Introductions - Returning Kalamazoo MI area rider. New to forum.

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cb400bill
07-22-07, 10:57 AM
I have been lurking here for a few days and have decided to de-cloak.

Like many here I recently started riding again. I have been going out on my old Raleigh C50 hybrid. I had bought it new in 1994ish to ride with my kids when they were small. After a few years my oldest son was given this bike to ride. Then it just kinda sat around.

FF a few years and I thought that I would use it to lose some weight, get in better shape, and get out and ride again. It needed some work and I took it to a LBS and he did what he could to try and straighten both wheels, etc.

A few months into this I went on a ride with a friend who had a newer road bike. I couldn't believe how much better his bike performed. Lighter, smoother, quicker more precise shifting, better braking, etc.

Well I started looking at upgrading my ride and found a good deal on a new bike. I am now the owner of a new Cannondale Synapse Alloy 4. And because nothing exists without pictures, here is one.

Bill

http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n319/cb400bill/CannondaleSynapseAlloy4001.jpg

East Hill
07-22-07, 11:18 AM
Good for you Bill! It's always nice to see those photos so that we can get started right away with admiring the bike! It looks pretty clean, have you actually gotten any riding in on it yet?

Welcome to BF!

East Hill
donnamb
07-22-07, 11:23 AM
Nice bike, Bill. Hope you have fun with it.

cb400bill
07-23-07, 04:19 AM
It looks pretty clean, have you actually gotten any riding in on it yet?


Thanks for the warm welcome. The bike is brand new. I just picked it up on Saturday afternoon. I took it on a quick ride Saturday and then again Sunday morning. So it only has about 25 miles on it.
East Hill
07-23-07, 04:38 AM
So you are breaking it in per manufacturer's instructions :) .

Are you planning on doing bike commuting? I think with the slightly relaxed geometry this could make a decent commuter if you were up to that sort of thing...

East Hill
cb400bill
07-23-07, 04:47 AM
I ride for the exercise. I have already lost about 12 pounds in the last 6 weeks.

I have a retail job, and seeing as there are no shower provisions where I work, doubt I will commute. Too bad though as it is about a 14 mile trip from home to work.
East Hill
07-23-07, 05:01 AM
Great job on the weight loss! Too bad about not having a shower at work, as 14 miles is an almost perfect distance for a commute. There are ways of getting around the lack of a shower, but it's a lot more trouble, for sure.

Oh, what's your avatar signify?

East Hill
cb400bill
07-23-07, 05:22 AM
Oh, what's your avatar signify?East Hill


It is the label to my favorite local beer, Bell's Oberon. I haven't had any in over 2 month, though.
http://www.bellsbeer.com/
East Hill
07-23-07, 05:28 AM
Have you got their cycling jersey?

East Hill
cb400bill
07-23-07, 06:36 AM
Have you got their cycling jersey?

East Hill

Not yet!!!
East Hill
07-23-07, 06:45 AM
It never ceases to amaze me how many microbreweries have cycling jerseys. You could have a collection of hundreds of jerseys, all from breweries :) .

I don't even drink beer, but some of the jerseys are just glorious.

East Hill
bac
07-23-07, 08:17 AM
A few months into this I went on a ride with a friend who had a newer road bike. I couldn't believe how much better his bike performed. Lighter, smoother, quicker more precise shifting, better braking, etc.

Hey Bill. Yup, it's amazing how much faster you can go on a road bike. When I made the leap from my mountain bike in 2001, I felt the same way.

Many welcomes to BikeForums!

... Brad