I pulled the trigger...

Late last night, I decided to check back onto the Canyon Bike website. I don't know why, but I just did. The last time I was on the site, the bike I was interested in buying wasn't available, and I signed up for an alert to let me know when it became available. That was last week, and they hadn't notified me yet, which I was expecting because they said it could be at the end of September or the beginning of October.  

Lo and behold, I checked out the site, and the bike in my size was now available. My first thought was, "Why didn't they email me?" and my second thought was, "Should I pull the trigger and buy it?" 

I really thought about it, and after about 90 minutes and after asking Alice her thoughts, which were that I should buy it as she has concerns about my current bike being safe, I pulled the trigger. I bought it. With taxes, it totaled out to almost $10,000, and I figured losing my life or not becoming disabled was worth spending $10,000.

For me, what got me to click purchase was self-preservation. If I got in an accident or worse, then I'd have regretted not buying the bike. There is no going back, and I can afford it. In buying it, I better use it. In a way, it's forcing me to ride regularly. Buying it for one race and then not using it would be foolish. 

I ended up buying the Speedmax CF 8 Di2 for $8149, plus I got the aero water bottle for $229 and delivery, which includes bike assembly by Velofix. I was going to build it myself but decided not to, but I will be watching closely so I know how to disassemble it for when I have to travel to the race and put it into a bike bag. 

Canyon is fast. Early this morning, I got an email that the bike had shipped. I can hardly wait until it arrives. Tonight, I had a ride. I went aero, and the arm pads bent with the weight I put on them. If there were any reservations about buying a new bike, they are now gone. 

The other reason I'm looking forward to getting a new bike is to evaluate whether there is an issue with my front wheel not spinning freely. My speed seems so slow that I'm having a hard time believing it's my leg strength or that I'm carrying the extra weight, as I have yet to average 25 kph on any of my rides. 

I did have an issue a few weeks ago with my front wheel not turning freely, and it was a lot of resistance. It was so obvious I had to stop and loosen the hub levers. Even though I did that, I questioned if there is still resistance that is less noticeable but still there. 

I wonder why I crushed the speed when I went into the aero position today. I was always in the 30 kph + range. Is it anything to do with my weight pushing down on the front wheel, or are the muscles in my legs stronger when I'm aero? The new bike will let me know for certain if it's my legs or the front wheel of my bike. 

I was riding well and thought I'd break the 25 kph average speed this ride, but sadly, I ended up at 24.7 kph, which is what my last ride was. On the one hand, I had an enjoyable ride an hour before sunset, and on the other hand, the average speed was a bummer. 

It wasn't easy to get out the door for the ride tonight. It was another push. But I'm getting used to the push and not thinking. I realize that you don't need motivation to succeed; you need discipline. Discipline is doing it even when you are not motivated. 

As I rode, all I could think about were the guys I used to race against who also quit and have come back. They are back doing great biking and running times, and if they can do it, I should be able to, unless I have an unknown medical issue. If I'm right, getting there is just a matter of time and consistency. 

To help build muscle and recover quicker, I always have a protein shake, beta-alanine, and glutamate. Even though the beta-alanine still has a side effect of tingling and makes me feel a little sick after I take it, I keep telling myself I have to keep it up until my body gets used to it. 

Bike - 1:03:37 / 26.17 km / 24.7 kph avg pace