Getting to Know You!

[GulfCoastAmy]

Hey all! I'm new here...

Real name: Amy

Where do you live? Mobile, AL

Explanation of your handle: I'm so new I don't even know what this means - ha!

Explanation of your avatar: don't have one yet! I'll add a pic of me, I guess!

Age (general or specific): 32

Occupation: TV Syndication

Favorite bike: my crappy huffy because it's all I have right now

What's in your stable? just the huffy, lol!

Fastest speed on a road bike? where? when? No clue. My mantra is strength over speed.

Another picture of yourself or your ride? Don't have one yet!

What is the biggest lie you've ever told: Hmmm...not sure. That's a toughie!

Most memorable moment on my bike: crashing into my brother when we were around 10 & 15 or so... We were riding around a campground in Canada. I was fine, he got all banged up.

Most fun ever had on a bike? This morning! My first ride that wasn't on neighborhood roads! (did I mention I'm REALLY new?!)

[nj_likes]

Real name: Nancy

Where do you live? Wheeling, IL (hmmm...kinda appropriate for a bike forum, no?)

Explanation of your handle: I'm not creative. Parts of my name.

Explanation of your avatar: none yet.

Age (general or specific): 31

Occupation: New stay-at-home mom

Favorite bike: The last bike I loved to ride had a plastic basket on the front and streamers on the handlebars. Now, I'm working on learning to ride without worrying about falling off.

What's in your stable? Trek Pilot something or other, Trek mountain bike.

Fastest speed on a road bike? where? when? Not very. Going fast on my "road" bike makes me think about how much it would hurt if I crash.

Another picture of yourself or your ride? Not yet.

What is the biggest lie you've ever told: Can't think of one off the top of my head. When I was little, I used to tell people that I was born in Antarctica just to see if they believed me, though...


Most memorable moment on my bike: being knocked off my bike by a tree branch on my first bike ride with my then boyfriend (now husband). I still have 2 ugly scars on my knee to remember it by!


Looking forward to getting to know you!!

[leathela]

Real name: Laurel

Where do you live? New York, NY

Explanation of your handle: So uninspired that I'm too embarrassed to post it

Explanation of your avatar: I'm still trying to decide what I'd like!

Age (general or specific): 26

Occupation: Senior Marketing Coordinator

Favorite bike: I had a Trek road bike in college that I absolutely loved...sadly, it is no longer with me. It got stolen my first year in this city.

What's in your stable? Specialized Myka Elite, Specialized Dolce Comp Triple

Fastest speed on a road bike? where? when? 45, on a very long and secluded rural road in Upstate NY. (Downhill!)

Another picture of yourself or your ride? Hmm I have a lot, but none with me at work.

What is the biggest lie you've ever told: I told my ninth-grade boyfriend that I loved him, which I didn't...I was afraid of hurting his feelings :/

Most memorable moment on my bike: Riding through a field and watching a mother deer and her baby (he had to be only a few weeks old) run into the distance. This moment was very special and relevant to me, as I'd just found out the day before that my sister was pregnant.

Most fun ever had on a bike? The first 50-mile ride I ever took with my boyfriend. It turned out to be a 90-degree day (somehow we'd missed the forecast) and we were hot sweaty messes by the time we got home, but we had so much fun together and really discovered that we are meant to be.

[hamster330]

I am Joanne, nick name: Hamster330, Sunnyvale CA 55
I grew up on bike and just got a brand new Trek FX 7.3. Hope to get back in shape again soon and do some serious ride in the coming year.

[meaghanlogic]

Real name: Meaghan

Where do you live? Oregon

Explanation of your handle: I have my own brand of logic. Some would say I'm just a little eccentric.

Explanation of your avatar: Well...this is a bike forum, thus... the bike.

Age (general or specific) 28

Occupation: Dirtbag Rock Climber/ Gypsy Nomad

Favorite bike: Clementine, my old Peugeot fixie

What's in your stable? Specialized Dolce, Peugeot Fixed gear, Gary Fisher hooKooeKoo

Fastest speed on a road bike? where? when? 28mph, monday night road ride...

Another picture of yourself or your ride? Maybe later.

Most memorable moment on my bike: My first criterium.

Most fun ever had on a bike? Everyday.

[drdwin]

Well I did an intro - but like I said before I'm new to this whole forum thing so mine is in the New Rider section - I'll get the hang of this eventually.

[krisl6]

Real name: Kristen
Where do you live? Veendam, Netherlands (originally from Orange County, NY)

Explanation of your handle: Nothing too fancy. Short version of my first name, first letter of my last name and my favorite number.

Explanation of your avatar: Don't have one just yet.

Age (general or specific) 29

Occupation: Keyword and Content specialist at an online marketing agency

Favorite bike: Can't pick just one! Big fan of Felts though.

What's in your stable? 2009 Felt F95, 2009 Focus Highland Peak and an old clunker that gets me to and from the bus station during the week.

Fastest speed on a road bike? where? when? I can only say for on the flats (don't have a bike computer when I ride up and down hills in NY) 29.4mph, on some back roads between farming fields, summer 2008.

Another picture of yourself or your ride? Don't have any pics at the moment (I'm at work..shhhhh).

Most memorable moment on my bike: My most memorable experience (to date) was probably last August when I did a tour version of the Vuelta which started in Assen. There were over 10,000 riders and it was such a fun atmospher with lots of people cheering you on. The next day we went to watch the start of Stage 1 and I got to meet a few of the pros. It was a great biking weekend!

Most fun ever had on a bike? Too many to count!

[Atlas]

Real name: Caitlin

Where do you live? Iowa

Explanation of your handle: I love to travel and I have a slight obsession with maps and atlases of all kinds.

Explanation of your avatar: I don't have one...yet.

Age (general or specific): 23

Occupation: Student right now.

Favorite bike: Cross Check

What's in your stable? Vintage emerald green Motobecane Nobly (Mary, Queen of Scots) and my beloved black and orange Surly Cross Check (Spooky)

Fastest speed on a road bike? where? when? Absolutely no idea.

Another picture of yourself or your ride? I don't have any since my CC was completed.

Most memorable moment on my bike: My partner is a bike mechanic so he built my bike for me. We didn't have pedals with us at the shop so we brought it home and put pedals on it there. For the second time ever he let someone ride a bike before he could to test everything (how's that for love) and what do I do? Jump on (too excited to be thinking about my pants), take off down the street, and come to a halt within seconds as my jeans were eaten by the shiny new crank.

Most fun ever had on a bike? Every time I ride around town with my sweetheart, chatting as we go.

[kimikaw]

Real name: Kim

Where do you live? Suburban Milwaukee

Explanation of your handle: My grandparents were born in Hungary were putting -ka at the end of a name denotes, young one, daughter. Kinda a derivative of Kimmy, and shout out to my beloved Grandmother.

Explanation of your avatar: The new ride

Age (general or specific) Can't believe I'll be 50 on St Patty's Day 2010

Occupation: I sell beer

Favorite bike: My new Specialized Dolce Sport

What's in your stable? 2010 Specialized Dolce Sport Compact who needs a name and 1985 Schwinn Mesa Runner named Betsy

Fastest speed on a road bike? where? when? 28.7 going down one of the hills around my house.

Another picture of yourself or your ride? How's this having just finished my second half marathon in August. I'll get a bike pic one of these days.



What is the biggest lie you've ever told: Who me? Lie?....never...

Most memorable moment on my bike: I've really just started riding. But my first actual trail ride was the best so far...just being able to ride, get into myself and go without worrying about cars, pushing myself furthest yet is the current front runner. So much so, I hijacked my "garden" blog and wrote about it

Most fun ever had on a bike? see above....I'm on a quest to find this.

[annielynn]

Real name: Annie

Where do you live? Orlando, FL

Explanation of your handle: My first and middle name, not very original LOL

Explanation of your avatar: My charity ride for ALS, something very close to my heart and soul.

Age (general or specific) 34

Occupation: Human Resources Coordinator

Favorite bike: My current baby!

What's in your stable? Right now, a Trek WSD 2.1 2010

Fastest speed on a road bike? where? when? 26.3mph down hill, road bike, Cady Way Trail orlando, 2 weeks ago. I haven't been faster than 19mph on a flat surface yet.

Another picture of yourself or your ride?
My son Jack and my ride!


Most memorable moment on my bike: Unfortunately right now it would be the second time I was on my bike, I couldn't get my left foot free from my pedal and I fell over.... HARD. I have a nice chain ring scar on my right calf. I am looking forward to making some really good ones.

Most fun ever had on a bike? Even after biting the dust several times I love being on my bike everyday. I am looking forward to my first 25 mile Charity ride this weekend.

[SJCzar]

Welcome kimikaw from a fellow Milwaukeean .... and also going on 50 year old.

[kimikaw]

Thanks for the welcome! I picked the perfect time of year to become riding obsessed didn't I? (Says she who is hoping to sneak out a tiny bit early today and take advantage of the decent weather with at least a short ride)

[sarahspins]

Real name: Sarah

Where do you live? Outside of Austin, TX

Explanation of your handle: I make yarn

Explanation of your avatar: does it need an explination? I have a matching sticker on my car.. it amuses me greatly!

Age: 29 (for the first time...)

Occupation: SAHM, Photographer, Fiber Artist

Favorite bike: I don't even know.. to be perfectly honest the thought of shopping for a real road bike scares me!

What's in your stable? '09 Trek 7.2fx - made some changes and I *love* it now!

Fastest speed on a road bike? 34.9mph, going down the hill a mile from my house.. still trying to break 35.. most of the time I ride that hill I only make it to 31 or 32!

Another picture of yourself or your ride? My 7.2fx with Soma Sparrows and my tan Selle SMP saddle. It now sports light blue Crank Bros. Candy pedals too. I get comments on my bars all the time.


What is the biggest lie you've ever told: I don't even know.. I don't often lie, so I can't think of anything!

Most memorable moment on my bike: Having to take a break on my 4th of July ride (it was crazy hot, so I sat on the side of the road for 20 minutes and rehydrated/cooled and had a snack) and having not one, but THREE volunteer fire trucks stop to ask if I was okay, or needed any help.

Most fun ever had on a bike? I'm not sure.. each time I go out and ride is more fun than the last, especially when I hit new distance milestones.. 20 miles was a big one for me, I'm still trying to break 25

[MommyBird]

Real name: Gayle
Where do you live? Appling, GA (Augusta)

Explanation of your handle: My husband started calling me Mommy Bird when we became parents (1991). He likes to make up goofy nick names. I have always found it cute.

Explanation of your avatar: avatar??....I ain't got no stinkin' avatar ??

Age (general or specific) 49

Occupation: Wife, Mom, home school teacher of two.

Favorite bike: My almost new Cannondale Synapse 6

What's in your stable? Cannondale Synapse 6, 1992 Specialized Rock Hopper and a hand-me-down Trek something-or-other from my youngest son

Fastest speed on a road bike? 23+ that I now of.

Another picture of yourself or your ride?


What is the biggest lie you've ever told: They are all big

Most memorable moment on my bike: Biking all around Charleston, SC with my husband. We each had a son in a bike seat. We were out for hours and our youngest fell asleep. We had to tie his little helmet to the seat with a shoestring to keep his head from bobbing wildly. He slept through the whole procedure.

Most fun ever had on a bike? This July, biking the beginner trail at Red Rocks with my husband and now 16 and 18 year old sons. We were on a cross-country camping trip and our bikes were all set up for leisurely sight-seeing, but we were in the area and we had to try it. All bikes had platform pedals and all were hard-tails. We laughed so hard at each other that it hurt. We all made it through without a fall except my husband who yelled "watch this" as he rolled into one of the few patches of deep sand on the trail. He purposely flew over his handlebars and we all broke out in laughter...again! Now that we are home all pedals are are again clip-ins except mine. If we ever go back, we will rent the proper equipment.

[Ritamarie]

Okay, this is a re-do! So much has happened in my bike life in the last 15 months! I have TWO new bikes since then and am totally re-hooked on cycling.

Real name: Rita Marie

Where do you live? South Central PA

Explanation of your handle: My name!

Explanation of your avatar: still working on that...

Age (general or specific) 48+

Occupation: Manager of a sailing school

Favorite bike: My Cannondale Synapse Fem 1, "Lucille"

What's in your stable? A Cannondale Synapse Fem 1, "Lucille" (the bike love of my life!) and my newest ride, a Surly Cross Check named "Ethel". Ethel is THE BOMB. I got her home last Thursday, rode her Friday 10 miles to get things adjusted and did a century on her on Sunday (40 miles trail and 62 miles road with 5000+ ft of climbing). Fat-bottom-Ethel tips the scales a bit more than I'm used to, but sluggish she is not!

Fastest speed on a road bike? Just checked my log... 42.5 Tour de Carroll April 25, 2009

Another picture of yourself or your ride?

I have to work on a good pic of Lucy, but here is Ethel and I after about mile 90, just before we had to turn our lights on...



What is the biggest lie you've ever told: No lies, just omissions (lots of omissions).

Most memorable moment on my bike: The first time I beat my husband to the top of a long climb.

Most fun ever had on a bike? Summer of 2009 ... great rides, great friends. Meeting new awesome girlfriends to ride with. Riding many, many miles with my husband, a week long bicycling vacation with my husband and two teenagers. 4000 memorable miles on "Lucy".