Getting to Know You!

[Tar-Cat]

I'm 5'10"...how tall are you?

I love my bike

[cindysue]

ditto: 5'10

Have fun riding!

[sulis]

I've been registered since Nov but realized I never introduced myself. So here goes..

Real name: Mindie

Where do you live? Salt Lake City, Utah

Explanation of your avatar: Have I loaded my avatar? I'll have to look. Its a viking ship-- I'm a proud Swede (well Swedish American)

Age (general or specific) quickly approaching 30

Occupation: Business Analyst

Favorite bike: I'm new to all this so my bike is my favorite.

What's in your stable? I have just one bike... a red specialized allez sport named Wolfgang

Fastest speed on a road bike? where? when? Hmmm...I haven't clocked myself yet given the fact that I have only ridden it on a local bike trail once, then the weather got bad again so its been the trainer ever since.

Another picture of yourself or your ride? Not yet.

What is the biggest lie you've ever told: I can't think of any right now (perhaps thats the lie)

Most memorable moment on my bike: Well, I haven't had too many moments but so far it would definitely be taking it out for my first ride on a local trail here. I had only ridden a really heavy discount store stock mountain bike before and was shocked at how fast I felt on the road bike.

Most fun ever had on a bike? Learning to clip in and out. (again, newbie ). I'm taking a bike clinic this week and next week to teach me bike maintenance and then after that, well, who knows. The skies the limit.

[mikki]

I've been registered since Nov but realized I never introduced myself. So here goes..

Real name: Mikki (my mother says it's Michelle, but what does she know?)

Where do you live? Santa Rosa, Ca

Explanation of your avatar: Add it to my to-do list

Age (general or specific) 38

Occupation: Student nurse, masseuse, doula

Favorite bike: My new Trek 820 (my first brand new bike)

What's in your stable? My Trek 820 (the hubby's got an Ibis Mojo)
Fastest speed on a road bike? where? when? Depends, are we counting the downhills with brakes burning?
Another picture of yourself or your ride? To-Do list - gotta lose 60 pounds first
What is the biggest lie you've ever told: Of course it's big enough.

Most memorable moment on my bike: I got over Chanate and only walked 1/2 mile of it, altogether.
Most fun ever had on a bike? Coming down Fountaingrove, off Chanate, and learning to love the speed.

[CorsairMac]

nice to meet ya Mikki and loved the fastest speed line!!!

[fixedgeargirl]

Welcome Mikki! You're a doula, how wonderful! The world needs more doulas. (I will avoid the temptation to get up on my state-of-birth-in-America soapbox now.)

DH worked at Ibis for 10 years and lived in Santa Rosa during that time ('84-'95).

It's a small world, after all! Have fun here!

[SadieKate]

[QUOTE=sulis]I've been registered since Nov but realized I never introduced myself. So here goes..

Real name: Mindie

Where do you live? Salt Lake City, Utah
QUOTE]

Hi, there! You riding the Little Red Riding Hood in June? If so, perhaps we can say hi. Petunia and I are flying out there for it.

[Grog]

Real name: Brigitte

Where do you live? Montreal, Quebec (Canada)

Explanation of your handle: A friend once mistyped "Brigitte" into "Grogotte" and it stuck somehow.

Explanation of your avatar: None so far.

Age (general or specific) 27

Occupation: Researcher (sociology of science mostly) / Beginning PhD in September at UBC in Vancouver, British Columbia (so I will be able to ride nearly all year long!!)

Favorite bike: Modified Miele Uno, but I just got it so does it count?

What's in your stable? A Miele Uno road bike (2005) with the components from a Rocky Mountain Solo 30 ; Trek 7200 cross (2004)

Fastest speed on a road bike? where? when? I'm working on this. Only 40 km/h (20 mph) so far, but I just started testing the new baby... Can't wait to bring it faster. Downhills don't count.

Another picture of yourself or your ride? Not yet.

What is the biggest lie you've ever told: Hum. I probably have the right to remain silent.

Most memorable moment on my bike: Actually I was off the bike. At 3 years old, I was riding in circles with my brother (who was about 7 at the time) in our house's driveway. Somehow, my brother fell into the small stream behind the house and I ran to my parents crying for help, kind of running while dragging the bike by the right handle. (Yeah, I remember it was the right handle.) Once in a while, my Dad still tells the story and laughs his head off. (My bro' was alright, by the way.)

Most fun ever had on a bike? Every ride is just great. Even greater with a tailwind. Feels like flying...

I'm glad to become part of this community. You gals are great, and a great source of inspiration (and tips too!)

[CorsairMac]

welcome Grog! and welcome to the TE club on bikejournal! It's always nice to see new faces!

[xeney]

I registered last fall but never did this, so I will do it now.

Real name: Beth
Where do you live? Sacramento, California

Explanation of your handle: I have been using it for so long that I no longer remember.

Explanation of your avatar: My lack of an avatar, you mean? I have never gotten around to taking a picture of my bike, and nobody wants to see my picture there.

Age (general or specific): 35

Occupation: Lawyer, just finished a master's degree in English

Favorite bike: My Bianchi Veloce. I love it more than I love several of my pets.

What's in your stable? '03 Bianchi Veloce, '02 Specialized Crossroads, '05 Specialized Rockhopper, '63 Schwinn Hollywood that I've probably still put more miles on than all the others combined.

Fastest speed on a road bike? where? when? Speed frightens me and I have to remember not to hit the brakes going downhill. Probably 27 mph on a downhill, and I might have been screaming at the time.

Another picture of yourself or your ride? See above, re: avatars. Here's me in Mexico last year (that is not my ugly van):



What is the biggest lie you've ever told: I am a lawyer. I refuse to answer this question.

Most memorable moment on my bike: I think probably it was this weekend when I was dodging a post on the bike trail and my husband called back to warn me that I was about to run over a baby rattlesnake.

Most fun ever had on a bike? Actually I am pretty sure it was my first time ever on a road bike. My then-boyfriend (now husband) had been trying to get me to ride for years, and I'd been pedaling that tank of a Crossroads around on the bike trial for about a year, and he finally talked me into getting a road bike. The test rides were not too scary, and I really loved the Veloce as soon as I rode it, but I was still not sure I was ever going to love it until we went on our first ride the night I bought it, and I suddenly learned that road bikes go fast! I still love it but that first ride was such a revelation.

[CorsairMac]

Xeney: what a wonderful post!...welcome to the board and thanks for sharing!

and let's hear it for the road bikes and going fast!! yeeeehaaaa

[shewhobikes]

Real name: Dale

Where do you live? Birmingham, Alabama

Explanation of your handle: She who bikes. Nuff said.

Explanation of your avatar: First image I found on google.

Age (general or specific) Just turned 49. Intend to stay there.

Occupation: Public relations exec in higher education.

Favorite bike: Shhhh, can't tell them there's a favorite.

What's in your stable? An '04 Gary Fisher Big Sur and an '04 Cannondale SR800.

Fastest speed on a road bike? where? when? 36.5 mph down a hill at a local state park. First time I did it I went 31.5 and didn't kill myself, so I'm working on feathering the brakes less and less to get to 40. I firmly believe that downhills count. On the flats, I'd say about 26 mph, hauling heiny.

Another picture of yourself or your ride? Not yet.

What is the biggest lie you've ever told: No, I dont' mind at all. (Maybe not the biggest, but probably the most frequent.

Most memorable moment on my bike: Well, there's memorable both good and bad. Good? Probably just finishing my first group ride; it was a great start. Or maybe breaking my speed record on that hill with a big grin. Bad? Probably the day I was trying clipless for the 2nd day, couldn't clip out and fell over hard at a 3-way stop. Bounced the back of my head on the pavement (yay for strong helmets) and passengers of all 3 cars jumped out asking "Are you OK?" Yeah, only hurt my pride...

Most fun ever had on a bike? Every time I go out on my road bike I have more fun than the last ride.

Love this board. You ladies are the best!!!

[Xrayted]

Real name: Cindy

Where do you live? Lancaster, PA

Explanation of your handle: Xrayted -- It's a spin on what I do for a job. (Radiology - not porno )

Age (general or specific): 36 and counting... (going by way too fast)

Occupation: Radiologic Technologist

Favorite bike: Don't know enough to make an informed decision. This is my 1st road bike. In another life, I used to have a Harley (ooh, that's a long story) but this is my 1st real bike. (But I'm learning from reading what you ladies have written so far.)

What's in your stable? 2006 Novara Carema Pro
Bought her from a woman I worked with who rode it 4 times since the spring and decided to sell it at a MAJOR loss. cha-ching!! Turned out, we are built the same, plus or minus a little adipose tissue, and now she's mine. Fits like a glove.
***New helmet - $$, New gloves - $, New shoes - $$$, New shorts - $$, New jerseys - $$, New larger pump, that little fr**kin piece of crap - $, (oops, sorry ) Inability to pry the smile off my face after every ride - priceless!!

Fastest speed on a road bike? where? when? Just got a bike computer about a week ago and the survey says... 33mph! Scared the bejeezus out of me and I haven't been able to find it since. (Must be in hiding.)

Another picture of yourself or your ride? None yet, but gimme time...

What is the biggest lie you've ever told: "Yes dear, you did a great job fixing that", as I hide the tools behind my back.
Another one that seems to work more often than I would of thought - "Geez, my shoulders are killing me. Can you give me a massage? I'm all in knots."

Most memorable moment on my bike: A couple of weeks ago, I rack my bike on the car and head out to Strasburg, PA (30 min drive) for a nice little spin. I'm rolling along, checking out the scenery, catching some very interesting odors and dodging road pies. (farm country ya know) I came up on an Amish girl named Katie and we rode together and talked for a while. Me on my nice, new, light road bike. Her on her heavy, rusted out, single speed, gonna-fall-apart-any-second beater. Started up a nice gradual grade that turned into a very long, steep hill. (I'd call it a mountain but Rand-McNally says otherwise.) There I am huffing and puffing, changing into my granny gear as fast as I can click and she pulls away like she's on a downhill. Got my pedals blown in at 5 mph. I hate hills! 'Nuff said. (As soon as I caught my breath, I laughed like h*ll! Then I went home, got on the internet and found you nice ladies to show me the light. I've been lurking for a while now. Very interesting reading. Can't wait to come up on Katie again. )

Most fun ever had on a bike? When I was 4 years old, my Dad took me to K Mart for my 1st big girl bike. We got there, surveyed the possibilities, and there I spotted my next, new, bestest friend. A little blue/green bike with a white seat and streamers on the handlebars. Upon my test drive around the aisle, my Dad concluded that for one so young, I must have made a very wise choice for we headed for the checkout counter right then and there, no discussion or pleading needed. (1st and only time) I rode it the whole way through the store and refused to get off it when it came time to checkout. The lady had to come around the counter to check the price. I rode it right up to the car door and went home with her in my lap. (remember benchseats?) My Dad had to put the front seat the whole way back so Spitfire and I (that was her name) could both fit in the seatbelt. Years later he confided that he felt like he'd broken his big toe by the time we got home from the store because that's all that would reach the gas pedal.


As I mentioned above, I've been lurking for about 2 weeks and I have to say, this seems to be the friendliest group of women around. I've enjoyed reading some of your passages and just couldn't find any reasons why I hadn't introduced myself yet. Thanks for all the help you've already given me. (even though you didn't know you were doing it) Looking forward to joining in on future discussions. Take care!

[Cassandra_Cain]

Clockwork - heh....I thought of the film as well when I saw your nickname. Now come to learn it was the bike which inspired it. Welcome of course

Xrayted - ha! very clever! when I saw the nickname in this thread I thought 'damn spammers!' how funny. welcome to the forums and the ranks of the few, the proud, the non-lurkers

[CorsairMac]

Clockwork: Loved the bike!! and what matters is YOu love the bike! even though I just bought new Trek road bike, I will Never get rid of my 1989 Trek - it would be too much like losing a very old, dear and trusted friend! Actually Doc will probably end up being my winter commute bike since he weighs just a tad more than the baby bike! As for Clockwork Orange: very nice bike and thanks for sharing the story/pixs! Now I can go boldly forth and claim "why yes, I've heard of Orange bikes - haven't you?"


Xray: Loved reading your bio - thanks for the morning humour! If it's any consolation, Katie probably went home and told her family she met a lady that had this really neat bike and could She get one? Anytime you need some hill-climbing: come visit me in New Mexico, we'll see if we can't find you some! Now get ye hence and find Katie and show her how hills are Really climbed!