What would you do with a brand-new BMC road bike, a free afternoon, plenty of sunshine and ocean-view roads? Ride, of course! That's exactly what I did at Sidi's 2nd Annual Press Camp in Monterey, California. In case you missed it, be sure to check out a sneak peek at Sidi's 2012 road shoe line here, and a first-ride report of their newest flagship model, the Ergo 3, right here. Since Sidi is passionately dedicated to producing shoes and shoes only, they called up BMC to send a demo fleet of 2012 TeamMachine and RaceMachine road bikes to satisfy the riding needs of a dozen journalists. So how did the 2012 TeamMachine perform on the seaside roads of Monterey?

I was fortunate enough to be given a TeamMachine emblazoned with a big, white number 1 on the top tube (BMC's demo chief, John, has all of the 20+ bikes numbered to help him keep track of their whereabouts). Some would say that it's appropriate that I be given the #1 bike, while the vast majority of others would call it ironic. The demo fleet of TeamMachines featured SRAM Red drivetrains, Easton aluminum wheels, Easton stems and handlebars, and Fizik Arione saddles.

While one can argue that Cadel Evans' BMC TimeMachine time trial bike carried him to his maiden Tour de France victory in 2011, his trusty TeamMachine road bike got him through most of the stages. (Photo: Yuzuru Sunada)

The fork features a 1 1/8- to 1 1/4-inch tapered steerer, as well as a significant recessed portion that slims the profile of the fork blades.

While all of the 2012 TeamMachine builds feature Fizik saddles and Easton stems and handlebars, the squared-off seatpost is BMC's proprietary design. Here you can see just how low the seatstays join the seat tube, relative to the top tube/seat tube junction.

The TeamMachine's chainstays are rather flat, sqaure and thin. During the ride, the bike's rear felt quite compliant when we encountered rough patches of road.

The TeamMachine's chainstays are of the now familiar "tall and boxy" variety, but not quite as bulbous as some other race bikes' chainstay designs.

BMC designed the TeamMachine with a BB86 press-fit bottom bracket system.

The TeamMachine's frame is comprised of four monocoque carbon pieces. BMC claims a weight of 1435 grams for the frameset (frame, fork, seat clamp, headset) for the size 55 cm version. Like the previous TeamMachine, the 2012 version features BMC's Tuned Compliance Concept (TCC) designs in the fork, seatpost and seatstays to provide optimum vertical compliance for comfort. The company's integrated Skeleton Concept (iSC) technology is utilized in the front triangle to enhance stiffness and improve handling.

Our ride was led by Sidi America president, Al Budris. A Monterey Bay local, Al was kind enough to point out various points of historical interest during our ride. The Lone Cypress tree, located on a rock outcropping next to Pebble Beach golf course, has the unofficial title of "most photographed tree in the world."

Only a few weeks ago, I was enjoying road rides aplenty in triple-digit heat under the Southern California sun. So when I kitted up for the ride in my Primal Wear Road Bike Action kit in Monterey's chilly November air, I didn't take any chances on getting cold, donning both arm and leg warmers, as well as a vest from Endo Customs. I was easily the most overdressed journo of the bunch, which included folks from such faraway and frigid lands as Pennsylvania, Colorado and Washington. Was my kit a bit overkill for the Monterey-in-November conditions? Perhaps. Was I able to focus on my riding in toasty comfort? Definitely! Castelli provided us with gloves, and Lazer supplied helmets. This particular "beauty spot" is right next to the famed Pebble Beach golf course, and it's quarantined during sea lion birthing season to give sea lion moms a refuge from the cold waters and pesky humans.

When we arrived back at the InterContinental Clement Monterey hotel, we were treated to a fantastic sight brought about by lucky timing. The sun had just set below the western horizon of the Pacific Ocean. At the same time, the moon was rising just beyond the northern point of Monterey Bay. With my only available camera attached to my mobile phone, I hastily snapped this grainy photo of la bella luna. And what better way to refuel after a leisurely-paced ride with good people, fine roads and exceptional weather? An endless sushi dinner, of course! (I would have also accepted "burritos.")

What sort of rider did BMC engineers have in mind when they set about building the TeamMachine? Straight from the horse's mouth (BMC's marketing department): "Ambitious and performance-oriented rider. Rides long distances, with hard climbs and demanding descents. The rider expects a bike that conveys direct propulsion and handles with precision, but does not carry over direct and tiring impacts to the rider at the same time due to the hardness of the frame." Very Swiss, no? So does all that sound like you? If so, then the TeamMachine is your next bike.

The TeamMachine will be available in six frame sizes, ranging from 47-60 cm. Pricing has yet to be confirmed for the 2012 models, but expect them to be the same as, or very near, their 2011 counterparts.

Dura-Ace Di2: This is BMC's consumer version of their team-spec TeamMachine. Unlike BMC's pro riders who all run Easton wheels, consumers will have the option of choosing hoops from Mavic, Zipp and Lightweight, as well.

Dura-Ace: A Shimano Dura-Ace-equipped TeamMachine will be available with several wheel options, incuding models from Mavic, Zipp and Lightweight.

Ultegra Di2: Built with Shimano's lower-spec electronic drivetrain, this TeamMachine is completed with Mavic Ksyrium wheels.

Ultegra: The mechanical Ultegra-equipped TeamMachine is rolling on Mavic Ksyrium Elite wheels and will also be available with an optional triple crankset.

SRAM Red: Ironically, the SRAM Red-equipped TeamMachine is the only model that doesn't sport any red paint. The white/blue/black color scheme is a nice change of pace from the rest of the lineup, and the SRAM Red version will also feature Easton EA90 SE wheels and can be had in standard or compact gearing.

Here's one more look at the 2012 BMC TeamMachine, gleaming in the sun against the beautiful backdrop of the calm waters of Monterey Bay.