Waking up to SRAM news is always a good way to start the day in my book. As of today, February 1st, SRAM has announced details for their new Red group. Along with redesigned function comes new aesthetics and a number of new features which promise to make the 2012 incarnation of Red one of the best mechanical groups on the market.
After Caisse d'Epargne departed last year, we were treated to the lime and navy kit accented with white. A little more white appears along the opposite side panel of the jersey, but otherwise little has changed from last year.
The personnel changes are more intriguing than the kit changes. Vuelta champion J.J. Cobo has come aboard after the dissolution of Geox-TMC and Alejandro Valverde has returned from a 2 year suspension imposed by the Court for Arbitration for Sport.
Good customer service is hard to find these days. Typically, we hear more complaints about Local Bike Shop service than anything else, but in reality a lot of us purchase items online. This is where customer service really can fall flat quickly, so a great experience is worth talking about.
I'm here to tell you RoadID will take care of you.
Back story:
The importance of base building is often overlooked by many cyclists, especially those who have ignored or ill defined their season goals. Your aerobic base is the foundation for all future interval workouts, and without it, the risk of injury and/or burnout is distinctly higher than in a cyclist with a proper aerobic base. More importantly, poor endurance will ensure you falter before the end of your chosen events, so while it may be boring and redundant, it is one of the most important parts of your training.
While we all hate to admit it, the arrival of the winter solstice and New Year generally means we've been forced inside to the trainer. Sure, there have been some beautiful days here in the northeast and riders have been worming their way out of their couch based hibernation for group rides. But is it really a good idea to jump at the idea of a 50 mile ride in January? What if you're been training in earnest for an entire year? Where do you draw the line? Let's take a look and see when you should call time on the season.