Just joined after frequenting this board quite a bit lately. I live in the Cherokee/Forsyth County area of Georgia. I have been a recreational bike rider off and on all of my life. I'm just looking into purchasing my first road style bike. If anyone lives near my area, I'd be interested in hearing some riding routes where I won't be eaten by a rotwiler. Thank God for chains!!
Considering the Lemond Alpe D' Huez. Compact geometry bikes don't seem to be long enough in the reach department. I was athletic in my former life as a youth and played baseball at a small college for three years before hanging it up. I now find myself somewhat overweight and not active enough. I enjoy riding bikes and need to shed a few pounds. I am considering the Alpe D' Hues since it is steel and the rims have a nice high spoke count giving me good support over the entire rim. Woops. I guess that I have overstated any intro here. Any advice before I drop $1200+ on a bike would be appreciated. I'd also like advice on a double vs a triple. I probably can't go wrong with a triple.
