Introductions - Hello From Jacksonville, NC

Hello all. Currently I am a few days from heading home from deployment in Africa. So I am not in Jacksonville, yet. A little about me: I am 33 y/o, married with 3 kids and currently enlisted in the Marines as a Helo mechanic (just re-enlisted!!) I have been out here in Africa for 6 months and quit smoking 4 1/2 months ago, which feels great! Prob is I haven't gotten off my arse to go exercise like I should. I had the will power to quit smoking, but none, as is usual for me, to get active. I have a desk job at the squadron I am with, so I don't work as hard as I did as a young Marine. Comes with the promotions unfortunately! But still my fault for being lazy. I don't do enough outside of the house or with my kids in my spare time, so I am trying to find things to do to help improve my health and get me away from my favorite hobby (addiction!?) which is the internet. Just got to have the internet, and me and my family pay for it. I am not fat as I only gained maybe 10 lbs (I weigh 160 now) since I quit smoking. Just not as in shape, healthy or full of energy any more like I should. Also I hope to get my wife involved to help her with her weight loss. I have been reading much on this site and finally decided to post a "Hello". Figured since I will be home soon and we (family) have to get used to co existing together again, might as well use that time for all of us to learn do more for health and family fun. Bicycling hopefully could be it. OK, gonna shut up now, and thank everyone in advance for any help I may gleen from this site now or in the future. Now I just got to get every one bikes at home! Good shopping trip coming up!!
J

First, thanks for your service!

Second, congratulations on quitting smoking!

Third, what can I say about a shopping trip that involves buying bicycles :D !

What kind of bikes/riding are you looking at? Ages of kids? Can they ride on their own, or will they need to be trailered? Your budget?

REMEMBER TO HAVE HELMETS FOR EVERYONE!

Welcome to BF!

East Hill

What kind of bikes/riding are you looking at? Ages of kids? Can they ride on their own, or will they need to be trailered? Your budget?



Thanks for the reply. As far as riding, heck I need to just get out and ride for now, so really cannot answer specifically. I would love to commute and tour later on if it works out for me, would be nice to have the family involved. Bike wise, I guess more MTB for now, as I can take it more places. Still up in the air on that, and still reading the over abundance of info on this site (and opinions!) My 3 knuckleheads are 17, 11 and 5. Yeah a little spread there. It is getting the younger one biking, as the 2 older ones know how to ride, just need new bikes. I guess the 5 y/o would need to be trailered most times if distance is involved. My budget is the biggest factor, especially with the # of bikes I am looking at. I will be looking for used bikes, as I do not want to spend too much for something the family might not like. So lots of decisions and ideas to be worked out with my loved ones when I get home.

J

Craigslist is your friend! Your five year old may indeed need to be trailered, at least if distance is involved.

If you've got questions about anything you may find on CL, just give us a holler here and we'll see if we can't give you a bit of long distance guidance.

East Hill

Thank You East Hill

Thank You East Hill

:D

Anytime!

Hey. A friend PMed me your thread so I could say hi. I'm an ex helo mech in the Marines too. I used to be a crewchief on 53s out in Hawaii before I went on the Marine Security Guard Program to guard embassies. Now I am about to go to Africa for a year. Thought I'd extend a hello and congratulate you for finding biking. It's changed me and I love it. Hope you do too.

I take you flew on the D's if you got to play in Hawaii. Sweet, but I will stick with the E's! Good to hear from you and Thanks!

J