I’d mentioned on Mountain Bike Radio and elsewhere that my custom road frame was going to be finished up this weekend. Being a weekend of crappy weather as well as the final weekend of my post-season break (3 weeks mostly off the bike), I decided that, rather than waiting to get it mid week on a truck, I’d just drive to Chattanooga (about 5.25 hours) and pick it up so I could build it Sunday afternoon. I was able to morph the trip into a small impromtu adventure. Saturday morning, I got up, packed, and set off towards Nashville to run a few errands there before finishing the drive over to Chattanooga.

First, I stopped by Affinity Acupuncture. Why drive all the way to Nashville for acupuncture? Well, if you click that link and go to the “Our Team” page, you’ll see Harding Zills… one of my former students from U of M. I’ve kept up with him through Facebook, and watched how hard he worked to learn what he’s doing, so I felt comfortable going to see him to try acupuncture for the 2nd time (the first time was several years ago at Metro team camp, and, while it was a pleasant experience, the practitioner wasn’t nearly as thorough in her initial consultation. Also, I’ve had enough wear and tear since then to be able to point out several specific aches and pains that need help).
After talking about said aches and pains, he decided he’d focus on my low back and leg pain then follow up with therapeutic massage for my shoulder girdle issues. Most of the needles were more of a thump and dull ache for a few seconds, followed by a sensation of something just “being there.” They stayed in about 20 minutes with a little e-stim on the left side (where I’ve been having numbness/pain issues), then he took them out and finished with massage… real massage. NOT a “spa day” massage. The IT band work brought a tear to my eye.
The result of all that? I felt amazing. The nagging low back pain I’d had was gone, and my arms aren’t falling asleep constantly while I’m laying in bed. Acupuncture and massage from a good therapist is legitimate medical treatment. I need to find someone as good as Harding to see on a regular basis in town (or just make monthly trips to Nashvegas to see him).

Next, I headed over the the GranFondo trail shop to visit Chris from Cysco (who I’ve been communicating with constantly about my frame). I dropped off some beer, rode around on his wife’s mountain bike, and he took some measurements of my Air9 CYA frame. Afterward, I made one more beer drop to the Rainbow Unicorn‘s house before getting on the road to Chattanooga. It was nearly 8 when I rolled in to town, and, with Richie, the framebuilder, out doing Christmas stuff, I found a hotel room in the mega-mall area, got dinner, and settled in for the night.

Sunday morning, after breakfast and coffee, I checked out and drove up to Ooltewah. Success!!!

I hurried home and built it up (with a small break in the middle for Ryan’s birthday get-together at Flying Saucer). Measure 11 thousand times, cut once…

(follow up with a fair amount of filing to make it flat & pretty)

The result? The most gorgeous ti frame build I think I’ve ever seen…

16 pounds, 7oz as it sits. Details:
-Cysco custom frame, “TWSS Stiff,” based off of geo from 2008 BH Connect and Cannondale EVO Women’s frames
-ENVE Road 2.0 fork
-SRAM Red drivetrain & brakes (mechanical)
-Industry 9 C41 Carbon Clincher wheels (OMG, I’m totally breaking my own rules now)
-Maxxis ReFuse 700×25 tires (never tried these, but they look like a good combination of tough/comfortable winter training tire)
-Cannondale Hollowgram crank w/Quarq powermeter and FSA 52/38 chainrings
-Jagwire Elite Link housing (experimental- it’s light and looks great, but if it gets the “nokon squeak,” it’s going in the trash)
-KCNC Seatmast topper
-Thomson road steam
-Cane Creek headset
-FSA Carbon handlebars
-Selle Italia Lady SLR saddle (original version)
-Cinelli Caleido Tape
-Arundel Mandible cages (there’s a mount on the downtube for a 3rd cage that I’ll use as needed in the summer)

Rolling up & down the street, my initial impression is that it’s just as stiff as my favorite carbon frames. As soon as I eat breakfast, I’m gonna take it out for a shakedown, and I can get a real feeling for the handling & whatnot. Can’t wait!!!