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For those who know me — and those who don’t — I’ll start by saying: I love bike riding. All types of bikes, and most types of rides. It’s a big part of who I am. I’m pretty sure if you asked anyone who knows me — from brief acquaintances to lifelong friends and family — they’d say something along the lines of, “That girl really likes to ride bikes.” They might even add, “She might have a bit of a problem with her need to ride bikes.”

This, I cannot deny.

I have two very similar, very light mountain bikes, and a nice gravel bike that can do it all. But I’m a Sorella, and there are so many cool kids and cool rides that call for a dedicated road bike — which I don’t have, and haven’t had for a long time. Thus began the search for my forever road bike.

I’m not the typical-sized female. I’m every bit of six feet tall — add shoes, and I tip the scales at over 6'1". I don’t particularly enjoy standing out in every crowd, but I accept it and try to make the best of it.

Like most female cyclists, finding the right fit is a struggle. Unlike most, a women’s-specific bike won’t solve my problems. They simply don’t make bikes that fit this far outside the typical female range.

So, custom or men’s bikes are my only options. I’m too impatient to go through the full custom-fit process — I’d never finish it. Knowing full well I’m not big on research and not great at delaying gratification, I decided to stick with what I know. And what I know is this: my trusty Specialized Diverge gravel setup makes me very happy.

As it happens, Specialized builds the Diverge on the same frame platform as the Roubaix. Some well-meaning, very smart riding friends suggested I just get another road wheelset and swap them out. But as I mentioned, I’m a wee bit impulsive, forgetful, and generally disorganized. It’s a lot harder to lose a whole bike than a wheel or a skewer — that was my excuse, anyway.

The timing of my commitment to finding my forever road bike was… unfortunate. There were very few available in the whole wide world of the internet.

I was also determined that it be very light. I’ve tried for years to take weight off my body — and that scale just keeps ticking up — so I figured my bike had to be the lightest of the light, especially since I need such a large frame. It’s my forever road bike, after all. If ridden and cared for, it should last longer than I’ll be able to throw my leg over the top tube, right?

To make an already long story short, I finally found my forever road bike after searching the whole wide world. Had it shipped to my house. Got it secondhand, saved a bundle, and took it out for its maiden voyage today. I have 30 days to make sure it’s in good working order.

Just got back from that first ride and, as I’d hoped, it felt like my old friend, the Diverge — but much lighter, and very shiny. I’m hoping to put a ring on it. Next up: ride with our very fit, fast Sorella road crew and try to hang onto a draft. Wish me luck — a tall order, literally, for a tall girl.

P.S. I did my first real ride yesterday and got to test the gearing on the Gap that leads to the real Three Gaps.
No worries — not breaking any records — but it felt great on the ups and downs.

It’s a keeper.
The End.

PS
Did a 50-miler! Can’t even tell you when the last time was that I rode that far...
Just buy the bike!

Update

My pristine ride met the ground on a group ride with some fast guys near the TN/NC/GA border. I was feeling pretty sparky on a foggy, moist morning — just a hint of coolness in the air.

A couple of guys were up the road. I hit a nice downhill-ish section and was feeling frisky, so I jumped up to catch them. At the exact moment I reached their wheels, I heard someone call out — and then bam. We were doing 25 mph or more when I hit. The next thing I knew, I was sliding into wet grass after an initial hit on the pavement.

No idea what happened — just that it hurt, and I could see skin showing through the side of my favorite Hincapie bibs. Turns out, there was a turtle sunning itself between the yellow line and the grass. Of course, after the shock of my first road crash in probably 30 years, I got up and asked the only question that really matters:
“How’s my bike?”

The bike had bar-tape damage and a small divot in the beautiful carbon bars, but otherwise, no blemishes.

I gently rode back to the car, knowing full well I wouldn’t be getting back on for a couple of weeks. Just grateful we weren’t hurt worse.

The skin now has a nice “tattoo,” and the bike’s getting a break for a while. I haven’t gone back to that ride yet — still working up the courage.

Final Add-On

At the exact moment I finished sending this write-up, my hubs walked in the door and told me he’d just put a deposit down for next year’s Le Tour with Thompson Tours. I really am going to be happy I got that featherweight dream bike.
Now I’ve got another reason to hit the Gaps — and see how she climbs.