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05-20-09, 09:21 AM
Hi all,
I'm not sure if a forum specific introduction is the norm around here. I posted an introduction in the main forum over the weekend, but looking through the posts here in 50+ for about the last year, it looks like introductions within the forum are sproadic. Please excuse the faux pas if once was enough. I've replied to a few threads already andthis seems to be where I'm likely to hang out most, so I thought I'd put a face to the name, as it were. Here's a couple snips from my original introduction:
Well, I hope I stick with this...
I pulled my old bike off of the hooks in the garage for the first time since about 1994. Our daughter wants to go riding, and has seen it hanging there, and bugged me enough until I brought it down. I'm 55, and used to ride all the time, everywhere I went. Then the next year I was trying to get in shape for a backpacking trip, so I walked everywhere. After the trip, I vegetated. For 15 years. I stepped on the scales last week, and weigh the most I ever have. Time to get back in shape and riding was always a fun way to keep fit.
When I last rode, my goal was to keep up with the fast boys and put in a lot of miles. I mostly rode solo after work or evenings, and on a couple organized metric centuries each summer. Now my goal is to be comfortable, enjoy the ride, and explore new places at a more leisurely pace, maybe working up to longer rides as I get back in shape. So I've spent the last few evenings looking at replacing the old skinny Panaracer tires with some fatter Schwalbe Marathon 700X32, and replacing the skinny Selle San Marco with a Brooks Champion Flyer or B-67. My priorities are obvious: taking care of my butt! [edit: I ordered the Champion Flyer and the Marathons]
The bike: I was an old BOBster. I have a 1992 Bridgestone RB-T that's mostly stock. I bought the touring rather than the RB-1 or RB-2, as I was pulling a Burley trailer with our oldest daughter at the time. As noted, I replaced the old Avocet tires with the skinny Panaracers, and the saddle with the SSM. I also had the dealer swap Look clipless for the MKS and toe clips, but at some later time I changed back to a basic Union platform pedal.
The trick is going to be keeping at it. Seems all my hobbies are outdoor summer hobbies, and all conflict. I've got three scooters and an old MG for exactly the same sort of weather that I'd be biking. What's the saying? Too many toys, and not enough time. I need to retire!
Well, that's about it. If you are in the area, and see a chubby dude on a dark green RB-T going about 7 MPH, toss me a beer! Not much to add to that specifically for this forum. Since then, I replaced the plastic union pedals with a borrowed set of Deore XT pedals to try out until I decide whether I want to put the clipless back on or go with good platform pedals. I'm liking these so far. I have found that jumping logs with the kids Razor scooter, and trying to ride the unicycle isn't as easy as it used to be! When Dad died last year, I brought home the old unicycle that I rode in my teens. It wasn't quite so "jut like riding a bike" easy! :) Had a rusted bearing, so I need to fix that and try it again.
My wife has a 1985 Panasonic Sport LX Mixte hanging in the barn that hasn't been ridden even longer than my bike, but she has no interest in riding again. It'll make a good bike for the 12 year old when she grows into it, as it is a 17.5" frame.
That's me in a nutshell. I tend to babble, so just whack me upside the head if I get carried away. I'm glad I found y'all, and I look forward to participating, learning, and hopefully offering interesting ride reports. Photos to come when I get the tires and new saddle on.
Steve
I'm not sure if a forum specific introduction is the norm around here. I posted an introduction in the main forum over the weekend, but looking through the posts here in 50+ for about the last year, it looks like introductions within the forum are sproadic. Please excuse the faux pas if once was enough. I've replied to a few threads already andthis seems to be where I'm likely to hang out most, so I thought I'd put a face to the name, as it were. Here's a couple snips from my original introduction:
Well, I hope I stick with this...
I pulled my old bike off of the hooks in the garage for the first time since about 1994. Our daughter wants to go riding, and has seen it hanging there, and bugged me enough until I brought it down. I'm 55, and used to ride all the time, everywhere I went. Then the next year I was trying to get in shape for a backpacking trip, so I walked everywhere. After the trip, I vegetated. For 15 years. I stepped on the scales last week, and weigh the most I ever have. Time to get back in shape and riding was always a fun way to keep fit.
When I last rode, my goal was to keep up with the fast boys and put in a lot of miles. I mostly rode solo after work or evenings, and on a couple organized metric centuries each summer. Now my goal is to be comfortable, enjoy the ride, and explore new places at a more leisurely pace, maybe working up to longer rides as I get back in shape. So I've spent the last few evenings looking at replacing the old skinny Panaracer tires with some fatter Schwalbe Marathon 700X32, and replacing the skinny Selle San Marco with a Brooks Champion Flyer or B-67. My priorities are obvious: taking care of my butt! [edit: I ordered the Champion Flyer and the Marathons]
The bike: I was an old BOBster. I have a 1992 Bridgestone RB-T that's mostly stock. I bought the touring rather than the RB-1 or RB-2, as I was pulling a Burley trailer with our oldest daughter at the time. As noted, I replaced the old Avocet tires with the skinny Panaracers, and the saddle with the SSM. I also had the dealer swap Look clipless for the MKS and toe clips, but at some later time I changed back to a basic Union platform pedal.
The trick is going to be keeping at it. Seems all my hobbies are outdoor summer hobbies, and all conflict. I've got three scooters and an old MG for exactly the same sort of weather that I'd be biking. What's the saying? Too many toys, and not enough time. I need to retire!
Well, that's about it. If you are in the area, and see a chubby dude on a dark green RB-T going about 7 MPH, toss me a beer! Not much to add to that specifically for this forum. Since then, I replaced the plastic union pedals with a borrowed set of Deore XT pedals to try out until I decide whether I want to put the clipless back on or go with good platform pedals. I'm liking these so far. I have found that jumping logs with the kids Razor scooter, and trying to ride the unicycle isn't as easy as it used to be! When Dad died last year, I brought home the old unicycle that I rode in my teens. It wasn't quite so "jut like riding a bike" easy! :) Had a rusted bearing, so I need to fix that and try it again.
My wife has a 1985 Panasonic Sport LX Mixte hanging in the barn that hasn't been ridden even longer than my bike, but she has no interest in riding again. It'll make a good bike for the 12 year old when she grows into it, as it is a 17.5" frame.
That's me in a nutshell. I tend to babble, so just whack me upside the head if I get carried away. I'm glad I found y'all, and I look forward to participating, learning, and hopefully offering interesting ride reports. Photos to come when I get the tires and new saddle on.
Steve