Getting to Know You!

[VanLan]

Real name: Vanessa

Where do you live? central Texas

Explanation of your handle: Concatination of names

Explanation of your avatar: It's in the mail!

Age (general or specific) 51

Occupation: Higher Ed

Favorite bike: the ones I have :-)

What's in your stable? Inez - a 2011 Specialized Allez Comp (my 2nd bike) and Clementine (Cha-Cha) Peddleford, my first bike - a hand-me-down big box store comfort bike that got me on a bike for the first time in DECADES two years ago.

Fastest speed on a road bike? I was built for comfort, not for speed....

Another picture of yourself or your ride? Soon, I promise

What is the biggest lie you've ever told: I can't remember, which means I've either told too many, or I don't lie! (I'll let ya'll pick!) - I'm stealing/keeping this answer!

Most memorable moment on my bike: TBD

Most fun ever had on a bike? That WHEEEEE! feeling that I hadn't had since I was about 8.

[prinessbeca]

Real name: Becca

Where do you live? Omaha

Explanation of your handle: The princess and becca parts are self explainatory. The misspellings on both are an old joke from high school band. I missspelled it on a sign up sheet and they started calling me by the phoenetic pronunciation of the misspelling, "preen-s-bee-sah".

Explanation of your avatar: Is that my picture thing? It's me on a bike? lol

Age (general or specific) 30.5

Occupation: Insurance claims processor

Favorite bike: MY bike of course, a Marin uh...something or other.

What's in your stable? Just my Marin right now. I had an electra townie 7d (orange, her name was Ginger and she had fenders and a basket and a bell and was SO CUTE) but had to sell it when I needed money to fix my car

Fastest speed on a road bike? where? when? I've never ridden a road bike, but I think on a hybrid my top speed has been around 16 so far. On a spin bike I've gone 30.

Another picture of yourself or your ride? how do I post a picture? LOL I'm new.

What is the biggest lie you've ever told: Probably something along the lines of "omg I so DON'T have a crush on ____"

Most memorable moment on my bike: Gosh, probably when I was 18 and at a friend's lake cabin. We got these OLD bikes of her grandparents out of their shed and rode all around the lake. I hadn't been on a bike in at least 6 years, which is a LONG TIME when you're 18. It was just a fun day.

Most fun ever had on a bike? The first ride I took on Ginger (my electra) with my personal trainer. It was the first time I'd ridden in 12 years, and my trainer is just one of my favorite people. I pedaled my little heart out and he just talked my ear off about the gym he was going to open (which he's since opened, and it's doing fabulous, we have a waiting list <3 )

[sookiesue]

Real name: Susan
Where do you live? Portland, OR

Explanation of your handle: nickname from my husband when we first dating, also a Steppenwolf cover of an Etta James song.

Explanation of your avatar: I haven't managed to do an avatar yet.

Age (general or specific) 40

Occupation: Elementary school teacher by trade, but a stay-at-home mom for as long as we can afford it

Favorite bike: my Focus, because I ride it the most, but the Shelby for sentimental reasons

What's in your stable? Focus Corrente disc road-ish bike, Specialized Rockhopper FSR mountain bike, Raleigh M20 commuter bike, and 1950's Shelby cruiser that was my mom's when she was a kid. My husband refurbished it for me for a 40th birthday present.

Fastest speed on a road bike? where? when? about 33 mph, on one of my favorite downhills on Helvetia Rd., last week!

Another picture of yourself or your ride? Someday I'll get a photo posted...


What is the biggest lie you've ever told: "I'll be right back"

Most memorable moment on my bike: Every ride seems to bring a memorable moment, but my biggest accomplishment was finishing the 84-mile day of hills on the People's Coast Classic ride for the Arthritis Foundation last September. My longest ride ever, for a great reason, and just two days before my 40th birthday!

Most fun ever had on a bike? That's a hard one, there's so much fun out there!

I remember being about 7 years old and riding bikes with my brother through the gutters after a big rainstorm. There must have been a foot of water (probably about 6-8 inches, but in my 7 year old mind it was a deep river) and we came home soaked. So fun, but Mom was not pleased.

A more current example would be my Mother's Day morning ride. An hour to myself, recovery ride from the day before so taking it a little easy, really noticing all the animals and plants I am so lucky to see on my rides, and smiling and waving to the TONS of cyclists out there that lovely sunny morning.

[suzgilzen]

Real name: Susan (Suz)

Where do you live? Central Wisconsin

Explanation of your handle: Pieces of my names

Explanation of your avatar: maybe I'll get one if someone takes a pic of me on the bike

Age (general or specific) 56

Occupation: Minister

Favorite bike: My new road bike: Trek Madone 4.5 WSD (I don't know enough to covet anything else)

What's in your stable? 2012 Trek Madone 4.5 WSD and 2007 Trek Hybrid 7100

Fastest speed on a road bike? just over 30 mph maybe?

Another picture of yourself or your ride? I have no photos of me with my ride....

What is the biggest lie you've ever told: I really try very hard not to lie. Probably something like, "No, I'm not mad....."

Most memorable moment on my bike: I'm such a beginner that right now it's each new longest ride (42.3 miles this week)

Most fun ever had on a bike? For the last 5 years I have occasionally commuted to and from work, on wooded trails, along the rivers... and this has given me such deep peace, and such an appreciating for the natural surroundings here. Love those rides.