Introductions - Yet another S.E. Floridian.

Yes another SE Floridian, we're everywhere. I'm currently bike-less, and have been for about the past 10 years...well I had a bike for a few of those years but never rode it. So I'm going to get back into it, more for health reasons this time, since the only shape I could describe myself is round, pear, fluffy, etc. I think I still have a good base point in terms of strength, but pretty much no stamina at all.

So I'm hoping to get into good enough shape to maybe start doing some racing/time trial stuff, but we'll see on that.

Andrew

Welcome, Ajay.

It looks like we've got a lot in common.
I'm also from SoFla, used to ride/race, and am getting back on the bike after almost a decade as well. And, I too am currently bikeless.

As soon as I pick up my new ride (hopefuly within the next few weeks) I plan on racing after I get back in form.

Anyway, welcome from another local Floridian (there's quite a few of us here).

So what have you found for races down here? I've been doing a little looking on the net and haven't found much, just a few of the bigger events, and the club time trials. Any ideas on where to find such information? I'll probably have to wait till next sometime next year before I'm in any kind of condition to do some racing, but it would be fun to watch once in awhile.

Also, what are you looking at in terms of a bike? Right now I'm leaning towards picking up a frame from somebody and building something up using the components I really want. I've been cruising some of the LBS around here in my free time (need to remind myself to stop working for small tech companies in this economy) and nothing has really caught my eye so far...well at least in the budget range I've loosely set.

Andrew

Funny you should ask about the races.

I'm going to the "Sunday Criteriums" tomorrow (8/4/02), but just as a spectator. I guess I'd look pretty funny racing a crit without a bike :).

Check out www.florida-cycling.com for local race info. The Sunday crits are tomorrow at Brian Piccolo Park in Cooper City, where the Velodrome is. Supposedly, they're racing everything from PRO-1-2 to CAT3, 4, and 5, so it should be interesting. I'm going just to study the competition, and see what I'll be up against should I decide to start racing again. As far as time-trials go, I'm not really sure. You can probably find information on www.florida-cycling.com, as that site seems to be pretty informative on the local scene.

For my bike, I was planning to buy parts on the internet (frame, gruppo, etc.) and have it built locally. Then I found a sweet deal on a Colnago at a store near my house and couldn't pass it up. I gave them $100 to hold it for me, and I'm putting the rest of the dough together right now. As far as I'm concerned, bike preference is an entirely personal decision, and you should take anyone's advice with a grain or two of salt. Ride what you like, even if it means riding a brand that doesn't have much name recognition as another. As long as it feels right to you, that's all that matters.

Unfortunately for my bank account, what feels right for me just happens to be classic Italian. But that's OK, because something that a lot of people won't admit is that there's a huge psychological factor involved in your performance. I will be faster on my new Colnago than I would be on a similarly spec'd domestic bike, for example. There's no doubt about it. since I'll feel faster on the Colnago, I'll go faster in real life.

Sorry, I'm rambling on here. The bottom line, as far as I'm concerned, is this: Ride what feels right for you. Do your research and find out which components work, and which don't. That way, you won't be suckered by some salesman.

Hi Andrew. We're neighbors. I'm in the southeast Boca area. You're the first forumite from Boca I've met. Couldn't tell you about races. That's not my thing. Have you checked out the Boca Raton Bicycle Club? I understand they're a pretty competitive group. We just had the big local event... the Frank Stark Ride last month. BikeFest is coming up in October in West Palm. There will be racing at that event and some light touring up to a century.

Again welcome.:beer:

WOW another south Fl person!!! HEHEHE another person to talk to about the heat!

Jared