went to his house and he had a couple nice bikes in his collection including a lightspeed and cerevelo. He was selling this beautiful 2003 Trek 1200 because his son did not catch on to cycling.

He changed a lot of stuff on the bike including:
- The top of the line Shimano Mountain biking XTR cables
- Specialized Body Comfort seat.
- Clipless pedals W/ Nike size 10 cycling shoes!
- Longer stem

He REALLY cleaned up the rear gears and took off the plastic protector. I really love the look.

It has Tiagra components all around which I was really looking forward to. The brakes do not have the Tiagra inscribed on them, but I am sure they are the original brakes.

I am loving the looks and feel of the bike. I am content with my purchase so far.

Another bike sold!

I sold my "new" Red/White Trek 1200. It was just way too big for me at 60cm. The guy I sold it to was a total ASS and wanted to lowball me at $420 when I was pretty firm on $500. I managed to bring him up to $450. That was still great because I originally bought the bike for $340. He also had a fleet of bikes in his garage that he was selling. A Jamis Ventura caught my eye and I offered an equal trade. But he was asking $595 for the bike and wanted me to pay an extra $80. The bike was in new condition but its MSRP is $610. But I would might as well buy the newer version of the bike for a little more. But no...the Jamis was not my ideal bike.

Now I am without a bike!

NEW RIDE!

So I have not been cycling around in a while. School is taking a toll, but I am almost done for the semester. SAD NEWS! I sold my Bianchi! I really liked the bike, but I was looking for a more modernized bike. I wanted to pick up a single speed bike, but maybe in a couple months.

So GOOD NEWS! I picked up a 2001 Trek 1200. So far so good. I though the Sora derailleurs were gonna be POS, but the original owner really had this bike nicely tuned. The Sora shifters are flawless for now. I do plan on changing them to Ultegras. But I am happy with the purchase plus I got a GREAT deal. Lets just say I made a good profit from selling my Bianchi and buying this one.

POSSIBLE RIDE?

I am not sure if McGary road is open between hiddenbrooke and Cordelia. Anyone want to check for me?

31 MILES TOTAL

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More bike research

So I have been looking around for prospective bicycles. I had my eye on the Bianchi, but there have been some other good deals out there from other bike companies. Another alternative I am looking at is the:
Cannondale Caad9 7

I have seen it at bike shops on sale for under $900. It looks so nice...

Lastly, I also interested in the Specialized Allez Double. It just so happens to come in my favorite color scheme.


The shopping continues....

Mid-week ride - My longest ever!

Decided to bike to Santa Rosa and beyond. I got kinda scary in Santa Rosa with a lot of the the downtown traffic. I lot my way looking for Stony Point Road and ended up almost going to Sebastapol. I passed a couple places I would like to eat in the future. I found Stony Point Road and endured the smell of cows and dead snakes on the side of the road. I will definitely ride this route again.

28.7 MILES

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