Bikeforums.net is a forum about nothing but bikes. Our community can help you find information about hard-to-find and localized information like bicycle tours, specialties like where in your area to have your recumbent bike serviced, or what are the best bicycle tires and seats for the activities you use your bike for.Riotgeer
03-14-08, 10:31 AM
Hello from Chicago, I've been reading and following discussions here recently and thought it was about time to introduce myself. My name is Erick Wilcox- age 33 (in a couple of days), located near downtown with my SO/Fiance/Wife- Leigh Ann. I make and design shoes, as well as teaching the same here in Chicago. I lean towards more traditional materials and methods- in lifestyle (clothing and frame materials) and creatively (shoe-making and design).
I try to ride year round, mostly on old Euro style cruisers and recycled road bikes (steel) and commute the staggering 2-miles to downtown. I am about to buy a new bike for the first time! I had been contemplating longer rides and touring- in addition to already carrying heavier loads (tools, groceries...), so I thought it made sense to get a touring bike. When I determined that the bike I was contemplating (Surly Big Dummy) was going to be above my price range and impractical for storage, my LBS showed me the Raleigh Sojourn in the catalog. I've read a number of posts about it and think its pros (for me) trump the cons for the time being and think it's going to be a good starter tourer plus all-round bike (he says before he has a chance to test ride :)).
We calculated that I've probably never ridden more than ten miles in a single stretch, so I've started looking around for scheduled rides to start meeting other cyclists and get in more mileage -- I'll be posting over in the Great Lakes regional discussion soon.
I am looking forward to meeting new people and hearing opinions and suggestions on biking here on BF.
Erick
I try to ride year round, mostly on old Euro style cruisers and recycled road bikes (steel) and commute the staggering 2-miles to downtown. I am about to buy a new bike for the first time! I had been contemplating longer rides and touring- in addition to already carrying heavier loads (tools, groceries...), so I thought it made sense to get a touring bike. When I determined that the bike I was contemplating (Surly Big Dummy) was going to be above my price range and impractical for storage, my LBS showed me the Raleigh Sojourn in the catalog. I've read a number of posts about it and think its pros (for me) trump the cons for the time being and think it's going to be a good starter tourer plus all-round bike (he says before he has a chance to test ride :)).
We calculated that I've probably never ridden more than ten miles in a single stretch, so I've started looking around for scheduled rides to start meeting other cyclists and get in more mileage -- I'll be posting over in the Great Lakes regional discussion soon.
I am looking forward to meeting new people and hearing opinions and suggestions on biking here on BF.
Erick