Getting to Know You!

[greenmtngrrl]

Real name: Michelle
Where do you live? Minneapolis, MN

Explanation of your handle: Although I currently reside in the midwest, I was born and raised in Vermont (the green mountain state).

Explanation of your avatar: No avatar...yet!

Age (general or specific) 33 this year

Occupation: Digital librarian & research geek

Favorite bike: There are too many to choose...

What's in your stable? Giant OCR 1 and Kona Muni Mula

Fastest speed on a road bike? where? when? No idea, although it was probably back when I lived in Portland and on a mountain bike. So far this week, 28 mph is the fastest.

Another picture of yourself or your ride? Not yet

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

Most memorable moment on my bike: Being grounded at age 8 or so for riding my bike down the middle of the road -- too bad my mom caught me! And every time I get on my bike to commute to work (or elsewhere) and know I don't have to drive my car! Yay!

Most fun ever had on a bike? The easy answer is "all the time!" I especially enjoy everyday activities, like riding to go get ice cream or meet friends.

[CorsairMac]

Welcome Ellen and GreenMnt!

Ellen: how wonderful you found a bike that worked for you instead of just giving in. and bee pollination?? My aunt used to do that years ago when she lived on a farm. She has sinced moved back into town and given all that up but she sure did enjoy working with her bees!

Green: welcome to another bike commuter! Isn't is an Awesome day when you get to ride your bike to work?? I don't even think of it as being a "bike commute" anymore - it's how I get to work! Even when it's cold and I'm really whiney - I wouldn't drive!

Welcome one N all!

[hirakukibou]

Real name: Pata
Where do you live? Boston (actually Somerville) MA

Explanation of your handle: hiraku means open in Japanese and Kibou means hope. I am mixed heritage Japanese American.

Explanation of your avatar: hmm. Haven't figured this one out yet.

Age (general or specific) 44 will be 45 this year in September

Occupation: Former Professor of Education, currently artist and Reiki master

Favorite bike: I am getting a Luna prebuilt and can't wait. Would love to have a custom built Luna with Campy stuff on it. Yum.

What's in your stable? Fuji Provence, and a Fuji Sagres

Fastest speed on a road bike? where? when? 30.1 down a hill in Bedford MA, woo hoo!

Another picture of yourself or your ride? No pics yet.


What is the biggest lie you've ever told: Hmmm. Don't lie much which is the truth. I've called in sick before when it was really a mental health day. I guess that counts.

Most memorable moment on my bike: Well, I was just getting to know my sweetie and he took me for a bike ride. We rode about 25 miles which was the longest I had ever gone. At one point, when my energy was flagging, he put his hand on the small of my back and gave me a much needed push. Not only was it helpful, but a surge of electricity went through me. I guess I fell in love on a bicycle, at least in part.


Most fun ever had on a bike? I have fun all the time for different reasons. Sometimes it's fun to ride with my eleven year old daughter. She'll pass me and say catch me. When I do and then pass her she says, "Mommy, I am tired, slow down!" So, I do. She'll change gears for the fun of it petalling 90 mph and then put it in the big ring just to see what happens. All in the life of an eleven year old!

[colby]

Real name: Nicole

Where do you live? Liberty Lake, WA (just east of Spokane, WA, near the WA/ID border)

Explanation of your handle: Colby has been my nickname since my brother (now 13, half my age) was young and couldn't pronounce the "Ni-" syllable in Nicole. Colby is much easier to say in a really whiny voice than Nicole

Explanation of your avatar: It's the Dolby Digital symbol except the first D is reversed to be a C -- Colby Digital.

Age (general or specific): 26

Occupation: Technically, my title is Director, Product Management, but I am really just an engineer-type person at a network security software company with lots of extra responsibility. I do love my job, but it keeps me busy.

Favorite bike: I'm a little new to the whole "actually interested in bikes" scene, so I don't have any favorites.

What's in your stable? I just bought a Novara Carema Pro (2006) from REI (of course) a couple of months ago (see her here). I also have a cheapie MTB we bought at Costco for $200 just to have something to ride trails and dirt with.

Fastest speed on a road bike? where? when? I don't have a magic computer just yet, so I don't really know. When I biked with a friend last, we averaged 12 and ended up going around 25 down a hill, but it is a paved trail so we tried not to go too crazy down hills

Another picture of yourself or your ride? Hmm, I don't have any pictures up anywhere.

What is the biggest lie you've ever told: "It doesn't hurt, really"

Most memorable moment on my bike: I haven't had my new bike very long, but I really enjoy it. Just recently, we were biking a local trail system, and a pair of bikers were right behind myself and a friend. We came up to a hill, one of the guys passed us with a friendly "hello" (so we knew the second would be not far behind). As we separated and went up the hill (she tells me I speed up on hills ), I could hear the second guy RIGHT behind me, but the further we went the more ground he lost... so I slowed down to let him pass near the top, and his friendly greeting was more like a pant that resembled "hello" -- his ego might have been bruised, but it was definitely memorable!

Most fun ever had on a bike? The most fun moments are those ones where everything is in synch. You can feel your legs moving in a perfect rhythm, your body moving just right, and your mind clears... everything kind of disappears.

I really enjoyed reading everyone else's introductions, so I didn't think it was fair to not post my own

[Starfish]

Real name: Liz

Where do you live? Olympic Peninsula, WA State

Explanation of your handle: That old parable about the starfish on the beach is meaningful for me, and helps me remember a lot of the way I want to be in the world.

One day on the beach at low tide after a storm, stretching into the distance, countless starfish were stranded above the water line. A woman slowly walked the beach, tossing each starfish back into the water as she came to it. An observer asked her how she could think it could matter, or make any difference, when she could never reach them all. Her response: "It matters to this one."

Explanation of your avatar: Coming soon!

Age (general or specific): Newly 40!

Occupation: In transition. Soon to be Certified Life Coach.

Favorite bike: The one in my head at any given moment! Current dreams include a custom Seven Axiom, Jett saddle, Salsa bar, in Electric Blueberry and Amber Ale.

What's in your stable? The one bike in my "stable" ;-) is a Specialized Sequoia Elite, which is starting to look pretty weird with recently added aero bars and soon to be added mountain bike cassette and derailleur on the back! Some would say a strange combo.

Fastest speed on a road bike? 42mph... where? Down the Hurricane Ridge Road in Port Angeles... when? Almost every time! I dream of someday having the bike and handling skills to go faster.

Another picture of yourself or your ride? I need to get on this.

What is the biggest lie you've ever told: Any of the ones I told myself while ever dating a man I knew deep down wasn't right for me.

Most memorable moment on my bike: I don't think I could choose, but finishing my first century alone has to be up there.

Most fun ever had on a bike? It would be pretty hard to choose from all the great memories, but strangely enough, what comes to mind is my last ride, a couple days ago. Nothing too special, but I treated myself to a completely flat ride just for fun (flat rides are limited around here), to work on my spin and position on the aero bars, and it was just a blast. Rare warm sunny day without wind. Beautiful view. I felt strong. I live for those days.

I'm new to this forum, but have been lurking & reading for a few days. You seem like a good group!

[kelownagirl]

Real name: Barb

Where do you live? Kelowna, BC, Canada

Explanation of your handle: I'm from Kelowna. I'm a girl.

Explanation of your avatar: Hang on while I go find out what that is.....

....is it graphic? If so, I don't have one (yet)

Age (general or specific) 46

Occupation: Elementary School teacher

Favorite bike: My current bike 2005 Rocky Mountain Fusion. Don't have a "dream" bike - haven't done this long enough yet.

What's in your stable? 2005 Rocky Mountain Fusion

Fastest speed on a road bike? where? when? Don't have a road bike but I've done 45kmh on my mountain bike, going downhill. Could go faster but too scared still.

Another picture of yourself or your ride? Am I supposed to put it on here?

What is the biggest lie you've ever told: Hmmm, will have to think about that one. Probably one told to my kids in good faith.It wasn't about biking though.


Most memorable moment on my bike: Haven't had one yet. Oh wait, I rode 50+k last summer when it was over 100 degrees and I had pretty well zero experience.

Most fun ever had on a bike? I'm sorry, I just don't have any good stories yet.

[Melody]

Hi to everyone who has joined that I haven't said hi to yet! Welcome to the boards and may you find many many smooth roads ahead

Mel

[cinderly]

Real name: Cindy (Cynthia if we're signing contracts)

Where do you live? Anchorage, Alaska aka Paradise

Explanation of your handle: Ready for a long story? OK.

Back in high school, I was on Yearbook staff. And the Copy Editor and I did NOT get along. (As Editor in Chief I was his 'boss'.) Anyway, we would taunt one another with various derivations of our first names. He became Sethbian, I became CinderBlock. Cinderly evolved from there.

Explanation of your avatar: I love my cats. No, you don't understand. I LOVE my cats. They are the most spoiled cats west of the Mississippi, if not in the entire Western Hemisphere.

Age (general or specific) I'm turning 30 this November! Woo hoo!

Occupation: Executive Babysitter and Language Geek (more commonly known as Administrative Assistant and Technical Editor)

Favorite bike: Eventually, maybe, something custom. For now, my Rockhopper rocks.

What's in your stable? 2005 Specialized Rockhopper. 15" silver.

Fastest speed on a road bike? where? when? Honey, I'm doing good to be moving at all.

Another picture of yourself or your ride? Nothing yet.

What is the biggest lie you've ever told: I told my SO that I was completely out of debt when I still owed almost $10,000 to credit card companies. Somehow, we managed to weather that storm.

Most memorable moment on my bike: It's a tie -- the time I rode 20+ miles without realizing I had done so (I was 14) or the night I got my RH home and was instantly hooked. I look forward to replacing these as I ride more.

Most fun ever had on a bike? I'm still in the very early stages, so just about every moment on a bike is some combination of "This-is-so-cool-OUCH!"

[CorsairMac]

Welcome to the board Cinderly! Anchorage?? and here I whine when the temps drop below 50! so just what Is the riding season in Alaska??......2 weeks in July?? oh I'm sorry - was that wishful thinking?? (Cmac Hates the cold - can you tell!) Oh - and I recognized the Executive Babysitter as soon as I saw it! Good thing we love our jobs eh?!

WElcome!!

[cinderly]

Dang, you're fast, lady!

The riding season in Anchorage varies with the rider's tolerance for cold. MY riding season is about the same as my hiking season -- mid-April through mid-October. I know several people who commute by bike year-round.

Despite being a life-long Alaskan, I'm still incredibly cold intolerant, so I picked up a trainer from Craigslist this week. Hopefully, that'll get me through the winter.

Thanks for the welcome. I've been lurking here for a few days and have been amazed and heartened by the camraderie and enthusiasm I've seen. TE rocks!

[Bron]

Thanks for the welcome!

In answer to CorsairMac, I´m the Peugeot owner. I´m trying to date it and find out what it was using old catalogues, so I don´t know what model it is yet. Originally an egg-yolk yellow road bike with 10 speeds and alloy wheels; any ideas? I bought it in a pretty battered condition and have ridden it for the last 13 years, so I think it may deserve some restoration while I ride something a bit younger (like the Bianchi I tested this evening......)

Bron

[CorsairMac]

Thanks for the welcome!

In answer to CorsairMac, I´m the Peugeot owner. I´m trying to date it and find out what it was using old catalogues, so I don´t know what model it is yet. Originally an egg-yolk yellow road bike with 10 speeds and alloy wheels; any ideas? I bought it in a pretty battered condition and have ridden it for the last 13 years, so I think it may deserve some restoration while I ride something a bit younger (like the Bianchi I tested this evening......)

Bron

Does it have the original components on it? Also, mine has the "name" stamped on one side of the top tube but depending on the year yours may not. You could try looking at the hubs - if they're original, Peugeot used to stamp the month and the year the bike was produced on the hubs. Mine is an 87. I replaced all the cables and housings when I got it, plus new handlebar tape and I switched out the pedals for clipless but I kept the old ones as they were original to the bike. The rest of it is pretty much original and it's a great bike.

There are several vintage riders and vintage bike riders on the board - welcome to the club!!

[Triskeliongirl]

Hi. I’ve lurked here for a while, occasionally posting, but have never formally introduced myself. I am what I call a ‘lifestyle’ cyclist, been riding bikes all my life (I am 48). My real name is Eileen Lafer. I commute daily on an old terry classic (recently redone with ultegra/XT parts and drop bars), enjoy fast club rides on the weekend on my 2005 terry titanium Isis, and love to tour on vacation. Pix of my bikes can be found on bike journal (http://www.bikejournal.com/profiles....Triskeliongirl). I used to ride a bike friday pocket rocket pro until it was stolen last year , and am still friends with many in that community. I toured with Lynette Chiang in Chiapis a few years back (http://www.bikefriday.com/main.cfm?f...&Category=News), and she recently stayed with me on her Texas Tour and followed me to work one day where she made this great movie that tells you about my professional life and also explains my handle (cycling scientist link- http://www.galfromdownunder.com/movi...leen-lafer.mov). My bikes have weird custom cranksets with dropped pedals to compensate for a 3 cm LLD I was left with after an SUV made an illegal right turn into my hip, but that’s another story for another day. The good news is that with my cool custom cranksets made by Tom Slocum of High Sierra Cycling (http://www.hscycle.com/), I can finally ride again pain free!

[BigRingB*tch]

Real name: Danielle
Where do you live? Tucson, Arizona

Explaination of Handle? My mom is also a cyclist,she finds her comfty zone in cycling in the small ring. One day the going got tough and we had a few miles to go until we got home bound. My mom was ready to throw in the towel and quit. I shifted to the big ring and told her to stop her whining, get on my wheel and ride. As we proceeded pedaling, in the background I heard her yell out "You big ring *****!" My mom and I are good like that, we can joke around. Well, it's one that has stuck!
Explanation of your avatar: avatar??....you mean I could have an avatar??

Age currently 34, 35 July 27th

Occupation: Personal Trainer, Nutrition Coach

Favorite bike: Calnago C40

What's in your stable? Calnago C40 & a Gary Fisher, Sugar III

Fastest speed on a road bike? where? when? 40, riding road, down Mt. Lemmon.

Most memorable moment on my bike: Riding my bike with my mom and dad up Gates Pass, in my altered wedding dress (with white cycling shorts underneath) to get married. My husband on his bike, lead the wedding party that opted to cycle to the ceremony site. Unforgetable

Most memorable ride: "The shootout" in Tucson, Arizona and making it all the way around! It's a fast, hard ride that alot of pros come out to. They jokingly call it "the world championships". It's a rush!

[LL_Super_D]

Triskelion - sorry to hear about the pocket rocket ! What a bummer...

BigRing - loved the most memorable bike moment. I think that's the most unique wedding I've heard of yet!