Video of Dave's Dirty Dozen Cycling Hill Climbing Race.

Dave from Cycling Concepts has a hill climbing cycling race yearly in the hills of Glastonbury, CT.  View the video on YouTube:

Editing HD Video from a Canon HD Video Camera...Not Easy

Yesterday, I took some great footage of the dirty dozen bike race from the CC Van.  I have been trying to edit this video all morning.  Trouble is the format is not read natively by Vista or XP, but by Windows 7.  It also is not a native format to any video editing software I own.  So I did some searching, and found that Windows Live Movie Maker for Windows Video is free and can edit the streams from the Canon HD Video Camera my son Owns.  I downloaded it last night, a lengthy process, and tried to edit this morning.
I first tried to download the video directly from the card, sorry no good.  Then I plugged in the camera to the usa port, and it took nearly 1/2hr to create the clips.  Then I was able to import the stream from the camera onto Windows Movie Maker, but it had to convert the files before I could edit them.  This started about an hour ago.....Tic Toc.  Of the 15 video clips I imported, (not all clips from the race mind you), WMM only converted 5 so far...Tic Toc.  This is going to a costly time consuming venture I think.  Next time I use the cheep HD camera (flip Type) that I can natively edit.  Wow! 
Hope the quality justifies the time spent.
Not sure how the new Movie Maker works or the extent to which I can create a decent video either...We will just have to wait...and wait...and wait to see.
Wish me luck!
T

Introducing the Cervelo R3

Picture gallery on Picasa: http://picasaweb.google.com/r.scott.tomassetti/Cervelo_R3_Build?feat=directlink

Friday was the Cervelo R3 build at Cycling Concepts in Rocky Hill, CT. Sondre and I , mostly Sondre, placed parts and adjusted the frame to get the bike ready for the final fitting and cabling of the bike. Unlike the Tommaso build which I did myself, I choice to have it done at Cycling Concepts, as messing it up would have meant to great an expense for me. Sondre is an outstanding mechanic who knows his business, and I really wanted to learn as much as I could from him during the build process for later consumption.
The build started with me unwrapping the frame, gathering parts and putting the shifters on the handlebars. I put the front and rear Derailleurs, brakes, seat post and seat. After that I was pretty much a bystander, student, or gofer.
Once this was done, Sondre added the headset, which connected the fork to the frame. Sondre then leveled and turned the bottom bracket so the cups would screw in smoothly and evenly for better performance. He also turned the outer ring of the BB so the cups would fit parallel to each other. Once those things were done the BB cups were installed and then the Crank. I placed the new Speed Play Zero Pedal on the crank, the stem on the handlebars, and then Sondre leveled the Shifters, seat, and handlebars. Sondre adjusted both sides so the hoods would lay flat and slightly turned in for a more comfortable fit.
Once this was done I put the Dura Ace 7850SL Wheels on as the final piece to the puzzle before fitting. They match very nicely but subtlety to the bikes frame colors (White, black and red). The red nipples of the wheels will match the red nipples of the cable housing nicely. The red pedals are also a nice touch. The wheels made the R3 look more like a bike than an unfinished project, and gave my spirit a lift. It also made me anxious and ready to ride.
I still have to wait some though, as the fitting with be on Tuesday. This will determine the actual stem length we will be ordering, a Thomson X2. Once this is done, we can them put the cables on, and adjust shifting and the like. For now I am going with bar tape I already had laying about, but later will be using Deda Tape. By this time next week, she should be up and rolling. I cannot wait to go riding on the NEW CERVELO R3.
Just want to thank Sondre, Dan, and Dave for their extreme patience, and understanding my need to be involved with the bike build. I was important to me to involved with the build mechanically to feel connected to the bike, and to learn as much as I could about it mechanics for trouble shooting, maintenance or adding new parts later. By the end I will have knowledge of the bike I could never had gained from just buying one from the floor.
I have researched all the frame geometries, research and purchased most of the parts, (with Dave's helpful hand and watchful eye), helped with the build and setup of the bike, and most importantly had the final decision on all aspects of the build. I am not sure what was more fun, the research and deliberation with Nick about various part combo's and frame combo's, the build, or whether it will be the actual riding of the bike. It all works for me! I will miss the chase though.

View the picture slide show below:

Cervelo R3 Purchased!

Finally got my bonus check from Hartford, so I paid for the Cervelo R3 frame today. I also stripped parts of the Tommaso to finish the build, for now.  I took the bottom Bracket (F1 ceramic), an Ultegra Sl compact crank, Ultegra SL Shifters, and the Dura Ace 7900 Rear Derailleur.   That means I still need to purchase Dura Ace 7900 Crank, Shifter, and brakes as well as a new chain.  Most likely will have these by the first of the year.  For now I am also going to put on regular black bar tape, and generic cables until the new parts come, and then will change to white Deda Tape and Gore Teflon Cables.
Keith, the owner of Cycling Concepts, was there today, and he has been great about extending the payment timeframe, and holding the frame for me.  I am excited about a great Winter Training season, and a great new year on the bike!  If year 2 goes as well as year 1, 2011 should be mean some more gains in speed and distance...I hope!
Tomorrow begins the build up!  Cannot wait.  Have all the old parts cleaned and lubed ready to go.  Now I just have to show some patience!  Tic Toc!

Into Mass...

Yesterday afternoon, right after work, I road the Farmington Canal Trail up to Mass from Avon, about 28 miles or so.  Before the ride I had to adjust the seat AGAIN!  Might need a new style of seat post...this 3T doesn't seam to hold my weight.  Really a great ride, for a trail.  I much prefer the road, but this ride was nice after the hard ride with Tom on Sunday.  A bit longer, and more aerobic base building.  I left the Open Pro's on for the end of the season, knowing that my new bike will require my Dura Ace wheels.  They were great on the flats, and the Ultegra Hubs spun nicely, but were noticeably harder to maintain a spin or cadence over time.  That is another great summer ride, with most of the ride being in tree cover.  I tried to concentrate on proper posture and pedal stroke, when I remembered.  It is getting easier to hold positions as I get stronger in the core from Cynergy Class.  Bring me back again to Cynergy tonight.

After riding I went to a Tai Restaurant for dinner, and had noddles and crispy chicken...Not impressed.  Probably will not be back there, but who knows. 

Following dinner I went to Harbour Freight to get a 1/4 to 3/8 female to male adapter for my torque wrench so I can build my bike when it comes.  My brother Nick would never leave this place.  I bought a new Allen Socket Set in Metric, the converter, a set of Pen Magnets, and a Hand Blower for cleaning between brakes, derailleurs, bottom bracket, and crank. It all cost 20 bucks, total.  I will be back, as they were closing when I left, and could have spent hours looking around.

Tonight I am going to go to Spin and Cynergy classes.  I am going to class CC to see if Dan, Dave or Saunder are going to attend, as I have gotten them free passes to try it out.  I am hoping this will convince them that we need Monday Night workouts at RH.

Nick is excited about building his bike, about like I was my first time through.  It gets addictive.  Love doing the research myself, so actually completing the bike is somewhat of a let down.  So this time I have left parts to replace so I can upgrade and continue the fun.

Parts and Workout.

Well I didn't quite get to ride two rides, but went to the extra cynergy class, and then road about 18 with another member from the class.  We did my 2 shops ride and stopped by to visit my frame,,,again. The wind was tough today, but felt strong on the hills.  Really pushed the last 6 miles back to HealthTrax.  By then my legs were rubber, so I sent Nick a text saying I was out for the afternoon ride. 
Bought a new front derraellier, a 7900 Dura Ace Braze On model that fits the new frame.  I have a 7900 but it is a clamp on model, that would not work with the Cervelo.  Only 89 bucks with free shipping, so no biggy.  Also bought new handlebars, 3T Ergo Pro.  NICE!
Got home and am making Diablo Sause with Garlic Chicken Sausage...Nice!  Have to put the pasta in the water...Ciao.

New Bike Build and possibly two rides today...NICE!

Yesterday was so windy I went to spin class at the gym. Great workout, and a different one, very good for the body.  Also lifted on circuit and a bit of abs.  In class, my Cynergy mait, Tom, said he wanted to go for a ride today after a special Breast Cancer awareness Class at HealthTrax at 9:30, so I am going to take him on my two shops ride.  Then at 3pm I will be going out to my brothers to ride the hills of Marlborough, again.  Although I do not like hills, not even a little, I really enjoy riding with Nick, so there is a trade-off.  We have a lot to talk about today, new frames, what saddle, handlebars, brakes...and so on.  Should be fun, if not tiring.


CERVELO R3 2010 Frameset - NICE!

 Just a peak at my frame.

With mostly Dura Ace parts this should make me real fast!...:)  "The bike does not make the rider", too bad.
Bought a pair of stainless steel SpeedPlay Zero Pedals, a 3T handlebar shallow reach, and will buy the 3T stem to go with it, once I know the proper length to order.  Also, have to purchase a bottom bracket, and brakes.  Right now I am looking at the 6750 Ultegra Crank, and 6600g brakes, but could be swayed toward dura ace in both spots given the RIGHT Price.  Will most likely switch them out over time.  Have an offer on a pair of 6600 brakes and 6750 crank so we will see what we will see.  Having a great time shopping and researching though.

New Cervelo R3 Weighin' in at 900 grams or less....

After work, I went over to Cycling Concepts in Rocky Hill to visit Dave, Dan and Saunder and of course my new Cervelo r3 frame.  After a chat about what pedals, cables and housing colors choice to match the frameset, we decided to weigh the frame.  Without the Fork and headset, but with the seat collar, hanger, 2 zip ties, and the chain stay guard the R3 weight was exactly 2 lbs.  For you in the KG crowd that would be 0.907409 Kilograms or 907 grams.  According to Cervelo it should weight about 867 grams, but that is without the seat collar, hanger, 2 zip ties, and the chain stay guard.  It was hanging in the back still in its foam wrapper, so Dan handed it to me, and I wasn't sure there was a frame under it.  Then we took the foam off, along with some plastic tube end covers and weighed it.  Wow, light is not the word for this frame.  The fork weight somewhere in the 350 gram range, and is a 3T.  Headset will have to be added, along all the other dura ace parts.  By the end, it should be around 15lbs.  NICE!
I also order some stainless Zero Pedals by Speedplay in red at +1/2 inch, along with Poly Cable.  I still have to order the headset, like the cane creek that's on my Tommaso, but who know. A bit of research is needed.  Along with new brakes, and handlebars I need a new stem to match the 3T seatpost.  Will keep my WCS on it for now, but will make the change to both 3T stem and handlebars when the money situation is right.
I am excited for the new riding season.

Airline Trail Ride

Road the Airline Trail in Marlborough with my brother Nick today.  Put my Open Pro's with Gatorskins on, and off we went.  It was a tough 5 miles of hills to get there and back, but the trail was flat and fast.  When we arrived at the airline trail we found ourselves taking a wrong turn and going down a gravel road.  I feel lucky to not damage the wheels or get a flat.  Once at the end of the gravel road, we climbed up a hill, and found the airline trail at the top.  Took it down to the end near East Hampton, then reversed and road back to Colchester.  Riding back up monster hills back to Nick's house, and finished the 20 miles.  Did I ever mention that I HATE HILLS.  My legs feel pretty cramped right now, and my carves are sore.  I am allergic to molds, and this time of year my breathing suffers, so the ride was doubly tough.  There is one hill on the south side of Marlbough that is just brutal.  After climbing a long and rolling hill, we then have to go up a steep grade before finishing with a relative short steeper grade into town. Man!
The trail was beautiful though, and the vistas were awesome this time of year.  The trail is on top of all the hills, and you can see for miles.  The path is relatively rock free and most smooth enough not to need a mountain bike.  You could ride it for hours.  A nice place to teach kids to ride, or ride with family or non roader friends. 
Will have to workup my Tommaso for the trails I think, after I finish the Cervelo.  Would make a great summer ride as the ride is mostly tree covered making for a cool long ride on a hot summer day.

New Server about to be unleashed onto the web.

Well after my server crashed this summer, I have been hesitating to rebuild it, but this weekend I finally put the parts in the case, installed Windows Server 2003, and am now upgrading to service pack 2.  After that is installed I am sure there will be 2 or more days of updating software and drivers, installing all the .net frameworks, visual studio, and SQL Server 2005 and 2008.  Then I have to restore from backup all my databases and webs.  Then configure the IP Address to point to that server through the firewall...Man I am sure going to be busy!  Hopefully within a week I will be up and running...Need a tape backup system me thinks, and more importantly I need a BATTERY BACKUP! 

Wish me luck.

Dan is the Man...New Frameset...Cervelo R3 2010

Dan is the Man!


Went into the RH shop yesterday because my saddle slipped back AGAIN and needed the seat to bar center line measurement. We also put on a new Fizik Alliante saddle (same one I had). I have been doing research on what bike frame to buy this winter to replace my tinger. So I asked Dan if I could try the R3. He set me up on the R3 SL in the shop, mentioned I might want to wait for Novembers new R3 release. Then we decided to try the r3 2010 just for comparison. Put my pedals on with the extenders, adjust saddle height and reach and off I went.

Wow! I have tried many bikes over the past 2 weeks in search of the best frame for the 2011 season. I ridden the Scott CR-1, the Look 566, the Specialized Roubeux, and the Trek 5.2. Hands down the R3 is the best ride.

Of course the R3 had SRAM Red groupo on it. So figuring out the double tap was tricky at first. But what a difference from the 105's or Ultegra I was testing. I did not care for the Fulcrum wheels though, sorry.

After the ride, just as a matter of course, Dan told me their was a 54 R3 frame in the back, and would give me a great deal...SOLD!

My 2010 frame will be a CERVELO R3...Dan is the Man!

Coupled with my Dura Ace 7900 groupo and wheelset it will be smooth sailing in 2011.