New Kid on the Block

[Maureen Valley]

Good morning, everyone. What a terrific forum. I've thoroughly enjoyed reading the posts and decided I'd jump in.

I've been biking all my life...but only recently began to take it seriously. I now have a helmet (gasp) biking shorts and a JERSEY. My first experience wearing the shorts made me a believer in those handy dandy chamois liners. What feels like a Pamper between your legs morphs into a cloud once I'm on my Trek Hybrid.

Speaking of bikes....(and we were) I'm about to invest in a nice road bike. I'm looking at the Trek Pilot WSD series..and will be visiting my brother's bike shop in Minnesota to pick one from the herd.

I live in Eustis, Florida...love the West Orange Trail as road riding here is just plain dangerous. I have entered my first 'organized ride' for Nov. 11 in Lake Helen and will do the 25 miler. The century will have to wait.

I've been a tad long winded here....but would love to hear from anyone in my area that is also New Kid on the Block. Also...input on road bikes would be greatly appreciated!!

Best to all,
Maureen Valley

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Welcome welcome Maureen!

How lucky you are that your brother owns a bike shop! :eek: :D
You won't have just one jersy and one pair of shorts for long though....;)

[CyclChyk]

Welcome aboard! I love it here and hopefully you will too.

The Trek bikes have a great reputation. Plus, its what Lance rode! My DH (dear hubby) has a Trek 5900 and loves it (I have a Bianchi).

Bare in mind the key to being a true *biker* is wearing your bike shorts without anything over them. I myself have finally been inducted! :D

[Maureen Valley]

Thanks for the quick responses!!! I AM lucky that I have a brother in the Trek business....he's been very good to me. I haven't even had to use childhood tactics to get him to cooperate. (He's my little brother) Besides....I'm fresh out of barbed wire and he grew to be 6'3" tall. Can't just sit on him anymore.

I'll post a shot of my new road bike! Love yours, Lisa. Wow.

Oh...and ...it's fun being 63, too!! In fact it's downright liberating.

Best to all:
Maureen

[chickwhorips]

welcome to the board! :D :D :D

i'm not in your area, but wanted to say hi anyhow!

[IFjane]

Hello Maureen! I am a new kid on the block here, too. I'm finding it's a lot of fun hanging out here.

I have an Independent Fabricators bike that was made specifically for my body geometry & absolutely love it. I rode thousands of miles on a Lemond that "almost" fit - I loved it, too, but there were those little nagging aches and pains that would never go away no matter how I tried to make that bike work. So....depend on your brother to fit you with the best bike for you & then HAVE FUN!

And I agree with Lisa - you won't have one pair of shorts & one jersey long. You should see my closet! :eek:

[Squeaky]

Welcome! Can't wait to see your new bike when you get it, so be sure to post some pics. I suppose you could try sitting on your brother if he doesn't cooperate, or you could kick him in the shin and then run really fast. :D

[RoadRaven]

Welcome Maureen
I trust you'll find this a fabulous place to visit - it is so supportive and loaded with great ideas and tips!

I have a Scorpio RA 300 and a Giants TCR
I have never ridden a TREK, but there are a lot of "Trekkies" here who will no doubt give you their ideas on the subject
I am hoping to get the new EMC women specific bike soon...

Enjoy this place
~Raven~

[Bikingmomof3]

Welcome Maureen. :) Enjoy your new bike. My family is a Trek family, as all five of us ride Treks. :D

[alforfun]

Just got a Trek 1600 WSD late September. It is lovely.....rides nice, looks nice....

[SadieKate]

Maillotpois! What are we doing wrong. Look at Maureen's profile.


Love biking, reading, eating good food and sipping nice wine and the company of friends. I'm also a KNITTER.
All good, huh?

Then, it says she's retired!:eek: What are we doing wrong?

Welcome, Maureen, I think . . . . :D

PS - MP and I are currently exchanging a few knitting patterns and discussing the benefits of red wine and port.

[maillotpois]

All good!

Welcome!

[Bikingmomof3]

Momentary hyjack----

SK & MP I did not know you both knit! :cool: I am an avid knitter and have been knitting for 17 years :eek: ! I mainly knit sweaters- cable, fair isle, gansey or intarsia.

Back to the regular topic----

[SadieKate]

I knit but I don't knit like you. I'm more the small project type. My mind is whirling with too many creative ideas to deal with garments.

http://new.photos.yahoo.com/sadiekatel/album/576460762330500181#page1

[Bikingmomof3]

Very nice work! :) TThe little hates are adorable. I love the Christmas stocking. Sadly, I make hats and scarves for the boys and DH, but only when I am in a car. I usually cable of fair isle them to amuse myself and knit them as fast as possible to be finished. I prefer large projects and small needles. Here is what DH's Christmas sweater will look like: http://www.garnstudio.com/lang/no/visoppskrift.php?d_nr=85&&d_id=14&&lang=no

[chickwhorips]

sk those are really neat.

i want to get back into crocheting, but its hard because i don't know anyone around here to ask for help when i start, and when i mess up.

[Offthegrid]

You BROTHER owns a BIKE SHOP!!! <---- fuming with jealously over here.

Seriously, enjoy your new ride. I wish I had a captive mechanic. ;)

Onto the secondary topic, I knit, too!!! My friend taught me last year, and I love it. I'm supposed to be knitting a sweater (I have the yarn and the pattern), but I've been spending too much on fitness stuff to buy the cable needles I need. :o So I'm currently knitting a shawl instead using a very easy pattern. But my favorite thing to knit is socks because they are so comfy, the yarn is cheap because you don't need a lot, and they don't take too long to knit, either.

[Bikingmomof3]

I am envious as well. i wish I had a relative who even knew someone who owned a bike shop. Sigh.

Biking, running, and planning to do a marathon and a tri put a hold on all knitting related expenses. I swapped one hobby for 3. :D

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Hey, I'm an avid knitter too!!!
I've knit several sweaters and LOTS of socks and mittens and scarves. Socks are my favorite thing to knit.
Here's a brown sock I knit for my husband years ago- the only photo I have right now:
1992

[wannaduacentury]

Hi and Welcome Maureen. I ride and knit too(not at the same time LOL) I have a Trek hybrid and a Giant road bike. Love them both. I like to knit scarves mostly, don't have patience for big projects really. I did make a gorgeous shawl last yr- candy apple red in Lion brand homespun V shaped w/ fringe. It turned out well. Have fun test riding bikes at your brothers shop. I swiped a WSD seat off the Trek 1000 wsd for my Giant b/c I liked it. Pick what fits you and makes you want to ride. Good Luck. Jennifer

[emily_in_nc]

Oh...and ...it's fun being 63, too!! In fact it's downright liberating.

You can not be 63 -- that's gotta be a typo, right?! :eek: From your gorgeous photo, I was thinking more like 40, and trying to figure out how you could retire that young!

Anyway, welcome to a great community of women -- of all ages! :)

Emily
(45 and holding!)

[Maureen Valley]

I love all these responses....and who knew bikers were such avid knitters. If you all tell me you're blues fans, too......we'll just have to have a party or something. I forgot to mention that I'm a music freak, too.

I'm off test riding bikes today with a friend who suddenly is hooked.

More later!!!

Best to all..
Maureen

[mlove]

Obviously I am a knitter too. I have done socks, hats, scarves, vests, felted clogs and sweaters although I have a lot of unfinished projects sitting around, especially now that I am riding more and knitting less.

[chickwhorips]

ooh i want a pair of those slippers! i need a new pair too.

[Maureen Valley]

Knitters Rule. No...Bikers Rule. No....Bikers Who Knit Rule. Oh...I don't know...I only know that I love both.

But I'm always in hot pursuit of the ultimate blues band. My idea of heaven is to sit in a tiny club with a 'tear at your soul' harmonica player....good bassist....and a killer lead guitar. Add to the mix...a swampy gravelly voice....oh oh...be still my heart.

As for knitting...it calms me. ( I tend to go full tilt most of the time.) The business of counting......concentrating...and the simplicity of creating something beautiful out of two sticks and a hank of yarn has always amazed me. I've made ski sweaters out of Icelandic yarn...shawls...endless scarves...just about everything but socks. I don't wear socks in Florida except for biking!! The slippers and socks pictured here are beautiful! This is one talented group of women.

I'm very happy to be in your company.

Maureen
;)

[BeeLady]

Welcome Maureen . . .I'm sitting here with my almost finished shawl on my lap, trying to finish reading all these interesting posts.

Weather permitting, I'm going to meet my first TE cyclist friend tomorrow on a bike club ride. This is a great, very supportive site -- glad you found it.

And that is so cool -- having a bike shop in the family!

[CyclChyk]

Mlove - LOVE the slippers!!!

IFJane - welcome aboard!!

I don't knit. Can't . I can crochet granny squares and attach them to each other..... that's why I took up beading. Much easier for me.....

[wannaduacentury]

Love those slipperz :) I'm getting into felting, wool yarn junkie. I've attempted socks w/ DP needles and get all twisted. I found a pattern for socks using tiny circular needles a size 2 and 3. Will need to give that a try again. As for felting, I'm going to do a scarf that I'm finishing up and I'd like to make a tote/purse and put a zipper on it. Do my own colors.
p.s. I crochet a little too. Jennifer

[TrekJeni]

Good morning, everyone.

Speaking of bikes....(and we were) I'm about to invest in a nice road bike. I'm looking at the Trek Pilot WSD series..and will be visiting my brother's bike shop in Minnesota to pick one from the herd.

Best to all,
Maureen Valley


Welcome Maureen,

Let me get this off my chest first. I DON'T KNIT!!!! Never have, never will. Did potholders in 4-H though! :)

Awesome that your bro is lined up with Trek. It pays to have connections doesn't it? (as jeni laughs dating her LBS manager and heir to the family store!

Have fun trying out the WSD bikes. I'm 5'4" and currently ride a 2003 52" Trek 1000. The price was right, fit a little off, but I made it work. Had the opportunity to test ride a 51" WSD after logging about 4000 miles on my current bike, and it just all sort of clicked. I knew my next bike would be WSD. My new MTB should be here before Turkey Day (Trek 6700 WSD) and the new road bike will be a Orbea Diva. I'm sold on WSD bikes now!


Jeni

[sygilligan]

Hi,

I'm new to cycling (or should I say re-cycling as I used to ride an old Schwinn road bike 12 years ago). I bought a cheap mtn bike to ride with my son through grass, mud, rain - so fun. I started riding out on the road and it killed me to go up the hills. So.....off to a bike shop I went. I ended up with a Giant OCR2 - and I am having neck pains. So - I will need to figure out what adjustments need to be made - already swapped out the stem for a shorter one.

I'm finding it hard to find other women that want to ride like me - I want to race if I can build my skills, speeds and knowledge. After 2 months on the bike, I am up to 15 - 25 miles per ride averaging 13.5 - 14 mph with max speeds over between 28 - 35 so far (these rides include alot of rolling hills, flat roads are hard to find here). I guess that is a sufficient start. Any suggestions would be appreciated - I did join a local bike club and started riding this past week. Funny story associated with my first two rides. It involves men! Apparently, I created quite a stir with the local experienced riders.

I love the posts about the clothes and the gear and the passion for biking - it's wonderful!

Sharon

[wannaduacentury]

Hi,

I'm new to cycling (or should I say re-cycling as I used to ride an old Schwinn road bike 12 years ago). I bought a cheap mtn bike to ride with my son through grass, mud, rain - so fun. I started riding out on the road and it killed me to go up the hills. So.....off to a bike shop I went. I ended up with a Giant OCR2 - and I am having neck pains. So - I will need to figure out what adjustments need to be made - already swapped out the stem for a shorter one.

I'm finding it hard to find other women that want to ride like me - I want to race if I can build my skills, speeds and knowledge. After 2 months on the bike, I am up to 15 - 25 miles per ride averaging 13.5 - 14 mph with max speeds over between 28 - 35 so far (these rides include alot of rolling hills, flat roads are hard to find here). I guess that is a sufficient start. Any suggestions would be appreciated - I did join a local bike club and started riding this past week. Funny story associated with my first two rides. It involves men! Apparently, I created quite a stir with the local experienced riders.

I love the posts about the clothes and the gear and the passion for biking - it's wonderful!

Sharon

I've got the OCR 2 also Sharon. Good move on swapping the stem, I will soon enough. I love mine :) Jennifer

[Maureen Valley]

Wow....this is really getting interesting. I'm taking notes on your bikes, ladies.....and saw the 'photos on bikes' thread and was greatly inspired by what I saw.

I'm currently riding a 2005 Trek Multi-Trak 7000 Hybrid....and will be choosing a new bike soon. I'm slowly zeroing in on Gary Fisher's new Mendota....a high performance hybrid with straight handlebars. Has anyone seen one of these guys? The other 2 models in that series are Wingra and Monona. They all look like lots of value for the $$$.

In the meantime, I'm cranking out more miles every day on the Hybrid. It serves my purpose for the time being and all I can think about is riding my new baby in an event. When that happens...I'll post a pic on the thread that depicts all of us on our bikes.

New Question? Have any of you named your bikes? My daughter in law calls her Triathlon bike...Romeo!!!

Best to all:
Maureen in Florida
;)