Getting to Know You!

[Lise]

Welcome, Belinda! I'll bet that's really cool to ride over the Golden Gate Bridge. Looking forward to getting to know you--Lise

[thinpaperwings]

Real name: Sara Saperstein

Where do you live? Portland, OR

Explanation of your handle: It's part of a lyric to one of the songs from one of my favorite bands, Underworld.

Age (general or specific) 23

Occupation: Biology Research Technician

Favorite bike: My very old (probably 10 or 15 ys) Univega Rover T2.7

What's in your stable? Unfortunately, the above bike is it right now. Maybe this spring I'll buy a proper road bike for my commute. I just love the way my bike fits me, and I have such great memories with it, that I can't see enjoying another bike as much. What if my Univega got jealous?

Fastest speed on a road bike? Never rode a road bike.

What is the biggest lie you've ever told: Actually, I'm too honest for my own good.

Most memorable moment on my bike: Last year I went on what was supposed to be a 15 or 20 mile ride with my boyfriend, around the Columbia River from I-5 to I-205 and back. We got lost, got caught in headwinds so strong that we had to pedal hard in order to barely move, and it was hailing for much of the trip. Because we missed a turn, the trip ended up being 30 miles instead of 20. My hands got so cold that when we finally got to the car, I couldn't feel them, and I had to stick my hands, one at a time, fully into my mouth to warm them up enough. I was so freezing.


Most fun ever had on a bike? When I was in High School, before I could drive, I would ride my bike up The Strand, which is a long paved trail along the beach in southern California. By the end of that summer I was doing 50 mile rides, which for me at the time, and in conjunction with my long-distance running, was a lot. I even remember waking up and taking off at 3am because I was so excited about the ride. The freedom of being able to go such distances without a car was fantastic.

More about me: I'm still pretty new to biking. Last winter I took some classes on care and maintenance, fixing flats, truing spokes, that sort of thing. I still don't have a lot of practice with it, though.

I started commuting by bike when I got my job a little over a month ago. I was biking twice a week, 7 miles each direction. Portland is such a great city to cycle-commute in. Before the bike commuting, I just rode weekend rides here and there, usually between 10 and 20 miles, depending on my fitness level. I mostly would bike on paved trails, but this past summer we went on a few mountain rides. I also enjoy running and weightlifting and playing with my Australian Shepherd.

Cheers!

[CorsairMac]

WElcome Luv'n! Sorry to hear your new bike isn't your fav - is there a reason?? And what happened to your beautiful yellow giant? Never been to Austin but I used to live in Chandler and I would hike Squaw Peak every Sun after church. I miss the warmth of Phx and I miss that hike. Never did the Camelback - it was on my list of "things to do". I'm still hanging on to that list!!

Welcome Wings! I saw your ID yesterday and fell in love with it.......I had this vision of you on a bike with thin paper wings to help you along! I also answered your post yesterday about commuting in the cold and was wondering if you decided to give it another try?

Hope to hear more from both of you and nice to have ya'll on board!

[luv'nAustin]

Thanks for the welcome!

My beautiful giant was my first road bike and I purchased her the week before I moved to Texas. Biking was/and is replacing the daily hikes. Except that I only ride once or twice a week and not daily as planned. Gotta learn to change that tire so that I can venture out solo.

Beauty, is in my garage hanging on a bike rack, I am afraid that I stripped her of her pedals and electronic gadgets to save a little money. Perhaps I will ask Santa for a new set of pedals this Christmas and then I will take her back out to see if we still can fly.

My camena has smaller tires and is lighter in weight. She is easier to climb hills with, but is seriously disadvantaged when it comes to speeding back down them. My typical route in Austin is very hilly and it is easy for others to fly by me down a hill and then that momentum carries them a good quarter of the way (or more) up the next hill. I know, this used to be me! And now, I am stuck pedaling like a mad woman to catch back up with them and often before I reach the top they are speeding away again down the next hill.

I also worry that I am getting weaker because it is easier to pedal up the hills. On the plus side, the ti frame is kinder to my joints and I have no more elbow or wrist pain! Speed isn't everything, is it?????

Glad to hear that you still have Camelback on that list. It is a great workout and so rewarding. I think the echo side is beautiful and I love climbing up the rocks, but I usually did the other side with my friends. I was just there over Thanksgiving and hiked as often as I could. I was really worried that I would be terribly slow, but managed to get up Squaw Peak in less than thirty minutes, only one minute off of my best time.

You and the other gals are so inspiring, I look forward to being a part of the group!

karri

[luv'nAustin]

becca, loved the pictures from steephill.tv....thanks for adding the link in your post.

arna, Congratulations on your finish in the Tour Down Under!

karri

[CorsairMac]

Welcome to the board Arna! Woohooo yet Another person we can go visit during our miserable winter months! Hope ya'll got room - we'll be showing up with our multiple layers of riding gear, bikes, dogs, cats,....maybe even some SOs and DHs. Course, ya'll can come over Here when it's winter there!! As for the 50 thing, ain't it just a number??....like 6??

Hope to hear more from ya!

[RoadVixen]

Real name: Vicki
Where do you live? Oxford, Mississippi

Explanation of your handle: Vixen was a nickname given by a friend in about the sixth grade- has since been reconfirmed by the guys i've dated....and the road is where I most like to be!

Explanation of your avatar: from earthjustice.org ("Because the earth needs a good lawyer"- Amen)

Age (general or specific) turned 26 last Halloween (yup i'm a witch!)

Occupation: Last year law student

Favorite bike: Litespeed Ghisallo

What's in your stable? Litespeed Bella & a Fuji Nevada MTB (mine), a Masi Special Carbon & a Gary Fischer Tassajara MTB (my boyfriend Jacob's)

Fastest speed on a road bike? where? when? Don't know, don't have a computer- my BF says 32 mph according to his- that was a few weeks ago at Taylor MS-

Another picture of yourself or your ride?
http://us.f2.yahoofs.com/users/41aa9...A45mDBOrrRgeHG
Me and BF in Thailand


What is the biggest lie you've ever told: "Yes mother, I'm still a republican..."

Most memorable moment on my bike: Riding the Natchez Trace this fall when the leaves had turned- it was nothing short of magical.

Most fun ever had on a bike? My BF and I love to get sauced and go ride around really late at night, when everyone else is asleep. It's like there is no one left on the earth but you....*sigh*

[CorsairMac]

Welcome to the board Vixen - I Love your avatar! Last year Law?........which 'branch"?

[RoadVixen]

I wish I knew....I've done a lot of employment law (not by choice, it's pretty boring) but my real interest in environmental, especially ocean/coastal. Don't know what the future will hold for me, I worked in New Orleans & Gulfport last summer & after Katrina, there's really nothing left. The N.O. office was a block from the Superdome & in Gulfport, our office was ON the beach. I hear both places are laying off experienced attorneys left and right. But, my mom and I discussed it the other night & we both place a lot of stock in the whole "all things happen for a reason" bit....Neither of the jobs were something I was just nuts about, and had things worked out I would have felt obligated to take the job (student loans are pretty good incentive). Now my BF and I (he's in law school w/ me) are thinking we might just take off and move to Oregon or Vermont like we have been dying to do all along. We haven't been able to find any job leads yet, but hey, we don't have any kids or anything (and we've been known to happily live in a tent for 6+ weeks) so we figure we'll manage. Sorry if this was more info than you were looking for, but I'm in the middle of studying for my last exam & anything to procrastinate is insanely fun right about now....lol

[jjules]

hi everyone thought id introduce myself been lurking a bit...

Real name: Jules

Where do you live? Brisbane, Aust.

Explanation of your handle: D'oh..my name

Explanation of your avatar: i'll get there...

Age (general or specific) 27

Occupation: stay-at-home Mum. before the birth of my son i was a swimming instructor.

Favorite bike: haha they say love the one your with. i have a Raleigh MTB.


What's in your stable? My only baby,..shes on my new Tacx magnetic trainer right now.

What is the biggest lie you've ever told: cant recall, theres been so many j/k

Most memorable moment on my bike: dh and i have had some great times bashing abt on gravel tracks near home. i love the sunshine, fresh air, and the feeling of empowerment that your strength and bike combined make you feel


Most fun ever had on a bike? a regular ride into teh heart of town and back that dh and i would do and be totally competitive the whole way good times.

A little more about myself.....i have a 16 mos old son who i adore .. been married 4 years to a wonderful man. have a keen interest in fitness and health and considering studying nutrition/dietetics sometime soon. i love the gym, cardio, weights, classes, pilates, yoga, swimming, running, and
r i d i n g i also like cooking, knitting, gardening and of course my computer

[CorsairMac]

welcome to the board Jules! Love your sense of humour - and Another ozzie! which means *sigh* Another person to tease us during our winter months about just how Wonderful it is where They live! LOL (of course, when My weathers good I'm the First person to chime in!)