Getting to Know You!

[rubysoho]

Real name: Nicole
Where do you live? Just west of D.C.

Explanation of your handle: A song from one of the many bands I like.

Explanation of your avatar: oooo... I don't have one (yet)

Age (general or specific): 24

Occupation: Ever changing and still trying to figure out what to do with myself!

Favorite bike: I refuse to let myself look at the super pricey bikes but I am in love with the new Felt ZW3 - hoping to make this my first road bike. I know it isn't anything special to most bike-aficionados but it is the only bike that stands out to me. It is like a crush and I smile just thinking about it. The colors are perfect - my college colors, even though I graduated 2 years ago. I might be crazy for feeling this way about a bike.


What's in your stable? Boyfriend's bike at the moment. It is very ouchie to ride and too big for me. A Cannondale Hybrid 600. Hoping to get a beater bike to fix up for myself over the winter - learn to do all the maintenance myself. It will also be my commuting bike. And then come spring time (Christmas? A halloween present to myself? I really like it...) I will hopefully be purchasing the Felt ZW3.

Fastest speed on a road bike? where? when? No idea

Another picture of yourself or your ride? no pictures, but maybe I will update in the near future


What is the biggest lie you've ever told: A girl has to have her secrets.

Most memorable moment on my bike: Well, it wasn't my bike but I went mountain biking in Costa Rica. It was a ton of fun and it ended with cliff diving into the ocean.

Most fun ever had on a bike? The above is hard to beat, but I will take riding with friends over that trip any day of the week.

[HillSlugger]

Welcome Nicole. I'm Nicole from north of DC. Please stop by the Mid-Atlantic area of the Places to Ride forum.

[DigUpHerBones07]

Real name: Taylor

Where do you live? Chico, CA

Explanation of your handle: Well, I had a baby last year (less than 2 years after getting married) and my life feels like it hasn't been truly mine in awhile, so I am trying to "dig up the bones" of the girl I used to be. Plus it is a really good song which has nothing to do with the explaination I just gave. It's a gorey, horriffic love story.

Explanation of your avatar: hmmm, gonna have to find one of those....

Age (general or specific): 24

Occupation: An aircraft mechanic for now, thinking about re-enlisting in the Air Force, wanting to be a Federal Agent before I am 30.

Favorite bike: The one I got 5 days ago! A brand new 2008 Bianchi Via Nirone 7. It's silver, and I'm smitten.

What's in your stable? See above

Fastest speed on a road bike? where? when? Today, 26.7 mph, Bidwell Park. It was alot of fun!!!

Another picture of yourself or your ride? No photos yet, but I will get my hubby to snap a few hopefully.

What is the biggest lie you've ever told: Not tellin

Most memorable moment on my bike: The first time I was on a bike after childhood. It wasn't my bike, but it was so much fun!! It was in Showa Park in Fussa, Japan. Riding around looking at all of the Cherry Blossoms with some really good friends, and my hubby a few months after getting married.

Most fun ever had on a bike? See above. Good times. Or the first ride on my bike last week. I took it to a Kohl's parking lot. I didn't get a light for it yet and it was too dark to ride without one, so I needed some lights. 2.5 miles riding in circles, changing gears and getting really sore sit bones. Lots of fun!!!!

[TrekTheKaty]

Real name: pass (bike's name is Lightning McQueen--from the movie "Cars")

Where do you live? St. Louis, MO

Explanation of your handle: Last name (Cunningham) and in the aviation industry (Air)

Explanation of your avatar: I'm a goofball, from my favorite movie--Monsters Inc

Age (general or specific): Midlife crisis for the last 7 years--37

Occupation: aviation

Favorite bike: I love my new, first, street bike--Trek WSD 2.1 but I wouldn't turn away a Madone

What's in your stable? Trek 7500 Multitrack (hybrid) and DH's first custom bike he built himself

Fastest speed on a road bike? where? when? Saw 30 for the first time a couple days ago, going down a steep hill on my new "wheels"--at least it was the first time I was brave enough to look down at the GPS!

Another picture of yourself or your ride?


What is the biggest lie you've ever told: "I wouldn't tell a lie "

Most memorable moment on my bike: One of the first presents I received from my husband was a bike. Also our first two day ride--who knew you could get somewhere on a bike! We took the train to Jeff City, spent the night in Rhineland and rode back into Dutzow.

Most fun ever had on a bike? Spending quality time with my DH, sis and BIL.

[bnylo]

Real name: Margaret

Where do you live? Princeton, NJ

Explanation of your handle: refers to my little house bunny

Explanation of your avatar: It's my name in seal script, one of the earlier Chinese scripts

Age (general or specific): 47

Occupation: Karate teacher by night, lawyer by day to pay for the bike and some rough vet bills.

Favorite bike: My new ride, built for me with racy parts that I don't deserve but am glad to have

What's in your stable? 4 legs: One lop earred house bun, one tuxedo cat w/ a million toes and his lovely sister. 2 wheels: Fuji Royale II from 80s, Jamis Coda Elite - both are going on the block soon.

Fastest speed on a road bike? Speed? um not there yet!!

Another picture of yourself or your ride? Ok

What is the biggest lie you've ever told: I can't give away any trade secrets.

Most fun ever had on a bike? Vineyard tour of Burgundy last year.

[Momonbikemob]

Real name: Peggy D.
Where do you live? In Washington, near Portland, OR

Explanation of your handle: I think the F4U-Corsair is one of the most awesome planes ever built and my father was flight engineer for the last Corsair outfit to fly in the Navy. The Mac is part of my last name.

Explanation of your avatar: avatar? Will have to look into that.:rolleyes:

Age (general or specific) Nearing 35!:o

Occupation: Mom and Aspiring Freelance Writer and Novelist

Favorite bike: Without much research, I'd say a Leader LD 796R

What's in your stable? Trek WS something...

Fastest speed on a road bike? where? when? 32 going down a hill in Portland, two years ago.

Another picture of yourself or your ride? ???

What is the biggest lie you've ever told: Telling my 5-year old he MIGHT be able to have a brownie after dinner, knowing full well that I would never, in my right mind, give him one that close to bedtime.

Most memorable moment on my bike:
First time I ... rode with my dad on a 60miler
rode with my future husband
rode pulling my son
rode pulling two kids
rode with a friend, not pulling anyone
did the Jack Frost TT
raced a PIR.

Most fun ever had on a bike? I have two... Mountain biking in Sunriver up to Benham Falls with my hubby, just the two of us doing something that we love.

[Grits]

Welcome all! Hey Cunninhamair, I have a Trek 2.1 WSD too. I got mine this past July. How long have you had yours? I am working on finding a more comfortable saddle for it. I put my old Terry saddle on it when I got it, but it doesn't do as well as I would like with the road bike position. I am trying a Falcon X now, but haven't decided yet. It is my first road bike, and I am loving it! Welcome to the forum.

[Momonbikemob]

I just realized that I never answered the "handle" question... You can tell I just cut and pasted from the first post. Oops.

My Handle is the fact that I am a mom that gets on a bike as much as I can and I have a small mob that follows me (in the bike trailer, as well as everywhere else ). I also have a blog called momonbikemob.

I also realized there is a MomOnBike on this forum... Sorry, I promise I didn't copy you!

[Badgirl]

Real name: Dawn

Where do you live? Liberty Hill, Texas, about 38 miles or so north of Austin.

Explanation of your handle: Badgirl (BG) I've used for about 15 years. Long story short I was being a bad girl in creating a login that my (abusive) first husband didn't know about (so that I could have some privacy). Soon, all my friends knew me as BG so I've used it ever since.

Explanation of your avatar: It's me taken at one of my husbands gigs in July.

Age (general or specific): 38 at least for a few more weeks.

Occupation: Webmistress and public health technician

Favorite bike: My Specialized Myka Expert

What's in your stable? My Myka and the hubbies K2 zed 2.0, my late husbands Peugeot road bike, and the splatter painted Huffy bike my parents gave me for Christmas 20+ years ago.

Fastest speed on a road bike? where? when? Let see. I was going "OMG! OMG! OMG! WEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!! OMG! OMG! OMG! WWWEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!" fast.

Another picture of yourself or your ride? How about me and my ride?


What is the biggest lie you've ever told: "No honey, I'm fine. Yes I broke the railing on the bridge, but honestly I'm fine...it's just a little blood." It was my first ride with the boys I wasn't about to tell him just how bad I had bit it. Nothing was broke and he already felt horridly guilty for doing as I said and riding ahead and not being there to pick me up when I went down. I got the wind knocked out of me, a few little cuts, bumps and bruises, and bruised pride and my shift indicator broke. But I got up, dusted myself off, checked my bike out, and went on the with ride and caught up with the boys and finished the ride. What he doesn't know won't hurt him...right?

Most memorable moment on my bike: Going on the first ride with my now husband. It was a beautiful February day, my new bike and all the new gear. The birds were singing, the sun was shining and we rode 16 miles out to the overlook at the lake and back to town. It was WAY farther than he ever expected us to go on my first ride in 20 years. And he was so proud of me for going that far considering how sick I got about 8 miles into it. His band had played the night before and we'd partied a little harder than we probably should have. But once I worked through the nausea it was all good.


Most fun ever had on a bike? Sending the hubby to go trail riding with his best friend and decided I didn't have to wait for him to get home before I could go ride, so I packed up my gear and head out. I started sending him picture messages when I was about 13 miles from home and then sent him pictures at different point in the ride where the was a pretty spot or something along the way the that I knew he's see the humor in. He was surprised and excited at the first message, told me how proud of me he was. He enjoyed the other pics as it allowed him to know I was okay and he could take part in my ride and it allowed him to be able to enjoy his ride and not have to worry about me waiting on him and I could enjoy my ride not having to wait on him or worry about slowing him down. I could stop if I wanted to, talk to the goats and cows if I wanted, trudge through hills and if I had set my goal too high, I could say screw it and head home if I wanted (which I didn't). The hubby got back from his ride to find me about a block from home, chatting it up with the neighbor about all the different trails and her riding team, the rides they've gone on lately getting ready for the MS150. I had a blast and he was so proud.

[mississaugagirl]

Real name: Rose

Where do you live? Mississauga, Ontario, Canada

Explanation of your handle: see above

Explanation of your avatar: see above =)

Age (general or specific): oh boy! 37 and hoping to do my 1st century before the big 4-0!

Occupation: customer service for mobility devices

Favorite bike: my Trek 3700 mountain bike

What's in your stable? right now? my mountain bike. i've just put a layaway plan on my 1st road bike. hopefully i can bring her home before Christmas - a Trek 1000 WSD.

Fastest speed on a road bike? where? when? dunno! still need to get a computer and a heart rate monitor

Another picture of yourself or your ride? maybe later, i don't even think i have one

What is the biggest lie you've ever told: "where have you been?" "just around" (spent the last hour in the bike store)

Most memorable moment on my bike: when i did 60km on my 1st charity ride a few years ago... looking forward to my 1st century...

Most fun ever had on a bike? every 1st ride of the year after a long and harsh winter

[buddha_bellies]

Real name: Helen

Where do you live? Vancouver, BC Canada

Explanation of your handle: This was something I adopted from my friend and my blog. We love food and one of the reasons why I ride, so I can eat!!!

Age (general or specific) 37

Favorite bike: my new ride (Specialized Ruby Elite 2008)

What's in your stable? See above and a tank for grocery shopping.

Fastest speed on a road bike? where? when? 45.5 km, riding down the road in Stanley Park just last week. I'm still new to road bikes

Another picture of yourself or your ride? Give me time! I just got the bike a month ago

What is the biggest lie you've ever told: I'm scared of speed. (I just need to get use to it!) LOL

Most memorable moment on my bike: Today I rode with a friend who just came back from a 5 day 800km bike trip. We went around Ft. Langley. I've always bike in the city so it was really nice to get fresh air and no traffic. No stop signs, no cars, no lights. Just our bikes. Oh so sweet, that freedom.

And then, there's always biking in the snow in winter... argh... love and hate at the same time.

Most fun ever had on a bike? I have to say today. Live in the moment.

[kygrrlinco]

Real name: Vickie
Where do you live? Capitol Hill, Denver CO

Explanation of your handle: I am a Kentucky grrl at heart, born there, with all my roots and family there since the early 1800s. But I've found myself here in Colorado and love it. My heart's in the green hills and abundant trees back home, though.

Explanation of your avatar: ??

Age (general or specific) 33 big ones

Occupation: Bike assembler and rental/repair specialist at REI.

Favorite bike: I love my bike - a Novara Carema. But it's my first road bike, so I'm sure as I upgrade over the coming years I'll realize what I was missing by having a "starter" bike. Dream bike: Orbea Diva in blue.

What's in your stable? Novara Carema road bike and an old decrepit Specialized Hard Rock (no suspension front or rear) that I got used in college. I still use it to run errands sometimes...I wouldn't be heartbroken if it got stolen.

Fastest speed on a road bike? where? when? 36mph a couple of times riding down the hill at the Chatfield Reservoir dam.

What is the biggest lie you've ever told: Oy. I don't know.

Most memorable moment on my bike: I just got into riding this summer and in August did my first real organized ride - the Venus de Miles 65miler (the only all women's recreational ride in Colorado). It was a big accomplishment for me...I've been trying to get back into shape and set the goal at the beginning of the summer. In the middle is an 8-mile hill climb before turning around and sailing back down Left Hand Canyon...I was slow as hell, but I made it, with tears in my eyes at the top. Riding across the finish line was a great feeling, but getting to the top of the Canyon, with a lot of the women on their way down encouraging me as I trudged up...that was amazing.

Also...last week I was out on a nice fall ride during the week...out alone on the path...and a HUGE coyote ran across about 30 miles in front of me. He stopped and looked at me and went on. He was beautiful.

Most fun ever had on a bike? Nothing specific...just those rides where you feel like your body and your bike are just two pieces of the same machine, and everything is in prime working order. I love that feeling.

[gingerale]

Real name: Ginger
Where do you live? Amarillo, TX

Explanation of your handle: childhood nickname

Explanation of your avatar: my pride and joy!

Age (general or specific): 42 (ugh!)

Occupation: SAHM

Favorite bike: My only bike...Specialized Dolce

What's in your stable? Just my little old Dolce

Fastest speed on a road bike? where? when? 34 mph in July this year on RAGBRAI in Iowa

What is the biggest lie you've ever told: I have no idea.

Another picture of yourself or your ride? Not crazy about pics of myself...maybe when I'm down 20 lbs! lol

Most memorable moment on my bike: The first time I climbed a huge hill about 2 months ago. 1 mile hill that has a 10-16% grade. I was slow and clumsy but I did it...twice!

Most fun ever had on a bike? Riding across the state of Iowa this past summer.

[Swthrtsuzy]

Real name: Susan
Where do you live? Boerne, TX

Explanation of your handle: My nickname is Suzy, and someone once called me a sweetheart.

Explanation of your avatar: I'll post one when I find a good one

Age (general or specific): 27

Occupation: Accounts Payable Coordinator & Student

Favorite bike: I don't have a favorite, but I'm really drooling over the Transition Syren

What's in your stable? Specialized Myka HT & Specialized Sirrus Sport

Fastest speed on a road bike? where? when? I haven't a clue. But I'm not very fast because I just started to ride.

What is the biggest lie you've ever told: Either I don't lie, or I'm so good at it that I convinced myself that I'm telling the truth because I can't think of one...

Another picture of yourself or your ride? Not computer savvy enough to load a picture on this thing lol

Most memorable moment on my bike: The first time I ate dirt - or rather rock.

Most fun ever had on a bike? Every time I fly down a rocky hill or through a rock garden. Talk about exhilaration!

[Blue_Wildflower]

Real name: Brenda

Where do you live? Alexandria, Virginia

Explanation of your handle: Blue is my favorite color. Wildflower sort of describes my personality.

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

Age (general or specific) 30

Occupation: Software Support Consultant

Favorite bike: A Bianchi whatever

What's in your stable? I have only one . . . Trek 7300. My baby.

Fastest speed on a road bike? 15mph. It was brief.

Another picture of yourself or your ride? I only have one pic of myself. And, I am not on a bike.

What is the biggest lie you've ever told: I love you.

Most memorable moment on my bike: The first time I rode a bike in twenty years. I felt like a little girl again.

Most fun ever had on a bike? Haven't had it yet.