The New Bike Now Has 41 Miles on It

Sunday, August 21, 2005, at 06:13PM

By Eric Richardson

35 miles riding this afternoon/evening. I'm exhausted. I started from my apartment, headed up past Echo Park to Sunset, and then took Sunset over to the Hollywood split and Hollywood to Hollywood Pro Bicycles over by Las Palmas. My carbon seat post won't stay put, but Chris wasn't in so I didn't get to do much about it. And so, yes, I rode 35 miles with a slipping seat post.

From the shop I made a stop at a hardware store near Santa Monica and Highland in an ill-fated attempt to use wax on the post to keep it put. That may have actually exacerbated the problem, and eventually I wiped it off.

From there I went back up to Hollywood and then wound my way up Nichols Canyon Rd all the way up to Mulholland. Then Mulholland west to church.

By the time I got to that last hill just past the 405 I was absolutely spent. Instead of being 15 miles into my ride like last week, this time I was already at 23 miles. I made it, though, and was only 5 minutes or so late getting into the service.

Afterward I did the same route as last time, taking Sepulveda down to the valley and Ventura east to the Panera Bread. After a good chicken caesar salad and a sit I continued straight on Ventura to the Universal City station.

New things always have some little quirks that need to be worked out in the breaking-in process, and this bike's no exception. The left crankarm tried coming loose, but eventually I figured out what was up and tightened that down. The seat post slip issue is common with carbon posts; I'm not sure what the solution will be there. I'm headed back into the shop on Tuesday morning anyway, though, so I'll get that worked on then.

All in all the bike performed admirably, though I again was schooled by just 1600 feet or so of climbing. Some day I'll be able to make that ride without being dead afterward.