Several months later, I received my first road bike for my 21st birthday- the Yellow Rocket (so named by Ms. Pamela Evans). My bright yellow, steel framed Cannondale was a faithful ride for several years of "racing". It was truly a great starter bike, and I have many fond memories (and some not so fond). Unfortunately it's been put aside for most training rides, but I still love it. I've had several people offer to take it off my hands, but I'm too sentimental to part with it.
In September I competed/semi-participated in the Pensacola Classic, a 3-stage bike race (notice how I've *CONVENIENTLY* left it out of my race reports...) After about 2 years of not riding the Yellow Rocket, it was time to wipe off the dust and hit the rode. My experience was less than pleasant... the rocket didn't seem as fast as it once was... or maybe I'm not as fast?? Or maybe I've just gotten pampered with my Tri bike and going from a stiff ride to a not so stiff (and HEAVY) ride was enough to make the experience unpleasant... Either way, what I already knew to be true was SCREAMING to me after the race: I need a competitive road bike.
SO I contacted every bike brand I could think of and filled out applications BEGGING them to put me onto their performance teams and cut me a deal. A few were willing to bring me on board, including Blue, Fezzari, Grey and Aerocat.
All of this was developing back in AUGUST, so you would think by NOW I would already have my bike. Right? Wrong. Call it my fear of commitment, or fear of spending large amounts of money, but it took a while for me to get this going. I think another part of it was just the fear of switching from something I LOVE to something new, and anxiety that I might not like it. I finally called Aerocat and spoke with Dave, one of the owners. He was EXTREMELY helpful, and ended up giving me an even BETTER deal on one of the 2013 bikes. He also helped me decide on the best bang components, and what upgrades would benefit me the most. After I got off the phone with him, I felt 100% better about having to make a decision. I had found my bike!
