#BikeAugust Introductions

Options
caitastic24
caitastic24 Posts: 674 Member
Welcome!!! Great to have a few of you back and some new bikers in the group!

I'm Caitlin and I am super excited to have other people along with me on this journey :D

So as you know, I'd like people to post fairly regularly (at least once a week) about their progress/frustrations/goals/etc. I will always get back to you if you have any questions for me :)

Please write a brief introduction below so that we can get to know one another. This will be your support system and added motivation so I suggest everyone use it as much as they can!!

Again, thanks for joining in! I look forward to getting to know each of you!

Replies

  • sansey
    sansey Posts: 113 Member
    Options
    Hello! I am Steve. I live in Iowa and I enjoy biking and mountain biking in particular. I race on occasion but mainly beginner mountain bike races in Iowa an Illinois. I have been having a hard time keeping motivated to do things. So I saw this challenge and thought I might as well try. I have a big race coming up at the end of August in South Dakota. I am doing the Dakota 5 -0 so I need to get ready for that. I am hoping to ride at least 40 - 50 miles a week. Sometimes it can be a challenge as I have joint custody of my 11 year old son and he doesn't always want ride but we work around that. the best we can. Anyway I am excited for the challenge and hope to have fun. I wish everyone luck!

    Have a great day!

    Steve
  • FIT_Goat
    FIT_Goat Posts: 4,224 Member
    Options
    I'm frob. I live in FL. I am really going to try for 150 miles this month, but my minimum goal is 100 miles. There's a lot of reasons to think the higher number may not be doable. The daily afternoon thunderstorms can ruin a day. I have to watch my step-son for a week while his mom is away for a new job (he can't ride with me because it's not safe and he's not strong enough). I also have a busy couple weeks of work that tend to run late.

    I'm still going to try.
  • caitastic24
    caitastic24 Posts: 674 Member
    Options
    Frob and Steve, nice to meet you! I guess I should say more about my story as well :-)

    I'm Caitlin. I was born and raised in MA. I still live in the state but in a different area. My goal this month is 150 miles since I achieved it in July! I'm hoping to push towards 175 but it'll be a busy month for me. So, we'll see! I've been on a weight loss journey for quite some time now. I always got frustrated with my progress but within the last year, I have been fully committed. In April, I got injured and the recovery has been very slow. My physical therapist recommended biking so I have been using the indoor bikes the last couple months :-) I am determined to get back on my feet so I created this challenge to motivate myself and others! I am regaining strength so I think next week I will finally be attempting biking outdoors! I'll be on vacation in Salvo, NC so I can't exactly bring an exercise bike with me hahaha. So, I am very excited for that! I'm interested to see how they will compare :-)
  • JinxRita
    JinxRita Posts: 191 Member
    Options
    I'm Megan, and I'm currently stuck in Utah. I love to bike, but unfortunately my "real" bike is between houses right now. I do, however, have my stationary bike and that has been my trusty friend since February. I had a few injuries earlier this year that stopped me from working out regularly, but I'd love to get back into the routine with this challenge!

    I have another goal in here as well. My boyfriend and I are currently long-distance, and I log every mile I purposefully travel (via exercise). My ultimate goal is to reach 1,338 miles total. A bit silly, but it serves a dual purpose of motivating me to work out and making us feel closer every time I "travel". :)

    Best of luck, everyone!
  • wizzybeth
    wizzybeth Posts: 3,578 Member
    Options
    Hi, I'm WizzyBeth (actually Karen but I like to be WizzyBeth online, as I've always liked my middle name better anyway.)

    I was never all that enthusiastic about biking, until last year for some reason I was overcome with the urge to buy a bike. So I purchased a 24 speed Giant Sedona and have been riding it, to some degree, ever since. I am nowhere near in shape yet, but I've been gradually increasing my use of the bike.

    Initially I was intimidated because of my huge size and inability to do even simple, gentle hills without feeling like I was going to die. Gradually I've become more confident and competent. I've done some "larger" trips -7 miles here around a lake in the state park, 8 miles on a bike path in Tennessee, and 11 miles on Cades Cove Loop in the Smokey Mountains....I'm hooked. I want to ride, ride, ride...as I have time.

    In order to do this challenge, I may have to include some stationary biking in the gym - I don't always get the time to ride when it's sensible to ride (i.e., when there's low traffic, or when i get done with work it's dark or raining etc.)
  • cowbellsandcoffee
    cowbellsandcoffee Posts: 2,975 Member
    Options
    Aaron from Illinois here. I've been involved with bikes and biking for more than half my life. I ride road to keep some sort of base fitness and I race cyclocross in the Fall and Winter. I started racing two years ago and fell in love with it.
  • luna323
    luna323 Posts: 25 Member
    Options
    Hi I'm Damaris from FL. I am trying to back into the fitness scene. I do not bike very often but I think this will motivate me to keep moving on my non-running days. I signed up for my first half marathon and I think this challenge will be great for me to build on. :) I will be tracking my miles mostly on a stationary bike, since I cant really tow both my children on rides yet.
  • rides4sanity
    rides4sanity Posts: 1,269 Member
    Options
    Hey, I'm Nikki. I live in the beautiful state of WV where you are either climbing out of a hollow or winding down into one. I love, love, love to ride and to teach others about it... I mostly road ride and am doing time trials for the first time ever this season. Odd hobby to pick up at 40, but we need some women racers in this state. I love riding with the boys, but i really want to encourage women to go for it and not sit back and think it is too much. I also teach cycling at the local Y and participate in a ton of social type rides usually riding sweep and chatting... I work full time have two great girls and run the youth programs at church. Hubby is a marathon runner so we tag team parent and are scheduled to within an inch of our lives, but we love it. Happy riding y'all!
  • kms2072
    kms2072 Posts: 55
    Options
    My name is Kelli and I live in CA! I love riding my bike! It is my serenity! I've been cycling since about 2008 since I feel in love with it when I completed a Tri-athlon. I rode on and off until last year when I committed to riding more consistently. Most of my miles will be done on the weekends and I plan to do some local bike charity rides in the next few months (actually doing one on Saturday in support of injured vets).

    My goal is 130 miles. I hope for more, but my schedule will be getting much busier as I will be starting school again. Working full-time and taking 3 courses can take a lot of time out of your day! Haha

    Good luck everyone!
  • hawkeyegal1995
    hawkeyegal1995 Posts: 2,009 Member
    Options
    My name is JJ. Another Iowan for the group. Being from Iowa, I am a RAGBRAI'er having done full or partials for the last 7 years. Riding is my stress reliever from my job as a state social worker and has helped me to lose about 70 pounds. It is easier than pounding the pavement after 5 knee surgeries.

    Goal will be 350 miles for the month. I have one big ride on 8/30-the GranGable which is a 100 miler associated with the kickoff to the Iowa Football season.
  • Cycle_pathic
    Cycle_pathic Posts: 172 Member
    Options
    Hi, Dave here. 3 years ago, I was over 330 lbs, but finally found fitness and cycling and have lost over 100 of that. I'm in Rhode Island and road-ride as much as I can, either solo or on group or shop rides. My August goal is 500 miles. Happy to have found this group, it helps so much to state a goal publicly, really helps to stay at it.
  • mandifriesen
    mandifriesen Posts: 35 Member
    Options
    Hello all, my name is Mandi! I'm very excited to join the challenge! I like to bike, and it's not to hard on my knees. I messed them up when I was young. So I'm all in, I really need to get to a better spot ( wanted to lose some pounds (80 lbs)
  • mary6468
    mary6468 Posts: 44 Member
    Options
    Greetings from northern Illinois, just a few miles from the Wisconsin border. My name is Mary and I love riding my bike. I've been biking for fitness on and off over the last 20+ years. Before I had my sons I was able to bike 15-20 miles daily with no problem. I even had a trailer that I would pull behind my bike when they were small, but once they got older and into activities my biking habit stopped in order to chauffeur them to their activities. Fast forward 10 years and I'm about 50 lbs heavier than I used to be (which was still overweight). However, now that my oldest is driving on his own, I finally have the time to get serious about my health and fitness goals.

    I currently try to get in 8-12 miles daily, although today it is storming out, so no bike ride for me. Eventually I hope to get back to riding 15-20 miles daily, but I'm just so much slower than I was 20 years ago. My riding goal for August will be 150 miles with a stretch goal of 200 miles as I have a few mini-vacations planned.
  • sharonrebollar
    Options
    Good Morning, I live in Northern Illinois but am originally from the UK. I'm excited to join this group. I have enjoyed riding my bike this summer but have not been tracking mileage. I had a physical on Thursday and my doctor really wants me to lose 10-15lbs to see if this will improve my sleep apnea. It's time to get more serious about my health and I'm hoping this group will help motivate me.
  • SharonNehring
    SharonNehring Posts: 535 Member
    Options
    Good morning all! I'm Sharon, currently living in MN. I had been riding my recumbent stationary bike regularly since December, typically 10 miles at a time 5-6 days a week. I've slacked off with the nice summer weather and being outdoors so I'm hoping this challenge will get me back riding regularly.

    I have a bike but do not feel totally comfortable riding outside with traffic and such. Maybe this will motivate me to try it out again.
  • pepperpat64
    pepperpat64 Posts: 423 Member
    Options
    Hi everyone. My name is Patty and I'm really glad I happened to find this forum on August 1st and joined! I live in Florida where we can pretty much cycle all year, except during hurricanes of course. :laugh: Although I've ridden bikes all my life (I'm 50) I've only been an avid cyclist for about the past 5 years. I have a road/city bike, a Trek 7.3 FX, and mainly use it to run local errands, commute to work on occasion, and long road rides. I do a lot of fitness activities but cycling is by far my favorite. One of my life goals is to ride every Rails-To-Trails route in the state. At last count, I'm up to 1. LOL. I'm looking forward to meeting this challenge and encouraging others to do the same.
  • kaylangrandorff
    kaylangrandorff Posts: 94 Member
    Options
    My name is Kaylan. I live in Lacey, Wa. I just started riding my bicycle again due to years of knee injuries. I figured this would be a great way to motivate me to get my knees stronger and get back into shape. I have always been on the bigger side of the weight scale. I am excited to start this challenge.
  • sleepy_mum
    sleepy_mum Posts: 40 Member
    Options
    Hi all :-)

    I'm Sarah, 33 from Dorset in the UK. I've just recently taken up cycling again (about 6 weeks ago) after not going on a bike for nearly 20 years so it's been a bit of a steep learning curve. I've got about 100lbs to lose and have ME and Fibromyalgia so it's not as easy for me as I'd like, but I'm stubborn and enjoying it so am pretty chuffed with my progress so far. I'm aiming for 50 miles in August, with the first 8.6 being done today.

    Look forward to getting to know you all!

    Sarah
    x
  • Abakan
    Abakan Posts: 361 Member
    Options
    Hi my name is Linda and I live in North Wales in the UK. I've been cycling off and on for the last 2 years and really love it, I also love running but because of a knee issue I'm going to start cycling more and running less. Lots of lovely hills where I live to really challenge me. My aim is for a minimum of 100 miles in August.

    Good luck and happy cycling to you all.
  • davert123
    davert123 Posts: 1,568 Member
    Options
    Hiya

    Thanks for finding me out and letting me know about the group. I've been on mfp for a while and lost 3 1/2 st. I was very intrested in triathlon and was training hard. I tripped over at work and damaged my knee which stopped me in my tracks. I put on a stone and decided to have another go. My knee is still causing me trouble and I'm due to see a specialist at the end of the month. The only thing that does'nt seem to cause me too much pain at the moment is cycling so I am very much on my bike at the moment. I recently moved jobs to a place 7 miles from home so I am building up to ride in every day. My goal this month is to do 150 miles. If I get going properly I will be doing 240 miles per month. The ride to work is intresting. I live in a village and my work is the other side of some forrest an moorland. I normally take the road by I can go cross country which is really lovely.. The only downdside (at the moment) is that I live 500 gt higher than where I work. In the morning it is fun but in the evenning it gets hard work espcially after a couple of days without a rest to let me legs recover. Not sure if I will make it by I am gonig to give it a go. Looking forward to getting to know people here as well., I missed yesterday but managed to get in today so I am on 14 miles at the moment :-)

    Cheers
    Dave

    - Wk 1 14 miles
    Wk 2
    Wk 3
    Wk 4
    Total