My second day in Boulder, CO, was spent with VeloNews Tech Editors Matt Pacocha and Zack Vestal. Both of these guys know their componentry, both can ride a bike, and so the expectation was install the new 2010 SRAM Force groups and then take part in the infamous VeloNews Thursday throwdown, which is the weekly lunch ride and World Championships. There is an actual jersey with World Championship stripes that the previous weeks winner wears, and its currently being worn by none other than Tech Editor Zack Vestal, who will give new SRAM Force the ultimate first test.

The gruppos were installed quickly, and since Matt had ridden all of our componentry since the 2006 launch, he had only a few questions. Zack had never actually ridden a SRAM road gruppo and so I took him through the history, the technologies including DoubleTap and Exact Actuation, discussed the features and benefits, the differences betwen 2010 SRAM Force, and then got ready for the ride.

The VN group assembles at !2:30 sharp and both Matt and Zack would be riding their freshly installed SRAM Force, fortunately everything worked great. The ride was the famous Morgul Bismark loop. As a former Boulder resident I chose the route knowing it had two climbs, some flats and some wind. I figured now that I’m a midwesterner I would be able to handle this, as opposed to Superflag or some single monstrous climb. I was wrong. I ended up fifth in the end, but I was worked, got gapped just near the top of the Wall and didn’t catch back on until the last mile and only after ubermiler Fred Dreier had already left the leaders, and shortly after my arrival Zack Vestal wound it up for 2nd. Great ride despite the pouring rain, and a really good group of guys. We reassembled for the ride back. There was no official presentation of the jersey to Fred, kind of disappointing, but he would certainly be wearing it proudly and defending it next week. Good luck Fred.

I spent the rest of the day visiting with Ben Delaney, Kevin Burnette, Andy Pemberton, Lisa McGinn, and Ted Costantino. A really good group and I always have fun and take way too much of their time every visit. Great to see all the folks at VN again and I appreciate the time they gave me.

Look for some long term reviews and maybe some near term video previews of the new 2010 Force on VeloNews.com.