Another New Hobby

So I haven't had a bike in almost 15 years. College and then work and then starting a family got in the way. Now that I'm a bit older and have more freedoms financially, my wife encouraged me to pick it back up.

Coming from a decidedly entry level Hardrock, I knew I wanted something different because let's face it hardtail mountain biking is a younger person's sport.

Initially was looking an endurance bike like a Roubaix or C3 and I knew I wanted some kind of electronic shifting.

Went to the NYC 5 Boro Bike Tour and Specialized had a Retul station set up. Chatted with the booth attendant, got a Retul match and lo and behold, it paired me up with a Tarmac. Seems like 2 hour sessions doesn't necessitate an endurance bike.

The Tarmac is an entirely different beast then the Roubaix and it was love at first sit. The Tarmack felt like it was edging me on, challenging me to go faster. Where as the Roubaix seemed to coddle my mediotracy.

Best of all my LBS had a 2017 Tarmac Expert eTap on clearance and the stars aligned. Added a WiFLi rear derailleur and off too the road we go!

Future upgrades include upgraded breaking and a power meter, when the prices go down a bit more.

Thanks for listening to my rant!

Congratulations, Spencer and that is a beautiful bike!
Don't leave that lying around any coffee shops or supermarket for too long, though if you are in New York.

I'm still using a friction shifter on my Soma Crosscheck to show you how old school I am because I have never enjoyed the new shifters, at all.

Happy riding.

Ah. A fellow New Yorker are we, Celestino?

I would never dream of leaving a bike like this unattended for any period of time in the city.

I've lost one a many bike, wheels and seats in the city.

Ah you skinny tire guys. Me and my fat tire friends always crank past you guys on the hills but you guys smoke us on the flats.

Nothing like getting nine "Good Morning" as they freight train you.

All in good fun.

Ah you skinny tire guys. Me and my fat tire friends always crank past you guys on the hills but you guys smoke us on the flats.

Nothing like getting nine "Good Morning" as they freight train you.

All in good fun.

I am totally out of shape. Working on my cardio.

Anything past 5% grade I need to hoof. It's embarrassing.

Biking is just cool. A new bike makes is even more.

Ah you skinny tire guys. Me and my fat tire friends always crank past you guys on the hills but you guys smoke us on the flats.

Nothing like getting nine "Good Morning" as they freight train you.

All in good fun.

I am totally out of shape. Working on my cardio.

Anything past 5% grade I need to hoof.  It's embarrassing.

There's nothing to be embarrassed about, Spencer, because you're doing something about it.

Ah. A fellow New Yorker are we, Celestino?

I would never dream of leaving a bike like this unattended for any period of time in the city.

I've lost one a many bike, wheels and seats in the city.

Hahaha! I am not a New 'Yorka', Spencer, although I have visited many times, in the 80's and 90's, as I have quite a few cousins there and my paternal grandfather was a Portuguese Amercian, so I know what it is like. Nonetheless, we, here, in Vancouver, also have a big problem with bike thefts, unfortunately, so I am used to locking my bike with two strong locks.

Ah you skinny tire guys. Me and my fat tire friends always crank past you guys on the hills but you guys smoke us on the flats.

Nothing like getting nine "Good Morning" as they freight train you.

All in good fun.

Is that a challenge? My idea of fun is riding up a hill - turning around and then repeat, repeat, repeat....

BTW - Spencer - very nice bike. I ride a Specialized Allez and love it.