Introductions - Hello from Poland

Hello all,

I'm an American who has lived (car free!) in Wrocław, Poland for the past 3+ years. During this time, my girlfriend and I have "returned to biking" after many years without. 3 years ago we bought a couple of Trek Navigators and we've had a blast biking through the many forest trails in this part of the country.

Unfortunately, we've been unable to bike this winter. This season has been unusually harsh -- lots of snow, and lots of brutally cold temperatures. (Did you hear about the giant cold front that ravaged Russia a few weeks ago? Yeah, it kicked our butts, too.) We got another 1cm of snow just yesterday. The city doesn't seem to place a high priority on bike path maintenance, so snow/ice accumulations (especially under bridges) is awful and biking is quite dangerous now. I'm rather fond of my collar bones, so I just don't bike on ice. In theory, one could bike on the public roads, but that would be suicidal in this city.

The bad news: Polish cuisine + no biking + stuck indoors due to horrible weather = an extra 20 pounds.
The good news: I drop weight easily and quickly when my activity level is high.

We're moving back to the US next month. I'm originally from Texas, but we're moving to the Seattle "Eastside" (Redmond/Kirkland) area. I plan to arrange things so that I can bike to work every day. Yes, I know it rains there. A lot. I lived in the area from 1990-2002. I see a lot of Gore-Tex in my future.

For a number of reasons, we'll be leaving our bikes here (at my girlfriend's parent's house). This gives us something to ride when we come back to visit her parents. It also gives us a great excuse to go shopping for new bikes...

I plan to buy a couple of hybrids as soon as we get settled. The Trek 7500 looks good, but I want to defer any decisions until I talk to some of the local bike shops. I'm also interested in hearing any suggestions you folks may have. After a few months of regular biking to get our legs back in shape (and drop the Winter Weight) I plan to buy a couple of mountain bikes. There are so many beautiful places in the Pacific Northwest for mountain biking. I can't wait!

So, that's my story. I'll be hanging out around here regularly.

Welcome keithm0,

BF has a lot of friendly member and a very ton of helpful information. I've hooked up with a couple BF members in my area for rides. If you're interested, there are quite a few riders from the Seattle area.

I was in Poland for our wedding/honeymoon last July. I was in Lodz for the most part but went up to Gdansk & Sopot for our honeymoon. We visited the Castle Malbork on the way back. Awsome coiuntry & people. I've been through Wroclaw a couple times and know what you mean about the traffic. To me, it would be suicidal to ride in any busy metro area. I've wondered what it would be like to ride on the tree line country side roads. Since there are no shoulders on the road, I thionk it would make me nervous. We are planning on going back to Poland June 2007. My wifes cousin is getting married and our "bun in the oven" should be old enough to travel.

See ya around.

T.J.

For a number of reasons, we'll be leaving our bikes here (at my girlfriend's parent's house). This gives us something to ride when we come back to visit her parents. It also gives us a great excuse to go shopping for new bikes....


Welcome. I like the way you think!

Welcome keithm0,

<snip>
I've wondered what it would be like to ride on the tree line country side roads. Since there are no shoulders on the road, I thionk it would make me nervous. We are planning on going back to Poland June 2007. My wifes cousin is getting married and our "bun in the oven" should be old enough to travel.

See ya around.

T.J.

Hey T.J.,

As usual, "it depends". In some areas bicycling is very popular, and drivers respect bikers. In others, drivers seem to treat bikers as "roving speed bumps".

Last Fall, my girlfriend and I went to the Danish island of Bornholm in the Baltic Sea. That was an incredible place for biking -- paved trails everywhere, and everyone bikes. Very cool.

Congrats on the bun!

Welcome. I like the way you think!

Heh heh. Thanks.

Hey T.J.,

As usual, "it depends". In some areas bicycling is very popular, and drivers respect bikers. In others, drivers seem to treat bikers as "roving speed bumps".

Last Fall, my girlfriend and I went to the Danish island of Bornholm in the Baltic Sea. That was an incredible place for biking -- paved trails everywhere, and everyone bikes. Very cool.

Congrats on the bun!

I was in Sweden a couple time last year on bisuness. In the city I was in, Linkoping, where 65% of all commutes are done on bikes. It was amazing to see so many bikes parked all over the streets unlocked. See pics.

I was in Sweden a couple time last year on bisuness. In the city I was in, Linkoping, where 65% of all commutes are done on bikes. It was amazing to see so many bikes parked all over the streets unlocked. See pics.

Wow, wOw, WOW! Now that is the Utopian paradise we've all been dreaming of. :D