When I really sat down and looked at how much riding I did this past fall, it was somewhat of an embarrassment. Save for the daily commutes, and sometimes not even daily commutes, I didn’t really get myself out there on the path in the prime time when recreational riders are non-existent.

I think sometime last month I finally decided to get myself out of the slump. Although I am no psychologist or psychiatrist by nature, I do somewhat understand that in the bitter winter, cold, and wind of Chicago winters, being seasonally depressed is actually QUITE common. With our string of snowstorms, -20 windchill days, and blustery winds, having Seasonal Affective Disorder seemed to be on the plate.

Of course with me I don’t get so much as sad thoughts as I just become sluggish, and have no interest in anything besides sleeping. And since I don’t have therapy lamps, nor do I take the quasi-placebo cocktails including but not limited to fish oil, vitamins, etc. etc. etc. I rode it out for awhile before I realized what was really happening. At the precise moment when the revelation of being literally and scientifically SAD hit me, I immediately made it a priority to finish the tarmac build, and to just really really try in earnest to be out on the streets, trainer, and even gym.

So far, all three of the modes seem to be not only picking up my mood, but also my general well-being. Instead of just doing my usual 4 mile one way commute, I will ride to work in the morning, do a 12 mile loop during lunch, and then take a 6 mile detour back home. I probably adhere to this riding schedule twice a week. On the other 3 workdays, I ride my obligatory 8 miles per day to and from work, but hit the gym for around an hour during lunch time. Adam has given some very useful tips on how/what to lift, and although I don’t know if I am actually getting stronger just yet, I will be optimistic that as the weeks progress, I will be able to add more weight/do more reps per exercise. The trainer, of course – is a last resort in the cases of inclement weather, or a weekend “relaxer.”

Sadly, the tarmac hasn’t seen the streets just yet. The weather has warmed up in the past few weeks; however, because of the massive snow that we got this year, the quality of the lakefront path has suffered immensely, and the city is now trying to patch/repave certain sections of it. Riding my armadillos on the white fetish isn’t such an issue; however, since I don’t necessarily enjoy riding with any gear or spare parts, riding over loose gravel, residual salt, and the occasional construction equipment scrap metal isn’t as attractive on my Tarmac, which now sports the Michelin Krylions.

My ‘tenure’ as a sales associate will resume in the next two weekends, with a possibility of my return later this week. Luckily most of the 2008 bikes were released in late 2007, so I have seen most of the new rides, clothing, equipment, gear, etc. I plan to do group rides this year with the shop’s roadies, and even race as well. Our jerseys are hideous: black with a pink logo that says “Johnny Sprockets.” There is also a man looking fierce on a single speed bike. I’m really not quite sure this is the message we want to be sending out to any other riders, but hey – it’s a free jersey, so I’ll wear it.

My early predictions for this season are that the Giant Cypress will still be a high selling bike at the shop. Although they are by far the least expensive bikes we carry, they are a popular item among older riders, riders on a budget, or people who are new to riding. However, I feel that Gary Fisher can be a dark horse this year with the revamped performance hybrids, and continued production of bikes such as the wingra, monona, and utopia.

High end road frames haven’t changed that much from 2007 – 2008. I am, however – interested in more of these models sporting the SRAM red group. Our shop manager has the group on his ted w. bike, and I think that the entire group comes in at a full 1/2 pound lighter than Durace. Electronic Durace will most likely (duh) not be available to consumers this season, but I feel like the 2008 Shimano 105 group is leaps and bounds above what it used to be, and MAYBE even objectively better than a similar Campy group in the same price range.

My knowledge of mountain bikes is still shallow, but it IS exciting that Adam got the GT, although I wish he would go ahead and splurge for the newly designed softride mountain/rode hybrid that I saw for sale. It looked like this: http://ridefetish.com/image/f/4627/large/Picture_8.png

Ideally we would see the sales of special edition Langsters decrease this year, because honest to baby Krishna if I see one more hipster wanting to ride the new york edition, I will lose my mind. I will now refer you all back to the hipster bike competition…

I’ve also decided that my next racing bike will be one made by either Blue Competition Cycles or custom Ti by Roark. Of course, all this costs $, which I am running low on right now.

Vintage Bianchi update: Crankset, derailleurs, brakes levers, brakes, downtube SIS shifters all Shimano 600. The rest will be decided upon soon.