Getting to Know You!

[pkq]

Thanks!

And I'm not making it up about the animal rights folks. A friend of mine -- in fact, the head of my organization, Rabbitwise -- is a psychotherapist and a registered "first responder", so she has to take seminars from time to time to keep her certification current. In one of them, the class was informed that animal rights advocates should be considered potential terrorists. One of the groups identified by name was the Doris Day Animal League.

Osama bin Laden has some real competition there.

You have to be kidding! Doris Day a terrorist, leading a bunch of terrorists? She's the all American girl of the '50's and '60's. And animals don't have enough brain capacity to......... But how would some people know the size of a pet's brain, when their own is so small?

Too bad some people lack common sense and an even keeled outlook on life.

[Yasmin]

Real name: Patricia

Where do you live? Memphis, Tennessee

Explanation of your handle: Well, it sort of explains how I make sense of my life, which otherwise defies explanation.

Explanation of your avatar: That's Little Moe. I rescue rabbits (the domestic kind).

Age (general or specific): verging on my sixth decade on earth.

Occupation: Systems analyst

Favorite bike: "Love the one you're with."

What's in your stable? Crimson Joy (my shiny red Trek 4500, modified for city riding/trekking -- lighter kevlar tires, hybrid handlebars, Easy Seat saddle -- a machine much envied by the bike cop I met at a bike shop one morning)

Fastest speed on a road bike? Last time I rode a road bike, I didn't have a speedometer, and it was so long ago that I wouldn't remember, anyway.

Another picture of yourself or your ride? None available, unless there's one in a Homeland Security file somewhere (apparently they think that animal rights advocates are dangerous subversives).

What is the biggest lie you've ever told: "Don't be silly. Your hair looks great."

Most memorable moment on my bike: Maybe that would be the hornet that hitched a ride on my shorts all the way across Balboa Park? Well, I wasn't going to try to brush him off and risk getting stung. (Yeah, I have a dull life.)

Most fun ever had on a bike? Coasting at high speed down into the canyon and belting out "mouth music" at the top of my voice.

Welcome aboard. Lovely to have an animal activist terrorist with Doris Day connections amoung us!. Wouldn't want to meet you or one of the bunnies in a dark alley, especially if I had a salad sandwich on me.
Love your sense of humor. I'm new to this site too. Hope you get as much fun/info out of it as I am.
Cheers, Yasmin.

[Lise]

Getting to Know You!

OK, I'll give it my shot!

Real name: Lise (pronounced Lisa)

Where do you live? Chicago, IL

Explanation of your handle: It's my name. I wasn't feeling creative enough when I signed up. "Run like a dachshund" because I love those dogs--they run with the purest joy. They have no idea their legs are only 3 inches long. It's a good luck charm for me to see at least one dachshund on every long race I do.

Explanation of your avatar: I wish I could figure out how to find an avatar of a dachshund.

Age (general or specific) 45

Occupation: Certified Nurse-Midwife

Favorite bike: Don't know enough to have one yet

What's in your stable? Marin Larkspur City bike. Great for riding around Chicago. I've done two international tris, three sprint tris, and a metric century on it. That said, I'm getting a "real" triathlon bike next spring.

Fastest speed on a road bike? where? when? 23mph, in the Lake Zurich triathlon last 8/14.

Another picture of yourself or your ride? Hmmm, I do not know how to add a picture...

What is the biggest lie you've ever told: Definitely not revealing it here!

Most memorable moment on my bike: A sprint tri this May. I was dripping wet, freezing cold, underdressed, and I rode harder than I ever have in my life. I felt so strong.

Most fun ever had on a bike? It's a toss-up between riding to swimming lessons when I was 7, and riding all over Chicago on my 45th birthday, just doing what ever I wanted to do.
...................
I found this site and first posted on the triathlon board--here's some of the info about me from there--

I'm 45 years old, did my first triathlon 2 years ago. I was a an active kid, then life happened, and I became completely alienated from my body. By 40, I was "crippled" (my perspective) with chronic pelvic pain from endometriosis. I was 30# overweight, and going through a nasty divorce. I made some new friends, and tagged along when one did the Accenture Chicago Triathlon. I saw old people, fat people, a woman in a clown suit, and thought, "I wonder if I could do that?"

You know the answer, of course! NO! Not in a clown suit! But YES! In regular tri gear! My first tri was completely un-researched. A friend and I did it together. We picked the Lake Zurich triathlon , an international distance, because, well, we didn't know anything. We didn't know there was such a thing as a "sprint" distance. So we swam across Lake Zurich, rode the hills of Lake County, and ...walked 6.25 mi. We were dead last across the finish line, but the organizers put our picture up on the website with congratulations to all the first-timers. I was bitten by the tri-bug when I did it again the following year.

This year I've done two sprints, one international distance tri, a metric century ride, two 5K runs, a 1/2 marathon, and the Chicago Marathon. If you're going to have a mid-life crisis, turning into an athlete is not a bad one to have. I'm doing the 8K Turkey Trot on, you guessed it, Thanksgiving Day.

Mostly I am tickled pink to be an athlete. There's still so much to learn. This is the first winter when I'm seriously committing to training all winter. My goal is to do a 1/2 Ironman. After the 100K bike ride, I was sure I had no desire to do the Ironman. Kudos to those of you who do!

Biking is far and away my favorite part of triathlon. On the bike I feel strong and free. It is one of the best feelings in the world. My mom started biking when she was 60 years old, and at 70 is still going strong. We have a tradition of adult-onset athleticism in our family!

Best wishes to all--I'm looking forward to reading more posts and getting to know you all, too! Lise

[CorsairMac]

Welcome to the board Lise! My parents have had dachshund for years usually minis and they are just too cute. I found you a pix of one - you need to save it to some type of photo place - someone else here can probably tell you better - and then you have to resize it to use it as an avatar! as for attaching a photo:
when you're posting, scroll down and you'll see a "manage attachments", that's what you use to put photos in posts.

[Yasmin]

Getting to Know You!

OK, I'll give it my shot!

Real name: Lise (pronounced Lisa)

Where do you live? Chicago, IL

Explanation of your handle: It's my name. I wasn't feeling creative enough when I signed up. "Run like a dachshund" because I love those dogs--they run with the purest joy. They have no idea their legs are only 3 inches long. It's a good luck charm for me to see at least one dachshund on every long race I do.

Explanation of your avatar: I wish I could figure out how to find an avatar of a dachshund.

Age (general or specific) 45

Occupation: Certified Nurse-Midwife

Favorite bike: Don't know enough to have one yet

What's in your stable? Marin Larkspur City bike. Great for riding around Chicago. I've done two international tris, three sprint tris, and a metric century on it. That said, I'm getting a "real" triathlon bike next spring.

Fastest speed on a road bike? where? when? 23mph, in the Lake Zurich triathlon last 8/14.

Another picture of yourself or your ride? Hmmm, I do not know how to add a picture...

What is the biggest lie you've ever told: Definitely not revealing it here!

Most memorable moment on my bike: A sprint tri this May. I was dripping wet, freezing cold, underdressed, and I rode harder than I ever have in my life. I felt so strong.

Most fun ever had on a bike? It's a toss-up between riding to swimming lessons when I was 7, and riding all over Chicago on my 45th birthday, just doing what ever I wanted to do.
...................
I found this site and first posted on the triathlon board--here's some of the info about me from there--

I'm 45 years old, did my first triathlon 2 years ago. I was a an active kid, then life happened, and I became completely alienated from my body. By 40, I was "crippled" (my perspective) with chronic pelvic pain from endometriosis. I was 30# overweight, and going through a nasty divorce. I made some new friends, and tagged along when one did the Accenture Chicago Triathlon. I saw old people, fat people, a woman in a clown suit, and thought, "I wonder if I could do that?"

You know the answer, of course! NO! Not in a clown suit! But YES! In regular tri gear! My first tri was completely un-researched. A friend and I did it together. We picked the Lake Zurich triathlon , an international distance, because, well, we didn't know anything. We didn't know there was such a thing as a "sprint" distance. So we swam across Lake Zurich, rode the hills of Lake County, and ...walked 6.25 mi. We were dead last across the finish line, but the organizers put our picture up on the website with congratulations to all the first-timers. I was bitten by the tri-bug when I did it again the following year.

This year I've done two sprints, one international distance tri, a metric century ride, two 5K runs, a 1/2 marathon, and the Chicago Marathon. If you're going to have a mid-life crisis, turning into an athlete is not a bad one to have. I'm doing the 8K Turkey Trot on, you guessed it, Thanksgiving Day.

Mostly I am tickled pink to be an athlete. There's still so much to learn. This is the first winter when I'm seriously committing to training all winter. My goal is to do a 1/2 Ironman. After the 100K bike ride, I was sure I had no desire to do the Ironman. Kudos to those of you who do!

Biking is far and away my favorite part of triathlon. On the bike I feel strong and free. It is one of the best feelings in the world. My mom started biking when she was 60 years old, and at 70 is still going strong. We have a tradition of adult-onset athleticism in our family!

Best wishes to all--I'm looking forward to reading more posts and getting to know you all, too! Lise

Hi Lise. Happy that you've joined the site. I'm also a "newy" but absolutely love the girls & the support that comes back at you.
My mum used to breed long-haired dachshunds in England when I was a baby, so I know what characters thay are. I am also a late starter at cycling (& running)...although I swam as a child. I'm now 49yrs & have run for 10yrs, cycled for 7yrs ( I know...geez she must be tired!) Good on you & keep making goals. Yasmin.

[snapdragen]

Explanation of your avatar: I wish I could figure out how to find an avatar of a dachshund.

Doxies are great, I used to work in a kennel that raised them.

[froglady]

Real name: Rebecca (Becca)

Where do you live? Berkeley, California

Explanation of your handle: I work with the African clawed frog Xenopus laevis

Explanation of your avatar: I like frogs

Age (general or specific) 21x2 on Dec 18

Occupation: Associate Professor of Cell Biology at UC Berkeley

Favorite bike: purple Serotta

What's in your stable? Only purple bikes, including a beater Jamis mountain bike

Fastest speed on a road bike? where? when? 48.5 on Pig Farm Hill

Another picture of yourself or your ride? See http://www.steephill.tv, my husband is a camera bug.

What is the biggest lie you've ever told: I am descended from Quakers and we never remember our lies.

Most memorable moment on my bike: Finishing the Raid Pyrenean in the summer of 2003 with my friend Nancy.

Most fun ever had on a bike? It wasn't the Everest Challenge , that's for sure, but riding in the Sierra Nevada with my friends is the most fun because it is familiar and so beautiful.

[CorsairMac]

Welcome frog - Loved your answer to the best lie! I might have to steal that!!....and Only purple bikes? too cute! some here only have pink bikes - we should get ya'll together some time...and a purple and pink party!

welcome on board and hope to hear more from you! and thanks for the holidy pixs!

[Biking Mama]

Real name: Lisa
Where do you live? Tallahassee, FL

Explanation of your handle: I'm the mother of two (5yr old daughter, 2yr old son) who loves to bike!

Explanation of your avatar: avatar?

Age (general or specific) 34!

Occupation: Stay at home mom

Favorite bike: whatever gets me outdoors and on the road

What's in your stable? Trek Pilot WSD 2005

Fastest speed on a road bike? where? when? 31.5 on a downhill near my house

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

What is the biggest lie you've ever told: Santa does exist!

Most memorable moment on my bike: The moment I fell over like a ton of bricks while rapidly breaking because I thought I got a flat...I realized just as I was coming to a stop that my feet were still clipped in!

Most fun ever had on a bike? I find something fun each time i'm out on the bike. Just the quiet, contstant challenge of the road inspires me.

[CorsairMac]

Welcome to the board Mama! OK...so are you saying Santa Doesn't exist?? and another Trekkie! *insert evil cackle here* we're taking over the world!!!
How wonderful your kids like to bike to - makes it easier to get out there and ride!!

[veloputt]

Hi all,

I've been enjoying reading the posts over the summer since I started getting back on the bike and commuting (17 mi each way--glad there's a shower at work!). I recently starting adding my 2cents into the forums:

Real name: Susan
Where do you live? Seattle, WA

Explanation of your handle: I love cycling and golf... though the last half sometimes describes my pace! (I tried racing for a couple summers, but not my thing--great admiration for those who do!)

Explanation of your avatar: On the sidewalks in Amsterdam--just love it!

Age (general or specific): documents say 40...

Occupation: "Quality" Engineer--solving problems others create!

Favorite bike: my Mercian "King of Mercia"

What's in your stable? Mercian "King of Mercia" road bike--gorgeous steel frame w/ various Shimano drive train components/stem, Mavic hubs/rims, fizik Arione saddle (awesome!), and a classic Bridgestone RB-5--a "suspension-free" mntn bike (out to pasture for the moment). Seems rather vintage, now, but they are great rides!

Fastest speed on a road bike? where? when? 55 mph or so coming down off a hill in Eugene, OR back in '92 or so. Most recent top speed = upper 30s commuting into work...

Another picture of yourself or your ride? I do have photos of my "baby"

What is the biggest lie you've ever told: "Oh, that's OK"

Most memorable moment on my bike: Going 55mph!

Most fun ever had on a bike? This summer = riding on the velodrome at Marymoor park--makes you ride faster and do more laps than you think you can! It was a blast!

[mountainpuddles]

Real name: Becky
Where do you live? San Jose, CA

Explanation of your handle: Love playing in the mountains, and if there is a puddle or two I love to splash in it!

Explanation of your avatar: What is that?
Age (general or specific) 30 Oct. 29, 75

Occupation: full time student: Sociology and wife

Favorite bike: my first one, specialized Dolce

What's in your stable? Specialized Dolce

Fastest speed on a road bike? where? when? Don't know my computer isn't working!!
Another picture of yourself or your ride? None yet..
Most memorable moment on my bike: Not to many since my bike is new and I am new to riding. I would say Santa Cruz, West Cliff along the coast to Capitola.
Most fun I've ever had on my bike: could be any day when it is not raining or windy.

Other: I am looking forward to riding with the gals, my first half-century, getting fit and enjoying the club. Becky

[BikeMomma]

Lots of fun ahead for you, Becky....welcome! Looking forward to meeting you too!
-BikeMomma

[CorsairMac]

I'm baaaaaaaaaaackkkkkkkkkkkkkk!! welcome to the board all the new people and anyone else that just wants a Warm Welcome!!!! didn't catch the whole thing about the Coors and didn't want too.....NM is close to CO and we Still don't drink Coors here! (sry CO ppl.....Great state, lousy beer! )

Loved the "empty kitchen" line although did ya feel like decking him?? and a pilot......small, large, private, commercial??


Loved the visual of the Christmas tree going over while practicing the whole clipping/unclipping thing......changes the whole meaning of "presence under the tree" yeah?

[MomOnBike]

Hey! I grew up in Colorado, and we actively boycotted Coors. I don't quite remember why, though... (Still won't drink it.)