Fraser Cartmell Ironman triathlete » equipment

Trek Speed (weapon) Concept!

Fraser — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 01:52:52 +0000

So I made it to Florida in one piece (longest and worst immigration Q’s aside) and am now safely at Carolyn’s house and in familiar homestay territory for April time. AND I had this amazing piece of kit sitting in it’s cardboard box awaiting me – of course I had barely got my ruckack on the ground before getting the allen keys out to build it up…there is an ear to ear grin here I can assure you.

I will write about it properly soon, but for now it is bedtime for this sleepy camper …. I heard the alarm in Stirling nearly 24 hours ago and I feel like it right now. There will be sweet dreams for sure though!

Today in the Shire

Fraser — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 21:20:28 +0000

I had a good day at home in Stirling today. I began the day with an easy swim which I needed since the last few days have been pretty full on training-wise. – That training was made all the easier by the stunning weather we have had this week (see blue sky below for proof) … to the extent that Blair, who had been in Majorca all week, has had worse weather than us. Law of averages I guess?

Blue skies, me and Stirling Castle

The remainder of the day was spent much like Christmas, due to my superb sponsors K Swiss, Trek and Bontrager sending me some rather exciting parcels via the good peope at UPS which even the ash from Iceland couldn’t stop. Happy days.

It took a little longer than I had hoped (I last saw this bike in California mid February) but it was worth the wait. I had forgotten how nice the Trek/K Swiss painted Madone looked … until I opened up the box. Delighted! There wasn’t a ride scheduled for training today but it would simply have been rude not to wouldn’t it?

built and ready to ride

And not to be out done, I also opened up a box of tricks full of new sneaks and kit from K Swiss, with a pair of funky high tops catching my eye in particular!

I am now getting ready to head away again after a final w/e of training … it has been a few weeks since I last raced in Abu Dhabi and I am excited to be able to start preparing for another start line.

I am going to race in St Anthony’s over in St Petersburg, Florida next w/e in preparation for an assault on Ironman 70.3 St Croix the following w/e. I have raced in St Pete the last 2 years and I love going back to stay with Carolyn, who could write a book on being a homestay host! – She is a superstar. 2 years ago I flatted in T1 and last year I took a wrong turn on the bike, so I am hoping for 3rd time lucky this year, although as it stands it would appear the flight situation in and out of the UK is going to casue issues with my flight on Monday morning…fingers crossed however. St Croix is an exciting new race for me and I look forward to getting back on the start line of a 70.3. – The South African event seems some time ago for sure.

In the mean time I shall keep you posted on whether I actually fly anywhere soon ….

A visit to Shimano

Fraser — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 04:10:32 +0000

“It is never not cool in here!” – That was the comment I got from one of the many mechanics as I had a guided tour around the Shimano facility this morning. I think my jaw needed gently pushed shute for the majority of it! – Like a kid in the sweetie shop just about describes it.

I guess they know how to keep busy on lunchbreak?

Shimano, through Felt, are my sponsor for wheels, shoes and groupsets and have been a huge help this year. So it was cool to be able to head up the road and meet with Dustin at the warehouse in Irvine and pick up some new bits and pieces to keep the bike running smooth in the run through to Clearwater.

I asked if was able to pick up a new front wheel for Clearwater, given I had seen some of the new c75 sections in use at Hawaii. Well, I say some … I saw them on Craig Alexsanders’ bike. Turns out they, alongside one other set, are it! So there is Crowie, Ritchie Cunningham, and err…. me, riding these wheels. How. Cool. Thanks! I’ll be careful with it.

Ready to rumble…. at last.

Fraser — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 04:21:48 +0000

So the day before the race (the evening in fact, lets be honest) I get the rig ‘ready’ to go. I met up with the guys from Shimano today whilst I was down at the bike shop (store here in the USofA) and they were showing me the new electronic gearing being brought out later this year. Wow! But they were also happy to see me get the dura ace front wheel and Pro disc onto my bike for the race tomorrow. Me too!

In the words of Ness from Gavin+Stacey: Tidy

And after all these years racing, I finally worked out what those two little buttons on a race belt are actually for! One of those ‘light bulb’ moments in my life.

Race start is early o clock tomorrow – 6.4am local time which is 2.40pm at home. Apparently the IronmanLive.com feed has been given a face lift and should be worth following for a change. I shall do my best to try and be in the mix! Since I have to be in the water in just over 9 hours time, I had best get off to bed!

Ta da!!

Fraser — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 05:57:31 +0000

I don’t want to go on and on about this, but me getting these new bikes is way cool!! So, I am showing you MORE pictures of them – now as the finished articles. Well, not quite, since I need some tubs to go on the race wheels for the TT bike….but i’m not racing on it quite yet.

My new AR1 (Pringle/Argyle print paint job) and DA Felt bikes.

Awesome.

Rocky (yup, I wrote Rocky) finished building up my bikes this afternoon at the Nytro bike store down in Enchinitas. These things always take longer than you think, so I hung around for an hour and a half or so waiting… very patiently! By the time I got home it was getting late (and cold would you believe) but I was deffinately hitting the road for a test drive – The road bike was hands down winner for first dibs. I haven’t ridden the road bike for so long, and my first ride on the AR1 was superb. It fits like a glove, even though it is only a 54cm frame (I am possibly shrinking in old age?) compared to the 58cm road frame I was last riding a couple years ago.

The time trial bike looks fantastic and I am contemplating keeping it soley for racing useage! – I have my ‘old’ TT bike here with me also, since I needed something to race on in Miami last w/e, so I may do the majority of the donkey work aboard it. But then again … who am I kidding?

I know, I know ... the saddle is WAY too high, and there are no tubs on the rims. Yet.

One final close up. And then I will stop showing off. I promise. Well…. I might do just the one post about them next week. Just a little, not-bothering-anyone-post.

New Felt frames

Fraser — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 00:33:08 +0000

I headed down to the bike shop this afternoon to have a proper look at my new framesets, and generally get excited about all the new stuff! I should have at least one of them ready to ride (and show you) tomorrow. But for now, have a look….

I really love the colour scheme on the road frame – in the Garmin Pro cycle team colours. Apparently some of the other guys on the triathlon squad at Felt were none too happy about getting the ‘Argyle’ graphics, one even wanting to send it back to the factory for a regular?! Maybe because I am Scottish, who knows, but I really like it. Plus, it is a rather exclusive bike frame to have; these only getting given to the Pro team riders, and the triathletes. So I guess I might have the only one in Scotland?!

The Argyle colour scheme. Like it? I do

Presents from Shimano

Fraser — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 22:35:44 +0000

I’m like a very big kid at Christmas right now …. but I have dragged myself away to post a quick blog! Shimano have very kindly agreed to supply me with all things bicycle for this season, through my bike sponsor, Felt. Today I was given A LOT of kit – most if is in the bike shop, getting built up onto my new road AR and time trial DA frames. Notice that’s PLURAL. How cool! – Below is a pic of my race wheels, including a PRO disc, and some funky custom fit shoes. Apparently I have to put them in the oven or something….? The shoes that is.

Profile Design

Fraser — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 15:55:56 +0000

I’m really pleased to say that I have just signed with Profile Design for this 2009 season. I will be racing in their wetsuits and - for the warmer swims – speed suits. I will also be using their aerobottles, bottles cages and other hydration components.

The list of world class athletes working with Profile reads like a ‘who’s who’ of multisport and so it is very exciting to be linked with such a prestigious company within our sport.

Profile are also based in California, which is nice, since this will once again be my main base for the year whilst racing in the US. Alongside Felt (Irvine) and TYR (Huntington Beach) I am going to be within driving distance of them which is great for keeping in contact, especially for something like wetsuits, where sizing can be so crucial.

I will meet the guys at the Miami International Triathlon next month, which has Profile as the main event sponsor. Miami will be my first race in the US for 2009, which I am really looking forward to. I raced there last year and it seems like the event has grown much bigger for this, it’s second year running.

My new Felt DA bicycle

Fraser — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 18:01:31 +0000

I am pleased to say that I will be racing here in Clearwater on my new Felt DA. I’ve been training on the bike for a couple weeks now, but I only just got the wheels in time for race day, so I thought I would get a picture up of the complete set up.

Toby got caught in the moment with his camera - finding all the angles! And looking at this pic makes me think maybe I should get myself some new shoes that don’t appear to be made for the kids market – velcro and all!

Meanwhile, i’ll leave you with a nice shot of Pier 60 on the beach, which we will swim out alongside tomorrow morning.

Oh, and another funny shot we got trying to speak to George (his name we’re told) outside our room early this morning! He appears pretty laid back, I think he’s seen it all before to be honest.