new member from Western New York

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09-05-2008, 06:08 AM
wnyrider

new member from Western New York

Hi, This looks to be a great site for information and sharing. I have been a lifetime recreational rider. Then life happened! Married, had children and in the beginning used a bicycle trailer to transport them around, but as they began to ride, I stopped. I am in a rural area too dangerous for the kids to follow behind, plus the youngest is too slow for me to follow behind on bike paths to any great length. Need to say (with many excuses!) I got out of shape. Had some health problems in the mix. This summer I impulsively bought a new bike to motivate myself. My old bike is a Puch I bought when living in Massachusetts 20 years ago. I love it, but it hasn't fit comfortably for a long time. The new bike is a multi-sport/ tri bike that I saw being mentioned on several other bike sites when researching for a new bike. It was supposed to be a great deal financially and stock was running out... looong story that I will share along the way- It is a Javelin Varese in case you are curious. Don't want to monopolized the forum here, just wanted to chime in here with a hearty hello and introduce myself.
09-05-2008, 06:12 AM
luvmypwds

Welcome!! :)

Are you planning on doing some triathlons?
09-05-2008, 06:14 AM
fastdogs

I think you have to post a photo of your bike!!
vickie
09-05-2008, 06:26 AM
JaneE

Hello Wnyrider! Fellow western New Yorker, here. :) I'm up in Niagara County. How about you?
09-05-2008, 07:12 AM
wildhawk

Welcome to the forums! And please post a bike pic - sounds interesting! Welcome back to riding too - alot of us on here are getting back into riding after being away a while.
09-05-2008, 11:00 AM
wnyrider

Hubby put Ubuntu on this computer and I temporarily can't use my Windows photo programs for the time being. Hopefully these shots will be okay. The pedals are off my Puch and are just ordinary platforms. Haven't figured out what to do with all the added cable lengths. Good enough for now however! Thanks for the PhotoBucket tip. Never used them before. Just went through there to do this and was surprised at the ease. Was worried that it would take all my pictures in the files... It was a paranoid moment!

http://i464.photobucket.com/albums/r...elinvarese.jpg

http://i464.photobucket.com/albums/r...lincockpit.jpg

http://i464.photobucket.com/albums/r...velinfront.jpg
09-05-2008, 12:23 PM
wnyrider

Quote:

Originally Posted by JaneE

Hello Wnyrider! Fellow western New Yorker, here. :) I'm up in Niagara County. How about you?

I am also in Niagara County, in the Town of Porter. Great place to live wouldn't you say!
09-05-2008, 12:39 PM
gingerale

NICE!!!!!!! Great looking bike!
09-05-2008, 01:23 PM
JaneE

Quote:

Originally Posted by wnyrider

I am also in Niagara County, in the Town of Porter. Great place to live wouldn't you say!

Niagara County is a beautiful place to ride. :)

I live in Sanborn but I'm up in your neck of the woods pretty often, actually (frequently head up to Ft. Niagara and the lake). Maybe we can meet up some time for a ride! :)
09-11-2008, 12:29 PM
wnyrider

Quote:

Originally Posted by luvmypwds

Welcome!! :)

Are you planning on doing some triathlons?

Sorry for the delay in responding. Been crazy around here with nasty head colds bouncing off one another. School just started and kids missed 2 days. Haven't ridden my bike until today. A triathlon would be a wonderful dream for me at this point with my being so out of shape. But, I will admit it wasn't my goal when purchasing a new bike. I wanted a new road bike. I went to every bicycle shop in my area and either they didn't have my size or the bike I was interested in. Due to tingling and numbness in my hands from road vibrations I was focused on a steel frame with a carbon fork (with hopes of a carbon handlebar too). Being in a rural area, I have miles to ride and it was recommended that a steel frame was best for me. In researching bicycles I considered my physical being. My back bothers me a lot and I noticed that I was leaning down with my elbows resting on the handlebars, a relief but not terribly comfortable. I had exchanged the drop bars years ago for a flat bar on my old Puch. Then added bar ends to help vary hand positions. Still not enough to feel good for any great distance. When I saw the info on the Javelin bike closeouts. I initially tried to get a road bike but they sold out early on. I dickered back and forth regarding the geometry of a tri bike, but reasoned that the aero position would alleviate my back aches and the 76 degree riding position would perhaps be less stressful on my knees since it emphasizes the other set of leg muscles more. What can I say... I impulsively bought it. I'll cover more about this in another thread due all the questions I have and guidance I need. I am so beyond a FRED!!
09-11-2008, 12:33 PM
TrekTheKaty

Very Nice! Welcome back :)
09-11-2008, 12:42 PM
wnyrider

Quote:

Originally Posted by JaneE

Niagara County is a beautiful place to ride. :)

I live in Sanborn but I'm up in your neck of the woods pretty often, actually (frequently head up to Ft. Niagara and the lake). Maybe we can meet up some time for a ride! :)

I'd love that except I am nowhere in your league yet!! I envy you for your trip to Rochester. I'm open jawed thinking of you riding out this way from Sanborn having mastered the escarpment... wow! I am taking baby steps at this point. I am actually going to be at Ft. Niagara walking tomorrow. I saw that the Niagara Frontier bike club will have a couple of rides out this way that I would love to do except I can't... yet! I would really hate to embarrass myself at this point :(. Do you participate in any local bike clubs? I have a couple of questions for you though regarding your LBS. Let me know if you want me to PM you or post them here-- thanks!
09-11-2008, 12:49 PM
tulip

Nice bike! Welcome, we look forward to your stories.

I've found that strengthening my core has really alleviated my back problems. I can now hold myself up while riding with my core, not leaning on my arms or hands.

You might want to try something like that if your back is bothersome. I do Pilates, but others do other exercises. Find whatever works for you and do it consistently.
09-11-2008, 12:53 PM
arielmoon

Nice bike! Welcome to TE!!
09-11-2008, 03:55 PM
JaneE

Quote:

Originally Posted by wnyrider

I'd love that except I am nowhere in your league yet!! I envy you for your trip to Rochester. I'm open jawed thinking of you riding out this way from Sanborn having mastered the escarpment... wow! I am taking baby steps at this point. I am actually going to be at Ft. Niagara walking tomorrow. I saw that the Niagara Frontier bike club will have a couple of rides out this way that I would love to do except I can't... yet! I would really hate to embarrass myself at this point :(. Do you participate in any local bike clubs? I have a couple of questions for you though regarding your LBS. Let me know if you want me to PM you or post them here-- thanks!

Oh my goodness...no need to worry about me! I'm just in this for fun. :)

I don't belong to a club at this point but I'm seriously thinking about it. I think it would be a good thing.

My LBS is Handlebars Cycle Company in Kenmore (Englewood at Starin). Nice people; nice shop. :) http://www.handlebarscc.com/ In fact, I'm picking up my new road bike tomorrow afternoon! :D

Feel free to PM me or ask questions in the forum. I'm easy! It's up to you. :)
09-11-2008, 06:33 PM
luvmypwds

Cool looking bike! So how do you like the ride so far?
09-15-2008, 12:59 PM
wnyrider

Quote:

Originally Posted by luvmypwds

Cool looking bike! So how do you like the ride so far?

I haven't been able to ride often enough to gain confidence in the aero position. So, I am riding using the bullhorns. There are not enough alternate places for my hands to change position. This light aluminum frame with carbon fork is a completely different sensation from my heavy old steel bike. I see where someone explained a twitchy bike meant responsive-- I find mine twitchy. It is taking some getting used to. I am extra cautious when I want to turn to look over my shoulder because of the resulting bike movements.
Also, my hands vibrate even long after the ride from the pavement. I don't like that at all. I haven't been on a long enough ride to see if that progresses to numbness yet. I am going to post a question about that in the bike section. I do find it comfortable riding in the "pseudo" aero position (that is one hand on the bullhorn)-- someone else here posted a picture of herself in it. I look forward to when I will able to ride in the aero position correctly. So far... I'd say it is a work in progress
09-15-2008, 01:20 PM
JaneE

Hi wnyrider! :)

Glad to hear that you're getting out, riding. Between the weather and family obligations I haven't been able to get out nearly as much as I should (or would like to). :mad:

The weather people are saying that tomorrow into the foreseeable future we should be dry around here...guess I'll believe that when I see it! :D
09-15-2008, 02:51 PM
wnyrider

Quote:

Originally Posted by JaneE

Hi wnyrider! :)

Glad to hear that you're getting out, riding. Between the weather and family obligations I haven't been able to get out nearly as much as I should (or would like to). :mad:

The weather people are saying that tomorrow into the foreseeable future we should be dry around here...guess I'll believe that when I see it! :D

I haven't gone far though. My head cold is still lingering. I just went down the road and back, so boooring- then come in and blow my nose a thousand times! I'll keep my fingers crossed for improved weather...
09-16-2008, 01:06 PM
Savra

Hi! I don't post here very often but tend to lurk. I am also in WNY here in Cheektowaga!! Good to know there are others out there!
09-16-2008, 01:31 PM
JaneE

Quote:

Originally Posted by Savra

Hi! I don't post here very often but tend to lurk. I am also in WNY here in Cheektowaga!! Good to know there are others out there!

Hello Savra! I've wondered if there were other wny-ers around here. :)

What kind of riding do you do?
09-16-2008, 04:05 PM
Savra

I just got my first road bike this past April after having my trusty mountain bike for ten years. I've been riding to school during the week mostly. It's a nice 10 mile ride to north campus. :) 20 miles round trip. I keep wanting to do a group ride but I'm pretty slow. :)