Getting to Know You!

[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

[RoadRaven]

Where do you live?
Middle Earth (New Zealand)

Explanation of your handle:
I have always wanted to be called Raven - I first found it as a name in a book about Morgaine - sister to King Arthur of Camelot. Raven was one of the priestesses of Avalon. RoadRaven --- cause I love to cycle on the road...

Explanation of your avatar:
None needed - I'll be putting a Raven there... self-explanatory...

Age (general or specific):
Late 30s

Occupation:
Adult tutor/lecturer

Favorite bike:
My Scorpion - it's red with matching red tyres - red makes you go faster, don't you know?

What's in your stable?
Well... the bikes in the stable attached to this house number ten.
Personally, I have an Avanti Black Thunder, which I rarely ride. And my Scorpio 2001 RA 200. I look forward to adding a TimeTrial bike in 6-8 months if I can develop enough endurance not to be ashamed to ride one...

Fastest speed on a road bike?
I'm afraid I'm not brave enough to do more than about 60km downhill, and the fastest I can cycle to so far on the flat is only 40km per hour (but I can't sustain that for long... yet!)

Most memorable moment on my bike:
Finishing my first road race. I actually did it, and in a respectable time despite a crash 10km from the finish line. That was pretty cool. (LOL... finishing, not crashing!!!)

Most fun ever had on a bike?
Riding with my family... with my daughter... my sons -thats always fun With my partner - thats the best.

[loni0908k]

Where do you live?
Carpentersville, Illinois

Age (general or specific):
23

Occupation:
Social Work

Favorite bike:
I love both my Cannondale bikes!

What's in your stable?
My Cannondale R700, my very first bike (since my 10 speed in gradeschool), just started riding last September, and it's quickly becoming an obsession of mine. Someday, I'll trade up for the R5000! Just got my Cannondale mountain bike this week, and can't wait to overcome some fears on the trails in Kettle Moraine, WI.

Fastest speed on a road bike?
Well, I'm going to be honest and say that I'm just starting to not break all the way down the hills (everybody needs to start somewhere), so only about 27 mph.

Most memorable moment on my bike:
The day that I got back on my bike (after a quick stop) to travel the 20 miles back home, and felt an overwhelming feeling of love for the sport of cycling (and my bike).

Most fun ever had on a bike?
Riding with boyfriend (who got me to buy my first bike) on this really hilly trail as fast as I could to keep up with him. It was, and always is a complete blast! The longest I've gone so far is 50 miles, and right now I'm concentrating on adding speed. I'm doing the American Lung Association Ride on June 3-5 (150 miles - 50 miles each day), and already signed up for my very first century (Apple Cider) in September, so I have plenty of time to train. My favorite thing about being on my bike is the feeling of freedom while I'm riding, and the feeling of pride when I've just pushed myself to the max!

[nuthatch]

Welcome, Loni! Great to have another Illinoian around! Good luck with the ALA ride - isn't this area great for all sorts of invitationals and charity rides? And SuperWeek is coming up!!! Woohoo!!!

[Biking Chick]

Just got my Cannondale mountain bike this week, and can't wait to overcome some fears on the trails in Kettle Moraine, WI.

All you need to do is just to do it

Welcome to the group ... if you are looking for a great road ride "Pedal the Kettle" is an outstanding ride. Not to mention terrific training for riding those 'rollers' - a beautiful part of the state!

[RoadRaven]

Thanks for the welcome and for making me feel welcome here all...

Just wanna say hi to those who have joined and intro-ed themselves since I joined...

Welcome to Cdalekat, Technotart, Jones, anni, KSH, SJCzar, bikerHen, JesTutripup, bouncybouncy, shewhobikes (LOL... Shew Hobikes) loni0908k

Have funn - I am! Such a gold mine...

[KSH]

Thanks for the welcome and for making me feel welcome here all...

Just wanna say hi to those who have joined and intro-ed themselves since I joined...

Welcome to Cdalekat, Technotart, Jones, anni, KSH, SJCzar, bikerHen, JesTutripup, bouncybouncy, shewhobikes (LOL... Shew Hobikes) loni0908k

Have funn - I am! Such a gold mine...

Thanks for welcoming me!

Gosh, it must be simply fabulous to ride where you live!

[RoadRaven]

Thanks for welcoming me!

Gosh, it must be simply fabulous to ride where you live!

Yeah KSH, its just beautiful
Its the start of winter here now and today is sunny - no wind - its mild at 13', but I am guessing it'll reach 18' before too long
So much bush, so many curving hilly or flat country roads - it is fabulous...



And welcome to a whole heap more people since my last sporadic weekend visit...

anaphase, Balrog, Kim, AK Roadie, kerrybelle, Blare Apsan, Petunia, mercury, chelle, Asphaltgirl and PaulaE

Sure you'll find it as useful and interesting and friendly as I have



Biking into the Blue

RR

[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!!!

[CorsairMac]

see how handy this thread is?.....I always thought your handle was Shew Hobikes! Thought it was some kind of AL thing! I'm not kidding either, in my mind I've always called you Shew! ROFL.......man ya learn sumpin new every day on this here board!!

[nuthatch]

I always thought your handle was Shew Hobikes! Thought it was some kind of AL thing!!

That's so funny!!!! I was doing the same thing for so long - reading "shew" like "show" and wondering what "hobikes" meant. Was she showing those "ho" bikes a thing or two? Then finally the penny dropped and I felt like a moron!!! HAAAHAA! It's a great handle - how could I have gotten it so wrong? Now I'm really worried about myself.