Introductions - Hello From Ann Arbor, MI!

It's been unseasonably warm here this winter. Once December's early snows melted, I was glued to the weather channel each morning waiting for snow and hoping that I'd soon be out on my xc skis again. Good thing I switched gears quickly and dragged my ole '93 Trek 930 out of the garage for the exercise I was craving. (No "ski-able" snow during the entire month of January!) Hadn't done much cycling in the past few years but have now been bitten by the biking bug again. I've been drooling over the '06 bike catalogs but am really undecided as to whether I want or need a new bike yet. I'm sure I can convince myself that I need one if I really want one, though. ;) I've been working on improving my bike handling skills and developing some endurance. I think after a few hundred miles logged I should have a better idea of what type of riding I want to be doing and what bike would best fit my needs. I've recently been updating my bike a bit in order to keep things exciting -- new seat (Terry Liberator), bar ends (Bontrager), fenders (Beavertail), a rack (Topeak) and an Incredibell.

I've been spending a lot of time lurking in the "winter cycling" forum trying to learn about effective layering. There really is a science to it. Seems I've gotten the base and insulating layers correct, but I'm still sweltering beneath a greenhouse-like effect created by wearing the wrong type of shell. Just ordered a Craft shell from L.L. Bean that I hope will solve my problems.

Not only do I enjoy cycling myself, but I always find it heartening to see others enjoying the sport of cycling or commuting by bike. On the way home from running errands today (yes, in my car :o ) I saw three people bike commuting. I almost wanted to stay right where I was, despite the green light, to see how they made their way through traffic. Biking in traffic will be a tough obstacle for me to overcome, but Ann Arbor is a very bike-friendly town and drivers here are used to seeing cyclists on the main roads. I'll have to keep this in mind when I venture out (she says to herself as she tightens the buckle on her helmet). :eek:

Well, just wanted to say hello and thanks for the great info I've already gleaned from Bike Forums. Keep up the great community! I'll try my best to do my part.

D.L.

Hi from a fellow Michigander! From T.C. originally, living in the Soo now. Spent some time living in Dexter as well as Hamburg.

Check the latest Bicycling magazine...A-squared made the list!

Check the latest Bicycling magazine...A-squared made the list!

Hey, Andy! Thanks for your reply. I recall coming across some of your posts in the winter cycling forum. BTW, that's a great shot of your bike next to Lake Superior. Looks like you're having the winter I was originally hoping for. What with my new affinity for my bike, I'm fine with temps in the 40s now. :D

I thought I had read somewhere that A2 had made the list -- just couldn't remember whether it was this year or in the past. (Have been signing out back issues of the mag at the library and am getting my seasons/dates all jumbled). I'll take a look when I can get my hands on the latest issue.

Happy winter riding!

D.L.

Hey, Andy! Thanks for your reply. I recall coming across some of your posts in the winter cycling forum. BTW, that's a great shot of your bike next to Lake Superior. Looks like you're having the winter I was originally hoping for. What with my new affinity for my bike, I'm fine with temps in the 40s now. :D

I thought I had read somewhere that A2 had made the list -- just couldn't remember whether it was this year or in the past. (Have been signing out back issues of the mag at the library and am getting my seasons/dates all jumbled). I'll take a look when I can get my hands on the latest issue.

Happy winter riding!

D.L.

We've had a pansy-ass winter so far. Finally got some new snow the other day, BUT it warmed up and melted the fresh stuff. Supposed to get in the mid-upper 30's here later this week.

Should be an early spring...more road time!

Happy riding right back atya!
Andy

Most bike friendly towns like Ann Arbor or Lansing have bike route maps. Some are for kids to get to local schools, some are by highways departments to keep bikes from interfering with car traffic, some are by bike advocates, some are combinations of all three. If you find one for Ann Arbor would you please post it on my bike route map thread in the Advocacy Forum? E-map is preferred but maps you pay for are OK if you can tell my where to get one and how much.

If you do have a local maps and use it to plan a way to commute be sure to ride it a few times before you count on it to get you to work. And memorize public toilets and access sized porta-potties along the route :rolleyes: .

I'm in SE Michigan too! I live just north of Ann Arbor. Just getting into road cycling but do a lot of mountain biking at Island Lake and Bishop Lake state parks.

cheers,
- tom

This must be the Michigan link, I am down on the southeast corner about 12 miles from the state line. I've been stopping by BF for about a 2 months now and just reading trying to learn and pick-up some ideas. The family bought me a Giant Suede for Christmas, i'm trying to keep the Diabets at bay and walk 4 to 5 times a week but I'm bored with that and it becomes a chore to do after while. Hopefully i will be riding into town for lunch with the wife 3 or 4 times a week by July, I've had the bike out just once for a couple mile ride and found that it will be new muscles to get in shape.
Andy we love the SOO area and try to make it up there at leat once a year and stay at the camp ground just down bound from the locks, love backing the trailer up to the ST. Marys and sitting on the river watching the frieghters.
Down in our corner the State has Sterling state park, nice place to walk or ride minus the traffic, as our county road are narrow with no shoulders, but I am planning out a route in to town that should be less traveled i hope!
Russ

Hi Rdj - Have you heard of the Tour de Cure? It's annual series of rides across the country to raise money for diabetes research. I've never done it before but will be riding in the one in Brighton at Island Lake in June.

Check out tour.diabetes.org/site/PageServer?pagename=TC_homepage

They are non-competitive events and have rides that range from 7 miles to 70 miles. This link will bring you to the Brighton, MI Tour page main.diabetes.org/site/TR?pg=entry&fr_id=3254

cheers!

Thanks Tom I will check the site out. I think the nice weather last month has spoiled us, they are saying 4 to 8 inches of snow tonite, a bike ride is only a dream this weekend. Wonder if Andy is down on the Detroit River this weekend, or if he got to stay in the U.P.
This is a great site to just pick through the posts and get ideas for the future with retirerment just a couple years away i could see a tour of some sort in the planning stages, gives me something to set a gold for.
Russ

Hello from Windsor ont. across from the BIG D. Welcome stick around read the forums. before you buy. so you know exactly what you want. Windsor was a buzz last night with all Super Bowl stuff goin on. (windsor is across the river from detroit). Take Care

Here's another welcome from Lansing. I've been disappointed with the wimpy winter too. All dressed up and no place to go! I don't have a car and ride every day. Have you checked out the Commuting subforum yet?

Mostly rain so far here today. I just keep going out in the garage once in a while to tell my bikes we'll be out riding before we know it. :)

Off to the Nordic Track for the day...

welcome Michigander!.. i was born in Lansing, and grew up in Gibraltar.. moved to NY in 82..