"Technique" page.....wow!, he says as the dim light gets a bit brighter. Thanks for the postings. I'll check it out. "around here" is Oklahoma...not generally too awful cold, and this year, its downright mild so far...upper 50's and lower 60's this weekend. I always "salivated" over those titanium frames and the paint schemes on Bottechia....well, just superb. I replace a Cannondale with an "Ironman master" back in '88. I broke that frame in '91 and they gave me an overbuilt Diamond back road frame.....cycling just hasn't been the same since. thanks guys. gar

> Checking out the 'Technique' page will probably do a bit better for you --
> some of these questions have already been asked there.

> I, too, was somewhat of an avid skinny-tire cyclist, about the same number
> of pounds ago (unfortunately, kayaking doesn't burn quite as many calories
> as cycling does.) I have a titanium Eddy Merckx that's collecting dust,
> thanks to the relatively new kayaking/kayak building interests.

> You would have to define 'around here' for us to help you out. 'Around
> here' for me is Michigan, where it's about 50 degrees for a high. If
> 'around here' for you is Hudson Bay, clothing needs would be a bit
> different.

> I got a 'farmer-john' wetsuit for only $60 through the Performance cycling
> catalog. It's a long-legged, sleeveless wetsuit that was made for
> triathalons. It has a smooth surface (for less resistance when swimming)
> that isn't as durable as the standard neoprene, but it's cheap and will
> last if you're careful not to catch it on sharp stuff. I also have
> neoprene booties ($30) and gloves ($35) and a GoreTex dry-top ($310.)

> Dean