We're in Monrovia and it is getting hotter with each passing moment.

I’m here in South Pasdena about to ride with the West Coast Rapha riders. The plan is to do a 100 miles, which includes the climb up Crystal Lake.

To celebrate Vino’s win at the Vuelta only 750 of these gold helemts were produced . I got number 3.

In my normal non-cycling life I dress plainly. Jeans, a t-shirt and Keen shoes are my daily uniform. I don’t iron anything and I seldom shave. I have one suit that I wear for weddings, funerals and job interviews. Needless to say, I’m quite the catch. However, when I get cycling gear I metamorphous into a metrosexual.

A while back I received a pink retro style jersey from Rapha. My eyes lit up with joy when I saw myself in the mirror, resplendent in the bright pink jersey with Mortirolo across the chest. Naturally, my friends verbally abused me about wearing pink. I also received a very nice black riding jacket from Rapha. But it is so nice that I can’t bare to ride in it, but instead wear it when I go out. The inside lining is pink, which I think looks amazing. I wore that jacket to my team’s holiday party and again people made comments about the pink inside lining. But I didn’t care. Now recently I’ve received a gold Limited Edition Decibel helmet from Specialized as well as gold Limited Scott cycling shoes. I’m telling you, I couldn’t be happier. It was like Christmas had come early! Naturally, the guys at work immediately started to pile on the abuse, but their words are like water on a duck’s back.

Yesterday I kitted-up in my full metrosexual clothing and went for a ride. I was wearing my gold Decibel helmet, gold Oakley M-Frames, white and black jersey, black shorts and gold Scott shoes. Yep, I was looking good. I had to go to the post office and as expected there was a long line. I wheeled my bike into the post office, leaned it on an out of the way wall and got into line. My click-clack of my cleats announced my arrival. Post office patron’s heads swiveled to see what was making the noise. I could tell a few were thinking, “What the hell is that guy wearing?” But I stood there proud in my gold accented attire.

After my transaction I click-clacked back to my bike. Next to it was a postal worker filling P.O. boxes. He was an older gentleman and he gave me a hard look. “Those are pretty fancy shoes you got there.” he said.

“Yeah I just got them and I’m testing them out. What do you think of the color?”

He looked down at the shoes, looked up at me and scrunched his face up that could only be described as disgusted. That made me love the shoes even more.

I also like to wear my orange Specialized shoes