Brought home my baby today...

[northstar]

Hi all,

Just had to post...after lots and lots of test rides, I brought home my new Trek 5000 WSD. Coming off a hybrid, it sails along like a rocket! And here's the kicker...I dove in headfirst and went clipless, and had no trouble at all on my first ride around the neighborhood...no fright, no falls! I'm a believer!

When I get a pic, I will post it. (By the way, her name is Myrtle.)

Love these boards. I would have been totally overwhelmed going into the LBS without the knowledge I've gained here from all of you. It's nice to have so many mentors at one's fingertips!

:D

[teigyr]

Yay!!! I look forward to seeing the pictures! That is a fantastic name too. Congrats!

[mlove]

Congratulations. We are all looking forward to pictures of Myrtle.

[mimitabby]

happy new bike to you!

[Geonz]

Happy happy happy !!!

(Just be sure to 'fess up when you do or don't fall from the clipless :))

[Trekhawk]

Congratulations on your new beauty.
Happy riding.:)

[northstar]

I will totally 'fess up when ;) I fall. I have a sneaky feeling it is beginner's luck!

[cosc]

Have many great adventures with Myrtle. Your a brave gal, making the leap from hybrid to road w/clipless pedals. Sounds like your doing great. Yes we want a picture.

[Starfish]

I will totally 'fess up when ;) I fall. I have a sneaky feeling it is beginner's luck!

Oooooh!! I can't wait for the pictures, as well as the follow-up reports about what your bike is like as you really get used to her.

As for clipless, for whatever reason, I have only fallen once because of them, several years ago about 8 weeks into the process, and it was an easy, stupid, oops I tipped over! I found going to clipless really painless.

[Bikingmomof3]

Congratulations Northstar! May you and Myrtle enjoy many rides together. :)

[Jo-n-NY]

Congratulations on your new ride and wishing many wonderful riding miles on her!!!

~JoAnn

[missymaya]

Congratulations! I hope you and myrtle have some fabulous rides together!!! :D

[pyxichick]

Northstar,

Congratulations on your first road bike!

Now are you ready to join the MN Velo Bellas?:)

Do you live near the river road? I'm just off Lake St. and West RR in Mpls. and I love riding around the river. It never gets old for me.

happy trails!

kate :D

[Kano]

Northstar,

Congratulations on your first road bike!

Now are you ready to join the MN Velo Bellas?:)

Do you live near the river road? I'm just off Lake St. and West RR in Mpls. and I love riding around the river. It never gets old for me.

happy trails!

kate :D

OOOOH Pyxi -- what a pretty place to ride! It's been years and years, but...

Karen in Boise

[IntenseRide]

Happy day, new bike in the stable! I brought my new road bike home a couple of weeks ago and 'she' argues constantly with my two other mountain bikes on the hooks. :rolleyes:

[northstar]

Kate,

I live in NE Mpls, about a 5 minute ride from Stone Arch...so it doesn't take me long to get on the river road. We're lucky to live in a city with such great places to ride. Last time I was down there (a couple weeks ago when it was 80), I was on my hybrid, on the path, watching all of these awesome roadies fly by on the road, and I kept thinking, "That WILL be me someday!"

Hmmm, Velo Bellas...(getting nervous) I've never done a group ride. And I'm not into racing. Would that still be a good fit for me, as a beginner?

Molly

[IntenseRide]

Kate and Molly...

I hadn't realized you are both in Minneapolis also! So am I and have no idea where the River Road is since I'm a beginner in riding the road. Can you tell me where this is? I'm on the southwest side of Minneapolis. Also, are there cycling clubs for roadbiking? I'm mainly into mountainbiking, but would sure like some pointers on how this is done and the best places to ride. :)

[pyxichick]

West River Parkway and East River Parkway are the two roads that follow the Mississippi from downtown to the Ford Dam on the West side, and to Shepard Road on the East (St. Paul) side. It's a great loop to go down one side and back up the other. If you live in Southwest Mpls. you can take Minnehaha Parkway to West River Parkway. The Midtown Greenway also connects to West River Parkway.

Most local clubs have women's rides and/or beginner rides on certain nights.

If you're looking for something really non-intimidating, I'd recommend Hiawatha Cycling Club. It's a co-ed club with moderately paced rides (you'll see recumbents) and it's a good way to learn some local routes.

If you think that someday you may want to race, or just want to ride in a paceline and learn from other riders, I'd recommend an all-women's club, which to me feels more inclusive. You should check out the Velo Bella rides on Tuesday and Saturday from Now Bikes in St. Paul, or the Birchwood women's team new rider night, which is a once a month ride that starts from the Birchwood Cafe, near Franklin Ave. and West River Road. Both teams have websites where you can get more info.

I'd recommend looking up Minneapolis bicycle clubs online and try riding with different ones to see where you feel most comfortable. I tried three clubs before settling on VB, but the people have been really friendly and welcoming at every group ride I've been on. At the least you'll learn lots of good routes, and you may even find some new friends.

Molly, don't worry if you don't want to race. Lots of club riders never race, but still think it's fun to ride in a group.

Hope to see you gals out on the road!

kate:)

[IntenseRide]

Wow, thank you so much for all this information! I'm clueless on anything road, this will help a lot. I'm way out here in Chaska and I know there are some good rides here, just don't know yet and I'm waiting for the street cleaners to get rid of all this sand.

I hope to see both of you too! If ever you are planning a ride that can include newbies like me, please shoot me a PM. I'd love to break into the Minneapolis road riding scene. Thanks again. :)

[pyxichick]

You're very welcome. I want to encourage more women to get out on the road now that I know how much fun it is.

And I sure will invite you out for a ride when it finally warms up :D (those are chattering teeth)

kate

[northstar]

I fell today! I was going down Deming Hill in NE Mpls, riding the brakes because I was scared, and toppled over to the left. Luckily it was just a little blooper!

I said I'd confess, so here it is! ;)

[Starfish]

And, we still want pictures!

[pooks]

Yep, we do!

[northstar]

I seem to be technologically less than gifted. I'll get my DH to help me post one when he gets home!

I'm a teacher...I did bring pictures to show my kids today. They listened to me blab on and on about getting a new bike and so I had to show them. They were sweet and humored me. Good kids! :p

[northstar]

Ok, here goes! Sorry so slow!

[Starfish]

Myrtle is beautiful! Love the color.

[pooks]

Myrtle is a babe!

[roguedog]

preetttyyyy...

[northstar]

She literally glitters in the sun...gotta love it!

[wannaduacentury]

She literally glitters in the sun...gotta love it!

Congrats Northstar, I wish you and Myrtle many happy miles together :) Jennifer

[Jo-n-NY]

Kate,

I live in NE Mpls, about a 5 minute ride from Stone Arch...so it doesn't take me long to get on the river road. We're lucky to live in a city with such great places to ride. Last time I was down there (a couple weeks ago when it was 80), I was on my hybrid, on the path, watching all of these awesome roadies fly by on the road, and I kept thinking, "That WILL be me someday!"

Hmmm, Velo Bellas...(getting nervous) I've never done a group ride. And I'm not into racing. Would that still be a good fit for me, as a beginner?

Molly

hmmmm, 80 degrees in MN....the company I work for is home based in Eagan. Well, I am here in NY and it is freezing. We all are under the assumption that you guys have more winter than we do. However, I hear it is a very cyclist friendly state, unlike here. Send some of those warm temps our way!!! :)

~ JoAnn

PS....your bike is beautiful. What a great color. Don't worry, I have yet to post of my bike and I am on my second bike. I also lack the skills.