Читать книгу Cycle For Life: The Story of the 1991 Trans-Canada Record Attempt - Bill Psy.D. Narasnek - Страница 10

The motor home was rented since there was no sponsor found willing to loan us one.

My constant companion on the road, the CHNO mini-van, with its flashing lights, was part of the huge commitment made to the project by the Pelmorex radio network.

The actual cycling equipment was a mix of what I already had, some that was purchased for the trip, and some that was on loan to us. Most of what was purchased was at significantly discounted prices in association with contributions from Veltec, Canada distributors of Concorde bicycles, Paris Glove distributor of Continental tires, and Lizards Actionwear of Sudbury.

Specialty food was required to sustain my effort over 18 hour days of riding. NRG Enterprises provided a supply of Power Bars both for the record attempt and for my training. Believe me when I say that Power Bars work! This, even though I tired of the sight of them, bar after bar, day after day. Despite good intentions we lost count. I must have eaten a dozen a day in addition to my regular drinks and Boost.

Boost is a meal replacement which I first saw at the local Lively IDA Pharmacy. Liquid, and good tasting, it was rated fairly well in a cycling survey. Fortunately it provided a great supplement to the Power Bars and even more fortunate was the fact that the Lively IDA was one of our most active sponsors. Mauno Palys arranged for plenty of Boost along with numerous other necessities such as sunscreen, vitamins, bandages, cold packs, lip balm, etc., etc.

Three complete bikes were prepared. In addition there were spare sets of wheels and a seemingly endless list of spare parts, tires, tubes, work stand, and tools. Battista did all the final cataloguing, preparation, and servicing of all the cycling equipment.

For the technically minded, the three bikes were set-up differently. The first was a 58 cm Concorde Prelude (Columbus SL tubing) equipped with Shimano Ultegra components. It had Ultech add-on bars, a Ciclomaster computer, open CD4 32 hole rims with Continental 700x18 Grand Prix foldable tires. Crank arms were 175mm with standard 53x42 chainrings and a 13x21, 7-speed cassette. This was to be the "standard" set-up for "normal" conditions.

The second bike was a 59 cm Concorde Squadra (Columbus SLX) with another Ultegra gruppo. It had a Cinelli bullhorn handlebar with Ultech add-ons. It also, as with the three bikes, was equipped for the Ciclomaster computer. 175 mm crank arms again with a 13x21 Dura Ace 7 speed freewheel. This bike was equipped with a HED solid carbon fibre rear disc wheel and a HED CX front wheel. Both had Continental LA260, 700x19, tubular tires. The bike was set for the ideal conditions we hoped to get on the prairies, flat with a tailwind!

The last bike was my Marinoni. It is a 58 cm (Columbus SLX) with Shimano Dura Ace components. It had open CD4 36 hole clincher rims with the 700x18 foldable tires. No aero bars on this set-up. 175 mm crank arms were matched with 53x38 chainrings and a 13x23 8 speed cassette. This machine would be used in the mountains and other hilly areas.

Clothing was custom made by Liz Upton of Lizards Actionwear. Shorts, tights, and jerseys wore wonderfully and looked great attesting to the fine quality of the products put out by this custom shop.

Bicycle Lighset Technology (BLT) provided us with two complete single light sets with 6w halogen bulbs and seat mount battery packs. I attached the mounting clamp to the aero bar so the light was slung under the bars, an excellent set-up. BLT also provided a custom made set-up so we could charge off the 12v battery in the motor home while it was running. We didn't use the light much, because the mini-van provided plenty of light, however, lights are a legal requirement. From previous experience I knew that the BLT system is unmatched in quality.