Greetings family, members, people, and others;

I've noticed that many blogs relate significant life events. I have good news. This hasn't happened since 2000. Probably most of you won't be especially interested, but maybe Angharad will care.

Around the end of January, this year, I decided that I had built up enough surplus in my checking account That I could buy myself a better bicycle. On eBay, I bid on and won a 2007 Cervelo Soloist frame (fork, headset and seatpost) for about $1700. I built up the bike with a DuraAce 7800 (10 speed on the rear axle) group except for a Bontrager carbon crankset. I also got a very good deal on a Bontrager carbon XXX Lite tubular wheel set. The wheels are really pro quality, very light and aero. I guess I'll set them aside for races and special events.

This is the first carbon fiber bike I've ridden. It's only two or three pounds lighter than my previous best bike, a 2000 CAAD4 welded 6061 Al Cannondale with 9 speed DuraAce, however it seems much faster accelerating, climbing and flat riding. It feels fantastic.

After I won the bid on the Cervelo, I felt a little guilty that I hadn't purchased a new bike for Kim, my partner. I decided that it would be nice to also buy her an almost new frame and good components. Kim and I have been great Cannondale fans, we already have 5 'dale road bikes and 2 mountain bikes. I sort of jumped ship buying the Cervelo, but I admired the aerodynamics of the Soloist. It's the most aero road bike by any major builder. Both Cervelos and Cannondales are/have been used buy major pro teams, e.g.used in the Tour de France.

Kim's even more of a 'dale loyalist than I, she also used to be a great climber. If she decides to get in good shape, she can be again. Anyway, I knew she'd love the latest pro level Cannondale, the all carbon fiber SuperSix. I bid on a 2008 SuperSix and bought it for <$1200, a great deal. I payed immediately, but we had trouble getting the seller to ship us the bike. He wanted to remove the Cannondale Hollowgram crankset, probably the lightest and best made, also the most expensive crankset, but his shop never got it's tools in, or something. Finally he shipped the bike with the excellent crankset. It arrived Tuesday 3-10. I built her bike with SRAM Force 10 speed and with just the lightest wheels we had lying around, her bike is lighter than mine (which I expected). The 2007 Soloist sacrifices some weight to be more aero. The best 2009 Soloist, the S3, is a lot more expensive, but under 1000 grams for the frame so it's probably closer in weight to the best Cannondale (the SuperSix).

I just finished the SuperSix this afternoon. We are both very happy! I'm also done with my "winter depression" (seasonal affective disorder). At least it's shorter in duration here in AZ than in Western NY or New England, where I used to live. I can control my "regular" chronic major depression pretty well with exercise, thinking I've learned thru therapy, and psych drugs. Having Kim lively and loving is also much better than having her inert and depressed. If I just get a little bit more confident, I might be able to suppress my fear and anxiety enough to try and make friends with someone this year.

Big, Big Hugs and Bright Blessings, Y'all,
Renee