"Let me tell you what I think about bicycling. I think it has done more to emancipate women than anything else in the world. It gives women a feeling of freedom and self-reliance. I stand and rejoice every time I see a woman ride by on a wheel.. the picture of free, untrammeled womanhood." ~ Susan B. Anthony
There's been a typhoon off the coast of Vietnam.... in addition to the regular raining season.
I think this may actually be the first weekend I did not get up early to ride. I had intervals planned after the regular morning ride, but since the NVL Highway was a mess, I didn't even bother to try....
Took off about 8:30 to the Industrial Park for 7 by 3min intervals.
Enjoy the following clip of me getting ready to cross one of the roads...
Great trip to Cat Lai with four Dutchmen.... Mark, Michael, Rudy, and Toon. Below is a short video of the ride taken by Toon on his GoPro. Thanks Toon for the time to put this together. As cyclists, its often difficult to explain our experiences.... this makes it easier!
Do I have a photo?
Do I have a video?
Did I even bring my Garmin?
No to all the above. But OBRA did verify, I was the winner of the 3rd and final hot lap, and did place 4th (out of 8) for the race. The top three, really fine, fine athletes.
If there really is a cloud 9, I suppose I am there!
Anyhow, one for the Home Boys! Thanks so much for the support and kicking my @$$ every T/R/S/S in Vietnam... Thanks to PIR, my cornering has gone from completely horrid to just plain, bad!
Never raced in the USA! Funny! Got my bike in Taiwan, raced in Taiwan... later Cambodia, Thailand, and Indonesia but never the USA.
I have always wanted to so this race at the Portland International Raceway.
www.racemondaynights.com
There is 'Novice Women', and 'Open'. Hmmm... I am not a member of OBRA, and I am not 'Categorized'. I have a fantasy that I am a Cat 3 rider. I have won a lot of races over the years and place well in stage races. I am not new to racing, but we don't race every week.
I live in Vietnam and every T/R/S/S feel much like a race.
Well...
I am learning a LOT
Here's Lap 11 of last weeks. Two got away in front and we lost a few on the back. I was smart on this lap and kept to the front. Sadly... not every lap. When the Cat 2 gals dig deep, I fly off the back. But, an area for improvement. That's what I am here for!
Lap 1 or 2, don't know...
Lap 2 or 3, I think they rang for the "hot lap" after this....
And that is what happens to me after a HOT LAP... I am in deep trouble! Need to work on some sprinting??? maybe some speed?
and after the next hot lap...
regular lap...
I am the 2nd girl...
This was the prior lap, and more representative of the 13 laps....
Hangin' off the back. dyin' to survive....
The last lap, I took the lead and pulled around the last corner... I got squashed... of course, the final sprint I was wasted. I figured since I did very little work in the race, I should work at the end... the girls thanked me for it.
I finished in the pack of 6, 2 escaped off the front and we lost a few off the back. So... happier with this performance than the prior weeks.
Monday nights are tough for me. I think the girls are mostly Cat 2 and 3... Don't know what I would classify myself as...3 or 4.
Not sure words can accurately describe what we saw, felt, smelt, and dealt with. It was a whirl-wind experience that I am not completely sure we will ever do again.
We arrived late at night after our fun day in Bangkok. Picking a hotel in Delhi with our criteria in mind was the hardest part of planning the trip. We wanted something not commercial, somewhat homey and something with character. We also wanted to be somewhere close to the things we wanted to see...
But what did we want to see? I don't know! There are forts, mosques, new building, etc. We were more interested in old history then new buildings so I found a place close to Old Delhi.
Oh come on.... if you are in your 40's, how can you EVER say, "One Night in Bangkok" without breaking into song?
So, it wasn't one night in Bangkok, but Bangkok will always have the 'buzz'...
We escape the airport and take the train into the city. We have been to Bangkok more times then I think I can count. Not to mention, racing has brought me to Bangkok at least 4 more times then the family! So... to Sukhumvit Road we go.... my husband a creature of habit will occupy his time in the same way as usual, massage at Lean On Tree followed by spicy Thai food and as many "Singha yiah" as we can finish.
Kids and I head to Emporium for some browsing.... ended up using my Visa...but hey.... girl should look good! Unexpected weight loss so I celebrate with a new dress! Oh la la....
Eirik managed to teach himself the bass.... Emily and I were free to shop as long as we wanted if Eirik was in the guitar store...
We found dad.
And the food.
And back to the airport to finish our journey to New Delhi.
And... We are in India. It's pretty amazing to be here. I know people are just chomping at the bit waiting to here all about our adventures and see how our humble family survived in the land of 1.2 billion people.
While I only have my iPad at the moment, I'll just summarize a few things that really are worth mentioning, things that surprised me....
The first most amazing thing is the railway system. I am completely impressed this system carries more than 2 million people and 22 million tons of cargo daily. Even more impressed is it's efficiency and (once you figure it out) ease to make reservations. A major triumph when I made my first reservation. ( unlike busses or planes, the train may start a long time before you get in and go for a long time after you get off....)
1. Having not researched enough about the local culture and religions, I realized 90% of what was in my suitcase was offensive! Delhi is predominately Hindu with a bit of Muslim, women show nothing... Knees and shoulders covered. I am thankful for the recent weight loss as I did bring a pair of longer Capri pants I wouldn't have otherwise.
2. 112*F (44*C) is really hot.
3. NO SMOKING! Seriously, the signs say, "No smoking, it is an offense!"
4. Fresh drinking water free at many public places! Huge respect for the government willing to make sure it's citizens drink clean water, free of charge!
5. In a city of more than 25 million, I never saw the same saree twice.
6. The poorest of women carry themselves with pride and humility.
5. Poverty in a train station will bring you to your knees as you see dirty barefooted children canvassing the tracks for empty water bottles.
6. Gandhi was amazing.
7. Women don't work for the most part. Our last stop is Mumbai, the most cosmopolitan and western city in India... So I am sure it is different.
8. The northern men love their women plump! Sitting by the pool in my very tiny bikini, I felt awkwardly self conscience about my weight.... I am pretty much a bean pole!
9. In Old Delhi, time seems to have stood still.... Men are working selling everything needed (not a tourist area) all secs of most eastern religions are working side by side in harmony.
10. I have never been hassles by so many touts in my life. Even with all the warnings and readings, they are so convincing... It was a bit scary.
11. in the north, my children were continuously photographed. It was sweet, interesting but at times very disturbing. There were a few instances we had to shield Emily like a movie star.
wish I was..... Homeward Bound....
Home, where my thought escaping
Home, where my music playing
Home...
I have alluded several times, its been a tough year... I know I can be the queen of drama...make mountains out of molehills, but the year brought me to my knees, and rattled my core. Never before have I ever questioned my inner strength to deal with any situation. Even in times of hurt, anger, frustration... I am one of my strongest rocks. I get that from my grandmother! I get her... I understand. I am tough, I am strong, I have a lot of self confidence, and I am a rock.
But this year... for reasons I won't write about... it sucked. I am glad it is over... I am glad to be going home.
I love my kids more than life itself... its been a tough year for them.
We had the death of our Head of School.
We had a PTA with a very, VERY thin board. And... I took the brunt of it. When no one was around (and that was pretty much the last 4 months) it came down on me...
Thank GOD for my bike.
I remember having a conversation with a cyclist and his wife said, "What are you training for", his reply was, "It keeps me from being angry". I didn't get it.
Now I do.
I ride very hard now.... I probably ride better, faster, and stronger then any time in my life. Even after arriving home, I feel the need to go out again.
Riding has been my salvation. I have tears and sweat on those rides...
The doctor told me to get counseling to let out all the 'stuff', and that the cycling isn't the way to go... well... I disagree! ha! In Bintan, I could absolutely care less about the race... my heart was with my son who was really struggling.... In Thailand, things were finally pulling together and I enjoyed the racing and felt I could exhale a bit again.
I have lost a solid 10 pounds, weighing in at no more the 125, ..luckily, no longer borderline anemic, and recovered my strength from an 8 month period (no exaggeration, I was exhausted)....
Now that school is almost out (2 days) and I have let PTA go, I have had a chance to 'feel' the year... and its all coming out....tears... frustration.. adn I even let someone 'have it' (but she deserved it!)
Life isn't all peaches and cream... and my blog posts don't have to pretend they are. The truth is, during our journeys in life..... things go really right and things go not so smooth. I am grateful for what I have, the good and the bad, I know my situations and it is very easy to look around and NOT FEEL SORRY FOR MYSELF, that isn't my intention... but it doesn't mean that certain things don't hurt.
Off to India... looking forward to some culture...heat... and escape!
Don't know how I will survive w/out my bike though!
When I first got to Vietnam, I knew what expat "wife" life was like. But, now my kids were a bit older and having mom around wasn't so cool. A harsh reality!
The first coffee morning, the president asked if someone could be treasurer... well... why not?!? So, I asked... I actually thought many people would ask... ha ha...
How hard can that be? I remember just feeling overwhelmed with the idea, but why not? I knew I had to get myself out there or I'd just ... not do well. Kids were too old to volunteer in their classes, and meeting other adults would be integral to my survival. Work would keep me isolated in my home (where ever that was... we were living in a 2 bedroom apartment on the river in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City.)
Then we had the Charity Bazaar... even though I was in Taiwan racing on that day, the impact of it was deep in me! I participated on the committee and observed. I knew the next year, I wanted to be a BIT part of this! Not observe! To see the impact of the lives we changed was really life changing for me.
So comes 2010-11 School year. I am elected president (due to lack of anyone else wanting to do it), but totally on board! I was so thrilled to be a part, and a big part of an organization that made differences in the lives of our kids and the general community to which we lived!
This year, our 2nd year, we have a great staff... we have a Prez (me), Vice Prez (Quoc who was pres last year), Volunteer coordinator Delma, Secretary Linda and marketing Teresa. I also served as our treasurer.
The year was great!
I had two objectives as PTA President:
1. Double the income from the Charity Bazaar
2. Get the Middle School and HIgh School activities off the ground!
The result? #1 was tough, the increasing dong to dollar ration meant it was harder to make double the income. That said, we increased our income by 5,000USD and that saved a lot of lives.
#2, we started a few programs in the Middle and High Schools. Never before had PTA been involved in MS and HS as a group. I was very proud of this involvement.
The following year, I hung on as President... unfortuantely, we had yet again, no treasurer...so I must do this job AGAIN.
The year started off fine, but after Christmas, everything fell apart. Our board became very, VERY thin. Quoc was busy with work, and travelled almost 50% or more... when home... many other things to do. Summer quit, Joy moved, and well...
I participated on the Head of School search committee as we sat and watched Charles health deteriorate.
Monday I got an invitation from Sister Cam Thuy from the Anh Linh Love School to attend their end of year celebration. "Your presence will be an encouragement to the children".
I'd like to say, their presence is a lesson of humility and encouragement to me!
I arrived on time at 8:30, amazing considering the rain! I decided to ride my bike over, so got out all my rain gear. I refused to take a taxi! It is deep in District 7, and things aren't exactly, "Phu My Hung" here!
Ms. McKinnon was there....
MC's for the morning....
The first performance....
My favorite! This girl is 19 years old, in grade 6. She is an orphan without papers, in the eyes of the government, she does not exist. She has two younger sisters and they stay at the school. She sang in English, "I am Proud"... the last line, "I can do anything, I spread my wings and fly"....
damn...dropped a tear! Beautiful girl the government just let down!
Graduating class, all finished 9th grade, the little one on the left's name is Ocean. He is 19, by the size of his body, you can only imagine his life prior to coming to school. Sister Thuy sat next to me giving me lots of information about each kid. Two of the students give speaches. Though I can not understand Vietnamese, the content is very clear. They are grateful for the education, grateful for not being left behind and will miss this school, their '2nd home'.
Sister Thuy addressing the crowd.
Hilarious dance
These kids were #1 in their class. You will notice that most are girls... I asked why and the speculation is... if a family has two kids, one a girl, one a boy... the boy goes to school, the girl isn't valued. Hmmm
These were the #2
I got to present the gifts to the #3 kids...
I think these were #4, or received the citizenship award. Not entirely sure.
Another performance, the clothes came from our school's clothing drive.
All the children knew the song the girls were doing their fan dance.
Elementary children listening....
Sister Thuy congratulating them on a great year. Many of the children received 100% on the exams that are given by the government.
A donation for glasses to 46 kids!
I am asked to stay for lunch and do. It is always a nice time to visit with other benefactors of the school. It is always so grounding and humbling.
So, there are two questions I leave the school with:
1. For every child that is found and brought to this school, how many are out there?
2. What happenes to the children that are not found....
leave #2 to ponder.
For some reference, two videos were made by a student at SSIS in hopes of collecting food for the food drive:
So, I enjoyed my 1/2 Leo beer the night before... I got this in the BAG! Right? Right?
ah....ha....
It is "GO" from the start. Women in the front. For the first time in 5 days, we actually get to race against each other...not man/wife teams...not M40 and holding on to the peloton... but estrogen against estrogen...
Let me tell you,
Nothing more dangerous then a group of peri-menapausal women on a bike! Let alone, let them race!
BEST racing day yet!
I had a target on my back as big as TEXAS. I was teh Ace of Spades... Being the idiot that i am at times... I failed to think that I'd be a target...whose going to get 4 minutes out of me on a flat course...
Well, that was the goal.
IT was fast and furious from the gun. New rules.... if the Juniors or Ladies go...no other group can help bridge (jeepers...that's a nice rule to EVENTUALLY HAVE!)..
Siw is determined to reclaim her 2nd place... I would to.
There was no rest for me.
I didn't dare take a water bottle....
I raced smart... I led one attack, there was one earlier by Katherin, but no one would help her.... I have bad feelings about this...
So, I attack, from the outside... I grab Katherine and say, "30 sec rotation....I don't leave you hanging...we make a break"...
eventually, we are caught!
Its blood, sweat... and no water for 60km, average speed nearly 40kph.
I get caught in the wrong position before the sprint... come in 4th... (but kept my 2nd in the GC)....
I blame only myself for the poor sprint... got a little dodgy at the end and nearly went down..
Cross the finish line congradulating Siw on yet again, another fine finish... we all laugh about the race. Even though I had a target on my back, it by no means means we are not friends off the road.... its racing!
2nd for the Tour...
Am happy...
Am happy!
I give my trophy to the Club Quan 7 XeDap group. I don't know what they think of it... but they understand my appreciation to them for letting me ride with them!
To D7 riders along the Nguyen Van Linh highway.....this ones for you! Thanks for letting me be the 'white' girl and accepting me....
So, there was this 'hill' advertised... we disected it... studied it... and just before bedtime learned that the idiot that posted it.... was way, WAY wrong. There was no 500m climb, no 300m descent in 1.5km, it was just a steady hill.
Out with the M40 again, they put women on the front.
I am feeling even more relaxed. Just hang with the group, I can do this... I know what I did wrong yesterday and today is all out...no stops, I'd rather puke and fall over than be conservative. What do I have to lose? I am 3rd in GC at this point.... all I can do is strive for better.... It would take a lot ot lose the 3rd, and I'd rather lose the 3rd by trying than not by doing anything at all.
Fairly uneventful...first 30km or so. Small undulating hills, few bumps of bikes... a scream from the back of the pack...
The hill is there... we are on it... its a very low incline and very steady.
Siw is pulling back...her breathing is very hard and labored....she's sick. Now it is just me and Anne-Marie. She's got a peloton of ANZA guys not to mention her husband. The boys surge... we both fall back, but she thinks I have completely dropped. When she spots me she screams...her husband helps pull her back to the group... I get in there too...
Okay...not giving this up! Ride it to the hill, give it everythign I have... I won't take 5 minutes out of her, but I can certainly try.
Then the down hill... I grab a water bottle from another rider, but there was a surge... not in the right place to be....
My meager 57kph average over the 2km downhill was no match for the group... I had dropped. Unbelievable! UNBELIEVABLE and such a stupid mistake. I should have never taken water unless I had positions to give... I didn't!
I grab on to a Phillipino guy who dropped because of a technical issue and he pulls me, we try to get back to the group. We are offered a van pull, but it is illegal. I am NOT doing anything illegal!
Then, the snap, when you realize its over. We chased for 30km, they were always in sight... but there were some healthy surges that our two man group just couldn't catch.
Now, it is hot...
I am cramping...
I am miserable. But I ignore the pain, there will be time to feel it later. If I acknowledge any pain, I might as well just give up. It must come with motherhood, you can easily ignore and postpone pain as there are much more important things then yourself on the line.
We get to the dam climb... parts are steep, I really question if I even have the strength to climb up it. For the last 20km, everything has been geared around focusing on getting to the top of the climb. I know I have 2nd for the stage, and depending on how much time I am ahead of Siw, I could take 2nd in the GC. It depends.
I have yet to figure out why I was smiling... I hurt so bad...and I got dropped....AGAIN...quite embarassed...
It was my 2nd, 2nd place for the Tour thus far.... fairly happy though one day would love to stand on teh top fo the podium.... Got my long sleeved - NVL-7 jersey and khaki skort...
Now, 2nd in GC with 4+minutes to lead...
Should be easy to keep....
Celebrated with a beer.... just had a good laugh and really enjoyed myself that evening...
Putting the day before behind me, realizing I have nothing to be worried about and relax... I am hoping this will be my day to shine.
Training on our bridge had gone well, so I thought... went to VT twice to climb the mountain there and I am a confident climber... I never doubt myself, I NEVER worry about how I feel, I just go for it.
We pull out of the resort and it is game on. We immediately drop four girls. They had no idea what hit them.
It was fast, I was a bit surprised. The undulating terrain was a constant surge/slow/surge/slow
And as advertised, at 39.0km came 'the hill'. 3km with 8% average (or something like that...) As usual, not in the best spot for climbing, but .... hey.... I am a climber, right?
O
M
G
Apparently
NOT ANY MORE!
I am doing all I can to hang, but I don't. The leader is out of sight, I am not passing all the big boys I used to two years ago, this is NOT easy.
Is it the HEAT?
Is it the fact I rode SOLO for 85km yeaterday w/ a head wind
Is it that our training area SUCKS?
I am shocked....and a weeee bit mortified to be honest. I can't believe what is happening... I am climbing in slow motion... Now I aim to pass Siw Haller. If I don't get a lot of time on her, she'll drown me int he down hill and obliterate me on the flat... I manage to muster enough energy to put 30 seconds on her, but haul ass down hill.... sadly, my @$$ is too slow.... 1/2 way down, she catches me w/ a string of guys... I can't even hold their wheel.
Eventually, I get back on. We are four then six people. I see Glenn, my Hong Kong expat, Mui Ne buddy, Paul Dalton who we had a few jokes together earlier... This is great. We just ride to the turn aruond...
In the middle of this, I realize.... it will be Siw and I for the last 20km. I am trying to figure out how to beat her with this.... its a flat finish....she's the queen of sprints and I am the queen of mediocraty! What am I going to do...
I am sure she's thinking of how to drop me.
After the turn, I fall back a little to see what the game plan is...dare she go alone without me? Dare she not? She does as I thought, not go at it alone. Maybe she could have dropped me but with some of the hills, I doubt it. She opts to keep me. Okay.
We will finish together.... but I know the sprint is a bit out of my reach.
and it was...
3rd....
Redemption? No...not at all!
At the awards dinner, I simply say to Alex, "TEACH ME HOW TO SPRINT"!
We take off from The Rich Hotel. We are set in with the M40's again. Hmmmm, how do I feel about this? My riding has improved, I should be able to hang with them once I get in a groove. I fight in Vietnam to keep good position, so I hope it pays off here...
For the first 25km, fairly uneventful. There is a surge and my poor positioning caused me to fall back for a bit. I bear down and put myself in the middle of the group. That will be ENOUGH of that.
We are on the right, then the lane gives out to gravel.
I bunnyhop to the paved road along with the group.
thud...
thud...
thud...
Flat on the front. 35km in to the race...85 to go.
And...what goes through my head.... one of my daughter's iPod songs:
I get a switch very quickly, but the pack is long gone. I ask for a push, NO... I try to get behind the motor cycle for a pull, NO! I try to draft off of trucks.... NO
Okay... well, its early. I can't catch the group, I have to find my comfort level and resign to work hard. I know with more then 70km to go at that point, there is a very good chance many other girls will fall out and I can just pick them off... 70km a lot can happen.
And it did...
I passed three fairly quickly. The fourth hung on my wheel. Okay, I got 5th, my GC will be smashed...no chance for anything better then 5th. I make the woman rotate but not long. She can't hold the speed, but I really needed some rest. We pick up a few others... but eventually, they can't hold... I can't be bothered... I take off.
Its always a tough decision. Stay with the small group and rest so there's a chance for the next day... or just take off and try to preserve something.
At the end of the route, a 10km out and back. I pass the finish line so I have 20km to go. I see Alex with Nick and he gives me the thumbs up. At that point, I am humiliated...I start to cry... all those weeks of training...and it comes down to a freakishly hot day, flat tire, and not being pushed back (I was suppose to, it was stated very, VERY clearly the night before).
I just do what I can do to finish. Hopefully everyone sucks at climbing and somehow, I shine a bit and I can take some time back. Those are my thoughts, get to tomorrow, put this one to rest.
I cross the line... put my bike on the truck... get lunch... Now I have to tell everyone what happened.
Alan Grant told me: "Get a stage win tomorrow, Tina!"
I eat with the Spice girls... "You can work with us, you are strong!" Maybe, but now tired.
I never see Alex and glad...I'd just cry and I was already humilated and I didn't want to admit it... I just shrugged it off and laughed with everyone else. What could I do... I got a flat. I didn't plan it. Really, it was my fault, I know better then to be on gravel... if I were better placed in the group perhaps it wouldn't have happened, but then again, maybe it would have.
I take the bus back to the hotel. Alex meets me and has taken care of getting me a room, ordering me a massage. I was so relieved, last year, often there weren't enough rooms.
Had a shower, pulled myself together and started to think about the next day. What else could I do.
When Bobby returned my wheel, I asked him, "Hey, aren't we suppose to get a push back to the group when we get a flat?"
"Yes, that didn't happen?"
"No, today or last year".
"Your time will be adjusted"
Suddenly, I was back in the race. I got the same time as the last girl in the group to cross the line. It was a full minute behind the winner, but I was really relieved. Worried that the other women would be angry, I didn't ask. I explained to them that I didn't get a push, Bobby adjusted my time... I didn't ask... but reminded them I was exhasuted now... They seemed to feel the adjustment was the right thing.
aauugghh....
live and learn.
Luckily, I came to the race with the attitude of having fun... and even with the day's event, I was having fun.
So, I have NEVER done an ITT. NEVER. Well, if you count the Thursday rides in Taiwan where we'd go 1/2 way around the airport one at a time... course, I always lost.
7 km Individual Time Trial...you, the wind, the road, and a clock. Go all out, then give more!
11:08, not a stellar time, but good enough to place me #2, 2nd only to the gal who specialized in ITT, brought an ITT bike, suit, and pointy helmet.
Ridden very little (compared to me!!) as Gj typically used another bike for riding. This was his 'Sunday Best' and he probably put less then 4,000kms on it since I bought it for his 40th birthday 6 years ago.
Details:
2005 Pinarello Dogma FP AK-61 Magnesium Fassa Bortolo Team Edition
Custom made for Fabio Sacchi with lot of Fassa Bortolo gear extra.
Up for consideration is an authentic 2005 Team Edition Fassa Bortolo
Pinarello Dogma FP AK-61 Magnesium.
This bike was bought from the Pinarello factory in the Summer of 2006 after the closure of the Fassa Bortolo Team and Fassa Team riders Alessandro Petacchi and Fabio Sacchi joined the newly founded Team MILRAM in 2006.
This is a truly unique bike and has the race-number tab on the underside of the top-tube and also has the FB-13 as part of the frame serial number on the bottom bracket.
The frame also has the SACCHI name stickers as well as his #3 on the seat stay.
It is worth noting that Sacchi was part of the lead out train supporting Petacchi in several wins during 2005 and prior years and that he won the Milano - San Remo stage race that same year.
The Bike is fully original and as ridden by Sacchi. The only modification was that I changed the Deda Newton Stem from a 150 to a 130 as this reach was a bit too long for me. I can include either stem and up to you.
Bike as all Campagnolo Record 10 sp ULTRA and the Magnesium Tubing is Dedacchiai AK-61
Pinarello Dogma AK-61 is to my knowledge the only Magnesium frame road bike that went to mas production and Pinarello was very successful with this model being the choice of the Fassa Bortolo Team and Alessandro Petacchi.
2006 was won on the AK-61 Dogma as well and by Spaniard Pereiro.
Frame condition is good but as this was a race bike, there are some small scratches here and there. I will not attempt to rate overall cosmetic conditions as I find this purely subjective. I will say it is a beautiful bike and the scratches as noted are mostly found on the White section on the down tube.
The (custom) dimensions of this Frame are listed in the diagram as well as several pictures of the actual bike and ………also what appears to be the same bike in pictures with Sacchi (cannot guarantee this)
I am approximately 180cm tall and the bike fit me well but a bit “stretched out” and too much of a hard core racing bike for the riding I do nowadays.
Buyer of asking price of USD $4000, will also receive the following to outfit your Fassa wardrobe:
Full Kit; shirt and bibs and socks all new
Fassa jacket (used but as new)
DMT Flash Carbon Petacchi edition road shoes (used but as new) size 42 EU.
Gloves (used)
2 ELITE Fassa water bottles (66mm)
Petacchi framed Dogma poster
Shop banner Pinarello Dogma with Petacchi
New Pinarello Bar Tape
Original Pinarello Bike box (as shipped from the factory)
Pinarello stickers
The Bike has MOsT Pinarello in house brand Wheels and Continental Pinarello edition tires. These wheels are not the high end race wheels once used on this bike. The Campagnolo Neutron wheels that came with this bike are not in good shape and I am not comfortable selling these – they where added to the bike but not the original wheels - (Sacchi used Bora G3 Wheels as his race wheels.)
The current Pinarello wheels that will come with this Dogma are virtually brand new and tires appear not worn / new.
The SIGMA computer is also original and has not been changed since the bike was a FASSA Team Bike.
Please see the PDF file with pictures of the Bike and all the gear as described above.
This is a truly unique bike and a collector item. This is not a forced sale and I am firm on this price and it is relevant considering the price I paid and as little use the bike has had since I acquired it in late 2006.
USD$ 4000,-
For more information, reply and I will contact you.
With this years unbeleivably intimidating Tour of Friendship coming in just two short weeks, I am desperate for some real climbing. The race profiles show pitches of over 20% in some places and 10% as an average!
My little Phu My Bridge is 4.8% at best....
So... off to Vung Tau, there is a hill with some steeper pitches and for teh effort, its the best climbing that can be done here in a day.
From Russia with Love.... I board the noisy HydroFoil for a $10. Easy trip down teh Saigon river to the Ocean and dropped off at Vung Tau.
The other side of the Industrial Park.
My Phu My Bridge....how I don't miss climbing IT today....
The top of the hill, the "Lighthouse Hill". It is a 2.3km hill, probably 2.5 from the main road, but the first stretch is really dodgy. The last bit is also really bad, rough road, broken harsh pavement and very narrow.
WHOA....what is that in the background? Trees? Blue Sky? OMG... its nature! Where are the 24 wheeler trucks? Where's the exhaust? My lungs are in SHOCK!
So pretty!
Peaceful..
Serene....
I am still smiling.... sweated through at least 4 water bottles.... super hot and windy..
But, I gott'r done! Eight climbs, 1050m. I knew I didn't climb 'well', but nothing was a struggle. I tried harder gearing trying to come up with some idea of HOW 24% would feel.
My hostess, Ms. Sang (Mr. Thang's girlfriend) cooked an AMAZING meal for us and her middle daughter. Quite honestly, it was THE best Vietnamese food I have ever tasted! I met her at the HTNA tour. She travelled along with the team. She was so helpful and clearly, very delightful. when I told Long I was coming for some mountain training and unsure if Alex could come, he arranged for Thanh to meet me. He also looked after me during the ride.
Traditional style eating, on the floor. Sadly, I am so inflexible, I had to stretch my legs. I was a bit embarassed.
Thuy, Sang's daugther (came home early from work to help her mom w/ me!!) Sang, and Thanh. They treated me like a princess.
On the ferry at 1:00pm, home by 2:45.... exhausted, sunburned, and happy!
Happy until I analyzed my climbs.... but that's another story!
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