Getting to Know You!

[doctorfrau]

Forgot to continue the update for those of you who knew me as a semi-regular last year.

I dropped off here pretty much after meeting a new man (bad idea - never drop off the things you love doing for a mere male). I had some serious self-esteem issues going, as he wanted me to be a cool chick and learn to surf and do all the stuff he did. Tried surfing, but I am not a strong swimmer, and so didn't enjoy it. He is a former ski instructor so I learned to do that too. Even so, I was not at his level and therefore always felt inferior. I tried to get him to do some stuff on MY turf - like cycling - but he would not. Probably because he knew that though he might be able to beat me in a sprint, that I would smoke him over the long haul of 30-40 miles.

Anyway, the upside is that I took up skiing, which is another sport I now love and it keeps me occupied in the winter when I can't bike - and it adds another forum to hang around.

I also remembered something that someone here said about relationships - and it was an impetus to end the thing after about 6 months. Forgive me - I don't know who you are, but you said... "I can grow to love almost anyone - the TRICK is in finding someone WORTHY of that love." Truer words were never spoken - thank you whoever you are!

So I graduated Med School in May, and am now in residency in Pediatrics.

Still have the goal of riding a century within the next couple years.

I just ordered clipless pedals and shoes today - pix of gnarly unclipping wounds to follow

[CorsairMac]

whewwwwwwwwwwwww so many new ppl or returnees - so little time!!
Welcome to each and every one of you!

DocFrau: welcome back hun, I'm so sorry to hear about your relationship not working out but I know what you mean about giving up Your stuff to do His - I had to learn the hard way too! oh...and why are you waiting a few years to do a century??

PKQ: I think for your avatar you just need something that shows LOOOOTS of miles hun!

[pkq]

doctorfrau, sorry to hear about your relationship. Guys that don't want to cross pollinate sports are to be avoided.....it's too controlling for me. I'm content to do what I enjoy and if I meet a fella' doing the same stuff, it will be all the better. Until then, I'm happy with my two best friends, Foot Loose and Fancy Free. Congrats on completing med school! Good luck on the new career, too. I'm sure you'll make a fine doctor. If I were a kid, you'd be my doctor.

CorsairMac, you ain't that far behind me, hon! Seems you've turned into a mileage junkie, too. I suspect with winter will come your passing of me. I may have to buy the studded tires for the mtb this winter.

[CorsairMac]

CorsairMac, you ain't that far behind me, hon! Seems you've turned into a mileage junkie, too. I suspect with winter will come your passing of me.

*cighs and looks hopeful*.......doya think there's a chance???

Corsair "I am NOT a mileage junkie" Mac

[doctorfrau]

oh...and why are you waiting a few years to do a century??

LOL! - well I saw your post about how much you've accomplished this year - and was so impressed!!! My major problem is finding time to train around the 80 hr workweeks in residency and the every 4th night 30 hours of call.

I'll get there eventually - I'll just need to find a century that is nice and FLAT!!

[Pax]

...My major problem is finding time to train around the 80 hr workweeks in residency and the every 4th night 30 hours of call...

Major kudos to you for even being able to stand upright, let alone pedal a bike!

[SJCzar]

Hey doctorfrau,

Would that ski forum be Barking Bears? Your name looks familiar from there. I've gotten lots of great info off that site.

Before I got back into cycling I used to dread the end of the ski season. It's nice to have something that I love just as much to look forward to.

As for men...my husband didn't take up skiing or biking for me and I didn't take up fishing or duck hunting for him. It's worked for us for 21 years.

[greenchick]

The husband and I have sports we do together, and others that are our own things (and not nearly enough unscheduled free time, but that's a whole other issue) -- I'd say the only real problem is the man who won't try your thing but insists that you take up his. Good thing you got out of that one, docfrau!

[doctorfrau]

Hey doctorfrau,

Would that ski forum be Barking Bears? Your name looks familiar from there. I've gotten lots of great info off that site.

Before I got back into cycling I used to dread the end of the ski season. It's nice to have something that I love just as much to look forward to.

As for men...my husband didn't take up skiing or biking for me and I didn't take up fishing or duck hunting for him. It's worked for us for 21 years.

Hi Czar

Yep - Epicski.com Most excellent site for ski info.

I'm hoping that the skiing and cycling will be a nice blend too

[pkq]

doctorfrau, where do you live in WV? What do you know about Charleston and Huntington?

[Allie1DukeFn]

Real name: Allison
Where do you live? Pine Grove, Pennsylvania

Explanation of your handle: I am a RABID Duke Men's Basketball fan!

Explanation of your avatar: I have 4 dogs and none of their pictures were small enough to use so I found this online! My oldest is going on 11 - Frankie - he is a golden/yellow lab mix. Next is Maggie, my only girl - she is our honeymoon baby - got her the day we got back from our honeymoon! She is a black lab mix and going on 8. Then there is Quinn - a golden retriever. He just turned 3 and is a handful. Finally there is Norm - sweetest dog ever, but DUMBEST dog ever! We say his brains were in his front leg (it had to be amputated right before we adopted him) - he is also going on 3. All 4 are rescue dogs.

Age (general or specific) 33 on Dec 5th!

Occupation: Information Systems Manager

Favorite bike: I guess the one I just got! I don't know enough to like any others!

What's in your stable? Trek 4300

Fastest speed on a road bike? where? when? 24 going down hill, but I'm a chicken - I ride the breaks the whole time!

Another picture of yourself or your ride? I hate having my picture taken! And have tried to avoid it all together until I managed to lose my extra weight!


What is the biggest lie you've ever told: I told my parents that our honeymoon baby Maggie just appeared on our back porch during a snow storm and the SPCA was full so we just kept her. When we actually got her at the SPCA. Didn't want to listen to them lecture me about having 3 dogs! We're still carrying that one on - trip over it all the time!

Most memorable moment on my bike: Haven't been riding long enough lately to have a good one! Have to go back to childhood! One would be I did a bike-a-thon for our local church. I was riding my mom's bike from when she was a girl - you can imagine how heavy that was! Don't even remember how long or how far I made it. I was the only one left and still chugging along the best I could. They made me stop because it was getting dark! I got horribly sunburned too!

The other one would be raising a friend back to my house - taking the corner too wide and smashing into a corvette that was parked at the curb!

Most fun ever had on a bike? So far every day I've been doing it! I just love seeing all the wild life and houses and just stuff!

[CorsairMac]

WElcome to the board Allie! I had the same issue with my dogs/cats, the Humane Society had a 10 yr old cat that no one would take and I told then I couldn't coz I was already maxed out: they begged me to take her and told me to just "hedge" the # of animals I had so they could let her go home with me! There sure do seem to be quite a few of us here with copious amounts of bikes, dogs, cats, and horses!

[skibum]

doctorfrau, where do you live in WV? What do you know about Charleston and Huntington?

I don't live there now, but I was born in Charleston and grew up in Huntington. My family moved away while I was in college so I haven't spent much time there as an adult. It was a great place to grow up. I used to bike everywhere, it was the main form of transportation for us kids.

Most of my friends did what I did and moved to big cities to start their careers after college. I was at a high school reunion a couple of years ago and found that many of them had moved back to Huntington. They were raising families and found that they didn't have the quality of life in the big city that they remembered having from their childhood. Sure, they had to take a pay cut, maybe not have their dream job, not as much going on as in the big city. But, they had less stress, more time with their family, etc.

So are you thinking of moving there?

[riverroad]

Real name: Ann

Where do you live? the part of New Jersey with farms and rolling hills and a beautiful river (really)

Explanation of your handle: the road i live on

Explanation of your avatar: not yet ready to commit to an avatar!

Age (general or specific) 46

Occupation: copyright/corporate lawyer

Favorite bike: recently got my first road bike - a Giant OCR2 - and am madly in love with it.

What's in your stable? In our garage: 2 road bikes, 4 older hybrid/mountain bikes for riding on dirt roads, one toddler bike w trainign wheels, 2 trikes, and a joggeroo!


Fastest speed on a road bike? where? when? I am just getting started on the road, so (i) i'm not sure, and (ii) i suspect, not all that fast.

Another picture of yourself or your ride? not yet

What is the biggest lie you've ever told: about biking? none so far!

Most memorable moment on my bike: having lost 55-60 pounds over the last 2 years, i decided to push my weekend biking a bit last month - - i set off on a short (maybe 18 miles) but very hilly ride to a friend's house on a mountain bike in the HEAT. Altho i had to walk a small portion of the big hill, I made it, and felt like superman. I want MORE of what that felt like. So I got a road bike, have been riding it ever since, and am thrilled to have found this spot.

Most fun ever had on a bike? someone wrote about finding stunning houses on a bike ride; i am guilty of that pleasure too. Mostly, though, the fun part is the freedom and the adventure and the power....
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[doctorfrau]

doctorfrau, where do you live in WV? What do you know about Charleston and Huntington?

I'm in the Morgantown area (so only an hour and a half from Pittsburgh)and been here for 13 years. I've only been to Charleston twice and only passed thru Huntingdon on the way to somewhere else, so I can't give you the low-down unfortunately.