The SRAM Neutral Race Support crew is on duty down in Austin for The LAF’s premier weekend, the 2009 Livestrong Challenge & the 13th annual Ride for the Roses. We’ve thrown our hats and wrenches in the volunteer ring to assist a dedicated crew of LAF folks get hundreds of riders & foundation fundraisers’ bikes assembled and ready to take on the Texas hill country this weekend.

The visiting machines we dialed in were wide ranging to be sure, including some kids bikes, some 80’s classics even the odd recumbent and 13lb superbike, but, surprise, the tech highlight was checking in with LA at his house and combing over his latest Trek.

This bike is a nice evolution of the ‘10 Madone model we began working with @ this summer’s ‘Tour. Trek’s challenge was to make an already amazing ride quality better, for us they achieved it in spades but what comes to mind most is “refinement”. Best to let some of their spokespeople them you the story here.

Aside from the magic of the newly tuned frame, one of the most significant updates here is the 2010 S975 SRAM SRM Power meter with the new slim ‘n sexy SRM PC7 head unit. We shaved 60+ grams and pumped up the stiffness of this Ant+ wireless unit with our new hollow carbon arm set.

As is the case with many things Lance is involved in, there is a heavy thumb on the style scale, and this bike is no exception. It looks stealthy & powerful. ‘Pleased to say that his Red gruppo is right at home here.

By the way, we got a glimpse of another special LA ‘ride in the garage stall next to the bike area this morning. Remember this one from the Discovery Channel’s “Overhaulin’” episode on Lance? His very special 1970 GTO convertible. Superbadass!

I hope y’all get a chance to come down this way sometime, or to one of the 3 other Livestrong Challenge events. Give, get, and make a difference!