Bicycle Fans - official thread for people who love riding th

cloggsy71

I'm into cycling!

Bought a new Carbon Road Bike for cycling to work - amazing bike!

Doing some serious mileages on it now too; my ride tonight was 27 miles, two days ago I did a 33 mile route... I have clocked up 175 miles on it already!

My distance to work is 12.8 miles and it takes approx 49 minutes, but I'm aiming on trimming that down a little

mistyrider

I LOVE my road bike. I did a lot of mountain biking as a kid/teen, but then didn't get on a bike for years. I bought a road bike last summer, and fell in love my very first ride. Nothing has ever felt so freeing as a good long ride does. I'm a single mom to 3 kids under 7 yrs, and my time on my bike is the only "me" time I get. We have fairly mild winters where I live, but it still gets dark early, so I don't get a lot of miles in alone during those months (I usually have a sitter come after the kids are in bed, but that doesn't work so well when it's dark out!). I got a Chariot trailer this fall, so I could pull my son during the day, while my older kids are in school, so that helped a bit - but it's still not the same. I'm so glad that it's lighter out now, and am going to get the sitter booked in 2-3 times a week so I can get back out there! Soooooo looking forward to it!!!

Oh, I ride a Rocky Mountain Prestige 30 CR (it was my "good for you, you finally left your awful husband" gift to myself, LOL!)

Glad to have found some fellow cyclists on here!

Lanfear

Whoops I nearly fell off mine this morning!! Signalled to turn left into the work carpark, and managed to not quite put my hand down on the hoods again - which meant I couldn't reach the brakes. D'oh!

Have had my Scott since Sunday and have ridden her every day, so am getting more and more used the the new position, though it's a bit scary going downhill at any speed!!!! :laugh:

Why oh why are car drivers so ignorant and hostile??? Signalled to turn right yesterday, and some total prat actually sped up and nearly took my arm off, and then proceeded to shout abuse as me as he went past. Why???? I have just as much right to be on the road as he does. Just as well I hadn't started to move out into the traffic ready to turn or he'd have wiped me out.

Do you react when people do these things or do you just keep going? Feel very vulnerable sometimes as a lone female cyclist!

rayfromtx

I'm sorry about the rude drivers. I ignore them and riding on the road is either going to help me live past 90 or get me killed. I live in rural Texas so the rednecks in pickups like to rev their engines as they roar by kind of close. I ignore it. The fact that they have to live with themselves is my only satisfaction. They can't have a very happy life if they treat others that way.

I just parked the '98 rockhopper in favor of a new Cannondale CAADX105 cyclocross bike. It's close to being a road bike but can handle the gravel road that I live on so I don't have to load it in a car when I want to ride. My rides are usually in the morning before dawn. I see maybe two cars on a 12 mile ride. My afternoon rides are more traffic filled but not nearly like living in town. The dust on my roads makes for more maintenance and cleaning so I got a stand that holds the bike at a good level for working on it.

I've ridden 89 miles since I got the bike on Friday. I have a 40 mile ride with my brother planned for Saturday morning.

gtm124

New here and cycling is my main form of exercise. I have 2 bikes, both Specialized. One is a road bike, Roubaix Expert and a hybrid, Sirrus Expert. Love both of them. I typically ride over a 1000 miles a year. I am sure it has been mentioned on this thread, but I have not gone through all of replies and that is go to a bike shop and get properly fitted for a bike. There is nothing worse than trying to ride an ill-fitted bike. And yes, at my weight I am considered a Clydesdale (riders 200+ lbs or higher)

Aritiger

I love to ride my bike. I dont ride everyday either. Would like to find a person or two near by to ride with. Somehow 5 miles doesnt seem so far when your riding with another. lol

kayemme

1980 schwinn world tourist > 5 speeds = ace.

1963 robin hood, down with a crank issue > 3 speeds, my favorite bike, but not as fast

1950 columbia cruiser > slow as molasses, but one helluva workout.

i live in the city, commute to work (8-10 miles each way, depending on where i have to go). i ride as many bike paths as possible, but sometimes it's just not. i wear a police whistle (i call it my rape whistle); i use it when necessary, but mostly to inform drivers i'm crossing forked roads or to keep myself visible. more and more often, people aren't looking at the road when they're driving, so i feel a whistle is another way to remind them that there are other people, some of us not in cars (walking, biking, skating), on the road.

i have been known to yell at drivers occasionally, but mostly i will try to be polite. they can't help being self-centered; after all, they're in a car with a false sense of security, so i try to go at each day armed with empathy instead of aggression.

i ride in the street as much as possible also, especially around blind corners. it forces drivers to see you.

i will also kindly instruct drivers to not text while driving if i see them when i am alongside; or i will remind them that bike lanes are sometimes unavoidable for parallel parking, but to remember to watch for bikes.

sillygoose1977

I took my first spinning class last night. It has been raining all week here so my new bike is just sitting lonely in the garage. :grumble: My boyfriend has been going for a couple of months and I kept resisting. I broke down last night and joined him. I thought I would suck but I was one of the strongest in the class. I don't know why I am always so down on myself. Anyway, this will definitely help me with the tougher rides we do on the weekends. Rain rain go away (except we need it so much here).

andyj1984

I just spent the last hour at work planning my weekend bike ride, I'm aiming to do about 30miles on Saturday, stopping for lunch etc... Should be great fun, its a mix of small country roads, busier roads, as well as about 15miles cross country I can't wait!

I have also decided next month to buy a new bike, with an aluminium frame, will probably spend quite a bit, since I would love a really nice MTB. Haven't decided whether to get a full suspension or a hardtail. I think a hardtail like my current bike might be best. Anyone got any opinions on this?

johnwhitent

I just spent the last hour at work planning my weekend bike ride, I'm aiming to do about 30miles on Saturday, stopping for lunch etc... Should be great fun, its a mix of small country roads, busier roads, as well as about 15miles cross country I can't wait!

I have also decided next month to buy a new bike, with an aluminium frame, will probably spend quite a bit, since I would love a really nice MTB. Haven't decided whether to get a full suspension or a hardtail. I think a hardtail like my current bike might be best. Anyone got any opinions on this?

The world has gone the way of the full suspension mountain bike, but I am old fashioned. I love hardtails, and I prefer 26" wheels over the current rage of 29'ers. The full suspension rigs and 29'ers roll over things easier, but a well done 26" hardtail is a dream to ride, especially since you do have to go uphill some of the time. I have owned full suspension but I'm back on a hardtail now. Part of it is money. If you can afford a top end full suspension go for it. But if every dollar counts the hardtail provides better value at the lower end. But I was mountain biking before there was even front suspension, so maybe I am just too old! You can take my thoughts with an aged grain of salt.

andyj1984

I just spent the last hour at work planning my weekend bike ride, I'm aiming to do about 30miles on Saturday, stopping for lunch etc... Should be great fun, its a mix of small country roads, busier roads, as well as about 15miles cross country I can't wait!

I have also decided next month to buy a new bike, with an aluminium frame, will probably spend quite a bit, since I would love a really nice MTB. Haven't decided whether to get a full suspension or a hardtail. I think a hardtail like my current bike might be best. Anyone got any opinions on this?

The world has gone the way of the full suspension mountain bike, but I am old fashioned. I love hardtails, and I prefer 26" wheels over the current rage of 29'ers. The full suspension rigs and 29'ers roll over things easier, but a well done 26" hardtail is a dream to ride, especially since you do have to go uphill some of the time. I have owned full suspension but I'm back on a hardtail now. Part of it is money. If you can afford a top end full suspension go for it. But if every dollar counts the hardtail provides better value at the lower end. But I was mountain biking before there was even front suspension, so maybe I am just too old! You can take my thoughts with an aged grain of salt.

Thankyou,

I am leaning towards getting another hardtail... I'll be spending about £500, which is about $750 I guess? I think owning a really nice bike is the way forward for me, since biking is my preferred form of exercise, and it would be great to own a 'proper' high-end mountain bike

I already have a biking holiday planned for the summer! I'll be booking a week off work, grabing my tent and going off for a few days on my bike! I can't wait

BryanAir

I just spent the last hour at work planning my weekend bike ride, I'm aiming to do about 30miles on Saturday, stopping for lunch etc... Should be great fun, its a mix of small country roads, busier roads, as well as about 15miles cross country I can't wait!

I have also decided next month to buy a new bike, with an aluminium frame, will probably spend quite a bit, since I would love a really nice MTB. Haven't decided whether to get a full suspension or a hardtail. I think a hardtail like my current bike might be best. Anyone got any opinions on this?

The world has gone the way of the full suspension mountain bike, but I am old fashioned. I love hardtails, and I prefer 26" wheels over the current rage of 29'ers. The full suspension rigs and 29'ers roll over things easier, but a well done 26" hardtail is a dream to ride, especially since you do have to go uphill some of the time. I have owned full suspension but I'm back on a hardtail now. Part of it is money. If you can afford a top end full suspension go for it. But if every dollar counts the hardtail provides better value at the lower end. But I was mountain biking before there was even front suspension, so maybe I am just too old! You can take my thoughts with an aged grain of salt.

Thankyou,

I am leaning towards getting another hardtail... I'll be spending about £500, which is about $750 I guess? I think owning a really nice bike is the way forward for me, since biking is my preferred form of exercise, and it would be great to own a 'proper' high-end mountain bike

I already have a biking holiday planned for the summer! I'll be booking a week off work, grabing my tent and going off for a few days on my bike! I can't wait

I'm going to be buying a new mountain bike this summer. I was leaning towards a hardtail, but the more I've been reading the more I am leaning towards full suspension. I don't think I'll make my final decision until I get to the bike shop, see what they have that fits me (I'm 6'5") and give them a good test ride.

j3nic3

Loving biking!


I currently own ONLY one bike, a 2008 Specialized Women's Crossroad. I have it set up with my Mag trainer. I used to have a Giant Pistol for mt biking, but sold it since I was pregnant and the bike was way too heavy. I'm just trying to get back into shape after having my daughter, and hopefully I can get back into mt biking soon, I'd definitely be looking into getting another Giant mtb. My bf has the 2009 Giant Trance and he loves it, I love it too, but it's way too big for me. lol

badblood

Hard tails are great, but as I get older and things start to ache without doing anything full Suss is kinder to the body. If you start doing some serious off roading then you can afford the odd mistake and not get hurt. I had a lovely Yeti 575 until last year when it was sadly sold. I am on an old GT Aggressor while I save for a new one. Feel free to add me

janesmith1

I'm looking at Weather Underground for the weather this weekend. I really want to go out for another long wonderful bike ride with a packed lunch and some water bottles....heavenly.

andyj1984

I said I was going to buy a new bike next month...well I broke down and baught it today! It's a Giant Revel 0, with hydraulic disc brakes, aluminium frame, and shimano gears. It looks and feels fantastic... and now I'm off for a 20mile bike ride on it! I'm thinking of calling her Sarah! LOL. I can already feel a bond. Oh, its a 26" hardtail as well

RunRideRay

Let's all sing along "bi--cycle, bi--cycle, bi--cycle, I want to ride my bi-CYCLE.... " if you don't get it, search "queen" and "bicycle race" on youtube...classic stuff.

Sign me up, I have fallen in love with my new bike, a fixie road bike. I was a nay-sayer for sooo long, about fixies, but wow was I wrong. So much fun and what a workout too. I'll hang out here too, I've got a garage full of em and ride all year.

My name is Ray, and I am a bicycle addict

johnwhitent

I said I was going to buy a new bike next month...well I broke down and baught it today! It's a Giant Revel 0, with hydraulic disc brakes, aluminium frame, and shimano gears. It looks and feels fantastic... and now I'm off for a 20mile bike ride on it! I'm thinking of calling her Sarah! LOL. I can already feel a bond. Oh, its a 26" hardtail as well

Good for you! I looked up the Giant Revel online - good looking bike. I'm sure you will get years of use and more importantly create many lifetime memories while having so much fun that the fitness benefits come as a free extra. Everybody has their own different favorite bike, that makes it fun. But I'm with you, 26" hardtails rule!

andyj1984

I said I was going to buy a new bike next month...well I broke down and baught it today! It's a Giant Revel 0, with hydraulic disc brakes, aluminium frame, and shimano gears. It looks and feels fantastic... and now I'm off for a 20mile bike ride on it! I'm thinking of calling her Sarah! LOL. I can already feel a bond. Oh, its a 26" hardtail as well

Good for you! I looked up the Giant Revel online - good looking bike. I'm sure you will get years of use and more importantly create many lifetime memories while having so much fun that the fitness benefits come as a free extra. Everybody has their own different favorite bike, that makes it fun. But I'm with you, 26" hardtails rule!

Just got back from a 15 miles ride on her, she handles sooooo smoothly! My old bike is a steel frame bargain bike, this one feels like a 'proper' mountain bike. So nimble and light, and you can go so much faster on her as well! Did about 5 miles on roads, and about 10 miles off-road, including some pretty steep hills I'm in love! Though the back end did step out on me a couple of times on the roughest part of the trail! I think she was just trying to scare me (I was only averaging about 12mph...)

On a side note, has anyone used Endomondo? Its an application for Android phones (maybe iPhones as well, I don't know), which uses the GPS in the phone to track your exercise activity. Its a great application, since it gives you mile by mile updates (via speech), telling you what the total distance you have traveled is, along with your time for the last mile. Keeps you on track if you have a set goal (eg 1 mile/6 minutes). It even tells you calories burned, though I take that with a big pinch of salt! (metaphorical salt, since we all have to watch our sodium level LOL).

RunRideRay

Great ride!!! A new rig is always fun to ride.

Hey, ANYONE CAN FRIEND ME, I have sent a few out but it would be great to keep this thread rolling... pun intended. Don't be shy, send it, we'll get along.

Not to be labeled here as a gadget freak, but I have a Garmin Edge 605 and love it. Yes, a bit pricey, but no wires, having maps, and downloading the data is awesome. I love looking at epic rides and having an elevation gain summary, for example.

For those roadies... here is a classic link of the "rules" funny stuff. It took me 10 years to learn this, and heck, still learning.
http://www.velominati.com/blog/the-rules/#7

For the recreational folks, no worries, don't be intimidated by big chainrings or pricey bikes..... This should be a bike community place, we can all get along.

If you did not click the link... I love rule 12

"The minimum number of bikes one should own is three. The correct number is n+1, where n is the number of bikes currently owned. This equation may also be re-written as s-1, where s is the number of bikes owned that would result in separation from your partner."

baldzach

Cycling isn't my only form of exercise, but it's probably my favorite. I've done a couple of criterium races and plan on entering my first stage race in August on the weekend of my 37th birthday. It's a 3-stage, 2-day event with a crit, a time trial, and a road race. Should be AWESOME. Also done a couple of triathlons and plan on possibly doing a 70.3 next year... with any luck! Got to get the swimming down first.

sillygoose1977

I got out on my new bike yesterday too. I love it but it will take getting used to the new positioning. I didn't fall once trying to clip out, I know I will though, in front of a bunch of hot guys I'm sure. The weather is supposed to suck this Saturday which puts a huge damper on my scheduled ride. I guess it's ok since we desperately need the rain.

I also took my first spinning class this week and it rocked my world. It is going to be a huge help for me.

janesmith1

I ♥ this thread so much. Just wanted to quickly add something, in case there's some lurkers out there. If you can't afford one of the bikes from a real bike shop Walmart has bikes that are like $89 and $99 made in China I think. Heck my Marin bike was made in Taiwan....

Here's the direct link
http://www.walmart.com/browse/Bikes-Riding-Toys/Bikes/_/N-5l80?browsein=true&ic=48_0&path=0:4171&ref=+260784&refineresult=true&fromPageCatId=133073&catNavId=133073

And now with petrol going up in the USA to $5+ it's a good time to start riding! )

BryanAir

I have set my goal for the rest of the year to ride the equivalent of San Francisco to NYC via I-80, mostly though my 20 mile roundtrip commute to work and riding on the weekend. I started on Saturday and I am currently at Colfax, CA and hope to hit Truckee by the end of the weekend.

j3nic3

I ♥ this thread so much. Just wanted to quickly add something, in case there's some lurkers out there. If you can't afford one of the bikes from a real bike shop Walmart has bikes that are like $89 and $99 made in China I think. Heck my Marin bike was made in Taiwan....

Here's the direct link
http://www.walmart.com/browse/Bikes-Riding-Toys/Bikes/_/N-5l80?browsein=true&ic=48_0&path=0:4171&ref=+260784&refineresult=true&fromPageCatId=133073&catNavId=133073

And now with petrol going up in the USA to $5+ it's a good time to start riding! )

Craigslist also has great deals on good bikes.

baldzach

If you have a couple hundred $$, try bikesdirect.com, great deals there on quality bikes.

sillygoose1977

I ♥ this thread so much. Just wanted to quickly add something, in case there's some lurkers out there. If you can't afford one of the bikes from a real bike shop Walmart has bikes that are like $89 and $99 made in China I think. Heck my Marin bike was made in Taiwan....

Here's the direct link
http://www.walmart.com/browse/Bikes-Riding-Toys/Bikes/_/N-5l80?browsein=true&ic=48_0&path=0:4171&ref=+260784&refineresult=true&fromPageCatId=133073&catNavId=133073

And now with petrol going up in the USA to $5+ it's a good time to start riding! )

Craigslist also has great deals on good bikes.

I would have to recommend Craigslist too. Even my 8 year old hates her Walmart bike in favor of her Trek. And Craigslist is great for finding everything. I even found my boyfriend there. Our first date was a bike ride!

j3nic3

I would have to recommend Craigslist too. Even my 8 year old hates her Walmart bike in favor of her Trek. And Craigslist is great for finding everything. I even found my boyfriend there. Our first date was a bike ride!

I've found Walmart bikes to be heavier than even downhill bikes, so I totally agree with your 8 year old! lol Craigslist!

j3nic3

If you have a couple hundred $$, try bikesdirect.com, great deals there on quality bikes.

Or Jensonusa.com

cucoyannie

are you riding to kate and william's wedding!
enjoy!