Introductions - Hello form West Virginia

My name is Heath from Huntington West Virgina. I raced mountain bikes as a junior for several years here in my home state. After about a 10 year break I started riding again in 2003. I still ride offroad a good bit but I just purchased a new road bike and have been putting in some road miles. I really just ride for fun and fitness now, although I think it would be fun to hit a couple mountain bike races this year and I want to start commuting to work a couple days a week. My profession is IT geek, I love good beer, music, running and tinkering with bikes. Thanks for having me here at Bike Forums!

At one time in the distant past your home town was one of my stomping grounds. I was a young field officer for a major railroad that served the coal fields to the south of you in Mingo County. I was transferred back to Virginia in 1984. I started riding in 1985 and began USCF masters racing in 1987. The 7 years I spent living and working in WV were just great. There was a coal boom going on and a young man could really sink his teeth into the "art of railroading." I guess Huntington has changed a bit since I was there. I really liked visiting. We had a great time watching the Thundering Herd play.

Good to see you post.

Cheers!

Saddleman:)

My profession is IT geek, I love good beer, music, running and tinkering with bikes.

Yup, you'll fit in well here. Welcome!

... Brad

Welcome to the forums! :D
Let me be the first to offer :beer:

Just did a group ride in WV, and PA last Sunday. Beautiful day on the bike, and the post ride pasta meal was at the West Virginia Brewing Co. in Morgantown. Had a couple nice drafts to reflect on the days events.

Denny

Hi.

Im thinking about going to West Virginia University when I grad next year. It looks like WV terrain is great too=)

Welcome to the forums.

Hi.

Im thinking about going to West Virginia University when I grad next year. It looks like WV terrain is great too=)

Welcome to the forums.

Some very nice riding country in, and around WVU. If you want country roads, and hills, you'll find plenty to offer. There's also a long paved rail-trail right next to the campus, for days when you don't feel like doing hills. They also have a cycling team you can check into if you're interested.

Hello ropegun1, glad to see you join us here. What road bike did you go with?

Welcome to BF!

East Hill

Hey East Hill, I went with a Specialized Allez Comp. I really like it so far, it fits me well. It's been a while since I've done much road riding so I'm really having some fun.

An excellent choice! New, or something old enough that you can tinker with it?

East Hill

I lived in Huntington for a couple years. You've got a great cycling community for both road and mountain biking. Have you done any of the shop rides yet?

Greetings from Southern West Virginia....a bit disappointed to see our forum located in the NorthEeast section, but hey, bygones and all that...I used to burn up the hills here on my 10 speed back in the '70's but haven't done much biking since then. I'm looking at sterting up again since I have 3 kids and we need some outdoor activity. Glenwood Park (http://wildblueheaven.com/glenwood.html) near my home, is developing bike trails which will help us get in shape and stay there.

How do WV's bike trails compare to what's available out there. I would think that we would have quite a bit to offer in this category...I'm trying to do my part in generating interest and tourist traffic in the area.

Hey Wild Blue
I have not done much riding in the southern part of the state but I imagine the terrain does lend itself well to some nice mtb trails. I think WV has some of the best trails in the country. Pocahontas county and the areas up around Davis are absolutely top notch. Even up here in the flatter part of the state we have some really nice trails at Beech Fork state park and at Barboursville City park. Let us know how things turn out. I drive through that way on 77 a few times a year.
Good Luck

Howdy fellow West Virginians. I live just north of Charleston on I-77, and work in Charleston. I spend most of my time on the road bike these days but have definitely done more than my share of riding mountain bikes as well. If anyone wants to get together for a ride sometime just drop me a pm.

LOL..I would LowCel, but after reading your post you are WAY outta my league...

Nobody's out of anyone league around here. We all just like to get out and have fun.