Introductions - Hello from northern Michigan

I've just started cycling over this summer. I began to ride at only about 12 miles, daily. I've had a number of health problems over the years that have weakened my body and I'm just starting to get in shape. I live in a pretty rural area...mostly sets of small towns. There aren't many very smooth roads but there is one newly paved road that starts just outside of my tiny town that is pretty quiet for cars, which I ride on for about 5 miles until it reaches the point where the road goes to bad condition (we get a lot of snow/cold each year so roads get worn pretty bad over time). I just ride my mom's old JCpenny road bike that was probably bought twenty years ago. The grips on the handlebars are duct-taped on, the rear brake is off because it was rubbing the tire, the gear changer for the gears on the pedal axle was taken off by me cause it was rubbing the chain constantly, the tire rims are pretty bent, and the kickstand was taken off by me because the pedal would tap it on each revolution. :) I have no other equipment besides that bike. Well, I do carry a water bottle in my pocket, if you call that a piece of gear. I'm not currently riding because I am recovering from a surgury but I'm excited to get back on the road in a few weeks :D

Welcome to the Forums! :) I hope a helmet is the first accessory you get... mine have come in handy a couple times. Here's hoping your recovery goes well. :beer:

Originally posted by mechBgon
Welcome to the Forums! :) I hope a helmet is the first accessory you get... mine have come in handy a couple times. Here's hoping your recovery goes well. :beer:

Thanks! And yes the helmet will be! I'm 16, still living in the mothers house, and she said I gotta start wearing one once I begin to ride again, I should anyway, (which will hopefully be in 2-3 weeks...I'm pretty anxious to get back on the bike...I'm recovering well :)) specially since I had brain surgury (well on the back of the skull...long story... it ain't nearly as bad as it sounds). Hopefully a new bike will be my next accessory. We usually get pretty snowy winters but the last couple years we have had periods of no snow staying on the ground until a week or two into December...so a good few months to ride before the winter. My lungs seem to love the cold air (I can't breathe well in hotter air that is +80 degrees......I have minor ashma, that might be partly the reason, and I'm used to the freezing air from living here my life) so maybe I will be able to ride on good days when the roads are mostly dry.

Welcome to the forums Brent dube.. I am one of few Californian's that have a "Say Yes to the UP, Heah," bumper sticker on my rear bumper. I am a former Michiganian, but from the LP... Love the UP. Wish the UP were more compatable for cycling. The cycling maps tend to use US 2 to cross the UP. Wish M28 worked. Love to go near Tahaquamenon Falls and along the Lake Superior shore.
Hope your health problems clear and that cycling can be part of your road to recovery.. Houghton. I can remember driving about L'Anse and up the Keenewaw Peninsula. Beautiful.. One of my favorite bits of real estate on the planet.. Riding north on US 41 towards Copper Harbor might have better cycling lanes over other directions? ?
Can anything be done to encourage roads to be made compatable for road cycling in your neck of the woods. It will take awhile but you will get what you need for cycling. Good luck.. If you can cycle you are on your way back to good health.. Were are all counting on that...

Welcome to the forums. I know how frustrating it must be to be off the bike. Dr banned it while I was treated for a kidney stone during the month of July. I'm back at it now though.