Recreational & Family - I just LOVE to ride!

I've had my bike about two and a half weeks now, and I just had to tell someone - I LOVE to ride! I ended up getting a mountain bike because I really had no idea what I wanted. Now I know I wanted more of a commuter, but I still love my bike because I can do just about anything with it - roads or not!

Today I passed my 80 mile, 10 hour mark for the bike, and I'm even more happy with it now than i was when I bought it. I can tell there's going to be a WHOLE LOT of riding going on this summer!!

(I know I'm a geek, but I *had* to share!!)

http://web.mac.com/jamester

You folks get this kind of elation too?

I've had my bike about two and a half weeks now, and I just had to tell someone - I LOVE to ride! I ended up getting a mountain bike because I really had no idea what I wanted. Now I know I wanted more of a commuter, but I still love my bike because I can do just about anything with it - roads or not!

Today I passed my 80 mile, 10 hour mark for the bike, and I'm even more happy with it now than i was when I bought it. I can tell there's going to be a WHOLE LOT of riding going on this summer!!

(I know I'm a geek, but I *had* to share!!)

http://web.mac.com/jamester

You folks get this kind of elation too?

Thanks for sharing.

My first "recent" bike was a mtn bike. Now I have 6 in the garage - 3 for me, 2 for the wife and a bicycle "trike" for my son with a disability.

Be sure you put "slicks" (tires) on the bike unless you are going to do technical trails. They will increasae your speed about 10%.

I have to stick with the knobbies until I can afford to change them - sadly that won't be until after I can afford a lock. And a rack, possibly. And bar-ends. And a mirror. And the kabillion -other- things I want to buy now, lol.

Thanks for the smile! It is always great to hear from others who just like to have fun on their bike.

I'm sitting 300 miles from home and my bikes, in a hotel in Alabama after a long work day. But I fly home tomorrow.:D Then I'll smile even more!

Good looking Rockhopper ya' got there. I dig your enthusiasm, hope you never lose it. Yes, I get like that sometimes too. Often really.

From a fellow geek, welcome! I have it too, and my non-cycling friends get tired of hearing about how much I like it. That's why BikeForums is so great!

There's nothing like the endorphin high after a good, strong bike ride...

I enjoyed your site!

You folks get this kind of elation too?

Nice post. I sure do get this kind of elation--and I've been riding for more decades than I want to admit. I went for a bike ride this evening. Just a 8 mile jaunt through the local countryside. But I felt so blissed out, fortunate and grateful to be on a bike. It's a feeling I never lose. And I bet you won't either.
:beer:

I'm betting I won't lose it anytime soon. I want to look into a back rack and side bags like I see on some of the commuter bikes, so that I can carry more "stuff" with me like my camera, but that can wait for now. I just love getting out and riding!

I was devestated because today's calling for thunderstorms. I didn't know if I'd be able to ride or not - but now that I check the hour-by-hour forecast, it should only rain from 7PM on - I'm hoping to be home by then, so today I bike!

Plus, Duke University is having a Bike Fix-up event this week - yesterday and today. I missed yesterday's, but am hoping to get in soon enough to get today's... it's from 3P to 7P if anybody is in the area, and they're free. http://www.duke.edu/web/bikeadvocacy/ I figure if nothing else, I can get the checkup I haven't yet gotten from my LBS...

(To be fair, I did take it to the LBS for the checkup - but they encouraged me to just keep riding until I have trouble shifting or something, and THEN bring it in for their one free "checkup". Sounded like good advice to me.)

Often you can find some of the accessories you like on sale at Nashbar.com or Performance.com or other online sources.

Here are some inexpensive "slick" tires.

http://www.nashbar.com/results.cfm?subcategory=1249&category=121&browse=&storetype=&estoreid=&brand=&searchbox=&start=1&orderby=price1&pagename=

I like the site Jamester. I actually book marked it so I could go back and see what you have seen once in a while.

Nice post and nice bike! (I have a rockhopper too). I get the same elation you experienced...the thrill of riding is unlike any other exercise/sport I've tried. Not sure if it is the fresh air, the scenery, the sense of accomplishment after a long ride and realizing how much ground you covered, etc, etc, etc. Even on short 30 minute rides there is a sense of release, a sense pride and joy...a deep gratitude for just having the opportunity to get out and ride....ah...it is a great feeling. Keep on riding man!

Thanks here and there, badgolfer and dnvrfox :)

I'm loving the Rockhopper. There are times I wish I had gotten a more "commute"-y bike, but that's about it - and I think (although I could be wrong) that I can commute-y up the Rockhopper real nice if I try.

I've passed 100 miles on the bike now - haven't even had it a month yet! I'm REALLY liking it. My diet's gone to hell or I'd have lost some weight by now - guess I'm destined to be quite the clydesdale for a while yet.

My only real question is in speed - I'm averaging around 8-10mph. I see folks in other posts averaging around 18. Am I just THAT slow? Can I blame it on the knobby tires? Maybe it's because of my (portly) physique? Might I speed up once I lose some of this weight?

My only real question is in speed - I'm averaging around 8-10mph. I see folks in other posts averaging around 18. Am I just THAT slow? Can I blame it on the knobby tires? Maybe it's because of my (portly) physique? Might I speed up once I lose some of this weight?

jamester,

thanks for sharing your enthusiasm with us. nice bike - cool pics on your site!

cyclometers can be useful, informative gadgets - how far, how fast, etc. personally, i rely more on my funometer. if i'm having fun then it doesn't matter how far or fast i've gone.

it sounds like you have your funometer dialed in - pay attention to it.

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c267/sweetdaddyroses/10ldhipy.gif
ride on!

How fast do you average walking?

I bet you beat the heck out of that!

You will just get better and better the more you ride. And do keep that fun factor as the most important.

Thanks here and there, badgolfer and dnvrfox :)

I'm loving the Rockhopper. There are times I wish I had gotten a more "commute"-y bike, but that's about it - and I think (although I could be wrong) that I can commute-y up the Rockhopper real nice if I try.

I've passed 100 miles on the bike now - haven't even had it a month yet! I'm REALLY liking it. My diet's gone to hell or I'd have lost some weight by now - guess I'm destined to be quite the clydesdale for a while yet.

My only real question is in speed - I'm averaging around 8-10mph. I see folks in other posts averaging around 18. Am I just THAT slow? Can I blame it on the knobby tires? Maybe it's because of my (portly) physique? Might I speed up once I lose some of this weight?

The rockhopper can be commuter friendly, there are eyelets on the rear for a rack/fender and there are fenders that you could put on the front that'll work with suspension forks. And if you ever find yourself wanting more hand positions, check out the trekking bars at nashbar. I have some on my rockhopper and LOVE them. As for the speed, it'll improve with time and like others said what matters is that you're out riding and having fun.