Getting to Know You!

[Nansel]

I signed up here quite a while ago, but only lurked. I've been lusting after a road bike for a couple of years, and finally have one again (as of last weekend! yay!). I'm so excited.

Real name: Nancy
Where do you live? Vancouver Island
Explanation of your handle: Old nickname
Explanation of your avatar: my dog
Age (general or specific) The big 4-0!
Occupation: Library Assistant
Favorite bike: any one I'm riding
What's in your stable? old Kona Fire Mountain, 2007 Giant OCR1
Fastest speed on a road bike? where? when? Not sure. I've kept up with traffic in town more than once (downhill, of course!).
Another picture of yourself or your ride? Here's my new (slightly used) baby.




What is the biggest lie you've ever told: ? I don't honestly know. (hee hee)
Most memorable moment on my bike: Rolling into Kingston, Ontario at the end of my first and only century, in 1992.
Most fun ever had on a bike? Oh, wow, too many moments to list.

[crazycanuck]

Hey there!

Just a quick welcome

Froglegs...My dear was once nicknamed froglips by his sister

Nansel-Van I is a relatively big place..Are you in Vic or beyond? (used to live near Fairburn School in Vic..many many many moons ago..when i was a sprog)

C

[Funhog]

Real name: Jennifer Sage
Where do you live? Vail, Colorado (where there is lots of snow at the moment)

Explanation of your handle: A nickname given to me when I moved to Vail after quitting a high paying corporate job to become a ski bum 14 years ago! And it signifies my outlook on life - life's too short not to enjoy it to the max and have a great time! But rest-assured, I DO share some of the fun, In fact, helping others have fun is part of my job!

Explanation of your avatar: Not sure if it shows up, because it shows up as a picture under My Current Avatar, but it also said upload failed (even though the pic was only 12 kb). And I can't see it here on the preview page. But, it is a photo from the caravan at the Tour de France, of my favorite "vehicle" - the pink FUNHOG! I go to the Tour every year, and this year it was very disappointing....because the Funhog wasn't there! (Note, we had a blast at the Tour this year, even though there were many disappointments among the riders. But hey, look where we were and look at the rides we did up some of the biggest cols in the Alpes! Who can be bummed about that?)

Age (general or specific): 46

Occupation: Personal Trainer, fitness consultant, Master Instructor for Spinning, distributor customized vitamins, motivational speaker, and owner of a Bicycle Tour Company! www.vivatravels.com

Favorite bike: Have a 6-yr old Serotta which I can't wait to get rid of, just bought a used Orbea which will hold me over until I can get a custom designed bicycle - I am still researching which one I want.

What's in your stable? Along with the Serotta (the Orbea is in San Francisco waiting to be sent to me) I have a Trek Fuel mountain bike.

Fastest speed on a road bike? Many many years ago with a fully loaded touring bike with front and back panniers, screaming downhill on a wide road at 65 kph in New Zealand! It's awfully stable with front and back panniers. Nowadays, no desire to go that fast


What is the biggest lie you've ever told: Just the occasional white lie...

Most memorable moment on my bike: Riding around Europe self-supported solo in 1988 for 2 months. 2,500 miles. I would not do now what I did then (at least a woman riding solo). Back then, I never once feared for my safety or worried about anything getting ripped off. Did the same thing for a month in New Zealand in 1991, for 1,500 miles.

Most fun ever had on a bike? Climbing Alpe d'Huez. Ok, so it hurt, but it was fun afterwards!


I am eager to meet you guys online! I have been lurking for awhile but thought it was time to introduce myself. Cycling is my favorite thing in the whole world, and in fact, I want to do it all over the whole world! And take others there to do it with me!!

I am very active on two indoor cycling forums, www.pedal-on.com and www.innercycling.com. Same moniker, same avatar. I think I learned about this originally from someone on one of those sites.

My blogs: http://cyclingeurope.wordpress.com
http://reachyourpeak.wordpress.com

Great to meet you all!

Jennifer Sage

[Nansel]

Nansel-Van I is a relatively big place..Are you in Vic or beyond? (used to live near Fairburn School in Vic..many many many moons ago..when i was a sprog)

C

Oh! I just saw this, sorry crazycanuck. I'm up in Nanaimo. Been to Vic quite a bit - it's the little bit of civilization on this rock!

[breezy]

Real name: April

Where do you live? Upstate NY

Explanation of your handle: Give me a day with a warm breeze and I feel like I can do anything!

Explanation of your avatar: My new ride.

Age (general or specific) 30s

Occupation: Archaeologist

Favorite bike: Anything that can climb a hill and roar down the other side.

What's in your stable? Trek Pilot 5 WSD (road), Diamondback Wildwood (hybrid)

Fastest speed on a road bike? where? when? I can hit 32 going down a curvy hill by my house. The speed limit there is 15.

Another picture of yourself or your ride?


What is the biggest lie you've ever told: I meant to do that.

Most memorable moment on my bike: Completing the Lowlander Cycle Tour (5000+ft of climbing over 100 miles) on my hybrid, two weeks after a crash took a chunk of flesh out of my knee, all the way down to the cartilage.

[girlracer]

Real name: Kerri
Where do you live? Pennsylvania

Explanation of your handle:

Explanation of your avatar:

Age (general or specific) 29

Occupation: Grad student

Favorite bike: Orbea opal

What's in your stable? Trek mtn bike, litespeed arenberg (trying to sell ) and my orbea opal racing bike.

Fastest speed on a road bike? where? when? 28 mph, sprint, final lap in a race this past racing season

Another picture of yourself or your ride? of my ride. hands down. too many of both from racing


What is the biggest lie you've ever told: I am not good at lying, i think about it and am caught.

Most memorable moment on my bike: winning my first race desipite having a injury earlier in the season!

Most fun ever had on a bike? Riding with my normal training goup. They are soo much FUN and are some of the best people I know.
__________________

[Road Rash]

Real name: Sharon

Where do you live? Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada

Explanation of your handle: Nickname given me by cycling partner after she didn’t hear my yells when I crashed and she disappeared down the next hill so she could build up momentum for the next climb.

Explanation of your avatar: I’m working on it.

Age (general or specific) 40ish

Occupation: Mom returning to the job market

Favorite bike: One that doesn’t break – see below.

What's in your stable? Norco Tri – A touchy roadie, Phoenix Buzzard (for towing the kid and touring)

Fastest speed on a road bike? where? when? I do like to go fast downhill, but don’t have a computer on my roadbike.

Another picture of yourself or your ride? Again – working on it.

What is the biggest lie you've ever told: I try not to.

Most memorable moment on my bike: My first and only race so far was a Tri – a – Tri (mini triathalon). After a miserable swim – my wetsuit was too small, I hopped on my bike and was climbing a hill just after the turnaround point and my chain broke. I had to ride my bike like a scooter back to the transition area where I was ready to pack it in but sucked it up and trotted the run distance to finish dead last – but I finished.

Most fun ever had on a bike? Cycling along the Oregon Coast, you can hear and smell the sealions before you see them.

[blondiebiker]

Real name: Kristy

Where do you live? San Diego

Explanation of your handle: Blondie is the name of my bike - it's a yellow frame

Explanation of your avatar: I’m working on it.

Age (general or specific) 25

Occupation: Grad student

Favorite bike: Mine!

What's in your stable? Cannondale R500, Dura Ace components

Fastest speed on a road bike? where? when? 33.1, during the shadow tours stagecoach century last weekend

Another picture of yourself or your ride? http://unm.facebook.com/album.php?ai...8b&id=11600271

What is the biggest lie you've ever told: No, mom, I've never fallen off my bike!

Most memorable moment on my bike: My first tri, back when I thought that I liked running better than cycling. I got on the bike after the swim, dead last in the women's division, and passed enough people to come in 5th in my age group.

Most fun ever had on a bike? Every time I round the bend down the Torrey Pines hill and see the ocean stretched out in front of me... after growing up in a land-locked state (NM), that's about as good as it gets!

[Vireo]

Real name: George

Where do you live? Huntington Beach, Ca.

Explanation of your handle: Vireo (Red Eyed Vireo) is my totem for Furnace Creek 508. Instead of race numbers, you choose an animal totem.

Explanation of your avatar: Red Eyed Vireo

Age (general or specific) 42

Occupation: Bike Peddler! I work for a major multisport retailer and I am also a cycling coach.

Favorite bike: Choosing one favorite would hurt the others feelings!

What's in your stable? Too many to list!

Fastest speed on a road bike? where? when? 60+ on a descent on Everest Challenge.

Another picture of yourself or your ride?

Most memorable moment on my bike: I was supposed to meet a friend for a ride and they bailed at the last minute. I headed north on the coast on my fixed gear and stopped in San Clemente at a 7-11 to refuel. Next thing I know there is a group of riders coming in from the north. They were on a century, headed south to San Diego and Brandy was among them. I made the wise decision to turn around and ride south with them, Brandy and I hit it off and the rest is history. The picture above is from the day that we met.

Most fun I've ever had on my bike: First time I rode my fixed gear. Fun, but scary!

[jesvetmed]

I've been reading in silence since last summer, but just came across this posting. What fun reading all of this! You all are a great help to a newbie!

Real name: Jessica

Where do you live? Skagit Valley, WA (North of Seattle... just far enough!)

Explanation of your handle: My nickname (jes), and I'm a veterinarian.
Explanation of your avatar: My favorite view of my dog -- running and happy on our running trail!

Age (general or specific) 41 and improving!

Occupation: ER Veterinarian. I love the nightlife.

Favorite bike: The only one I own. Specialized Sequoia Elite Road Bike.

What's in your stable? A lot of wishes!

Fastest speed on a road bike? where? when? I think I saw 33mph... down the big hill on my regular loop ride. Anything beyond that and I'm on the brakes.

Another picture of yourself or your ride?

What is the biggest lie you've ever told: "Of course I don't mind you calling me at home about your pet..."

Most memorable moment on my bike: At my first tri (last summer).... I sucked terribly in the swim, came out at least half way back. And finished the bike in second place overall. If only my most memorable run could have followed it.

Most fun ever had on a bike? Riding the old rusty borrowed beach bike around St. Simons, GA, with my buddy Paula. Always to somewhere to get a beer, and not a hill on the entire island! (See pic above).

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Hey Jes, what a great photo! Which one are you?

[jesvetmed]

Thanks! I'm on the left.. my red headed days!

[Belita]

Real name: Beth
Where do you live? Sarona, Wisconsin

Explanation of your handle: Am I talking about Belita or knit-n-ride? Belita has been my Spanish name since 7th grade. Knit-n-ride because I love to do both, sometimes at the same time--when I'm on the trainer though

Explanation of your avatar: avatar???

Age (general or specific) 38 in July

Occupation: Spanish teacher

Favorite bike: Terry Symmetry

What's in your stable? 2006 Trek 1600 WSD, 2007 Gary Fischer Hi-Fi, 1987 Schwinn Tempo, Trek 920 frame that I hope to make into something someday, maybe a single speed winter bike?

Fastest speed on a road bike? where? when? 48 going down BIG hill here in WI last October

Another picture of yourself or your ride? I have some somewhere...

What is the biggest lie you've ever told: I never lie.

Most memorable moment on my bike: Crashing into a spectator during a race. Well, really she lived nearby and didn't have the foggiest idea what was going on. She was twice my size and wearing a blue nylon windbreaker when I ran my bike right between her legs, then she fell on top of me and my bike. I was really mad and said many choice words and threw my bike at her.

Most fun ever had on a bike? Riding the BWUB (Bike With Us to Bayfield) and Tuesday night shop rides.
__________________

[LainiePants]

I decided today was the day to stop lurking. So....

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

Explanation of your handle: I suppose it's just a nick-name. I DO like pants however.

Explanation of your avatar:
It's a pic of me going up steep muddy stairs in my 1st CX race. I think in makes me look like i was "running" up the stairs. but i really, really wasn't.

Age: 27

Occupation: Student....

Favorite bike: Don't make me choose favorites, it's not nice.

What's in your stable? Kona Jake the Snake. Specialize Allez. and Old Blue.

Fastest speed on a road bike? where? when? oh....I'd say around 40, on the down side of a hill I'd bet.

Another picture of yourself or your ride?

Drenched in mud but keeping a brave face: (see below...maybe?)

Most memorable moment on my bike:
I remember it like it was yesterday (it was yesterday). All day I had thought i was having trouble with my left pedal and/or clear, but when I checked it out, nothing seemed wrong. Then later, while riding though a busy intersection my entire left crank arm falls off....while still attached to my shoe. uh, that was an odd sensation. It was ok though. I managed to pedal though the intersection with my right foot, with the crank arm dangling from my left foot. then stopped and got it put back on well enough to make it home. But I still can't believe it managed to work it's way off.


Most fun ever had on a bike?
Riding around empty streets and parks and the golf course in my hometown in Iowa at 2am and later on my mom's old cruiser (before i had my own) with my boyfriend and my good friends, the summer before I moved away.

Close second would be riding around Crater Lake last summer. Amazing!

[breezy]

This "I remember it like it was yesterday (it was yesterday)" cracked me up...I think it was because I pictured you saying this with a mud covered face.