Riding the Trek 2.3

All the components of the LeMond are switched to the Trek 2.3 frame, so while not a Trek 2.3 you would buy right out of the shop, I’ll still put the bike through the rigors of commuting this summer.

First just let me say that my 1977 Raleigh Super Grand Prix that my father bought for me in Tulsa, Oklahoma, has been by far the best bike I have owned. It’s not quite a tank, but the steel lugged frame is comfortable and still like new—once I wash the grime and gunk from the road off—it remains a work of art.

My LeMond, also steel, was a top bike as well. It was a comfortable ride, quite light, and fast—but after years of brevets, many miles commuting, and even more miles out in Saguaro Nat’l Park—and let’s not forget those epic rides with Steve Star of The Blog riding from Marana to Scottsdale, and back to Marana—training for brevets—the frame gave out and cracked.

The Trek is a week-end bike. It looks sexy alright—and when out with the lads you should be able to hold your own. Should you have a wife that cannot believe you would want to spend a few thousand more—and would rather you be home mowing the grass than out with your mates all weekend—mon ami, if you got this bike you’re okay and it should serve you well!


The 2.3 just fits in the trunk of moi voiture…

For brevets and commuting—we will see. The best thing is the guys at Trek Bicycles of Tucson treated me right, and were very helpful in getting a replacement frame. The Madone models they have now are very nice, but $3000 to $5000 is not within my grasp—maybe if I were a bike stud, but that I am not, mes amis.


Morning Peloton...

Climbing East on Ina into the morning sun, a group of us formed up into a fast pace line. At first a young guy and his girlfriend pulled up behind me at the light at Ina and Oracle. He wouldn’t even look at me or say good morning, but I chatted with the young woman. The young guy didn’t seem pleased with this and came back to make sure I was keeping my hands in the drops, so to speak. He picked up the pace (to try and drop me no doubt) but I hung on his wheel and then her wheel just to show I could be a pain in the ass if I wanted to be—and then let them go. Two other riders pulled onto Ina, much friendlier of course, and we decided to catch the young bloods for the heck of it.

I enjoyed the pace line but I was pushing it a little, and after a week off I didn’t quite feel like I had my legs back. No matter. The young bloods pulled off at Sunrise and Swan, and they waved and smiled. I kept going with the other two up to the top of my climb at Craycroft. They were going down to River Rd. then back home heading West. The woman was a bit nervous the three of us riding so close, so for the fast descent I eased up to give them room as I went on down to the San.


At the bike lockers. The Trek 2.3 is fitted out with saddle bags.


West on Ina Rd. for the fast trip home.

Supposedly the temperature for today in Tucson was somewhere between 105 and 109. While it did seem hot when I went out the door in the afternoon, that Monsoon humidity was not around like it had been all last week. So even if it was over 100 degrees, I didn’t seem to notice. I’ve found it better to get the long hard climb out of the way first, and then take my chances going West on Sunrise and Ina in rush-hour traffic. For one thing, most of the ride home is down hill and fast. The perspiration evaporates instantly—and I end up smelling not as bad and less dripping soaked in sweat. I’ve also learned to pace myself a bit and not try to hammer home to the finish—best to take it easy and have strength for the next day.


Cheers!