Meet My Bike…

Ridley Excalibur 2005

This is my ride.  I’ve ridden many and I have found that this one, the "Boss" or "Pocket Rocket" is one of the finest.  When I desired to be a bike racer (still a hidden dream of mine!) I wanted a bike that was light weight with great looks.  Originally I was interested in the Ridley Supercross (racing ‘cross is also another dream of mine!).  But when it came down to ordering it, I wanted a road machine. 

What I got was a frameset that weighed roughly 2.5 pounds (frame and fork).  It was the best bike that the Lunenburg Bike Barn has ever received.  Hands down.  And it has seen some nice ones roll through the doors!

I made the decision to add Shimano Ultegra to it.  This could be seen as a faux pas because Ridley is a Belgian company.  Bikers don’t like to mix Japanese parts with Euro bikes.  Campagnola is the preferred grupo set.  However, I didn’t want to go this way.  I like Shimano.  I was use to it so I bought it.

At the time, 10 speed was just debuting in the Shimano line up.  I figured I’d be using this bike for awhile so I invested in the second best grupo set (brakes, shifters, derailleurs and cranks). 

The most attentive feature would probably have to be my seat.  It is a piece of plastic weighing 125 grams.  Carbon fiber with nothing else to pad my buns.  Most people wonder if it hurts.  I tell them it took a little getting use to but now I wouldn’t ride with anything else.  It is a little bit uncomfortable in the position I have it now.  Just because I am so far forward on it.  For general riding though it’s fine.

With a few more nice additions such as the Deda stem and handlebars the bike was ready to be ridden.  The wheels shown here are rented.  They ride very nicely.

This bike has seen some good racing so far.  It was my machine during my first pro race last year in Parry Sound.  It also has a stage win in my first bike race I did with it.

For a race like the one coming up on Saturday, time trial bikes will be the bike of choice.  I made the decision to only take one bike on this trip.  Instead of bringing the other 1 or 2 bikes that I currently own, I figured it would be much easier to bring my Ridley.  Attaching the little aero bars on the front can mimic a TT bike.  With some fine tuning I have a position that is about as "aero" as I can get it.

Since 2005 this bike has been my pride and joy.  I know is when Saturday comes, it will be there waiting.  I’ll ride it like I stole it.

Bike weight as shown: 17 pounds

Happy Trainin

Cliff