My journey began shortly after I made the decision to sell my Focus Mares CX. It was the race bike that I always wanted, but I don’t race anymore and it never fit quite right.
I considered using the funds from the sale to finance a new build...something fun...something versatile.
Ultimately, I decided on a steel gravel bike.
Google searches yielded an abundance of useful information about the different types of steel, brake options, frame geometry, etc.
Deep into my search I came across an article about a small shop in Point Reyes, California titled “The Black Mountain Cycles Road Might Be the Most Underrated Bike of 2017.”
The owner confirmed that the geometry on the 52cm frame was nearly identical to my Cannondale road bike. I was sold. Thus was the start of my passion project. No detail was spared...the bar tape, bottle cage, cable housing, brakes, tires and components are just as they should be.
This is the bike that would have belonged to my brother if he still lived on McKean Street in South Philly. He would have ridden it (in his skinny jeans) to watch the Flyers play at a local bar, then down to Gino’s for a late night bite to eat.
On Sunday, I will ride this bike for the first time at the Gravel Fondo and can’t help but think that he will cross my mind more than a few times.
I'll be the first to admit that at times I can be a bit abrasive. My (possibly flawed) rationale is that I’d never “dish out” what I could not take. Unfortunately, people have grown increasingly sensitive (snowflakes) to the point where just about anything you say is bound to offend someone.
I was having this conversation with one of my training clients last week. She told me that often it’s not what you say but how you say it.
And so I practiced it...I rehearsed it and when presented with an opportunity I gave it a shot.
Even though I am a trainer gym I’m hesitant to offer suggestions and/or corrections to those whom I do not work with personally...BUT...there is this woman who weighs all of 100 pounds and runs on the treadmill as if she were a 350 pound sumo wrestler. I can hear her through my headphones. I can hear from the opposite side of the gym. I can ever hear her when I shut the door behind the training desk while doing yoga. Needless to say, it is irritating.
I’ve critiqued her form endless times. The problem is that her heels never strike the ground. Running on your tip toes three to four miles a day cannot be a good thing. It’s gotta cause some major calf pain.
I saw her in the locker room and asked if her calves hurt. She looked at me as if I was some type of genie or wizard...and replied that she had recently returned to running after tearing a calf muscle and that they hurt all the time. I explained the reason why and offered a suggestion...put the treadmill on a very slight incline and focus on allowing your heel to make some contact with the ground. It looked like the lightbulb went on. It looked like she got it...and she thanked me and was on her way.
The next day I arrived to work, welcomed by her incessant pounding. Inconspicuously, I passed and noticed the incline had not budged. Oh well, if she didn’t heed my advice at least I found a non-offensive way to tell her...that is a win in my book!
My journey began shortly after I made the decision to sell my Focus Mares CX. It was the race bike that I always wanted, but I don’t race anymore and it never fit quite right. 
