("Booty" as in "AARGH! Look at all that booty!" - like a pirate. Not as in, well, you know . . .)
As you can see, the Birthday Fairies were VERY good to Mr. Suitcase this year. Yes, I got some non-cycling stuff, but this being a cycling blog you're probably not as interested in that.
Right?
Moving from left to right: Williams Cycling T-Shirt, Campagnolo Spiffy Spokes, "The Long Season" by Bruno Schull, Williams Cycling water bottle, Campagnolo Chorus chainrings (53-39), SwissStop Yellow King brakepads, Michelin Pro Race 3 tires and Airstop tubes.
Hmmmm . . . . is there anything else I'm forgetting . . . .
Oh yeah. They're there toward the back of the picture. You can probably make them out.
I GOT NEW RACE WHEELS!
Yes, boys and girls my bike is gonna be lookin' pretty suh-WEET with these new hoops.
It remains to be seen if they'll actually make up for all the birthday cake I've been eating though. . .
In case you can't tell from the pic, they're Williams Wheel System 58s - that's 58mm of FULL carbon aerodynamic sweetness. And to add to the coolness, Williams includes all sorts of stuff with the wheels - you get valve extenders, skewers, SwissStop pads and 4 other brake pads too, a t-shirt and a water bottle.
You WILL hear more about these wheels as the season gears up - a season which I'm getting more and more excited about because of the other cool gifts I got!
"The Long Season" is the true story about a talented amateur racer that tries finally to break into the California pro circuit. This will be the perfect read for those winter days when I can't get out on the road. A healthy dose of Cali sun will be the perfect antidote to trainer doldrums.
I've needed new chainrings for a while. I'm not quite sure how many miles I have on them, but I know I've gone through at least 3 chains and 2 cassettes since I got the crankset. These new rings are Campagnolo CHORUS and much beefier (more beefy?) and stiffer than the Centaur rings I'm using now. Should make for a bit more power transfer in the sprints!
Speaking of Campy parts, Mrs. Suitcase looked high and low for the special, limited-edition Campagnolo Spiffy Spokes. But she finally found them where she NEVER before thought to look. Who knew Stop & Shop carried Campy? But seeing is believing:
Nice wheels. Congrats!
PS. Let us all know who these babies roll.
Posted by: Joel | January 07, 2009 at 01:00 AM
I like to think I'm too big a person to be jealous.
So much for that!
Okay, most importantly: Happy birthday! My 40s have so far been MUCH better than my thirties (which were better than my twenties). Hmm, what's the lesson here?
Joy to you in the decade to come.
Posted by: Velosopher | January 07, 2009 at 11:17 AM
Thanks Velosopher! The encouragement really helps. I dunno if I'm actually looking *forward* to my 40s, but like you, my 30s were much better than my 20s so here's hoping!
Posted by: SuitcaseOfCourage | January 07, 2009 at 11:21 AM
Those should help you get an upgrade this year =)
Posted by: sarah | January 07, 2009 at 11:56 AM
If you don't rock those spiffy spokes at the first Bethel race, I am going to be so disappointed!
Posted by: hobgoblin | January 07, 2009 at 01:47 PM
Happy birthday, buddy. I remember 40, 50, 60, our ride on my 65th. Never got anything that cool. Those beads are going to look hot on the new wheels ;-)
Larry
Posted by: larry | January 07, 2009 at 03:41 PM
A new hot water heater means no new wheels for me, but if anyone's looking to unload an 8 speed compatible rear wheel at a decent price . . . by all means email me.
Posted by: ChrisB. | January 12, 2009 at 10:51 AM