Big rides?

Hi, I'm the new girl!
I just bought my first "real" bike-meaning I didn't get it from Walmart for 80 dollars. Its a Trek 4300 WSD and I absolutely adore that thing! Well, after I get more experienced, I would like to buy a road bike as well and participate in some big road and mountain bike rides. What are my options? Maybe even racing for the fun of it, I don't know. I am already really physically fit because of karate and workouts. I am moving to Indiana and plan to join the HMBA (Hoosier Mountain Bike Association) and they do a lot of mountain biking stuff. Where should I start and what should I do? Thanks and God bless!!

Morgan :)

You've mentioned racing, road, and MTB.
I for one don't know where to start with this.

When you move to Indiana, you could find the bike shop you like best and inquire there about local rides.

What are your options? Pretty much anything, from riding alone or with friends to organized rides and races. To start with -- I'd ask at your local bike shop =)

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Originally Posted by Skido07

...Well, after I get more experienced, I would like to buy a road bike as well and participate in some big road and mountain bike rides. What are my options? Maybe even racing for the fun of it, I don't know.... Where should I start and what should I do?

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Not sure what you mean by your last question? Seems like you've already started by buying your new Trek. Perhaps you should read up on your various biking interests here on the forums- there's a sea of good info here already to browse through. Then maybe you can narrow down to specific questions you need answered?

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Originally Posted by bounceswoosh

When you move to Indiana, you could find the bike shop you like best and inquire there about local rides.

What are your options? Pretty much anything, from riding alone or with friends to organized rides and races. To start with -- I'd ask at your local bike shop =)

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Hey, I didn't even think of that! Yeah, I'll just find a good bike shop and start with that. Thanks so much! You rock!
God bless,
-M

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Originally Posted by BleeckerSt_Girl

Not sure what you mean by your last question? Seems like you've already started by buying your new Trek. Perhaps you should read up on your various biking interests here on the forums- there's a sea of good info here already to browse through. Then maybe you can narrow down to specific questions you need answered?

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I basically asked "where do I start". I thought I was pretty clear, sorry. But bounceswoosh already gave me a good tip. Thanks. :)

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Originally Posted by zencentury

You've mentioned racing, road, and MTB.
I for one don't know where to start with this.

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That made a whole lot of sense. :confused:

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Originally Posted by Skido07

Hey, I didn't even think of that! Yeah, I'll just find a good bike shop and start with that. Thanks so much! You rock!
God bless,
-M

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No worries! Not really sure what was so confusing about your post. I guess people are used to more concrete questions. It sounds like you are newly in love with two-wheeled fun, and you just want to know what's out there, in case there's something (or multiple somethings) that's "perfect" but you don't even know about it yet.

Where in Indiana are you moving to?

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Originally Posted by indysteel

Where in Indiana are you moving to?

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Hi,
Wer'e from Kokomo, but wer'e are moving to Russiaville, about 40 min. from Indianapolis. Indiana's MTB trails are so much better than the ones here in Maryland, I can't wait to move back and visit Brown County State Park!

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Originally Posted by bounceswoosh

No worries! Not really sure what was so confusing about your post. I guess people are used to more concrete questions. It sounds like you are newly in love with two-wheeled fun, and you just want to know what's out there, in case there's something (or multiple somethings) that's "perfect" but you don't even know about it yet.

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Oh, wow. Youv'e totally got it! I can't wait to get more experiences under my belt!

When you said 'where do i start' and 'what are my options', I thought you meant in terms of all the various biking interests you listed. So i suggested you read up on the different categories of biking on the forums here ('big' rides, racing, mtn biking) to get some ideas about what they involved and how to go about them. Plus you had already just bought a bike that you love, so it seemed like you already had gotten a pretty good start!
But I guess you meant where do you start once you get to Indiana?
Didn't understand exactly what you were asking.

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Originally Posted by Skido07

Hi,
Wer'e from Kokomo, but wer'e are moving to Russiaville, about 40 min. from Indianapolis. Indiana's MTB trails are so much better than the ones here in Maryland, I can't wait to move back and visit Brown County State Park!

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As my screenname suggests, I'm from Indianapolis. I'm not an MTBer but there are some good trails in Carmel from what I understand and, of course, in Brown County. Plenty of decent road riding, too. There are some decent organized rides and the local club in Indianapolis is pretty active. Plenty of races, too.

I don't know what the cycling scene in Russiaville is like, but one of the better bike shops in town, especially for MTB, is Nebo Ridge in Zionsville. Jonathan, the manager there is the president or vice president of the HMBA. He's also a good bike fitter and all around nice guy. He can give you some good information and suggestions.

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Originally Posted by indysteel

As my screenname suggests, I'm from Indianapolis. I'm not an MTBer but there are some good trails in Carmel from what I understand and, of course, in Brown County. Plenty of decent road riding, too. There are some decent organized rides and the local club in Indianapolis is pretty active. Plenty of races, too.

I don't know what the cycling scene in Russiaville is like, but one of the better bike shops in town, especially for MTB, is Nebo Ridge in Zionsville. Jonathan, the manager there is the president or vice president of the HMBA. He's also a good bike fitter and all around nice guy. He can give you some good information and suggestions.

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Thanks a lo! A lot of good info. I plan on buying a road bike when I move so I'll have to check it out and meet Jonathon. Are you familiar with the HMBA?

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Originally Posted by BleeckerSt_Girl

When you said 'where do i start' and 'what are my options', I thought you meant in terms of all the various biking interests you listed. So i suggested you read up on the different categories of biking on the forums here ('big' rides, racing, mtn biking) to get some ideas about what they involved and how to go about them. Plus you had already just bought a bike that you love, so it seemed like you already had gotten a pretty good start!
But I guess you meant where do you start once you get to Indiana?
Didn't understand exactly what you were asking.

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No, I basically just don't want to run into any surprises that keep me from doing big rides,etc. I just thought I'd get some insight from people who have or know what I should do.

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Originally Posted by BleeckerSt_Girl

Didn't understand exactly what you were asking.

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Me neither (obviously).
It sounded to me like she wanted to do everything at once :D

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Originally Posted by Skido07

Thanks a lo! A lot of good info. I plan on buying a road bike when I move so I'll have to check it out and meet Jonathon. Are you familiar with the HMBA?

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Not really. I don't mountain bike. I think they're a pretty active group. There are a handful of other bike shops in Indy with salespeople/owners who are avid MTBers. I'd be happy to give you more information once you move back to the area.

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Originally Posted by indysteel

Not really. I don't mountain bike. I think they're a pretty active group. There are a handful of other bike shops in Indy with salespeople/owners who are avid MTBers. I'd be happy to give you more information once you move back to the area.

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Awesome, that would be great! God bless! :)
Morgan