The new toy

It was perhaps the worst-kept secret in the world. I was looking for another cycle computer, and asking the question on bikejournal.com and bikeforums.net didn't do a lot to conceal the fact. I ended up opting for the Ciclo altimeter rather than the VDO one that I had originally been looking at. The $100 discount offered by Johns Cycles at the time of purchase counted for a lot, and this model probably has a few more functions (34 in total, including a number that I probably don't need).

The early test rides have been interesting, although it doesn't have a light, meaning that the later sunrise times mean that I can't see the gradients being displayed in the pre-dawn darkness. While it stores the maximum, minimum and average values for just about everything, this is an issue that I'll need to address on the longer Audax rides in the future. I've been considering a helmet light for some time, so this might just be the spur to motivate me to actually do something about it. That said, I'm trying to avoid spending too much money before the Scotland trip in July.

The DNF last weekend has effectively killed my chances of completing a Super Series this year -- curse these year-long summers! I am still planning on riding the 400k at the end of the month, and trying to salvage something from that. Of course, finding time to get a decent ride in between now and then is proving a little more problematic, as I have other menial but time-consuming business to attend to this weekend. I'll probably look to the likes of Springbrook and Binna Burra to provide quick, intense climbing without having to be away all day.