How's this for irony?

I went to the LBS yesterday afternoon to pick up my steed, which was
having some long overdue work done. I took it in right after having
minor surgery on my leg (excision of some skin around a cancerous mole
- the biopsy came back negative, by the way), and this was the second
time it was supposed to be ready. Well, when I got there, it turned
out that more bearings and things were worn, and it'll be several more
days before it's released for me to abuse.

But while I was there, I saw a Pinarello Paris with the words "Demo
Bike" painted on the top tube, and it looked like it would fit me.
The owner had the mechanic put my pedals on it, set the saddle height,
and even change the stem length. I brought it home, intending to ride
it Friday morning. Since I have an 11AM appointment, I set the alarm
for 6:30, so I could get a ride in and be back by 10.

I woke up about 5:30, and it was raining! You may say, "Big deal,
rain happens." But I'm in Southern California, where they measure the
annual rain from July 1 to the next June 30, and there hasn't been any
rain at all so far this "year". And the average rainfall (if we ever
get back to average) is only 14 inches (around 36 cm).

Oh well, it's supposed to clear up for the afternoon, and my other
appointment should be over about 2PM. I'll have a good reason to
hurry home....

In article
,
"Fullerton Bike Rider (Colin Campbell)" wrote:

I went to the LBS yesterday afternoon to pick up my steed, which was
having some long overdue work done. I took it in right after having
minor surgery on my leg (excision of some skin around a cancerous mole
- the biopsy came back negative, by the way), and this was the second
time it was supposed to be ready. Well, when I got there, it turned
out that more bearings and things were worn, and it'll be several more
days before it's released for me to abuse.

But while I was there, I saw a Pinarello Paris with the words "Demo
Bike" painted on the top tube, and it looked like it would fit me.
The owner had the mechanic put my pedals on it, set the saddle height,
and even change the stem length. I brought it home, intending to ride
it Friday morning. Since I have an 11AM appointment, I set the alarm
for 6:30, so I could get a ride in and be back by 10.

I woke up about 5:30, and it was raining! You may say, "Big deal,
rain happens." But I'm in Southern California, where they measure the
annual rain from July 1 to the next June 30, and there hasn't been any
rain at all so far this "year". And the average rainfall (if we ever
get back to average) is only 14 inches (around 36 cm).

Oh well, it's supposed to clear up for the afternoon, and my other
appointment should be over about 2PM. I'll have a good reason to
hurry home....

If you're trying to rouse sympathy, Mr. "I have a borrowed Pinarello
Paris and I live in SoCal," it's not working.

I woke up at 5:30 this morning, it wasn't raining, and that's about as
big a shocker.

BTW, is the alliteration just supremely attractive to a certain
generation of parents? Because there's a "Colin Campbell" in my bike
club too (not to mention one who used to play for the local hockey team,
and is now VP in the NHL's front office.

I think I personally know only one other male Campbell,

--
Ryan Cousineau http://www.wiredcola.com/
"In other newsgroups, they killfile trolls."
"In rec.bicycles.racing, we coach them."

On Nov 1, 6:33 am, Ryan Cousineau wrote:
In article
,
"Fullerton Bike Rider (Colin Campbell)" wrote:



I went to the LBS yesterday afternoon to pick up my steed, which was
having some long overdue work done. I took it in right after having
minor surgery on my leg (excision of some skin around a cancerous mole
- the biopsy came back negative, by the way), and this was the second
time it was supposed to be ready. Well, when I got there, it turned
out that more bearings and things were worn, and it'll be several more
days before it's released for me to abuse.

But while I was there, I saw a Pinarello Paris with the words "Demo
Bike" painted on the top tube, and it looked like it would fit me.
The owner had the mechanic put my pedals on it, set the saddle height,
and even change the stem length. I brought it home, intending to ride
it Friday morning. Since I have an 11AM appointment, I set the alarm
for 6:30, so I could get a ride in and be back by 10.

I woke up about 5:30, and it was raining! You may say, "Big deal,
rain happens." But I'm in Southern California, where they measure the
annual rain from July 1 to the next June 30, and there hasn't been any
rain at all so far this "year". And the average rainfall (if we ever
get back to average) is only 14 inches (around 36 cm).

Oh well, it's supposed to clear up for the afternoon, and my other
appointment should be over about 2PM. I'll have a good reason to
hurry home....

If you're trying to rouse sympathy, Mr. "I have a borrowed Pinarello
Paris and I live in SoCal," it's not working.

I woke up at 5:30 this morning, it wasn't raining, and that's about as
big a shocker.

BTW, is the alliteration just supremely attractive to a certain
generation of parents? Because there's a "Colin Campbell" in my bike
club too (not to mention one who used to play for the local hockey team,
and is now VP in the NHL's front office.

I think I personally know only one other male Campbell,

--
Ryan Cousineau /
"In other newsgroups, they killfile trolls."
"In rec.bicycles.racing, we coach them."

Well, if it helps me get your sympathy, it actually rained a little
bit more on Saturday afternoon and evening. And it's supposed to cool
down into the upper 50's tonight, with a 30% chance of showers on
Sunday until Noon. If things get really bad, I'll have to go to the
indoor velodrome that's 20 miles away. Now do you sympathize?

I got in about an hour in the morning and another 90 minutes in the
afternoon on the Paris. It was nice, considering it had cheapo Campy
Khamsin wheels, Chorus components, and Most (Pinarello's house brand)
seat post, saddle, handlebars, and the like. Probably only worth
about $6500 as configured.

I climbed some stuff, and bombed down a steep descent or two. The
bike seemed solid. My daughter thought the bike was a lot smaller
than my Trek 5200, but I measured the top and seat tubes, and they
were exactly the same sizes. The Pinarello tubes are larger diameter,
and it was painted Caisse d'Epargne colors - red, black, and white -
maybe that tricked the eyes. The wheelbase was 100cm vs. 102cm for
the Trek. It weighed 17.76 lbs (right around 8kg) without bottles,
bag, or computer - now, I'm trying to remember whether I'd removed the
pedals before weighing. The Trek is over 19 lbs. (9kg).

My understanding is that Colin was the name of one of the earliest
heads of the Campbell clan. I haven't visited Scotland, but when I've
been in London, I've looked at the telephone directory, and found well
over 100 Colin Campbell listings. When I worked at Computer Sciences
Corp (the sponsor until the end of this year of Bjarne Riis' pro
cycling team), I started getting e-mails from Australia. I found that
CSC had hired another Colin down under. I've met one other Colin
Campbell (not many in 64 years!), and a few other Colins.

The LA Kings hired that Colin Campbell you're talking about to be
their manager a few years back, right around the time that the Lakers
were playing for a championship. I thought about calling the ticket
office, and saying I was Colin Campbell, and wondered if I could get
tickets for a playoff game....

In article
,
"Fullerton Bike Rider (Colin Campbell)" wrote:

On Nov 1, 6:33 am, Ryan Cousineau wrote:
In article
,
"Fullerton Bike Rider (Colin Campbell)" wrote:



I went to the LBS yesterday afternoon to pick up my steed, which was
having some long overdue work done. I took it in right after having
minor surgery on my leg (excision of some skin around a cancerous mole
- the biopsy came back negative, by the way), and this was the second
time it was supposed to be ready. Well, when I got there, it turned
out that more bearings and things were worn, and it'll be several more
days before it's released for me to abuse.

But while I was there, I saw a Pinarello Paris with the words "Demo
Bike" painted on the top tube, and it looked like it would fit me.
The owner had the mechanic put my pedals on it, set the saddle height,
and even change the stem length. I brought it home, intending to ride
it Friday morning. Since I have an 11AM appointment, I set the alarm
for 6:30, so I could get a ride in and be back by 10.

I woke up about 5:30, and it was raining! You may say, "Big deal,
rain happens." But I'm in Southern California, where they measure the
annual rain from July 1 to the next June 30, and there hasn't been any
rain at all so far this "year". And the average rainfall (if we ever
get back to average) is only 14 inches (around 36 cm).

Oh well, it's supposed to clear up for the afternoon, and my other
appointment should be over about 2PM. I'll have a good reason to
hurry home....

If you're trying to rouse sympathy, Mr. "I have a borrowed Pinarello
Paris and I live in SoCal," it's not working.

I woke up at 5:30 this morning, it wasn't raining, and that's about as
big a shocker.

BTW, is the alliteration just supremely attractive to a certain
generation of parents? Because there's a "Colin Campbell" in my bike
club too (not to mention one who used to play for the local hockey team,
and is now VP in the NHL's front office.

I think I personally know only one other male Campbell,

--
Ryan Cousineau /
"In other newsgroups, they killfile trolls."
"In rec.bicycles.racing, we coach them."

Well, if it helps me get your sympathy, it actually rained a little
bit more on Saturday afternoon and evening. And it's supposed to cool
down into the upper 50's tonight, with a 30% chance of showers on
Sunday until Noon. If things get really bad, I'll have to go to the
indoor velodrome that's 20 miles away. Now do you sympathize?

I got in about an hour in the morning and another 90 minutes in the
afternoon on the Paris. It was nice, considering it had cheapo Campy
Khamsin wheels, Chorus components, and Most (Pinarello's house brand)
seat post, saddle, handlebars, and the like. Probably only worth
about $6500 as configured.

I climbed some stuff, and bombed down a steep descent or two. The
bike seemed solid. My daughter thought the bike was a lot smaller
than my Trek 5200, but I measured the top and seat tubes, and they
were exactly the same sizes. The Pinarello tubes are larger diameter,
and it was painted Caisse d'Epargne colors - red, black, and white -
maybe that tricked the eyes. The wheelbase was 100cm vs. 102cm for
the Trek. It weighed 17.76 lbs (right around 8kg) without bottles,
bag, or computer - now, I'm trying to remember whether I'd removed the
pedals before weighing. The Trek is over 19 lbs. (9kg).

My understanding is that Colin was the name of one of the earliest
heads of the Campbell clan. I haven't visited Scotland, but when I've
been in London, I've looked at the telephone directory, and found well
over 100 Colin Campbell listings. When I worked at Computer Sciences
Corp (the sponsor until the end of this year of Bjarne Riis' pro
cycling team), I started getting e-mails from Australia. I found that
CSC had hired another Colin down under. I've met one other Colin
Campbell (not many in 64 years!), and a few other Colins.

The LA Kings hired that Colin Campbell you're talking about to be
their manager a few years back, right around the time that the Lakers
were playing for a championship. I thought about calling the ticket
office, and saying I was Colin Campbell, and wondered if I could get
tickets for a playoff game....

1) even though I am closer to an indoor velodrome than you are (10 km),
no, this did not help me feel any more sympathy.

2) OTOH, I did a CX race this morning, and continued the season streak:
I haven't done a single CX race in the rain. It's bizarre.

3) one of my teammates is named "Jonathan Page."

I'm thinking of changing my name to Greg LeMond,

--
Ryan Cousineau http://www.wiredcola.com/
"In other newsgroups, they killfile trolls."
"In rec.bicycles.racing, we coach them."

Ryan Cousineau wrote:
I'm thinking of changing my name to Greg LeMond,

Change your name to Andy Hampsten. Then you can keep reminding
tED about your famous win over the gavia.

In article ,
Donald Munro wrote:

Ryan Cousineau wrote:
I'm thinking of changing my name to Greg LeMond,

Change your name to Andy Hampsten. Then you can keep reminding
tED about your famous win over the gavia.

Excellent!

I'm Andy Hampsten, and I approve this message,

--
Ryan Cousineau http://www.wiredcola.com/
"In other newsgroups, they killfile trolls."
"In rec.bicycles.racing, we coach them."

On Nov 1, 10:17 pm, Ryan Cousineau wrote:
In article
,
"Fullerton Bike Rider (Colin Campbell)" wrote:






1) even though I am closer to an indoor velodrome than you are (10 km),
no, this did not help me feel any more sympathy.

2) OTOH, I did a CX race this morning, and continued the season streak:
I haven't done a single CX race in the rain. It's bizarre.

3) one of my teammates is named "Jonathan Page."

I'm thinking of changing my name to Greg LeMond,


Hey, it's Tuesday, and while it didn't rain at all on Monday, there is
actual rain falling here this morning. I won't be able to go riding
until Noon. NOW are you sympathetic, you big meanie? (Oh, and I got
rained on last Sunday morning while riding, too.)

In article
,
"Fullerton Bike Rider (Colin Campbell)" wrote:

On Nov 1, 10:17 pm, Ryan Cousineau wrote:
In article
,
"Fullerton Bike Rider (Colin Campbell)" wrote:






1) even though I am closer to an indoor velodrome than you are (10 km),
no, this did not help me feel any more sympathy.

2) OTOH, I did a CX race this morning, and continued the season streak:
I haven't done a single CX race in the rain. It's bizarre.

3) one of my teammates is named "Jonathan Page."

I'm thinking of changing my name to Greg LeMond,


Hey, it's Tuesday, and while it didn't rain at all on Monday, there is
actual rain falling here this morning. I won't be able to go riding
until Noon. NOW are you sympathetic, you big meanie? (Oh, and I got
rained on last Sunday morning while riding, too.)

Dumbass: I rode to work today. The further-away campus. It was dark. And
it rained.

I loved it.

Obserioussortof: my big complaint for the season is that now that I have
built a special mud-proof bike for cheating at cyclocross, not one race
this year has run in the rain. It's been a depressing run of clear, mild
days.

--
Ryan Cousineau http://www.wiredcola.com/
"In other newsgroups, they killfile trolls."
"In rec.bicycles.racing, we coach them."