Pics of my 2010 Gitane Racing

Post by **sandranian** » Thu Jun 03, 2010 11:17 am

So I am racing this season...only a bit...but having some fun doing so. Just moved up into the "Masters" categories: Cat. 40+ 1/2/3, meaning (for those of you who don't race in the USA) you have to be 40 years old (racing age...so you have to turn 40 in 2010) and be a category 3 racer or better.

This Saturday, I am traveling to Bakersfield to contest the 40+ Masters State Championship. I don't stand a chance, but am going just to get some more experience. These are some GREAT riders...some former professionals who never quit racing (like Thurlow Rogers and my friend Dan Vogt). A bunch of multiple national champions (like Vogt and Richard Meeker). Just very talented bike riders in general.

The race pics below were from Monday, May 31 in Dominguez Hills (Long Beach), California, at my first 40+ 1/2/3 race.

Gtane · Post by **Gtane** » Thu Jun 03, 2010 1:51 pm

Very good Stephan, most impressed. Great shots too.

How do you find those mid/deep section rims? How do they compare against 3x, radial and low profile?

Are you riding tubs or high pressures?

Is your frame a monocoque carbon? Not sure if you're riding 'The One', or not.

Thanks

Tim

Post by **sandranian** » Thu Jun 03, 2010 2:43 pm

Yes, that is the Definitive "The One" ISP.

The wheels are Mavic Carbone SL wheels with the stickers removed. They are fast and really STIFF! Much stiffer than low-profile rims, and they make a great "humming" sound, which is always nice to hear on the bike. High-pressure (120psi/8.3 bar) Continental clinchers.

I also felt a bit like a traitor to my team, because I shunned the team garb and dressed in Gitane wear. None of my friends were in the race anyways, so I thought "to hell with it."

Gtane · Post by **Gtane** » Thu Jun 03, 2010 11:48 pm

Stephan.

I thought they might be very stiff, particularly so with a monocoque frame. I've never ridden that combination.

Must have been a great ride on that surface. Fast too with that set-up.

Thanks for the detail and great to see the new machine. You have a terrific bike there.

Tim

Post by **sandranian** » Fri Jun 04, 2010 4:21 am

Granted the roads are pretty good around here, but on longer rides (albeit with "standard" road wheels - Mavic Ksyrium's) the Definitive does not beat you up badly. It is stiff where it needs to be (bottom bracket and headtube/fork for power and handling) but not jarring on rough surfaces.

Gitane seriously got it right with this bicycle. Oh...and it is light too. I need to weigh my bike (I don't have a super-accurate scale).

Wisey · Post by **Wisey** » Fri Jun 04, 2010 3:53 pm

Hey

!!! Second pic... Don't leave gaps, brother

.

Are you riding sans sunglasses, or are you wearing specs, ala "the professor" (LF)?

Post by **sandranian** » Sat Jun 05, 2010 3:49 am

Those are my regular glasses. And I was bridging to the break, for your information...I don't get gapped!

Wisey · Post by **Wisey** » Sat Jun 05, 2010 7:53 pm

Hopefully we'll see you bag the win soon!

Speaking of specs...... I recently bought a pair of oakley half jackets with my prescreption in them. Unlike the old M-frames that had you RX lens glued onto the regular lens, these are a full RX lens cut into the the oakley template by oakley themselves. Barely heavier then the stock item, and pretty good so far. I've tried lots of different options over the years, and these are the best so far. I tried the small rimless specs, but without the blonde ponytail it just doesn't have the same effect.........