Introductions - Hello From Oklahoma

Hey I'm Tonkers

I'm new to road bicycling. I've taken it up as a hobby. I need the exercise and I really love it.
So far, I've lost 48 lbs. I like the kilocalorie burning process of cycling.

I have had 23 surgeries in my life. Everything from bi lateral ureter reconstructive surgeries to bladder reconstructive surgeries. I was diagnosed at the age of six with reflux nephropathy. At the age of 32, I went on dialysis due to chronic renal insufficiency. I did this three days a week for a while and then I had an Aortic heart valve replacement. I then had my native kidneys removed and I got a kidney transplant. My father donated one of his kidneys and I've been out about 11 years on my transplant. Last June, I was diagnosed with Myloma. A particular varity calld a plasmacytoma. I underwent surgery to remove the cancer and 26 radiation treatments. I am currently in remission and feeling great.

I started out on a mountain bike in the middle of last April 2006 . A Research Dynamics Coyote. The frame was too small for me and I rode it as long as I could stand. I was using it as a road bike. After a couple months of numb hands and an aching toosh, I upgraded. I just purchased an OCR Limited Composite and am riding anywhere from 50 to 80 miles a week. So far this year, I have cranked out about 603 miles this year. My goal is to ride 1000 miles before it gets too cold to ride.

I am in training for the Free Wheel Tour. This is an 8 day 400 mile tour across the state of Oklahoma. I have till next June of 2007 to get prepared. I think I will make it.

I am looking forward to getting to know some of you.

Any suggestions or comments you can offer a neophyte road bikie wanna be wll be greatly appreciated.

Have a Blessed Day!!!

Tonkers




I've ridden in a couple of bike tours. The Tour de Tulas and The Duncan Dehydrator.

Now Remember, when things get bad and it looks like your not gonna make it, Then you gotta get mean.
I mean plumb mad-dog mean. 'Cause if you lose you head and you give up then you neither live nor win.:fight:
That's just the way it is.

Clint Eastwood in The Outlaw Josie Wales

Welcome - you'll find a lot of knowledgable people in these forums, some good advice, some not so good advice, and hopefully some advice you can use. I try to limit myself to being the Klass Klown but I've been known to have an intelligible thought now and then.


My best advice based on what you wrote...it ain't never too cold to ride. :)

Hey, I appreciate any help I can get!

It's nice to meet ya!

Tonkers

welcome to the site... i know this may not be for you but seein as your a fellow okie thought i'd throw ya an invite.. we do a bar crawl on bikes everyfriday night starting around 9pm at the red rooster.. all bikes are welcome we get some boozing and just have fun.. if yer down drop me an email or just show up! okcdirtbag@cox.net

Tonkers, welcome to the forums. As a displaced Texan living in Oklahoma (OKC area), it's nice to see another person who's living in OK on this board. I'm addicted to MTB action--maybe because I'm within riding distance of the NuDraper trails--but any cyclist in this state is a welcome sight. I usually like to hang out in foo, but I occasionally spend time in the MTB, General Cycling and Roadie forums.

Nice to see other people from oklahoma on the board. KDub inviting people to a bar crawl. I also got a invite but it sucks being 19.

Another OKC Okie here. However, I spend the majority of my time on the road and live in the Holiday Inn Express. I usually make it home for Christmas and then for a couple of months before heading out again . . . cross country pipelining. Hope to meet up with you guys.