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Frame: Cervelo R3

Components: Shimano Dura-Ace

Wheels: Easton EA90 SL

So you probably haven’t been as excited to read this as I was when I got my new bike but if you have then there’s no question you’ve got a bit of a cyclist within. From riding my first steel frame Pinarello 7 or 8 years ago, I’ve spent enough time on a road bike now to know and appreciate a well built frame. Let me tell you, the R3 is a well built frame.

Along with getting my new bike, my old bike had to go. I could have kept it as a traveling bike taking it to world cups and whatnot but I figured it was still good enough that it could be put to better use as someone’s training bike. My old bike was an Opus Allegro (that’s right, I stayed with a Canadian brand!) that had full Ultegra components and Easton wheels. Definitely a good bike and with the upkeep that I was doing it was a comfortable ride. So like I wanted, it found its way to one of the developing skaters who’s training here in Calgary. I couldn’t be happier with the difference it has made for him.

By the time I got my new bike it was only fitting that I had a few 4hr rides in the program that weekend. The forecast was sunny and hot so for the first day my brother, Mykola, and I decided to drive up to Banff and ride from Banff to Lake Louise and back (sorry, I didn’t get any pictures from this ride). Roughly a 120km round trip plus options for branching off the main highway to add time and that was that – a gorgeous day. I don’t know if it was the nice weather, the scenery, or the new bike but for every moment of that ride I was in the zone.

The second day wasn’t any different either. I’ll admit I was feeling it in the legs from the first day but once we got riding it didn’t matter. We stayed closer to Calgary this time around riding from here up past Elbow Falls and back. It was another 120km or so with a few solid climbs near Elbow Falls and included a quick stop to check out the sites.

Having that weekend to get used to the bike was perfect. There were long flat sections to feel the comfort of the frame, climbs to feel how efficient the power transfer is and descents to really appreciate the new wheels. Simply put – beautiful! I don’t think anybody will hear me complain when there’s another ride on the program.

I could probably write more about the bike or the rides I’ve done so far but I’ll leave it at that for today. In about a week and a half I’ll be off to Oregon for another training camp and I can assure you there will be a lot of riding there. Another entry or two will definitely be coming soon as well!