Getting to Know You!

[chilidogbeagle]

Real name: Dari

Where do you live? Cape Cod

Explanation of your handle: My best friend, Chili the wonder beagle

Explanation of your avatar: you guessed it... Chili the wonder beagle or a fair representation thereof.

Age (general or specific) 47

Occupation: Manage a B&B on the national seashore here on Cape Cod and I do pick-up administrative work during the winter months

Favorite bike: 2011 Specialized Crux Comp

What's in your stable? 2011 Specialized Crux Comp and Iron Horse Beach Cruiser

Fastest speed on a road bike? where? when? I'm a brand newbie. Will be sure to share when I have one!

Another picture of yourself or your ride? Haven't gotten that far either.

What is the biggest lie you've ever told: Probably First Grade, I told my class that my older sister was blinded in one eye by the total eclipse of the sun. For the next 5 or so years people would walk up to her and wave their arms in her face to see if she could see them. This memory still makes me smile.

Most fun ever had on a bike? One of my best friends in elementary school was completely blind. Perhaps this influenced my biggest lie ever... We used to ride around the neighborhood on a tandem bike.

[Kerry1976]

Everyone - Dari is a total superwoman! Inspirational in so many ways!

Hi Dari, so glad to see you here! (waves frantically)

[Kelly_NC]

Real name: Kelly

Where do you live? Eastern North Carolina

Explanation of your handle: My name is Kelly and I live in NC

Explanation of your avatar: Not talented enough to create an avatar just yet.

Age (general or specific) 37

Occupation: Director of a learning center

Favorite bike: An Orbea Aqua I got for Christmas

What's in your stable? Same as above! I sold my mt. bike and hybrid when I got that one.

Fastest speed on a road bike? where? when? So far, 23 mph...on my new road bike...going downhill...

Another picture of yourself or your ride? Will get to that soon.

What is the biggest lie you've ever told: Hmmmm....can't think of anything right now.

Most fun ever had on a bike? Every time my husband and I head out for a ride is a fantastic time!


So...I'm new here! Look forward to "meeting" you all.

[linzq]

Real name: Lindsay
Where do you live? Toronto, Canada

Explanation of your handle: I've used it for years all over the internet!

Explanation of your avatar: I should go get one

Age (general or specific): turning 30 in November!

Occupation: singing teacher

Favorite bike: my new road bike I got this week -- a 2011 Cannondale CAAD10 Women's with Shimano 105. I LOVE IT!

What's in your stable? the Cannondale above, and a 15 year old Trek Mountain bike.

Fastest speed on a road bike? where? when? Let me get back to you at the end of the summer I'm so new that I don't know!

Another picture of yourself or your ride? Working on it...

What is the biggest lie you've ever told: Um... maybe taking a 'sick day' when I wasn't really sick?

Most memorable moment on my bike: Riding on the HUGE & WIDE bike paths along Hilton Head Island -- it was a crappy rental bike but the traffic was no worries, the weather was gorgeous, and there was no pressure to do anything other than have fun. Going back this year to do the same, including rides on the hard sandy beach!

Most fun ever had on a bike? Learning to unclip in my parking lot last year on my mtn bike. And falling right the way over! My partner immediately scooped me up in a hug and told me I was officially a cyclist now that I'd fallen!

[linzq]

Explanation of your handle: Well, I frequently find myself saying this.. " I drank water .. But I didn't fall!" I ate something.. But I didn't fall!!" hehe

I love the handle! I keep saying "not dead yet" after every ride!

[Rchan]

54, new to cycling, signed up for cycle Oregon with my husband, obsessively think about biking, routes, getting better. First time clipping in in am, so hope I can actually get to work tomorrow.
Have a new bianchi infinito ultegra. Love to hear of others in my area who may want to ride with a new cyclist who is very enthusuastic but kind of fat until I cycle more.
I daydream about cycling at work, and can't wait to get out of there.
Live in Aurora,Oregon, near many bike routes. Any one around here?

[Biciclista]

Here's a warm and cheery welcome to those of you that just joined TE;
Rchan, LINZQ, ButIdidntfall (great name!), Kellly NC, Kerry, and chilidogbeagle.
Start posting so we can get to know you. Ask questions if you need to, there is lots of wisdom here.

[cuttercoasty]

Real name: April
Where do you live? currently deployed to the Kingdom of Bahrain. Grew up in the Glencoe area of Oregon (west of PDX)

Explanation of your handle: I've had it for many years. I have served on a few Cutters in the Coast Guard

Explanation of your avatar: Favorite poster.

Age (general or specific): 30 for a couple more weeks. Yup, April baby.... parents were really original!

Occupation: Mechanic in the Coast Guard

Favorite bike: I have had so many. I collect bikes like old ladies collect cats. I think so far it was my strawberry shortcake solid rubber tires with red and white streamers and training wheels.

What's in your stable? Only one now is a 2009 Trek 7.5 FX

Fastest speed on a road bike? where? when? I don't know. I never clocked it. But not more then 25mph I am sure. I am afraid of getting run over again.

Another picture of yourself or your ride? none right now.

What is the biggest lie you've ever told: That I would call him back when I never had the intention of talking to him again.

Most memorable moment on my bike: The funniest time I ever got hit while riding. I was in high school, riding my P.O.S. Target special bike home from school on a bike path right next to the street. A girl was a passenger in a car coming up fast behind me trying to play some sort of chicken. Well, I was coming up to a creek where there was no shoulder to the downhill. The girl had her head sticking out of the window and nailed my handlebar with her forehead. She got what she deserved... a nice trip to the hospital with whip lash and a bruised forehead. I was lucky and only got a side ache from laughing at her so hard.

Most fun ever had on a bike? When I was a kid and could take off for hours just cruising up the hills and turning around to go down as fast as we could. There would be absolutely no traffic for hours. That is of course a by gone era.

[Biciclista]

um, Cuttercoasty, can you ride your bike where you live? welcome to TE!

[cuttercoasty]

Yes I can. But..... You have to be even more defensive at riding then you would if you were driving. This is the worst place I have ever been to where the drivers have no regard for anyone else.
Every single car has a dent or a dozen in it.... Deaths on the roads are no big deal. "Insha'Allah". Which means God Willing in Arabic. Which is used as God wills it. Children are not required to be in car seats, and they are commonly jumping around the inside of the cars like a jungle gym. Not kidding!

There is a bike path that runs from my flat to where I work. Of course it is a bike path but it doesn't prevent auto's from coming down there at full speed. I will take some video as soon as my camera makes it here.
I actually just started taking a spin class at the Navy Base a few times a week. Since I will not be able to ride when it is 120* here in a few weeks, I will keep working in the class. I have heard there is a mountain bike club here, but my off time is not free enough to go enjoy things like that.

I wanted to ride around the island, as it is not that big. But the recent civil unrest is preventing that. It has not subsided despite what the news is reporting. Protests almost daily. None as violent as they were two weeks ago, but nevertheless they are still happening.

My intentions upon retirement from the CG in a few years is to take a few months off and ride from the Oregon Coast(home) to where I just left from in Maine. I am a complete novice though. Need lots of training and knowledge. I am just a recreational/commute rider now.

[Biciclista]

be safe Cuttercoasty!

[westtexas]

Real name: Emily
Where do you live? Central Texas, but about to move 500 miles west in 9 weeks (yes, I'll still be in Texas).

Explanation of your handle: I've chosen to call West Texas my home and as the place the begin my career, so it seemed apt.

Explanation of your avatar: It's my kitty, Theo. He's a good boy.

Age (general or specific) I'll be 25 shortly.

Occupation: Veterinarian

Favorite bike: I like mine, even if it's uncomfortable for the time being.

What's in your stable? Specialized Dolce Elite

Fastest speed on a road bike? where? when? Don't know, but I there are some wicked hills near my house and I can at least keep up with cars on the same road just coasting.

Another picture of yourself or your ride? Don't have any current ones at the moment and no pics of me on my bike either


What is the biggest lie you've ever told: I told my mother I spent my birthday money on new clothing, but I spent it on a plane ticket to visit my friend in Utah... however, due to guilty conscience, I caved and told her where I was after I arrived.

Most memorable moment on my bike: Not on the bike I have now, but on the bike I had in college (a $75 Walmart special) I crashed into a fountain at school and scraped myself up pretty badly. Instead of stopping to check things over because people were watching with horror on their faces, I shouted, "I'm alright!!" and ran off.

Most fun ever had on a bike? Everyday is fun and it gets better and better as I improve. Hopefully I can get my bike fit correctly and then it won't hurt as much either to ride!

[Kelly_NC]

Here's a warm and cheery welcome to those of you that just joined TE;
Rchan, LINZQ, ButIdidntfall (great name!), Kellly NC, Kerry, and chilidogbeagle.
Start posting so we can get to know you. Ask questions if you need to, there is lots of wisdom here.

THANKS! I'm still trying to get the hanging of forum posting, too!

[usoda]

Real name: Destiny

Where do you live? The high desert of southwest Arizona, otherwise known as Tucson.

Explanation of your handle: Usoda is actually Slovenian for Destiny. I have no Slovenian connections, just simply liked the translation.

Explanation of your avatar: No avatar yet

Age: 31

Occupation: Web Project Lead

Favorite bike: I'm still figuring this part out.

What's in your stable? I'm still figuring this part out too. I'm in the market for a bike to ride on the road for conditioning. Right now I'm looking at a Jamis Quest Femme or an Orbea Aqua Dama or a Rivendell Roadeo. My long-term goals are to do road trips and adventure cycling.

Fastest speed on a road bike? where? when? No records yet.

Another picture of yourself or your ride? Sure. When I lose the chub.

What is the biggest lie you've ever told: My husband locked us out of our car once while shopping a few years back; I was the spare key holder, but I had recently swapped purses and thought it was still on my desk. Took a taxi back home only to find it was actually in the back secret zipped pocket of my current purse the whole time. I never told him the truth and let him believe the key was actually at home to prevent him from exploding

Most memorable moment on my bike: I'm new to the bicycling world. I'm right now doing indoor cycling (Spinning) to condition myself.

Most fun ever had on a bike? Still to come.
__________________

[Lauralyn]

Real name: Laurie

Where do you live? Quaker Hill, CT

Explanation of your handle: easy to remember

Explanation of your avatar: n/a
Age (general or specific) 45

Occupation: Project Manager

Favorite bike: my Felt

What's in your stable? My Felt Z85 and my 28 years young TB horse

Fastest speed on a road bike? where? when? 28, downhill

Another picture of yourself or your ride? I don't have any available

Most memorable moment on my bike: Riding this past New Years Day!

Most fun I've ever had on my bike: The first ride on my Felt and feeling the freedom like it used to feel when I rode my horse cross country. I have not been bike riding very long.