I got some apparel, and a fresh cover of powder last night (because we've had rain for the last week). But no new cycling specific stuff.
Wife got me a cycleops fluid trainer for winter and summer weekday riding. Was pretty pumped to get it as the summer months in Vegas just make it too difficult to ride unless going super early AM
Yep! All 105 components. Took it for a somewhat brief 2 mile ride this afternoon, had planned on going much farther but really underestimated the windchill and came back with numb hands (ordering gloves as I type this).
Hah, to be honest the idea of clip in's terrify me. The amount of bad drivers (students and old people) in Lexington is astounding and I am not sure I like the thought of getting my legs stuck to the bike if I get hit. I will probably pick a set up though for longer rides eventually.
On that bike, you'd be fine with just twisting out. MTB they're usually stiffer to get out of.
This man is correct. I was in the "fuck clip ins, never!" group as well when I first got my road bike. Just set them as loose as you can at first and you'll be fine. Practice on grass for half an hour and then head out. Just get used to unclipping before you actually stop and it'll be second nature in no time.
$3500 w/o airfare seems pretty steep for "up to 43 miles a day". Looks like an asskicking place to ride, but if you go there solo and just rent a bike, I'm sure you can Strava up some good routes and get a ton of mileage w/o the group.
If you run some spds you'll be fine, as others said set them up loosely at first and expect to fall a couple of times at first. You can even buy some mtb style shoes(I use the giro privateer) and have a very walkable clip in shoe, plus the tread part helps guide your foot into the cleat.
