The new frame has arrived and been built

First off, I need to officially say goodbye to the 2005 Madone 5.9SL frame. You've been good to me. You were an odd (expensive) choice for my first road bike. Thanks for the memories.

Hello 2008 Cervelo R3 frame. I was literally scared when I saw online at UPS.com that they had "delivered" the frame. I knew it was either sitting outside my door or was on the patio. Luckily it was on the patio. We've got great UPS delivery guys (quick story below). I left a note saying if no one was home at the time of delivery, but they were in the area after 5:30pm, please stop by again. Well, I guess they decided to just take that note in place of my signature!

One day the UPS driver left a note on the door saying that a delivery was attempted and to sign the note if we agreed to waive the signature. A few minutes later I saw the UPS driver and asked him if I could get my package now. He said that he wasn't the driver that left the note, but he called the driver who did and he agreed to swing back by! Good stuff.


The UPS driver knows that we have 2 dogs, so take a look in the middle of the photo below to look what he left. Good people.


I was so excited to get the new frame that I wore it around for a couple of days... More like 2 minutes so I could snap this photo. JW made Cezanne and I laugh pretty darn hard with this blog post: http://jwbender.blogspot.com/2008/05/chris-this-is-for-you.html


2.02 lbs, my bike rack had no problem holding it. I, however, had trouble doing curls with it.


From about 2 lbs to about 15 and a half. Like magic!


After the first ride. I can't get enough, it's lighter, it accelerates better (stiffer bottom bracket), it's more comfy (vertically compliant), I have more seatpost showing and less spacers. All good stuff.