Another intro from a new TE member

[indysteel]

Hi everybody. I just recently discovered TE and this forum and wanted to introduce myself. My name is Kate. I just turned 37, live in Indianapolis, Indiana and work as an attorney. I'm a new cyclist, having just started this past May. As my friends like to say, I've taken up cycling "with a vengeance." I'm totally obsessed and happily so. I'm only sad that it took me so long to "discover." Better late than never, right!

I initially bought a Trek 7.5 FX and, within weeks, knew that I wanted a roadbike. In July, I bought a Bianchi Eros Donna, and I absolutely love it. Granted, I don't have much to compare it to, but I don't have any complaints so far. The ride is smooth and stable, the Campy components are great (I upgraded to Veloce for the rear derailleur and brifters and converted it to a 10-speed), and it has a fair amount of pep despite weighing 22 pounds. It's like a dear friend. Everytime I pass by it in the garage, I find myself stopping and admiring it.

I've been averaging about 120 miles a week for the last month or so. Last week was my "personal best" at 160 miles. I ride mostly alone, in part because I like the solitude and in part because I don't have a lot of riding buddies at the moment. My favorite ride is in the country, although that means that I have to haul the bike outside the city (I live in downtown Indy). I've just started doing some club/group rides. For whatever reason, I was nervous about riding with other people, but I'm trying to get over that. I just signed up to do the Hilly Hundred--a hugely popular two-day ride in Southern Indiana. Are any other TE members doing the ride? I saw that a few posts about last years ride.....

My main goal is to just stick with it. I'd like to continue building my strength and stamina so that I can tackle just about any ride. I hope to do my first century next summer. I started off being rather timid about the whole thing, so it's been as much a mental challenge as a physical one. I'd also like to make some new friends along the way and to incorporate cycling into my travels. Oh, and meeting a man who likes to ride would be nice too.

Anyway, that's me. I look forward to reading all your great posts/advice and becoming an active TE member!

Kate

[Cassandra_Cain]

Hi Kate

Welcome to the forum, I'm glad you can join us.

Sounds like your road biking career, with a vengance I must remember, is off to a flying start!

How funny about the hybrid and roadbike thing. It is one of the most common situations many of us here in the forum have experienced. This new bike of yours, the Eros Donna, is well thought of by many - so you aren't alone in that.

By the way, if you got up to 160 miles in one week, then you are probably closer to doing a century than you may give yourself credit for. Once you are doing rides of up to 60-70 miles, then a 100-miler is probably well within reach.

Anyway, I hope you enjoy it here and keep us up on all your biking adventures.

Best wishes!

[Bad JuJu]

Welcome aboard, Indy!

You need to read the thread about TE Bianchi Girls and get in on that, since you're a Bianchi driver. I've been riding off and on for years now, but I'm getting my new Bianchi in another week or so--it's the Veloce--and I can't wait can't wait can't wait. You'll find there are lots of other Bianchi drivers here. See you around the forums!

[Bikingmomof3]

Welcome Kate. TE is a wonderful forum.

[indysteel]

JuJu: Congrats on your new Veloce. I looked seriously at one, but my LBS had trouble finding my size. Between the Veloce groupset and the wheels, it's a sweet bike. I had to settle for upgrading some of my components. Does your Veloce come with a compact crank? That was my one reservation....

Overall, the roadbike buying process was frustrating in that I had trouble finding one that would fit. Apparently, I have really short legs and freakishly long arms! The Eros Donna is working out fit-wise, although the reach is just a tad too long. I'm working with a professional fitter, and we think it will improve as my conditioning/core strength improves. I also took up yoga this year (which is such a nice compliment to cycling IMO) and am working on my abs/low back. I have seriously atoned for my coach-potato ways this summer!

Cassandra: thanks for the encouragement regarding riding a century. I'm feeling pretty hopeful about it. I'd like to get some 60 to 70-mile rides in this fall before winter hits so that I'll be ready to go next spring/early summer! I also need to become more disciplined about eating/hydrating during longer rides. I get kind of lazy, although the SAGS at club rides should help.

Speaking of eating during rides: I washed a cycling jersey last night that I wore over the weekend. I apparently forgot about the box of raisins I'd stowed in my back pocket because there were raisins (very clearn and fresh raisins I might add) all over my washer and clothes! LOL!

Too funny about the hybrid/roadbike thing. I think my friends thought I was crazy when I bought the roadbike, but I just knew in my gut that I'd end up loving it. I felt better after talking to another cyclist in town who has bought five bikes over the last two years! It makes me sad, however, to look at the Trek (and to think how much money I spent on it). I can't decide whether to keep or sell it. It only has about 400 miles on it, and I haven't ridden it since getting the Bianchi. It would make a nice bike for somebody.

Does anybody have any off-season training advice? I'm going to stick with yoga and take some spinning classes. I used to run and may have to take that up again to just keep from going stir-crazy. I'm not thrilled about using an indoor trainer. Home is just too distracting.

[CorsairMac]

Welcome to the board Indy: if you get a chance there's a thread under Open titled "Getting to Know You" - gives you a chance to learn more about than an attorney probably should! and congrats on the road bike - you, me, who knows how many others all did the same thing.........and I just sold my hybrid to a friend of mine in the hopes it gets him started cycling too.

Lived in Broad Ripple for 30+ yrs btw...never did much cycling while I was there but ran the Canal Path all the time (before it was paved!)