Inaugural Ride for My New ’07 Specialized Tarmac Expert
I’ve been looking at road bikes for a while now on Craigslist. I have been riding consistently for about 3 years, but I’ve never dropped any serious cash on a bike. Until now.
I found a 2007 Specialized Tarmac Expert on craigslist the other day. The bike and the price caught my interest so I gave the guy a call and met him at his house that evening to test ride the bike. What a difference from what I’m used to! My current road/commuter is an aluminum Giant OCR3 with heavy rims to withstand the force of panniers on the rear rack. It’s great for commuting and riding around town, but after 40 miles in the saddle the extra weight becomes very noticeable.
The Tarmac has a carbon fiber frame and almost new Shimano Dura-Ace components, making it close to, if not under, 20 pounds total. It was a great deal and exactly what I was looking for. I thought about it for a day and then decided to take the plunge and buy it. I brought it home and pictured myself cruising down mountain passes at lightning speed.
It didn’t come with pedals, so the next day I went to Gregg’s Cycles in Greenlake and bought some Look Classic Keo pedals and Specialized road shoes to go with them. I’m now officially a road biker, minus the shaved legs. That will never happen.
I took the bike out today for it’s first ride, a short 12 mile loop around north Seattle. The bike was so light and nimble. I would compare it to switching from driving a Ford F-350 to a Porsche 911. It flew on the flat roads and made short work of the steep climbs out of Shilshole and Blue Ridge. I can’t wait to take it out onto the country roads in the Cascade Mountains this summer for my training rides for the Seattle to Portland bike ride.
Maybe I should give my new bike a name. What would you name it? Leave your answer in the comments below. If I choose your name you might win something cool from Seattle.
Wildfire
Nice!
The Red Rapid, what a great name for a bike that moves rapidly. The Red Rapid, can’t you just see Jeremy cruising down the trails of Seattle on his Red Rapid. Everyone watch in awe as he goes flying by. Who was that handsome young man riding on the red bike, he was rapidly going down the hill? Who was he, he is the proud owner of “The Red Rapid” Jeremy Green grandson of Kent and Brenda Green.
That name reminds me of the Colorado River for some reason.
Let’s see I hope I get a good prize cause I’ll be the winner. Here goes how about: the ” Red Rock Ride” . You know to commerate your new website and your new red bike. I like it and think it has a nice ring to it, don’t you?? Dad likes the Red Rocket- but if he wins I get the prize cause I posted it for him!!
Hmmm. That’s a good one. I was actually thinking about “Red Rock” the other day. We’ll have to see…
There is only one name that truly describes the bike and its purpose.
RED ROCKET!!!
I want some really good coffee beans, please!!
That name does roll of the tongue. Good entry! I will make my decision soon.