Hi you all. I am been reading your posts for some time. I'm pretty active already on another forum and it's taken me awhile to want to jump into a new Forum.

Some background on me, I live in Irvine, CA. That's Orange County, Southern California. I have been riding bicycles pert' near all my life but not seriously until 3 years ago. At that time I upgraded from a 20 year old classic touring bike (which I rode across the USA twice) to a Lemond Zurich. Not the most expensive bike out there, but I love it. Since I got the Zurich I started wanting to go fast(er) and began riding with a large road club in Orange County. For the last 3 years I have been the membership director of the Bicycle Club of Irvine (hence BCIpam) and love promoting cycling and cycling related activities for the Club and our community.

Most, if not all really, of my buddies are guys. I guess that's because I'm generally into sports and outdoor activities and well, just relate more to guys. Figure somehow, I need to cultivate some womanly advice and information. You know guys, always chasing after Ti when steel is as good.

The one thing I've learn from listening to all those guys if bike stuff. I do know about bikes, components, material and maintenance. I picked it up through osmosis. I'm trying to learn more about nutrition and have enjoyed reading the materials posted on this site because the viewpoint is from women and their nutritional needs.

Anyway, I hope you all don't mind me putting in more 2 cents here and there.

Oh also, I ride mountain bikes as well and am really trying to improve my skills. I am a strong rider but well, frankly some of the gnarly trails scare me. Doesn't help that last weekend I had a very bad fall. I was literally covered waist to toes in blood. I felt OK but it freaked out my poor riding partner (who has spent alot of time with in in various emergency rooms).

I'm also a docent for The Nature Conservancy and lead mountain bike ride s(and hikes) through the rvine Land Reserve areas. I really love volunteering for the TNC. As my reward, I'm allowed to ride and hike through some of California most beautiful, but private areas. Too cool!