Getting to Know You!

[rapid cycler]

Real name: Teresa

Where do you live? Los Angeles

Explanation of your handle: I have a bipolar (more popularly known as manic-depressive) mood disorder with rapid-cycling features (meaning that my extremes shift more often than is standard for the illness). Golly, how I wish my handle were in reference to a higher-than-average sustainable cadence! The reason I use it here is not just because it's a neat double entendre but because cycling helps me cope with my volatile gear ratio, lifting me when I'm down and sucking up all that excess energy when I'm pretty certain I can fly.

Explanation of your avatar: I was looking for an image of my first bike, a yellow Sears girls' bicycle with a flowered banana seat, and came across this pic. The joy on the kid's face says everything that needs be said about the heart of cycling.

Age (general or specific): 39 and holding

Occupation: Copy editor

Favorite bike: My new steed, an Orbea Onix TdF

What's in your stable? The aforementioned, plus a Gary Fisher Tassajara hardtail

Fastest speed on a road bike? where? when? Does downhill count? In which case, 35, whilst descending Stony Peak in Chatsworth, Calif.

Another picture of yourself or your ride? How about both!

What is the biggest lie you've ever told: Not sure, but it's undoubtedly something I told myself

Most memorable moment on my bike: Feeling absolutely bonked out on a rest stop on my local MUT when a woman on a Townie came noodling by singing "Here Comes the Sun." I got back on the bike, smiling, and my batteries felt totally recharged. It was a case of sheer emotional drafting.

Most fun ever had on a bike? My test ride of my current bike, when I finally discovered what it feels like to ride a road bike that fits. That's the day I grew wheels.

[IFjane]

Most fun ever had on a bike? My test ride of my current bike, when I finally discovered what it feels like to ride a road bike that fits. That's the day I grew wheels.

I know exactly what you mean! Welcome, Teresa - and everyone else since I last visited. You will love this place - c'mon in and make yourselves at home.

[onimity]

Real name: Anne

Where do you live? Boulder, CO

Explanation of your handle: It's a joke on my first name: Anne O'Nimity

Explanation of your avatar: don't have one

Age (general or specific) 31 (for a couple weeks more)

Occupation: Technical Trainer (Interactive TV)

Favorite bike: They get angry when I choose a favorite

What's in your stable? Giant TCR C2, Kona Fire Mountain

Fastest speed on a road bike? where? when? Hmmm... I'm too new to road biking to know, but I went 36.8 MPH down the World's Most Dangerous Road (in Bolivia) last December. It was a blast and a half. I usually get up to 35MPH on my daily commute (mountain bike again)

Another picture of yourself or your ride? Don't have one handy.

What is the biggest lie you've ever told: I'd have to make up something good and I'm just not that good at it...

Most memorable moment on my bike: Probably the World's Most Dangerous Road. (see www.gravitybolivia.com );that was really a great time. It wasn't *my* bike though.

Most fun ever had on a bike? That's a tough one, I have a lot of fun on my bike regularly. I have a ride that I just love though, I commute every day and a lot of the ride is on a great set of trails so when I get home I am muddy and have completely forgotten that I've just come from work. The first time I did that ride might qualify because it was my first bike commute and such a contrast to the congested freeway I used to drive. Though some of the rest of you have given me ideas for how to have more fun...

[mimitabby]

you went fast down THAT road?

[onimity]

you went fast down THAT road?

Well, not that fast down the whole thing. My top speed was on the paved part at the top, but I went pretty fast on most of it, it wasn't that dangerous except around blind turns or when a truck or bus passed. It was unnerving to have to ride on the left (cliff) side but not as scary as I thought.

Anne

[shadon]

Real name: Sharon
Where do you live? San Francisco, CA

Explanation of your handle: It is a combination of my first and last names

Explanation of your avatar: Last year I rode with Team Dino-sore-*** for ALC 5, so that's a Dino on a bike

Age (general or specific) 48 (How the Hell did that happen!)
Occupation: Unemployed. Trying to figure out how to not work to hard and still support myself.

Favorite bike: The bike I have
What's in your stable? My reconstituted Trek 2100, rebuilt on to a Cervelo frame. The original Trek 2100 commited suicide (badly bent frame) this year.

Fastest speed on a road bike? where? when? I dunno

Another picture of yourself or your ride?

What is the biggest lie you've ever told:

Most memorable moment on my bike: See below

Most fun ever had on a bike? Riding down the Pacific Coast Highway from Ventura to LA on last years AIDSLifeCycle. I was alternatetly laughiing and crying!

[jillm]

Real name
Jill

Where do you live?
Urbana, IL

Explanation of your handle
Jill M

Explanation of your avatar
It's a photo of my dog Fausto Coppi caught mid-lick

Age (general or specific)
39

Occupation
Artist/craftperson

Favorite bike
+(favorite bike that I own? or wish list bike?) I own--Bianchi Eros Donna, I wish--a Rambouillet would be nice!

What's in your stable
Electra Cruiser (red hawaii), LeMond Maillot Jaune, 70-something Schwinn Paramount (pretty sky blue!), old red Ciocc (not sure if this one counts. It's hanging on the wall), Bianchi Eros Donna

Fastest speed on a road bike? where? when?
Not sure but over 30, up in Bayfield WI

Another picture of yourself or your ride? This is last year in Bayfield. Need a new photo of my Bianchi!


Most memorable moment on my bike
Not sure. I almost hit a deer once...rather, the deer almost hit me. That's memorable

Most fun ever had on a bike?
Riding in real hills. I live in central IL. Overpasses are my hills. We go up to Bayfield WI every year and they have real hills, hard to go up, scary to come down. I can't say that was most fun, but it's fun.

[Jacki]

I know exactly what you mean! Welcome, Teresa - and everyone else since I last visited. You will love this place - c'mon in and make yourselves at home.

Thanks for the welcome IFjane! - j.

[stapla]

Real name: Stacey
Where do you live? Santa Rosa, CA

Explanation of your handle: It's a combination of my first and last names

Explanation of your avatar: I live in wine country and love my wine!

Age (general or specific) 23

Occupation: Aspiring teacher but right now co-running a daycare program

Favorite bike: Mine!

What's in your stable? Giant Kronos built around 1993 or so

Fastest speed on a road bike? Probably got to around 30/35 going doing highway 9 in the South Bay last summer

Another picture of yourself or your ride?: Not yet, just got it a week ago

Most memorable moment on my bike: About six years ago I rode up to a hiking area called Crane Creek (up what I now think is a small hill, but at the time was HUGE) and it was pouring down rain, the first rain of the season. At the top of the hill I turned my bike around and rode down the hill as fast as I could. I got back home soaked to the bone but it was so awesome!

Most fun ever had on a bike? Probably riding down highway 9. Terrifying and exhilarating at the same time.