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I found the VK2 to be very comfortable at any distance--nearly as comfortable as my first two bikes. I never had one mechanical failure, not even a flat. I rode the National 24 Hour Challenge on the VK2 (264 miles), as well as several century rides during the season and two to three 30 mile club rides per week.

On these rides I learned of well-known "sprint points" where the riders knew to sprint to a given signpost. With my improving legs and my low, light bike, I found I was able to cross the "finish line" of these sprints first if I really went for it. I was also able to "win" the overall ride occasionally, depending on how aggressive I was during the sprints that day.

Make no mistake, they were fine riders, in much better physical shape than I, but I had the advantage of the VK2. Many of them seemed to be in denial that my bike could possibly be faster than theirs, but after some minimal explanation of aerodynamic theory, some of them started to believe it. (The only alternative was to believe that pudgy yours truly was stronger than they were!)

My time trial times continued to improve as well (see chart to the right). By the end of the season, I was finishing first among the single riders with a best average speed of 26.2 mph. Before the VK2, my personal goal was to reach 22 mph during 2004. I am looking forward to 2005 to see what I can do.

I apologize to Editor Mike who asked me to write a review of the VK2--this isn't quite a review. I just didn't feel pulled in that direction--I just wanted to talk about how good the bike made me feel, and how I believe it made me want to get good enough to "deserve" to ride it.

But let me just say it is everything that other reviewers have said it is--an amazingly light, tight, durable, fast machine that can give your ego a huge boost--maybe too much of a boost!

The VK2 is built by Velokraft of Poland, and distributed in the US by BentUpCycles in California. If you'd like more nitty-gritty details about the VK2, there is a nice review on BentRider Online. See photos of my VK2 on the next page.

Newsletter Submissions
Submissions for the MHPVA newsletter can be e-mailed to editor Mike Eliasohn at editor@mhpva.org. If what you have is on paper, mail it to him at 1016 Morrison Ave., Apt. 2; St. Joseph MI 49085-1429.

If you have regular photos, mail those to Mike. If you have digital photos, e-mail those to our Webmaster, Paul Bruneau, at webmaster@mhpva.org, but let Mike know what you sent to Paul.

Mike will mail a paper copy of the electronic newsletter to members who don't have e-mail. So if you are in that category, and somehow read this anyway, write him or call him at (269) 982-4058.