New to CycleChat? Make your first post here and say HELLO :)

[mickm]

Hopefully this is where I type in my first post to say hello, so HELLO.

I am an old, short, fat and wrinkley returnee to biking, well I was until the snow and ice came early, I shall have to buy one of them garage trainer things now.
Well I had not actually given up as there is my old road bike and the fairly new tandem but thats another story, its just that I am going out daily (well was, until the ice and snow) and my son has given me his old wizz bang alloy/carbon bike that needs some new/replacement parts.

I was quite a good bike mechanic way back when it was 531 and 5 x 2 speeds but now I discover I know nothing of 10 x 2/3 and skinny tyres etc. so I am looking for a frieendly forum where I can ask dumb head questions.

Hope this is the one.

 

[BlackPanther]

Hi everyone. Up until March of this year I was a dedicated motorbike commuter. It's a tad over 20 miles round trip to work and back, but I decided to see if I could manage to cycle it once or twice a week to get fitter and lose a bit of weight (I am now fitter, my legs are like tree trunks, but haven't lost much weight!).

Before purchasing, I did a bit of t'internet research, and ended up buying a Dawes Tanami 24 speed (completely unnecessary as it's flat-ish and I only use the top few gears). I completely 'got into' cycling, and after a month or so didn't even break sweat any more. I now use the Dawes almost all the time, and the CBF sits in the garage on trickle charger for the odd occasion when I need to get home early.

Again, hello everyone, Carl.

 

[CycleMum]

Hello
I'd been thinking/talking about getting a bike for ages but taking it no further. Then a few months ago my husband spotted my size ladies sit up and beg bicycle with helmet, d-lock, lights and pump on the promenade at Portobello with a sign on it saying 'owner gone abroad - please take me'. So that was that. Since then I've acquired a seat for the baby and my little boy has learned to ride a pedal bike so now I'm thinking about getting a tandem and really taking off.
Laura

 

[winny]

Hello, I am new to the forum and a bit unsure of how it all works!!! I enjoy cycling but have not cycled for two months and hoping to get back as soon as the paths are clear. I live in Milton Keynes and was wondering if anyone knows of social events in the area as I am not that brilliant on my cycle.

 

[blue trice]

Hi,
havent been on here for a long time,
had to get a new computer, old one kept going off,
having trouble in uploading a photo

blue trice

 

[Pixie]

Not the first hallo! Joined back in April 2010 - kiwi couple wanting to do lejog. Didnt get much advice but packed up our bikes and headed overseas for the UK. Started biking 1 July from Lands End in pouring rain. Based part of our trip on the CTC club routes which were extremely hilly and challenging. Did a bit of zigzagging across the country via Edinburgh and then back up the west part of Scotland. Extremely challenging it was. Took 16 days and covered approximately 1700kms. Our bucket list was ticked off and we headed back home contemplating wether we would ever take on such a journey again considering we kind of went in on the blind side. Great experience and arriving at JOG was a feeling that I cannot explain and nearly felt like I needed to bike back. However, my knees warned me that would be impossible. Took weeks to recover. Certainly an experience I will never forget and take my hat off to all those who have comleted it and those that are contemplating it. Good luck!!!

 

[Jackrussel]

 

[Steelo]

Hi. Was a member of C+ but have been lurking here since. Thought i should join - wanted to comment on so many discussions, but haven't been able to!

 

[Happy Keith]

Hello there,

Okay, so you've signed-up, got your user account, now all you need to do is get posting .... ah, um, er, What do I say?

Well, it's dead easy - just say Hello - believe me, once you get that first post under your belt you'll be off!

My name's Shaun by the way, and I own and operate CycleChat.

If you need any help or advice on using the forums, or want to ask a question but don't want to do it publicly - just send me a PM (private message).

Hope you enjoy, and welcome to CycleChat

Cheers,
Shaun

 

[Happy Keith]

Hello from Colorado,

I just started to write something and it disappeared, so if a message arrives that's incomplete oop's That was me. Let's start over.

I'm Keith and as mentioned I live in the mountains of Colorado. I've been here more than forty years, and retired last year from the Boulder County Sheriff Office/ Jail division. While working there I found many of the inmates approaching their release date being short of funds, and no transportation. I answer to their plight by rebuilding bikes. I started gathering parts, and pieces of abandonded bikes which after being restored I'd give them to inmates going out on work release programs, or upon their release. At least they have this small help to pull their lives back together. I did this for the last few years I worked at the jail, and not only enjoyed helping these folk out I re-kindled my love for cycling. Honestly, my re-connection to bikes has saved my life. I'd gain a ton of weight over the years, and was heading toward serious health issues if I didn,t do something.

Since my return to the saddle I've dropped over sixty five pounds, and according to my lastest physical exam restored myself to a much better status of health. When I first got back on the bike it was tough. I live at 8,236 ft. elevation, and everything seems to be uphill from my house. I started off with a route to a small town just four and half miles off 750 ft. ascent, and into a consistant wind off the continental devide. My first run was laughable. I left the house in first gear, and struggled for 45 minutes to reach my first goal of 4.5 miles reaching nothing higher than 7th gear. Coming back down hill with the wind at my back, and in 21st gears was indeed faster, and easier. I make it back home in about 17 minutes. Just enough time blow dry the sweat from my shirt.

I've improved somewhat. My last ride out on that particlar route is accomplished much quicker, and in higher gears. I leave in 10th gear, and play between 10th and 14th gear reaching the 4.5 mark in 28 minutes, and returning in 21st gear in 11 minutes. I'm now using this route as my warm up, or cool down ride. I switch between mountain, cross, hybrids, and road bikes depending on what kind of ride I feel like doing. This year I'm up to as much as 30 mile rides in variable terrain that changes elevation as much as 1,100 ft during my ride. The feeling I get from these ride is outstanding. Along with dropping in weight I feel as good as I did in my mid thirties. I far from done, but happy..

Keith

 

[Norm]

I have a huge grin on my face from reading that, Keith. Thanks.

 

[The Quiet Man 1977]

Hello there everyone. Just 'joined' as after a new set of wheels. Used to ride a lot back in the day and have recently regained the urge. All this 'modern' bike technology has been a steep learning curve for someone who still thought cotter pins were cutting edge. I've been doing my research though and am narrowing things down.
Anyone out there with something to sell to a caring home then please get in touch.

Regards, Paul.

 

[wheelnut]

Hello and happy New Year. Lifelong cyclist and had caught a few threads from time to time but had been unable to comment. Don't spend too much time on forums as I prefer to either be riding bikes or fixing them.

 

[MOBE]

hello its mobe from london

 

[Mad Doug Biker]

Hello Mobe and welcome.