Getting to Know You!

[drgynfyr]

Drgynfyr

Where do you live? Miami, FL

Explanation of your handle: Year of the dragon and fire sign

Explanation of your avatar: i have to find one!

Age (general or specific): 34

Occupation: Administrative Assistant

Favorite bike: a full suspension specialized

What's in your stable? Trek 4500

Most memorable moment on my bike: busting my @$$ falling in a ditch.

Most fun ever had on a bike? Hmm, i'll have to get back to you guys on that one, lol.

[shoegirl]

Hello, everyone!

My real name is Angela.

Where do you live? Dallas, Tx

Explanation of your handle: I love shoes!!

Explanation of your avatar: my bike!

Age: just a few days away from my 39th birthday

Occupation: manager of coding compliance auditing team for a medical management company

Favorite bike: my specialized ruby. Someday maybe an orbea........

What's in my stable: a custom mountain bike and my specialized ruby

Most memorable time on my bike: riding with my son on a saturday. It was a great day. Great weather and spending time with my son who is 15. We left at 5:30 in the morning. We saw raccoons and foxes crossing the road. Beautiful!!

[Aisling]

Hi everybody, I feel like I've had such a positive experience of this forum already it was only proper to introduce myself!

Real name: Aisling

Where do you live? Dublin, Ireland

Explanation of your handle: Aisling is actually my first name. It's an old Irish (Gaelic) name which means a dream or a vision. It's pronounced Ash-ling, so a lot of people just call me Ash (or Ais!).

Explanation of your avatar: I'm taking up cycling with the goal of cycling 1000km for charity in New Zealand next September. I will be fundraising for the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU)'s Charitable Trust, which provides assistance for people who have been paralysed or otherwise seriously injured playing rugby. So the avatar is a little reminder for me of what I'm training for.

Age: 23

Occupation: Communications

Favorite bike: While I was in college, I had a beautiful 1950s 3-speed city bike with a little wicker basket and everything. My ex-boyfriend broke one of the pedals clean off it one day, and as I was just about to move back to Dublin (where I live on a hill!), it unfortunately wasn't worth bringing back home. I left it there for my cousin instead, who got a beautiful bike for only to cost of fixing the pedals.

What's in your stable? Nothing! Well, technically, there's a Scott MTB of some description from my teenage years, but I've always found it pretty cumbersome and uncomfortable and I need a road bike for the kind of training I want to do, so lets not think about that!

Fastest speed on a road bike? Nothing - I've still to get on one.

Most memorable moment on my bike: Probably cycling to lectures at breakneck speed. Or coaching rowing from the side of the river while trying not to cycle into someone/something. My bike was such an integral part of my daily life in college, I miss it so much and I'm so excited about getting a bike that I love again!

Most fun ever had on a bike? As above, just everything! Where I went to college, everyone used their bikes for just about everything, but maybe if I had to pick one moment, it would be cycling through the town in all my evening finery (high heels included!) with my best friend in a mad rush to get to some formal dinner or other but just laughing away and having a great time.

[crazycanuck]

hey Aisling, are you comin down for the RWC??? RWC then cycle round NZ..coollllll!

[Aisling]

hey Aisling, are you comin down for the RWC??? RWC then cycle round NZ..coollllll!

That's the plan - we'll have Ireland v Australia at the start, Ireland v Italy at the end, and then the small issue of 1000km in between! I'm so excited to be heading down, and thrilled to be doing the cycle on behalf of a cause I really think makes a big difference to players' lives

[KimmyC]

Real name: Kim

Where do you live? Fairfax, VA

Explanation of your handle: Pretty self-explanatory, lol!

Explanation of your avatar: don't have one yet but I will probably put my dog's pic up

Age (general or specific) 25

Occupation: Entrepeneur

Favorite bike: my new bike, an Orbea Diva

What's in your stable? Diamondback RS insight

Fastest speed on a road bike? where? when? I was going 32mph on a deep descent in Reston.

Another picture of yourself or your ride? I will definitely take and post pics of my bike, just haven't had time yet.

What is the biggest lie you've ever told: I honestly don't remember.

Most memorable moment on my bike: Being able to keep up with my bro who's an awesome cyclist.

Most fun ever had on a bike? Whenever I'm riding my bike... I just enjoy the scenery while knowing I'm getting a great workout.

[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!

[callmej]

Real name: Jane
Where do you live? Charlotte, NC

Explanation of your handle: It's the handle I use for just about everything. Been using it since the early 1990's when I registered for aol.

Explanation of your avatar: From a sprint tri called "Dash for Diva's" at White Lake, NC. I'm wearing my team "Tri it for Life" tri suit plus a tutu. I only wore the tutu during the run part. Tri it for Life is a local organization for women with the mission of "Inspiring women of all ages, sizes, backgrounds and abilities to develop healthy lifestyles through multi-sport training, mentorship and commitment". Check out our web page at www.triitforlife.com. I'm in my third year with this group - the first year as an overweight ,middle aged+, couch potato, and the last two years as a mentor. I like to mentor the bike rides

Age (general or specific) 57 this month

Occupation: Business Manager (i.e. accounting) for Network Integration Co.

Favorite bike: Current Bike - 2011 Giant Avail Advanced 1 (thanks TE - I picked this bike out of a short list of 3 from reading comments here)

What's in your stable? 2011 Giant Avail Adv 1 and 2008 Giant Cypress Comfort Bike

Fastest speed on a road bike? Yesterday, 37.7 mph riding down what looked to be the steepest downgrade I've ever seen. Kinda Scary actually

Another picture of yourself or your ride? Sorry, I need to do better in the picture posting category.

Most fun ever had on a bike? A bike and barge trip to Belgium and Amsterdam in 2009. Riding a big comfort touring bike (I felt like the Queen of England sitting up on that bike.) Actually every time I ride and can smile at the end is a lot of fun
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[zoompastmykids]

Real name: Whitney
Where do you live? Northeast Houston

Explanation of your handle: zoompastmykids - self explanatory but speaks to the frustration I feel when going out for a family spin and I have to constantly reign it in to keep the kiddos happy

Explanation of your avatar: don't have one

Age (general or specific) 42

Occupation: Chef, Secretary, Personal Assistant, Maid, Handy Man, Psychologist, Nurse, Chauffeur, Personal Banker, Personal Shopper, etc., etc., depends on the moment

Favorite bike: the one I ride

What's in your stable? Chipmunk Granny Special, Specialized Aerial Sport, Specialized Ruby Elite

Fastest speed on a road bike? where? when? 24 going down a small, short incline in one of the neighborhoods here in my cookie cutter community

Another picture of yourself or your ride? Don't have any yet


What is the biggest lie you've ever told: Oh I'm sure I can think of another one later but the first that jumped to mind was when I told the 21 year old I was 18. Actually I was 17. He freaked out.

Most memorable moment on my bike: Riding through a rain storm and smelling the honeysuckle on the trail. Or crashing and skidding across the pavement into oncoming traffic.

Most fun ever had on a bike? Maybe all the times I pass the professional cyclist in my town and they give me a respectful nod. Or when my friend said, "I saw you in my neighborhood the other day and said to my husband, "Damn she looks good on her bike."
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[leo21]

my name :@ry
live :california
for me the experience you are very good, the other with me. every day without fun activities ... always struggled on the job. so to enjoy the day hariyang makes me glad it was almost nothing .... I'm glad to meet you ..... I am proud of you all .... Happy nice day!

[roahne]

Real name: Megan.

Where do you live?: Midcoast Maine

Explanation of your avatar: n/a

Age (general or specific): 31

Occupation: Retail Manager

Favorite bike: My only bike (for now) my Felt F90. Which is on the DL. (see: most memorable moment)

What's in your stable? My Felt, Concept2 model D erg and my baby my 26' Alden rowing shell.

Fastest speed on a road bike? I am pretty sure it was 36 mph...I only remember that because I whizzed past a sign stating the speed limit was 35mph.

What is the biggest lie you've ever told: tbd

Most memorable moment on my bike: A month ago I was hit from behind on a training ride. Fractured scapula. Bike munged. Starting the process of going through the insurance companies...joy.

Most fun ever had on a bike? My first group ride in Orinda, riding around Lake Briones. Gorgeous area and some killer hills that were AWESOME.

[starcloud]

Real name: That's something I'm disinclined to hand out on a public forum, sorry y'all...this is the 'net. On the Internet, no one knows you're a total creep until you give them enough information to non-consensually make your acquaintance. Seen it happen—not going there.

Where do you live?: USA

Explanation of your avatar: n/a

Age (general or specific): Under 90 (How's that for general? ;-))

Occupation: Other

Favorite bike: I have only one. So far.

What's in your stable? Cannondale Trail. Because it fits, is nice and stable, and isn't a hideous color. Better toys to come, I'm sure.

Fastest speed on a road bike? I'll let you know if/after I get a road bike, and if I decide that speed matters. ;-)

What is the biggest lie you've ever told: Being nice to a friend who revealed themselves to be a sociopath, while quietly backing away. When the hair stands up on the back of your neck, don't worry about telling them off—run. Without making it look that way.

Most memorable moment on my bike: Too soon to tell.

Most fun ever had on a bike? We'll see.

[chincitop]

Real name: Ashley
Where do you live? Shelton, CT

Explanation of your handle: My exlover and best friend calls me Chinchilla. We were together for a year and a half, and he still calls me Chilla. Also, I am involved in the BDSM community, and I was "his Chilla" After a while, people started calling me either Chilla or Chinci. The top part is that I'm a switch, and both top & bottom.

Explanation of your avatar: that there's my face. >>;

Age (general or specific) 21.

Occupation: Pharmacy Technician

Favorite bike: I really like the old vintage style cruisers, but my baby and I do real well.

What's in your stable? 2001 Motiv Mountain Bike. She's blue. She is known as The Little Blue Monster or Cookie Monster

Fastest speed on a road bike? I have no idea, never tracked my speeds before. Though I think my fastest, in Theory, has got to have been on the hottest day of the year coasting down a hill lol.

Another picture of yourself or your ride? *points at avatar due to laziness*


What is the biggest lie you've ever told: Probably something about the mood I was in at the time lol

Most memorable moment on my bike: Riding my heart out after a breakup.

Most fun ever had on a bike? Probably riding a trail with my siblings when I was 12

[KCost]

Real name: Katie

Where do you live? Kansas

Explanation of your handle: It's the first initial of my first name, and first four letters of my last name. Was a nickname.

Explanation of your avatar: I don't have one yet!

Age (general or specific) 25

Occupation: Ph.D. student

Favorite bike: I love them both equally!

What's in your stable? Very old (circa 95) Cannondale M300 that I took from my brother who wasn't using it anymore. 2011 Giant Avail 3.0 that I just bought.

Fastest speed on a road bike? I just bought it, to be determined.

Most memorable moment on my bike: Wipe outs.

Most fun ever had on a bike? Bike paths with friends

[Nick]

Real name: Nicola (pronounced Nick-ala and not Ni-cola like the soda).

Where do you live? Upstate NY.

Explanation of your handle: Nick is my nickname, short for Nicola.

Explanation of your avatar: My new Santa Cruz Juliana.

Age (general or specific) 40s

Occupation: college professor, media artist

Favorite bike: Santa Cruz Juliana, of course!

What's in your stable? The Juliana and a vintage Gary Fisher Hoo Koo E Koo.

Fastest speed on a road bike? where? when? I mountain bike. Not sure on speed. I was going downhill, very fast! Earlier this season.

Most memorable moment on a bike: Mountain biking in Southern Germany after being off a bike for years. Feeling the thrill of biking forest paths and trails, and feeling breathless from the insanely steep incline.

Most fun ever had on a bike? Besides all the fun I had as a kid? Biking Berlin in Germany, and doing the East Berlin/Cold War tour with Fat Tire Bike Tours. That was such a blast.