Getting to Know You!

[TxDoc]

Djgafi, I noticed that not too many women ride bikes in Italy, that's for sure. When we went to bike shops there, I noticed there were very few bikes made with a woman in mind. However, i noticed that motorists were much nicer to cyclists in the roads at least in Piacenza where we were riding.

This is a very interesting observation.
It depends on the region maybe?
I actually grew up in Italy, in Tuscany - where a whole lot of people ride their bikes. When we were young with my sister we used to go out with big groups of cyclists, most of them were on amateur racing teams, and about half of them were women. Some of those people have turned pro over the years.
Of course there was no 'women-specific' anything in the bike shops at that time, just the team mechanic that would fit you on a bike according to your measurements and riding goals, regardless whether you were a man or a woman. Maybe this is in part due to the roads - some regions have more bike-friendly roads than others. Tuscany, Lazio, Emilia-Romagna, Liguria and others have great bike routes, to name a few. And drivers are more used to see bicycles everywhere, so they tend to be a tad bit more friendly.

But I too have noticed that in some other regions of Italy you don't see many women cyclists - for example traveling in the southern regions I remember seeing women commuters but very few women training or racing. I recall thinking that it seemed weird, especially considering that soccer and cyclism are a national sport in Italy. I mean it's a Country where people close their business to drive somewhere and see a stage of the Giro, public places turn on their TV's for everyone to gather and watch the race, it's like being in France during the Tour. A whole lot of fun, really
But that was of course years and years ago, so I'm not sure if it's the same now...

[Serottarider]

Real name: Elizabeth

Where do you live? Spokane,WA

Explanation of your handle: I ride a Serotta

Explanation of your avatar: I love my Serotta

Age (general or specific): 44

Occupation: I'm in radio

Favorite bike: My Serotta

What's in your stable? Serotta Fierte, Specialized Stump Jumper,
Redline Conquest Team

Fastest speed on a road bike? +/- 37mph

Another picture of yourself or your ride? I'm working on it

What is the biggest lie you've ever told: "That was the best, ever!"

Most memorable moment on my bike: staying in the saddle all the way up Arbor Crest hill when I was 25 pounds heavier than I am now.

Most fun ever had on a bike? Any time on my bike is fun

[katieliz]

Real name: Katie
Where do you live? Fayetteville, AR

Explanation of your handle: It's a rather uncreative mixture of my first name (Katie) and my middle name (Elizabeth)

Age (general or specific) late 20s

Occupation: PhD student - molecular biology

Favorite bike: mine! (2008 Specialized Dolce Elite) Though I rode a high-end Ruby at a demo several months ago...wouldn't say no to the 8 grand I need to add it to my family.

What's in your stable? 2008 Specialized Dolce Elite, 2009 Myka Expert FSR

Fastest speed on a road bike? where? when? 44.5 going down Tower Hill (a locally well-known climb for weekend jaunts), December? Jan? -- all the cold months run together.

Another picture of yourself or your ride? Not many exist--I'm usually behind the camera when I remember to bring it.

What is the biggest lie you've ever told: I don't own up to any humdingers--I've tried to make them all sound true!

Most memorable moment on my bike: My first week with clipless pedals, while stopped at a stop sign, I fell over in slow motion with 10 cars and 5 or 6 riders watching.

Most fun ever had on a bike? the day I made it up a hill without stopping when no one thought I'd be able to do it. real supportive, huh? Felt good to prove them all wrong, though I've found some better folks to ride with.

[jessica47201]

Real name: Jessica

Where do you live? Columbus and Madison, Indiana

Explanation of your handle: I had to get an email address when I was leaving for the army, so I picked my first name and my zipcode for where I was living at that time. Not very original!!!

Explanation of your avatar: I was having a really bad day at work, and just stumbled across this picture. And it make me smile and laugh. The gorilla looked so happy and the picture just warmed my heart. I later researched the picture and found out that the his name was snowflake. He died of skin cancer on November 24, 2003. In his lifetime he fathered 21 children and had 10 grandchildren. To this day if I'm having a bad day I just look at Snowflake and it makes me happy!!

Age: Just turned 30!

Occupation: Military

Favorite bike: My new 2009 Cannondale Cyclocross 5

What's in your stable? 2009 Cannondale Cyclocross 5, and I just sold my 2008 Trek 4500 WSD.

Fastest speed on a road bike? I was riding down a hill at Clifty Falls State Park and when I looked down at my computer I saw 31 miles an hour!!! I was pretty excited.

Another picture of yourself or your ride? I don't have any at this time.

What is the biggest lie you've ever told: "I didn't do it!"

Most memorable moment on my bike: When I was like 11 I was riding my bike without using my hands, while rounding a curve, when german shepard came out fo nowhere and ran in front of me. I ran right in him!! Once I got back on my bike I rode the rest of the way home, bleeding everywhere. As soon as I got into the driveway, there were my new neighbors, talking to my parents and there I was crying and bleeding!!

Most fun ever had on a bike? Well I'm pretty new at this, so just getting on my bike is fun right now. But in June I'll be participating in my first group/benefit ride!!!

[canonsue]

Real Name: Sue

Where do you live: Conifer, Colorado

Explanation of your handle: My official title is The Rev. Canon, but I have fun with using Canon Sue on forums. Nobody gets it, I have been called cannon sue and even canyon sue.

No avatar yet.

Age: 49

Occupation: IT Director, Network Systems Engineer

Favorite bike: My new 2009 Surly Long Haul Trucker

What is in your stable: LHT and Trek mountain bike

Fastest speed? Hmm...give me time.

Picture: Coming soon

What is the biggest lie you've ever told: That is also coming soon.

Most memorable moment on my bike: Many years ago when I lived in Taiwan, I used to commute with a Giant road bike. One time a motorscooter passed me with a dangling bungee cord. It hooked on to my front fork and I was being pulled along. As my concern started to rise, all of a sudden it came off and sprung back to the scooter with a loud "BANG". The guy on the scooter slowed down and was looking all around as I just cycled by as if nothing happened.

Most fun on a bike: Slick Rock Trail. I loved going down those huge rocks. I was not very good at going up.

[Fredwina]

Well, I pedaled my Bacchetta to St Mark's Episcopal Parish today, so I know "Canon" Sue means!
FHS,
Fredwina, DOK

[moserpower]

Real name: Marie-Therese
Where do you live? Oakland, CA

Explanation of your handle: My first bike was a Moser and I loved it.

Age (general or specific) 35

Occupation: Professor of French and Arabic

Favorite bike: the one I have (Look 585)

What's in your stable? above mentioned Look and an Alite mountain bike that is heavy as the dickens

Fastest speed on a road bike? 59 mph

Another picture of yourself or your ride? Haven't figured out how to upload photos yet

What is the biggest lie you've ever told: Hmmm, don't want to divulge

Most memorable moment on my bike: Believe it or not it was getting squeezed off the road by a truck driver in Morocco, getting horribly scraped up, getting picked up by a man and his son on a buggy pulled by a donkey, and having him kindly drive me back into town and wish me lots of children. Getting treated by the doctor afterwards was even more fun, and it involved wine as anaesthetic

Most fun ever had on a bike? Falling in love with my soon to be husband while lugging up Mount Diablo.
__________________
Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, champagne in one hand, strawberries in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming: "Yeah Baby! What a Ride!"

[Grog]

Welcome Moserpower!

That Morocco story sounds priceless.

[anablanco]

Real name: Ana

Where do you live? Roswell, GA

Explanation of your handle: It's just my name... I have to come up with something appropriate that really describes who I am

Explanation of your avatar: I'm working on it...

Age (general or specific): 44

Occupation: Project Manager, Commercial Real Estate Development

Favorite bike: I would say my favorite is my '08 Trek Madone 5.1 WSD. I just got it yesterday. It's absolutely beautiful! My MTB is pretty sweet too

What's in your stable? above mentioned Madone and Fuel EX8 WSD

Fastest speed on a road bike? where? when? I live in an area with a lot of hills so I can hit a good 30 mph. I'm hoping to surpass that real soon.

Another picture of yourself or your ride? I'll have to get to that sometime.

What is the biggest lie you've ever told: Can't think of anything... I try not to lie

Most memorable moment on my bike: Actually that was just this week. I went out for a 26 mile ride with my husband. I have recently lost about 35 lbs and have been riding a lot of hills and riding on my stationary bike since the weather has been so nasty. I realized that I have gotten into great shape. A ride that used to be so difficult was a lot of fun. It was a beautiful ride along the river. The weather was just stunning. It felt so good to get be able to enjoy the scenery. In the past I was just trying to survive.

Most fun ever had on a bike? Trying out my new MTB. It was sweet!
__________________

[Zen]

Fastest speed on a road bike? 59 mph

MPH? or KPH?

[jobob]

Most fun ever had on a bike? Falling in love with my soon to be husband while lugging up Mount Diablo.

Cheers!

[jobob]

I realized that I have gotten into great shape. A ride that used to be so difficult was a lot of fun.

That's excellent.

[maillotpois]

MPH? or KPH?

I'm guessing it is MPH (because she's from the US). Not unheard of - I will hit 55 - 60 coming down Carson pass, depending on wind, etc.

[Zen]

So do you want to be cremated or buried?

[maillotpois]

Buried because SK and I planned out what our tombstones would say during a ride once... I suppose you could print it on an urn, though,