Getting to Know You!

[mimitabby]

hey! we have a grandmother on board! welcome newRidder (what are you rid of?) There are plenty of us here who remember the 1950's! I hope to be a grandmother some day; but my sons are not in a big rush for some reason.

and a big welcome to littleGrasshopper too. (that's my bike's name; but in Italian; Cavalletta)

[MtnBikerChk]

Real name: I could tell you but...well, you know
Where do you live? Central CT

Explanation of your handle: The first chat board I joined was circa 2000 and it was a fitness site (I still post and moderate there). So to them I was the mountain biking chick - and it stuck. Call me MBC for short.

Explanation of your avatar: I love Buttercup - she's the butt kicker of the powerpuff girls

Age (general or specific) 35

Occupation: CPA

Favorite bike: Titus Moto Lite

What's in your stable? Said Titus, 1995 Specialized RockHopper and a Giant OCR 1 roadie

Fastest speed on a road bike? where? when? Maybe 35MPH? I'm not speed demon by any measure.

Another picture of yourself or your ride? My husband is NUTS with the camera - I have TONS of pics!

What is the biggest lie you've ever told: I only tell white lies (ok, that's a lie).

Most memorable moment on my bike: When my cousin's (now) husband dropped to his knee on the trail and proposed to her. I was as shocked as she was.

Most fun ever had on a bike? I love going to the Kingdom Trails in the Northeast Kingdom in VT.

[bboston88]

Real name: Beth

Where do you live? Smyrna, GA, moved from SF about 2 years ago

Explanation of your handle: Maiden name is Boston, never lived there. 88 stands for a hockey player's number I had a crush on about 15 years ago. It just stuck.

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

Age (general or specific) 35.

Occupation: Attorney.

Favorite bike: Waiting on my new Ruby to arrive from fellow TE member.

What's in your stable? Lemond Reno, which is being converted to cross. Soon to arrive Specialized Ruby comp.

Fastest speed on a road bike? Descending into Sausalito, around 35mph


What is the biggest lie you've ever told: Sure I'll think about having another child

Most memorable moment on my bike: Descending into Sausalito, getting beers at Sam's in Tiburon at the end of a long ride.

Most fun ever had on a bike? Same as above!

[frnz]

Real name: Natalie

Where do you live? Bellingham, WA, soon to be Leavenworth, WA, and back again.

Explanation of your handle: It's a sekrit

Explanation of your avatar: A BELUGA WHALE. Because they're awesome and...it looks so happy.

Age (general or specific) 18 ...and a half

Occupation: Full-Time College Student, this summer I'm a Forest Service Intern

Favorite bike: Hehe, I only have one bike. For now.

What's in your stable?
1972 Motobécane Mirage

Fastest speed on a road bike? I don't have a computer, but I've kept along with traffic when the speed limit is 35 before.

Another picture of yourself or your ride? This is the best picture I have. Though it's majorly due for a makeover


What is the biggest lie you've ever told: Biggest lie. I got nothin'.

Most memorable moment on my bike: Well, how about when I didn't lock my bike up properly, I went outside in the morning to find it gone and then, lo and behold, came home from class that afternoon to find it locked to the same place with a note that said "Sorry, I really needed a ride last night. Put your lock on and I'll take mine off"
The bike fairy, or a surprisingly nice most likely drunk person, visited and taught me to lock up like I should

Most fun ever had on a bike? I was riding home from a bookstore and freakin torrents of rain started falling from the sky. I got home and didn't want to stop riding, so I rode around campus for an hour or so, getting soaked and feeling super awesome.

[Savra]

Real name: Savra

Where do you live? For the moment, Buffalo, NY. I'm from Ca. and Nv.

Explanation of your handle: I picked my name since it's so unusual.

Explanation of your avatar: Don't have one yet.

Age (general or specific) 36.

Occupation: Social worker/PhD Student

Favorite bike: Specialized Hardrock and Specialized Dolce. My 10-yr old Hardrock has been very reliable and trusty so it still is my favorite but it will probably sadly be replaced by the Dolce.

What's in your stable? See above.

Fastest speed on a road bike? 28mph on a downhill. I imagine if I were still in the west it would be much fast. The hills here are pretty small.


What is the biggest lie you've ever told: I suck at lying.

Most memorable moment on my bike: Hmm. I think my favorite ride is South Lake Tahoe. SF is the second best. The wind across the Golden Gate Bridge is very memorable as well as sunset at Lake Tahoe. Oh, riding my bike in the Gay Pride Parade was fun.

Most fun ever had on a bike? There are many.

[cyclinggrlUT]

Real name: Becky
Where do you live? Washington, Utah

Explanation of your handle: I'm a girl that cycles in utah lol

Explanation of your avatar: My baby, amber mae

Age (general or specific) 24

Occupation: Payroll Assistant

Favorite bike: Any bike that I can ride!

What's in your stable? 2008 Specialized Dolce Elite

Fastest speed on a road bike? where? when? 34mph, flying down the hill by Coral Canyon, it was crazy!

Another picture of yourself or your ride? I dont have any of me on my bike

What is the biggest lie you've ever told: lies?

Most memorable moment on my bike: The first time I got on my bike, I felt like a bad ***, I was riding up and down the road getting use to it and there was a small hill that i went up, when I went to turn around it was too tight and I fell straight over -- I forgot I was clipped in! it was great

Most fun ever had on a bike? Right after coming up snow canyon, riding the trail down past the Ledges, such a rush!

[unhurt]

Real name: not on the internet, sorry!

Where do you live? belfast, northern ireland (at the moment - from scotland though)

Explanation of your handle: this a long and unenlightening story involving the theme tune to m*a*s*h and quite a lot of wine and a conversation about isomers.

Explanation of your avatar: i should get one of those, right?

Age (general or specific): 33

Occupation: archaeologist and businesswoman (at once. really!)

Favorite bike: i come over a bit funny looking at koga miyata trekking bikes. i also covet my wee brother's specialized tricross sport.

What's in your stable? cannondale touring classic 2007 and my trusty old edinburgh bikes coast hybrid. for now...

Fastest speed on a road bike? where? when? 39 mph down a very long, very steep hill on the sunshine coast in BC on the cannondale this spring. i had a lot of weight in my panniers helping me along. terrifying, but fun!

A(nother?) picture of yourself or your ride?

the old workhorse (my "very cheap bike" - thanks, mr elliot bay bikes in seattle for your assessment! but you fixed her up, so i forgive you) on a beach in oregon in 2007 (the beach was a bad plan. i squeaked when i pedaled for the next two days):



my shiny new baby on the way home for christmas '07 (galloway forest park):



What is the biggest lie you've ever told: i need to know what scale we're using here. richter?

Most memorable moment on my bike: crossing the four mile long bridge between washingon state and oregon at astoria in the rush hour, with a side-wind. almost at the top of the high part, about 3.5 miles across, really wishing i had packed less gear for this touring lark, trying to squeeze as far to the right as possible. hit the concrete side of the bridge with my right front pannier, bike threw itself down into traffic, i sprang gazelle-like onto the six inch wide shelf at the side of the road. lots of honking. somehow managed to get bike upright, front pannier rehooked and myself back on bike in about 15 seconds and resume (shaky) progress the rest of the way without causing a massive traffic jam. (there's no footpath or i would have walked the bike over! next time i will wait till 2am or something and cross at my leisure...). that or the time in belfast that 7 year olds threw broken bottles at my head. and hit me. ow.

Most fun ever had on a bike? my first real tour last year, seattle to san francisco (solo & camping). loved (almost) every minute with the possible exception of the bridge thing above. and the up-down-up-down-up AGAIN with a permanent headwind part in north california. highway 1, you may be beautiful, but you are EVIL.

[rbs4fun]

Real name:

Where do you live? Las Vegas, NV

Explanation of your handle: Run bike swim for fun. I want to do tri's for fun, weight maintenance and fitness.

Explanation of your avatar: my bike in front of a town sign, a bigger version is below.

Age (general or specific) 34

Occupation: Designer

Favorite bike: my current (and only) bike, Novara Carema Pro from REI.

What's in your stable? same as above.

Fastest speed on a road bike? where? when? 32mph on March 30th, coming down the bike path from Boulder City to Lake Mead.

Another picture of yourself or your ride?





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

Most memorable moment on my bike: Since this is still fairly new to me, I have lots of memorable moments, every new route, new course, new people to ride with are all awesome.

Most fun ever had on a bike? I went on a ride with 5 other people over Memorial Day weekend and after 5 minutes of pedaling it poured. We rode for another 10 minutes but the rain came down hard and it hurt so we took cover under and waited till it became a drizzle and continued on. The girl who organized the ride felt bad but I had a blast. We dried off in no time.

[Red Rock]

It is nice to see so many new faces here. I hope to learn more about your cycling adventures here on TE. Welcome to the group.

[greenme]

Real name: Julie

Where do you live? Vancouver, BC

Explanation of your handle: I think I'm becoming an eco-zealot. Please turn off you engine while you sit there and pick your nose, ok?

Explanation of your avatar: Bugsy is the most athletic being in our family.

Age (general or specific) 40-something?

Occupation: computer support unless the tests tell me I should be doing something else.

Favourite bike: don't know enough to have one

What's in your stable? Canondale Adventure 500

Fastest speed on a road bike? where? when? 26kph crossing the Burrard St. bridge on the descent, if my cateye can be trusted. Oops, I mean 15kph as per the speed limit.

Another picture of yourself or your ride? sorry, not at this time.

What is the biggest lie you've ever told: Can't remember. Short term memory works both ways.

Most memorable moment on my bike: Stopping to help another commuter tighten her handlebars. I'm sure I saved her life.

Most fun ever had on a bike? I'm not a real adventure person but riding handsfree around a number of street corners for the first time was kind of exhilerating.

I have a bunch of questions but will attempt to find the right forum for them. Woohoo!

[peachgirl]

Real name: classified

Where do you live?: St Louis, MO

Explanation of your handle: picked it up as a nickname on another forum.

Explanation of your avatar: My children drive me to drink

Age (general or specific) 41

Occupation: SAHM/aspiring freelance writer and designer

Favorite bike: The only one I have

What's in your stable? Trek Navigator

Fastest speed on a road bike? where? when?: I only have a MTB...and until fairly recently my riding partner had training wheels, so not very fast...

Another picture of yourself or your ride? working on it

What is the biggest lie you've ever told: Today?

Most memorable moment on my bike: working towards one I suppose. I'm a big ol' newbie...

Most fun ever had on a bike? "racing" with my sons

[Jammin]

Real name: Jaimee

Where do you live? Boulder, CO

Explanation of your handle: I had a red sled when I was 10 and I put stickers on it that said 'Jammin Jaimee's Red Sled' ...... I've always thought of that title

Explanation of your avatar: Is that my photo?

Age (general or specific) 30

Occupation: I appraise office and industrial properties for banks, I also manage my husband's business

Favorite bike: I am eyeball-ing the Santa Cruz Juliana

What's in your stable? I really do have a barn where I store my bikes! I have a Specialized Allez and and old Schwinn S40

Fastest speed on a road bike? where? when? Not sure how fast, but I was going downhill!

Another picture of yourself or your ride? My favorite pic is on Steamboat Mtn, but don't have it in electronic form.....it was taken before the days of digital cameras

What is the biggest lie you've ever told: I took a photo of a photo in sixth grade and got an award for my creativity.....I never told anyone that I actually took a picture of another photograph

Most memorable moment on my bike: Riding down a large hill with by bike trailer and extremely afraid of crashing with my two year old in tow

Most fun ever had on a bike? I love pushing myself uphill

[KristenT]

Real name: Kristen

Where do you live? Portland, OR

Explanation of your handle: First name, last initial

Explanation of your avatar: my rally car at an event I was having quite a lot of fun... the full picture is approaching a sweeper left, and I was definitely going too fast! Made it through, though, with lots of giggling.

Age (general or specific) 35

Occupation: Senior Payroll Specialist

Favorite bike: my Schwinn commuter and my Trek rec road bike

What's in your stable? 2006 Schwinn Supersport GS (flat bar road bike-- super commuter!) and 2008 Trek WSD 2.3 (my first "real" road bike-- super flyer!)

Fastest speed on a road bike? where? when? 41mph, downhill near the end of the Bridge Pedal last year. Whoa-fast!

Another picture of yourself or your ride? I think there may be one or two posted on the Fat Cyclist.com flickr group... I know there's some from the Bridge Pedal but I don't have them hosted anywhere.

Most memorable moment on my bike: Riding with my BF on the Vineride in 2007-- he did the 100, I did the 67-mile route; after the two routes diverged, I forged on alone to the next rest stop to wait for him. That 15-mile stretch of road was quite awesome! And then the rest of the ride after he got done with the extra 30-mile loop, that was great. He cheered me up the last three hills. What a great guy!

Most fun I've ever had on my bike: any day I get to ride!

[Chicken Little]

Real name: Susan
Where do you live? Abq, NM

Explanation of your handle: Paranoia related to all mechanical malfunctions
Explanation of avatar: Best and last greyhound we had- Zippy
Age: 45
Occupation: Trauma Nurse
Favorite bike: Dahon folder
What's in the stable: Iron Horse 5.0, Honda VFR800 FI
Most Memorable and Fun Moment on a bike: Riding with my friends along the ditch in the late evening, end of summer. I was 12 again.

[JLMitchell]

Real name: Jan

Where do you live? Outside of Memphis, TN

Explanation of your handle: First initial, middle initial, last name

Explanation of your avatar: I don't have one, but I may throw my bike up there.

Age (general or specific): Twenties

Occupation: Student, teacher at a rehab

Favorite bike: I dunno, I'm a noob. Every time I go to my not-so LBS, I want them all, even the few fixed-gear ones that I would probably kill myself on.

What's in your stable? I just traded-in my mountain bike toward payment on my first road bike. Here's the old one:
.
A used 56 cm Giant Chinook, probably from the early 90s. It was nice, but it was horrible for staying with the pack on long and hilly group rides. Pissed me off. Plus, after I arrived all sweaty, the others (looking as fresh as daisies) would ask me how my knobby tires were working for me, and if I got enough of a workout. After less than a month, I made the switch.

The new one is a used 56 cm Raleigh R800 pro, 2000 model. Got an insane deal on it and I'm pretty stoked. There were clipless pedals on it, but they were replaced with "normal" ones. I'm pretty sure I'm going to change the seat; it was painful. The LBS people were telling me about all the other cool stuff on it, but since I had no idea what they were talking about, I was especially impressed with how light it is compared to my old bike. It blew my mind, I didn't know bikes could be that light. And it's really flashy, but I hope I use it to its potential.

Fastest speed on a road bike? where? when? No idea, probably something stupid like 20 mph downhill. But I like to go fast, so we'll see.

Another picture of yourself or your ride? None other than the one above. Plus, I'm a pro at dodging photo ops. I'm always the one behind the camera.

What is the biggest lie you've ever told? I dunno, but there have been some whoppers.

Most memorable moment on my bike: Riding with a group for the first time was pretty cool.

Most fun I've ever had on my bike: So far any time I'm riding is fun (after the initial butt pain period.)