Panama half ironman on the radar

New Year begins in a week. What better way to break it in than with a gnarley hot and hilly half ironman? We have visited, traveled and raced in Panama three times. Each and every time traveling to the other side of the country for it. The Caribbean ocean side. Just getting to The Portobelo Triathlon from Panama City was a bit nuts. A journey in itself. An awesome journey through the towns of Colon, David and many tiny villages. Then compete in an even nuttier off road triathlon (only triathlon known to man that consisted of swimming to another island and back). Then  into the hot and hilly humid jungle with history of pirates, Spaniards and gold. The latter 3 were not present. But a one of a kind triathlon course was. Running past spider webs the size of a hockey rink. Which meant the spiders were most likely the size of a hockey player.
          The Portobelo triathlon unfortunately  is no longer. But they do now have a half ironman.  Starting smack in the Panama Canal. The 8th wonder of the world.
         I have not had a TT bike since my last full Di electronic DA bing badda boom Felt. Great bike just had more bling than I care for. A personal thing. Back to old school. I have enough electronic devices already. Even if only two.
         Just obtained the "sister" to my Giant TCR SL. Yes: Sister. This is the womens model. Same exact frameset Jodi races on just two sizes up. Little do most folk know there is not a bit of difference in the carbon, geometry, measurements, anything between the mens and womens Trinity.  Other than it has a  "W"  stamped on it. And I dig that factor. The bike came my way from Giant and I am stoked. I am going to be racing on a girls bike.

      Bike is down to the frame and I am building her up. Have a box full of good ol Dura Ace stuff along with earlier one piece 26.0 carbon bars, manual bar end shifters, Selle Flight saddle, good ol tubulars with rear disc and front tri spoke. I estimate her twiggy weight to be approximately 17 lbs.when finished. On a build that worked best back in the day. And will work best now. IMO.
Destination: Panama. Por favor.      .