Weights and measures

Having dusted of some kit, I'm now looking to revise the kit and clobber on my time trial bikes. Half the fun is spending hours days procrastinating over which stem/bars/mech/wheels/ to drool over and then finally order (subject to management approval and local barter).

I have succumbed and after several patient weeks of watching e-bay, I have finally purchased a front wheel.

But oh, the effort to get it.

The many swapped SMS messages and Facebook Messenger entries seeking peer support and approval. The emotional capital that has now gone in to this purchase is enough to give me a 10% improvement on any ride. The crafty spying on who else is buying what; what are my club mates and near rivals (Steve) up to; what does BikeRadar think, how much is it new on Wiggle and what can I state as the "saving" to Mrs Bikie, blah blah blah.

And then, to add insult to the pain I was enduring on a 55 mile ride in 20mph winds, the following unwelcomed Eureka moment unfolded:

n.b. a front deep section carbon fibre wheel hits the scales at 850-900g.

Cycling Chum (CC): I hear you are interested in new wheels?
Bikie (B): Yeah, looking at getting a lighter front wheel, that's right.

CC: Great, you do realise that Unspecified Rider Who Is Very Fast is nearly 20Kg lighter than both of us?

Now that's a difference isn't it? 

B: Mind that hedge, oh sorry didn't see you there.

[Noise of James Gomm, err CC hitting tarmac is heard by all]

The Jan Ullrich Winter diet

Harrumph.