The Newbies keep coming....

[Jasper]

Did you get the Trek 1200 or the 1500?

I went with the 1200. I liked the 1500, especially the tires. But I figured I would put the money I was saving to good use with all the accessories I needed.

I received the call from my LBS and she's ready!! I'll be picking her up tomorrow.


Now everybody say it with me: "Be Gone @#*%* Snow!!"

[Dogmama]

With the money you saved, buy a plane ticket to Tucson! It's been in the low 80's for the past several days! I have a sunburned face (yes, I use sunscreen!) and I'm getting the "biker's tan" already!

Of course, very soon you'll need to ride at 5AM and be back home by 8AM before it reaches 100 degrees... There's always a trade off.

[lyz2814]

Howdy all,
I emailed my nice bike shop about an ETA on the Trek I ordered, and the owner emailed me back to say "early next month, or maybe sooner." Gosh I hope it's sooner!

In the mean time, I ordered 2 new jerseys--both from Primal Wear--the firebird, and the Columbine. I shall be very visible!

I also found out that my cutie bike-store guy has a Mazda RX8, so now I know what else to talk about w/ him--you know, once I'm done displaying my shameful ignorance of road bike stuff (like, how to you get off of a bike w/ the saddle that high, with falling down that is) --rotary engines! Shameless, I know

I have so much crap coming up w/ work and stuff--this is gonna be a nice reward!

[cyclingnewbie]

my shameful ignorance of road bike stuff (like, how to you get off of a bike w/ the saddle that high, with falling down that is)

I had to figure that out too. If you are swinging your right leg up, over and off, step slightly to the left, put your weight on the left foot, and tilt the bike toward your left leg, which will bring the seat down a bit and make it easier to get your right leg over the top of it.

I hope your bike arrives soon! I pick up my new Trek 1500 on Friday afternoon, and it seems like a hundred years from now.

[CorsairMac]

I usually mount the bike just like a horse, I seat my left clip into the pedal and roll the bike forward while swinging my leg over the seat and clip in on the right. It's the Trainers I have problems with. Every time the LBS guys put my bike on the trainer I can't get on or off the thing, it's just too high.

[lyz2814]

See the mounting I can do--it's the stopping and getting a foot on the ground that's puzzling me. And I gotta figure it out before my bike comes in, so I don't make a fool of myself on the checkout ride! pressure!

[CorsairMac]

Lyz: are you wanting to "dismount" or stopping the bike like to cross a street? I dismount the bike same way I mount it, unclip the right foot, swing over the seat and unclip the left foot as I'm putting the right foot down on the ground. For traffic etc I just unclip one foot, come out of the saddle and lean (not turn) the bike towards the unclipped foot so I can reach the ground, I never unclip the other foot for stopandgo. Luckily we have nice curbs here so I don't usually have to come out of the saddle....I can just unclip and rest my foot on the curb with the tire turned slightly towards the clipped foot for balance. Hope that helps!

[mikki]

Thought I'd take a minute to introduce myself. I am a student nurse in Northern California (North Bay actually). I ride to school on the days I can (6 miles one way). I just bought a new bike. It's a Trek 820. I'm in love I love this site. So much information, so much support. Thank you

[Bike Goddess]

Mikki- Welcome to the very best bike forum around! We even ride together when we can!

Where abouts do you live- I'm in Benicia. Are you close by? North Bay means huge area!

[mikki]

I'm in Santa Rosa. Rincon Valley to be exact. The ride to school is great. Uphill all the way home. I even get my choice of two hills. I hope to be able to tackle Chanate over the summer.

[KKWise628]

Well, I lost my job at a company that went bankrupt. These things happen. So, I have too much free time on my hands. A year ago I wanted to start jogging but I am just not built for the stress it puts on the body with all that jarring. So I am just starting cycling. I am currently on a hand-me-down Gary Fisher mountain bike, but have my eye on a Giant road bike. It will take sometime to save up for the new bike and accessories. I did invest in a nice pair of pearl shorts and a good pair of gloves. It is a good thing because it is taking some time to work in the bum. I made a mistake by buying a pair of shoes off ebay and they were a full size too small. I am learning so much from this site! I have set some goals and am so excited.
I found a paved bike trail around a large pond. It is 1.5 miles around, so I can keep track of how far I go. I am taking it nice and easy. But am trying to ride every afternoon it isn't raining.

P.S. What is a century? is that a 100 miler? I have no idea.

Kim

[snapdragen]

Yup, 100 miles. A metric is a bit over 60 -- 62? I forget!

P.S. What is a century? is that a 100 miler? I have no idea.

Kim

[Adventure Girl]

What is a century? is that a 100 miler? I have no idea.

A century is a 100 mile ride. A metric century is 100 kilometers.

Welcome to the wonderful world of cycling. And the VERY wonderful world of Team Estrogen!

[Biking Chick]

I am taking it nice and easy. But am trying to ride every afternoon it isn't raining.

Welcome to road biking and looking forward to hearing more about your rides s the weather improves

Cindy in WI

[lyz2814]

Wanted to give this thread a bump. My new baby (bike) is home! A Specialized Dolce Elite--after Trek told me that they wouldn't be building my bike until the second week of may...Any way, She's beautiful. Even the bikeshop boys were like "dude, you have to see this thing in the sunlight..." It's got white/silver carbon fiber for the seatpost (the geek in me thought -mithril-), and all of the other exposed metal has a light brushed aluminum finish. The handlebar tape is silver too. The paint! Looks nothing like the picture on the website. It's two tones, part of the body is French blue, bright and the rest is deep teal--with the Dolce in silver. She carves corners at the slightest thought, and is stupid light. outstanding. Hills are like this thing that _other_ people have to put up with. Have no photo yet, b/c it has been dark and rainy all day, and my camera is in my still-unpacked luggage (I arrived home from Las Vegas at 130 this morning). Ultegra and 105 components, ultrgra pedals and the Cateye Double Wireless cycle-computer. Schwing!

I was off today, but I was tired (see above), and it was cold and rainy. It's supposed to be in the 60s tomorrow, so I'm telecommuting and taking a bike break at lunch. Lurve my baby.