jhalsey205 Member

LBS is definitely the way to go to get informed. An alternative to a used bike is a site like www.bikesdirect.com (I am sure there are others, but this is the only one with which I am familiar). These are new bikes, very nice components, and off-brand frames (most frames are manufactured in the same place - China/Taiwan).…

I am a fan of Lizard Skin

I have started a cross-fit regiment - lots of emphasis on core - 3 days a week

Roadie here - and Strava Premium. I'm a fan.

This is golden advice. On a related note, something that helped me a lot was not trying to "kill it" each ride. I tried to ride consecutive days, with a "fast/hard" ride (sometimes, but not every ride) followed by slower "recover" ride. I really tried to ride 6 days with 1 day to rest and start again.

13 Centuries in the books; my list is pretty static. All of my rides have been fairly well supported, and there is usually a fair amount of climbing, so weight is always a consideration. Under seat pack - 2 tubes - 2 co2 - co2 nozel - 2 tire levers - Multi tool Seat post - Blinkie light 2 water bottles, 25oz (CamelBack Big…

I moved from a Garmin Forerunner 310 XT (watch) with much of the same functionality as the Edge 500) to the Garmin Edge 810, and could not be happier. I love the large screen and ability to track lots of data/readings, and the map/route functionality. My family likes the "live tracking" feature which connects the Garmin to…

I moved from a Garmin Forerunner 310 XT (watch) with much of the same functionality as the Edge 500) to the Garmin Edge 810, and could not be happier. I love the large screen and ability to track lots of data/readings, the map/route functionality. My family likes the "live tracking" feature which connects the Garmin to my…

That sounds really good.

I usually eat a bowl of steel cut oatmeal + chia seeds with a healthy portion of blueberries. Re. the oatmeal, I always make my oatmeal in the microwave the night before, bringing the water + oatmeal to a boil, and let it sit overnight (so in the morning, I simply have to warm it up and I am good to go.) The water oatmeal…

Team Spokes MTD 564.5 miles / 908.5 km 22 April - 18.78 miles /30.2 km http://app.strava.com/activities/50181785 27 April - 108.3 miles 174.4 / km http://app.strava.com/activities/51068803 30 April - 21.4 miles / 34.4 km http://app.strava.com/activities/51561729

14 April - No ride 15 April - 30.6 miles / 49.2 km http://app.strava.com/activities/48925242 16 April - No ride 17 April - No ride 18 April - 21.4 miles / 34.4 http://app.strava.com/activities/49396128 19 April - No ride 20 April - No ride 21 April - 100.5 mile / 161.8 http://app.strava.com/activities/50001322 MTD 416.3…

Completed the Cheaha Challenge Gran Fondo: 100.5 miles; 9,917 ft elevation - http://app.strava.com/activities/50001322 TBY Edit - 3pt Climbing Bonus, 0pt food, 0pt drink, 0pt Photo - total 3 Bonus pts

Team Spokes MTD 263.8 miles / 424.5 km 01 April - 26.6 miles http://app.strava.com/activities/46827907 02 April - No ride 03 April - No ride 04 April - No ride 05 April - No ride 06 April - 106.6 miles/ 171.6 km http://app.strava.com/activities/47524056 07 April - 18.6 miles / 29.3 km…

10 April - No ride 11 April - 23 miles / 37 km http://app.strava.com/activities/48282857 MTD 199.1 miles / 307.5 km

Lots of great advice here. Your goal is aggressive but do-able. I got into cycling 17 months ago and completed my first century 4 months after my start (it was not pretty). I now have a total of 8 centuries under my belt. The key (for me) was time in the saddle. I started off with 20 mile + (slow) training rides and ramped…

7 April - 18.6 miles / 29.3 km http://app.strava.com/activities/47769022 8 April - No ride 9 April; 24.3 miles / 39.1 km http://app.strava.com/activities/47979827 MTD - 175.9 miles / 283.1 km

Not much fuel in the tank... 18.6 miles; 1,183 ft elev gain http://app.strava.com/activities/47769022 TBY Edit - distance checked and added, 0pt cobbles, 0pt Windmill, 0pt Recovery Beer, 0pt french food

MTD 133.2 / 214.4 km 2 April - No ride 3 April - No ride 4 April - No ride 5 April - No ride 6 April; 106.6 miles/ 171.6 km http://app.strava.com/activities/47524056

Yep - that's the "new Ti." Another buddy of mine has a Moots - Vamoots RSL and claims that he is never going back to carbon. Same story ... "surprisingly light and responsive." Yes - actually, I am running Enve fork, handlebars and wheel-set. The wheel-set is the smart system 3.4 clincher.

I have a Ti road bike: Lynskey Helix OS; moved over from carbon. The Helix is unique in that it has twisted (spiral) top and down tubes that help to provide lateral stiffness. I can attest that it is light and responsive. I have not yet purchased a mt bike, but when I do, it will be Ti.

Sounds awesome.

Steel cut oatmeal (i bring water + oatmeal to boil in microwave before bed and reheat in the morning) + blueberries. If the ride is over 50 miles, I will toss a clementine and/or banana in my jersey and probably a gel (Roctane) or two. I am also a bid fan of Nuuns for hydration, particularly when riding in the south during…

Team 2 (Team Spokes ) - 1st post 1st April, 26.6 miles http://app.strava.com/activities/46827907

I would like to get in on this as well.

I bought my first bike (almost 2 years ago) from an online retailer - for budgetary reasons* (i.e. something like bikesdirect.com). I too set my budget at $2000 and found I could get a lot more bang for my buck - carbon frame rather than alloy; ultrega / dura ace or sram red groupo.

Great words of wisdom in this thread. You'll love them!

I like the idea of adding a little more detail: 1205 miles 37 rides 78:11:02 h:m:s 71,286 ft of elevation 15.5 mph avg speed all road bike

I have the wrist road id. Its always on when I ride. I have noticed a number of people wearing them out (non-ride occasions).

1,205 miles thus far in 2013