Real name: Lesley
Where do you live? Minnesota / California

Explanation of your handle: Yelsel = Lesley backwards. All the bits of my name reverse well.

Explanation of your avatar: Don't have one yet.

Age (general or specific): 36

Occupation: Geologist

Favorite bike: 1998 Bianchi Eros - Celeste lugged steel frame. Swoon!

What's in your stable? 1998 Bianchi Eros; 2005 Bianchi Castro Valley (fair weather commuter); 1995 REI mountain bike (foul weather commuter, errand bike); 1973 Schwinn Fastback Sting-ray for restoration, early 1980s Raleigh Spirit 5 Mixte for restoration / local puttering bike.

Fastest speed on a road bike? Not so fast... 28 mph downhill on Wheelock Parkway, Saint Paul.

Another picture of yourself or your ride? Someday when I get a working digital again!

What is the biggest lie you've ever told: This is complex -- we were getting a cat out of an abusive situation; abuser had reneged and decided to keep him... I was moving away 6 hours away from my boyfriend, and just went on about how worried I was how he would do without me, and what a great comfort the cat (one of the "dog-cat" species) would be to him. My boyfriend could hear everything in the next room; this was about a year into the relationship, and he had no idea that I could be so manipulative! (Only used in good causes on unreasonable people.)

Most memorable moment on my bike: Biking the Brooklyn bridge and looking back at Manhattan for the sunset, and the lights in the city turning on.

Most fun ever had on a bike? Riding the Bianchi Eros for the first time, and getting over 22 mph effortlessly; so much lighter and more responsive than my Bianchi commuter, which is built on a Volpe / cyclocross frame. And I've had lots of fun on that bike!