Mixerman
Member
Just wanted to introduce myself. A few of you already know me. I bought a heart rate monitor from @ratz 2 years ago on BROL, and we've been Strava buddies since way back then too. I started following @LarryOz on Strava way back when he first got his Silvio and got to witness his amazing progression. Larry and I are the exact same size, 4'11" 
so he was very helpful when I emailed him a while back about a used Vendetta I was looking at. I've also followed many other Cruzbikers and their amazing journeys, including Jason, who I'm a little closer in age to, being 34 years old.
I've been a Lightning P-38 pilot for the last 5 years. It was my dream to eventually go full fairing with the F-40. That dream became a reality in August, but Cruzbike didn't make it an easy decision.
As my F-40 funds were materializing last spring, I was continuously lured by the Vendetta with every crowning achievement of it's racers. As a shorter rider, I never felt comfortable on a dual 700c bent. But can I even ride the thing?, I kept wondering... I decided to contact Cruzbike for a test drive. I was fortunate to meet up with @Lucia to try a Qx100 and an S30. Just a few minutes in and I got the hang of MBB. Crap, I thought this was gonna be harder. I was honestly hoping I would not find it enjoyable so I could stop thinking about it and go after my streamlined dream. My experience was quite the opposite and I didn't want my test drive to end. I spent several months agonizing on which way to go. A new V was out of my budget, and I struggled to find the right used bike.
After a few months of soul searching I decided I needed to experience riding fully faired while I was so close to getting there, already had my '38 modded and ready for the fairing. Learning how to pilot the F-40 was terrifying and exhilarating, especially in windy conditions. With less than a month of practice I raced the F-40 in the last local TT event of the season and broke the faired recumbent record held by builder/racer George Reynolds for a decade.
2 days later on September 9, 2016, I went out for a joyride on the bare p-38 without the fairing and was struck/runover by an SUV a mile into my ride. As I was traveling straight, the driver coming towards me claims he was blinded by solar glare and didn't see me as he turned left into me and ran me over. I fractured my pelvis, ribs, left wrist/ankle and took a helicopter ride to the hospital. My P-38 was completely destroyed.
Recovery has been a journey but I just started walking again 2 weeks ago! I got a Kickr Snap for Christmas and have been anxious to get the legs spinning again.
I bought a V20 complete just before the end of the year and master builder Robert has started building her up!
This time around I decided to go with the V20 for a few more reasons. I still have some discomfort in my lower back/bum and know that I put a lot of pressure there when I ride the more upright p-38. I still have some numbness in my foot from damaging my L5. Also since I'm kind of starting over again, seems like a great time to try a new platform and train the new muscles.
I'm looking forward to gaining my strength back, joining this great community, and riding outside in the spring. It will be interesting to compare my p-38/F-40 segments with the V20 and I can't wait to see how the V mixes in with my upright buddies. Till then, maybe I'll see some of you guys on Zwift soon
αlex
http://www.strava.com/athletes/534250
so he was very helpful when I emailed him a while back about a used Vendetta I was looking at. I've also followed many other Cruzbikers and their amazing journeys, including Jason, who I'm a little closer in age to, being 34 years old.I've been a Lightning P-38 pilot for the last 5 years. It was my dream to eventually go full fairing with the F-40. That dream became a reality in August, but Cruzbike didn't make it an easy decision.
As my F-40 funds were materializing last spring, I was continuously lured by the Vendetta with every crowning achievement of it's racers. As a shorter rider, I never felt comfortable on a dual 700c bent. But can I even ride the thing?, I kept wondering... I decided to contact Cruzbike for a test drive. I was fortunate to meet up with @Lucia to try a Qx100 and an S30. Just a few minutes in and I got the hang of MBB. Crap, I thought this was gonna be harder. I was honestly hoping I would not find it enjoyable so I could stop thinking about it and go after my streamlined dream. My experience was quite the opposite and I didn't want my test drive to end. I spent several months agonizing on which way to go. A new V was out of my budget, and I struggled to find the right used bike.
After a few months of soul searching I decided I needed to experience riding fully faired while I was so close to getting there, already had my '38 modded and ready for the fairing. Learning how to pilot the F-40 was terrifying and exhilarating, especially in windy conditions. With less than a month of practice I raced the F-40 in the last local TT event of the season and broke the faired recumbent record held by builder/racer George Reynolds for a decade.
2 days later on September 9, 2016, I went out for a joyride on the bare p-38 without the fairing and was struck/runover by an SUV a mile into my ride. As I was traveling straight, the driver coming towards me claims he was blinded by solar glare and didn't see me as he turned left into me and ran me over. I fractured my pelvis, ribs, left wrist/ankle and took a helicopter ride to the hospital. My P-38 was completely destroyed.
Recovery has been a journey but I just started walking again 2 weeks ago! I got a Kickr Snap for Christmas and have been anxious to get the legs spinning again.
I bought a V20 complete just before the end of the year and master builder Robert has started building her up!
This time around I decided to go with the V20 for a few more reasons. I still have some discomfort in my lower back/bum and know that I put a lot of pressure there when I ride the more upright p-38. I still have some numbness in my foot from damaging my L5. Also since I'm kind of starting over again, seems like a great time to try a new platform and train the new muscles.
I'm looking forward to gaining my strength back, joining this great community, and riding outside in the spring. It will be interesting to compare my p-38/F-40 segments with the V20 and I can't wait to see how the V mixes in with my upright buddies. Till then, maybe I'll see some of you guys on Zwift soon
αlex
http://www.strava.com/athletes/534250
