Intro From a N00b.

[witchofthedogs]

Well, not really a n00b, but close.

My name is witchy and here's my story:

Back in 2000, I bought a GT Aggressor 1.0 under the advice of my boyfriend. We were, we thought, going to become mountain bikers.

Flash forward to last year when we finally decided to put our shiny, completely unused bikes to work. A few rides into the season, I promptly proceeded to wreck and sustained a separated shoulder and concussion number 5 (hint: if you're going to wreck, try not to land on a rock obstacle in the path).

I got back on the bike and tentatively rode through last fall, but decided that the log-jumping and trail-climbing lifestyle was not for me.

Over the holidays this winter, I received a Cyclops trainer for my bike (still my dependable old GT) and after putting road tires on, I tried it out. And have been using it ever since.

A few weeks ago, my best friend bought her first bicycle in 20 years... A Fuji Sunfire (under the pretense that she will commute to work at some point when she gets comfortable being on two wheels again). While touring around the other weekend we started talking and ended up making a pact: we would train for the next year (using whatever equipment we could find) to ride the century loop of the American Cancer Society's ride from Philadelphia.

And that's what we're doing. Two n00bs. One year. One hundred miles.

And we have no idea what we're doing... But we're learning.

So, that's my story.

[F8th637]

You've come to the right place then. Plenty of time for you guys to tackle that goal. So when are you going to get a road bike?

Welcome to TE!

[witchofthedogs]

You've come to the right place then. Plenty of time for you guys to tackle that goal. So when are you going to get a road bike?

Welcome to TE!

Heh... I have my eye on a Fuji Finest 1.0, but I'm heading back to school (at the age of 35) in the fall, so I'm waiting until I can get a deal on it or something similar because I just don't have the available cash.

I'm willing to ride what I have because I've fallen in love with riding... I'll deal with the hardship until I can step up, you know?

[F8th637]

Good luck with going back to school! Glad you put slicks on that MTB. Look for a new late model if possible. I got my bike 50% off because it was 2 years old and sitting in the shop waiting for me to buy it. This message board only feeds the love, trust me.

[queenridingbee]

I am a newbie and this is my 3rd post on the boards although I've been reading it for months. I wanted to say "You Go Girl!!" to Witchy for going back to school. I'll be 35 in the Fall and will start my 4th yr of grad school. I completely understand the need to save $$ and recommend pre-owned bikes. I'm buying one now because I can't afford a new one. I figure that once I've been out of school for a year I'll treat myself to a major upgrade (if I want to) when I can actually afford it.

QB

[Flur]

I'm a noob training for a century next year also. You guys are not alone...

Welcome to TE!

[witchofthedogs]

So, way back in June I made this post and, while I still consider myself a n00b (so totally a n00b), I have made a bit of progress.

The old GT Aggressor was sold and replaced by a Raleigh M80 (gifted by generous friends) for the trails. It's got all the bells and whistles (and disc brakes) and rides beautifully. I was sad to see the GT go, but there's a kid who will soon be learning to mountain bike on it, so I'm happy.

The big purchase was a 1998 Bianchi Veloce last weekend. She has Campy components and I got North Wind shoes thrown into the deal for $20. I'm not nearly ready to ride her (time to start saving for a compact crankset), but I finally got the road bike I desperately wanted and needed.

[arielmoon]

Welcome noob from another noob! I am riding my first century next month (if I dont wimp out and do the 55 instead )

[Jallora]

Welcome noob from another noob! I am riding my first century next month (if I dont wimp out and do the 55 instead )

Are you doing the Century on the Withlacoochee ride? I wish I could do it. I ride the Withlacoochee all the time. It's on the same day as Susan Komen's Race for the Cure at Disney though, and I've done that 5K fun run/walk with my best friend ever since she lost her sister to breast cancer. Hopefully the ride and the walk will be on different days next year.