Hello--from Michigan

I've been lurking around here for a while and, figured I should introduce myself. I am actually just getting into road biking after many years of doing the mountain bike thing. I had an old Trek road bike from the mid-eighties and, basically that is the extent of my road cycling.

I am currently shopping for a new road bike. I looked on ebay and Craigslist for a while but, could not find what I wanted so, I decided to go to the LBS and get fitted, do some test rides and go with a new bike. Been shopping foe 3 weeks now and will go out again this weekend to do some test riding. I hope to find "my" perfect bicycle very soon.


I am currently looking at the Womens models because I have long legs and short torso so, finding a good fit hasn't been easy for me. (I,m 5'8"--31.5" inseam.)

I signed up for a century ride at the end of Sept. in Michigan so, I will ride as much as I can all season long. I can not wait.:D

...Is winter ever going to end????????:confused:

Hi there, I am also in MI and new to road biking. You picked a much smarter time to get into a bike than I did--I got mine right before Thanksgiving and managed 3 outdoor rides before the weather went to crap. :p

Hi T.C.! I have almost the exact same dimensions as you and I too have a relatively short torso. I'm riding a women's Lemond Versailles now which is very similar to the women's Madone. You might try one of those while you are out test riding. I will tell you there is an aggressive position Madone now and a more relaxed one, I like them both actually but I don't remember which is which. Happy hunting!:)

Welcome! I travel to Michigan a lot for work. What a wonderful, bike-friendly place to live! I'm even a member of League of Michigan cyclists--just to get the calendar.

Helloo from another Michigan cyclist!

Howdy from yet another Michigan cyclist. I got a new road bike last week - a Specialized Dolce Sport. It hasn't made it outside, just on the trainer. It is way more comfortable than I ever thought a road bike would be...however I am only 5'5" and got a 54cm wsd frame.

P2

Hello from another Michigan cyclist. Where abouts is everyone located in Michigan? I'm in the Mid-Michigan - Bay City/Saginaw/Midland area.

South east Michigan :)

I live in The S.E. Part of MI also......still shopping for a road bike.

I bet I'm pretty close to you SE Michigan ladies....I'm SW Ontario near the Sarnia/Pt Huron border crossing.

About 500 miles from you ladies - in da U.P., eh!

I grew up in Grand Rapids, then spent grad school years in Ann Arbor, and now I'm down to just two weeks a summer up in Traverse City at the in-laws cottage. But I'm still a Michigander at heart :)

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Originally Posted by surgtech1956

Hello from another Michigan cyclist. Where abouts is everyone located in Michigan? I'm in the Mid-Michigan - Bay City/Saginaw/Midland area.

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Part time, about 80 miles north of you on the lake. :)

West MI...sucks that we all live so far-flung. I've been thinking that it would be nice to do some TE group rides.

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Originally Posted by pinsonp2

Howdy from yet another Michigan cyclist. I got a new road bike last week - a Specialized Dolce Sport. It hasn't made it outside, just on the trainer. It is way more comfortable than I ever thought a road bike would be...however I am only 5'5" and got a 54cm wsd frame.

P2

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Hi everyone....Im from MI also! I also have this bike and LOVE it.....

I live in SE MI, one of the downriver suburbs of Detroit.

Are any of you attending some of the organized rides that the LMB has on their ride calendar for the year? This would be my first year to try one of these.

P2

I haven't posted in quite some time! I am in Michigan too. Western suburb of Detroit here!

Traverse City, year round.

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Originally Posted by pinsonp2

I live in SE MI, one of the downriver suburbs of Detroit.

Are any of you attending some of the organized rides that the LMB has on their ride calendar for the year? This would be my first year to try one of these.

P2

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I would love to but, need to get my bike purchased and get comfortable on a road bike as opposed to my mountain bike, then get used to clipless pedals....and check out the calendar of rides. I am signed up for the Apple Cider century at the end of Sept though.....anyone else going to be there??

I do plan to do a lot of training at the Metro Parks this summer.....mostly Stoney Creek and Kensington. Does anyone else ride at those places? If so, I wouldn't mind some company every now and then. :)

Im at kensington a few times a week once the snow is gone.....Im not sure what I am doing this year when it comes to racing/riding. I need to look at that soon!

South Central here-just far enough away to make it inconvenient at least.
Some rides we like-
One helluva Ride (Chelsea)
Tour de Livingston(Brighton)
Holland Hundred(Holland)

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Originally Posted by beccaB

South Central here-just far enough away to make it inconvenient at least.
Some rides we like-
One helluva Ride (Chelsea)
Tour de Livingston(Brighton)
Holland Hundred(Holland)

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There's another one to check out...in Oct., I think. The Colorburst Tour. It's a century, but there are shorter options, too. In the Grand Rapids area. My hubby is also helping organize this year's ODRAM (One Day Ride Across MI) ride.

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Originally Posted by zoom-zoom

There's another one to check out...in Oct., I think. The Colorburst Tour. It's a century, but there are shorter options, too. In the Grand Rapids area. My hubby is also helping organize this year's ODRAM (One Day Ride Across MI) ride.

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That might be fun- my daughter is a student at SVSU wher that will be ending. Won't be the first time we finished a ride near her campus, exhausted!

Hey that gives me an idea-maybe someone should organize a ride from Grand Valley State University to Saginaw Valley State University. There are other events those two do together, one being the War of the Valleys football game. Usually money is raised for some charity as part of this event.

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Originally Posted by beccaB

Hey that gives me an idea-maybe someone should organize a ride from Grand Valley State University to Saginaw Valley State University. There are other events those two do together, one being the War of the Valleys football game. Usually money is raised for some charity as part of this event.

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As a GVSU grad I would definitely be interested--Go, Lakers! :D

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Originally Posted by beccaB

That might be fun- my daughter is a student at SVSU wher that will be ending. Won't be the first time we finished a ride near her campus, exhausted!

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I think it starts in my town, too. This year I will not be up for it, but maybe by next year. It definitely looks like a fun event and a great way to see this pretty state.

I live in the Grand Rapids area now, but grew up in downriver Detroit area.
Nice to "meet" all of you Michigan ladies on here, LOL!

I'm going to try and do the One Helluva Ride :) Anyone else planning to do it? :)

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Originally Posted by Ana

I'm going to try and do the One Helluva Ride :) Anyone else planning to do it? :)

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I plan on it- have done the last 2. It's a well supported one, Hell has some bad roads though! But that's the only negative thing I remember about it, and that's why they call it Hell!

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Originally Posted by Ana

I'm going to try and do the One Helluva Ride :) Anyone else planning to do it? :)

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I just checked this out.....I think I might do it....Sounds like a great time!

A little off topic but perhaps the Mi ladies could help me out with some info....

Any good bike shops that have lots of womens gear in stock in the SE Michigan area?
Say in the Detroit/Pt Huron/thumb area? Around the Birch Run Mall area?

I get over the border on a regular basis and need some ideas on where to go...still looking for bike shoes to try on (and hopefully buy!).

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Originally Posted by footloose

A little off topic but perhaps the Mi ladies could help me out with some info....

Any good bike shops that have lots of womens gear in stock in the SE Michigan area?
Say in the Detroit/Pt Huron/thumb area? Around the Birch Run Mall area?

I get over the border on a regular basis and need some ideas on where to go...still looking for bike shoes to try on (and hopefully buy!).

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I haven't found much for women in ANY of the bike shops I frequent. I think there may be a bike shop in Frankenmuth, but I haven't visited it.

I grew up in the Port Huron area, there are a couple bike shops in PH, but they have always been kinda pricey. I know that my brother likes the Stoney Creek Bike and Fitness shop in Washington, MI (Romeo area) http://www.stoneycreekbike.com/about-us.html Not sure about their clothing selection though...

Anyway, I am living in the Jackson area and am really excited to get out and ride in this early spring we are having!

I realize some of you live close to the Canada-U.S. border.

Something to consider: Mountain Equipment Co-op a Canadian national sporting goods chain, has competitively priced women's cycling apparel, shoes (if you're comfortable ordering online) plus a pile of other outdoor sports, fitness apparel which you might be interested.

They have some specials now. All inventory there's free mailing for a certain minimum $$ purchase. That deal applies for Canadian residents. Don't know about international.


http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_m...=1268761873899

As you might know, they have a large store in downtown Toronto.
We shop there here in Vancouver, only a 15 min. bike away for us. :) if we can't find something better at a bike store. I have bought a number of things from MEC for cycling purposes over the past 10 yrs.

[QUOTE=goggles2004;497646]I grew up in the Port Huron area, there are a couple bike shops in PH, but they have always been kinda pricey. I know that my brother likes the Stoney Creek Bike and Fitness shop in Washington, MI (Romeo area) http://www.stoneycreekbike.com/about-us.html Not sure about their clothing selection though...

Anyway, I am living in the Jackson area and am really excited to get out and ride in this early spring we are having![/QUOT


Jackson!! No Way !! Me Too!!

DH and I will be traveling from the Hoosier state to ride the Michigan Mountain Mayhem on June 12 -- http://www.michiganmountainmayhem.com/. Any of you Michigan riders up for the challenge?

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Originally Posted by HoosierGiant

DH and I will be traveling from the Hoosier state to ride the Michigan Mountain Mayhem on June 12 -- http://www.michiganmountainmayhem.com/. Any of you Michigan riders up for the challenge?

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Beautiful area to ride in, with LOTS of hills. I have ridden the infamous Wall. A gut buster for sure. You could bring your mtb and go ride Boyne Mtn the next day:cool:

I'm another "Roadie" from West Michigan!

Is Anyone else doing the Fisk Knob TT this rainy/snowy Sunday? Buuuuurrrr!

Maybe I'm just insane to start the race season with Fisk Knob?!!

I'm not doing Fisk Knob TT, but I'm doing "The Ride" at the Lakes Mall in Muskegon on Saturday.

Although, I think I'd rather be riding outside . . .

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Originally Posted by limewave

I'm not doing Fisk Knob TT, but I'm doing "The Ride" at the Lakes Mall in Muskegon on Saturday.

Although, I think I'd rather be riding outside . . .

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Maybe not...this is what NOAA has in store for us:
Saturday: Rain and snow likely. Cloudy, with a high near 39. North northeast wind between 11 and 16 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.

Ick. Sunday looks about the same. I had planned to do a 2 hour ride on Sunday, but I think I may take it as a rest day or do a short run. Saturday I'm planning on 12 miles in the muck. Man, I can't wait for April when we get more weather like what we've had in the past week.