the priority apollo.

saturday, may 25th, 2024.

Wednesday evening after work, I picked up my new Priority Apollo gravel bike, which I had ordered online and was shipped to a local bike shop for assembly. So far since picking it up, I've ridden it for 76 miles and I'm sore. I had to break it in, you know.

I'm absolutely astonished at how much lighter it is than my heavy steel '08 Marin Muirwoods, even after affixing a rack, kickstand, seat bag, and bottle holders! Plus, it's my first ever bike with drop bars, which makes me feel like a Real Cyclist™. My wife and I have been enjoying going on rides together in the evening, they on the Electra Ponto Go! e-bike and I on the Apollo (the monicker comes from the 11-speed internal geared hub). It's been so much fun to try to find places to go on our bikes! Last weekend, we found a taqueria that we never would've stumbled upon if we weren't looking for restaurants that were bikeable and had a place to lock our bikes.

I've got to say— I'm pleased as punch with this bike. I wanted to get a bike with a belt drive to reduce my regular chain maintenance. Instead of degreasing and re-lubricating my chain every couple of weeks, I just need to replace the hub's oil every 2,000 km / 1,200 mi according to the Shimano Alfine 11's service manual. The belt itself should be good for some ungodly number of miles— I've seen upwards of 19,000 mi, but Gates recommends replacing the belt as needed based on visual inspection.

Did I mention I was sore? Because wow! I am. Fortunately, we have a holiday on Memorial Day, so I can relax on the whole putting-the-Apollo-through-its-paces for a little bit. I think we're still gonna take our bikes to a park a few miles away tomorrow, but that's hardly the 33-mile ride I did this morning with a cycling group. Also: apparently I need to bring some snacks with me on those long rides because I hit the wall around mile 27 and those last few miles were brutal.

That's all for now, I suppose! I'm real excited to enjoy the rest of the weekend with the fam.

Until next time, be well! :)