Introductions - Roadie from MD

Hi! Just stumbled across the bike forums and thought I'd post an intro.

I started cycling again (after about a 10 year lay-off) last year, after having weight loss surgery. Last year I trained for the Seagull Century (www.seagull-century.org) - sadly I bonked at Assateague Island (64.1 miles completed) thanks in part to poor ride nutrition and the remnants of a Nor'Easter! As my friend Krista put it after the ride "Even on the few 'downhill' sections, it felt like you were going uphill" so that gives you an idea of how windy it was.

This year, I've already completed a half century and I'm looking forward to doing about 5 full centuries - including taking another crack at the Seagull - and who knows how many half/metrics.

I'm absolutely addicted to this wonderful sport!

- Kelly:D

Hello Kelly, yeah, you'll make it this time! Determination and conditioning are both good. There are a few members here who've gone through the bariatric surgery (Tom Stormcrowe in particular), so it you need any help or pointers, he's da man!

What kind of bike have you got?

Oh, don't forget to say hi to the folks in the regional forums--I think that you would want the Northeast...

Welcome to BF!

East Hill

Thanks for the welcome and the tips, East Hill!

My Bike:
K2 Mach2.0 9sp with Shimano Tiagra Front/ 105Rear Derailleurs and Tiagra Shifters, a SRAM cassette and Truvativ Crankset. Lovely little bike that already has 400miles on it. Recently added clipless peddles (soooo much better than toe clips!).

I loooove my bike, so much fun to ride!!

That's a nice machine, there. I live not far from Vashon Island, not far from the original home of K2, so I always think of skis when I see that (or the mountain :)).

Have you managed to do your first slow motion clipped-in fall yet?

East Hill

Welcome Kelly -

You'll find that there are several folks around the forums from MD and the DC area, so you're by no means alone. Good luck with the training, and we'll see you around!

Kuma

This year, I've already completed a half century and I'm looking forward to doing about 5 full centuries - including taking another crack at the Seagull - and who knows how many half/metrics.

Good for you, Kelly! Welcome to the forums! :)

... Brad

Welcome Kelly...
Congrats on your attempt at the Seagull Century and your mileage thusfar this year.
I've tried to do that ride for several years but have had health issues that kept hitting me about that time of year, but haven't given up the idea of doing it again this year.
Where are you in Maryland? How often do you ride?

I had my first, and so far only, slo-mo clipped in fall the very first time I took the bike out for a spin after practicing clipping in/out on the trainer. Uhhhh yeah I felt like a complete fool trying to frantically clip out while avoiding the bumper of my car and the decorative lamp post in my front yard.

Thank god it was early enough in the morning that no one was out to witness my near collision!

Since then, I've gotten loads better at clipping out much sooner than I probably need to in order to avoid that insanity.

Then you still need to perform the 'oops, that isn't me falling over like a doofus in front of those 200 people staring at my every move' slow motion clipped-in fall :D .

East Hill

Welcome Kelly -

You'll find that there are several folks around the forums from MD and the DC area, so you're by no means alone. Good luck with the training, and we'll see you around!

Kuma

Thanks for the welcome and well wishes Kuma, I appreciate it!

Then you still need to perform the 'oops, that isn't me falling over like a doofus in front of those 200 people staring at my every move' slow motion clipped-in fall :D .

East Hill

No-no..that's really quite alright, I by no means need to experience that level of non-chalant mortification!

My luck, that will happen at my next event..thanks East Hill! :p

- Kelly

Welcome Kelly...
Congrats on your attempt at the Seagull Century and your mileage thusfar this year.
I've tried to do that ride for several years but have had health issues that kept hitting me about that time of year, but haven't given up the idea of doing it again this year.
Where are you in Maryland? How often do you ride?

Thanks Cyclechick! I have a feeling that I will most definitely conquer the Seagull this year - but I'll probably skip the 2nd SAG Stop on Assateague, trying to go over that bloody bridge with gusting wind is SO not something that needs to be experienced ever again!

As for location, I'm currently in Waldorf (Charles County), but probably making a return to the Rockville area in the next few months. Which is a blessing and a curse since So. MD has some really really great back roads to ride on.

Ride frequency is daily if I can help it, now that the weather has warmed up, usually about 15-25 miles a day. With a couple of longer rides ranging from 35 miles on up at the weekends. If I move back to Rockville, I can commute by bike too which will up the mileage further! Trying to ride my bike to Metro from my current location would be almost suicidal I think.

What about you? How often do you ride?

Good for you, Kelly! Welcome to the forums! :)

... Brad

Thanks for the welcome Brad!

No-no..that's really quite alright, I by no means need to experience that level of non-chalant mortification!

My luck, that will happen at my next event..thanks East Hill! :p

- Kelly

Anytime! By the way, that's why I still use platform pedals. That and the fact that I have 12 + bikes which would make it expensive to get them all to match :D .

East Hill

Anytime! By the way, that's why I still use platform pedals. That and the fact that I have 12 + bikes which would make it expensive to get them all to match :D .

East Hill

12+ bikes?!

Alright, so I'm jealous now...I'd love to start a collection, where I'd put them all I'm unsure, but I want a collection!

::tries not to lust after East Hill's multitude of bikes::

- Kelly

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=288675&postcount=#6

Here's just a few of them...

If you visit the Classic & Vintage forum there are more!

East Hill