Introductions - Once a cyclist always a cyclist

Good evening from the Washington Coast.

I'm an old track rider, just finished helping raise our kids, and the oval I used to ride on is around my waist instead of under my wheels. I do ride a couple of thousand miles a year and love weight lifting. However with the kids grown up I can refocus some of my cycling activities. I'm a firefighter by trade and a member of the USCG Reserves currently on Active Duty in Astoria, OR. 11 miles to work and 18 home makes for a great day. I'm looking to upgrade my Specialize Allez to something a bit newer, like 12/13 years newer. Man, has there been a lot of changes in technology, but I like it. Especially wheels! I hope to bump my miles up and start racing again in '06. Alpenrose Velodrome is by far my favorite track, but the new indoor track Domingas (spelling?) Hills sounds pretty cool. I found this site while researching a bike I'm interested in. Some pretty good stuff so far. I look forward to talking to folks from all over the world.

scurry

Hey scurry, good to hear you're getting back into things.

The new technology is a hoot, but there is a huge range of difference between frames. Plenty of discussion on these forums to help you with that decision when you finally do upgrade.

Enjoy the ride...

G'day Scurry, Like rockmuncher I concur, however don't get ripped off unless you've got "lotsadough" and want to part company with it, in that case come over to OZ and see me? I'll help you.
Mate, I still ride a "Steel Columbus Tube" frame, it was a custom build, twenty five years ago, of course I've got a few trick bits on it now, but the frame is the heart of the pack. I know a lot of folk will shout about carbon and alluminium, but I've never been let down by a steel frame nor have anyone else I know. They are the best value bar non, but as I said if you want to get rid of your cash then go for it.
There are some really exotic bikes on the market, enough to make a grown man drool, get a look some of the bike magazines on the market it will blow your sox off.
I was looking at a bar and stem set just the other day it was a very "HOT" $1200.00, carbon of course, put out the fire?
I'm sorry mate, I forgot, it's only money, just do it, you can't take it with you when you go, so just spend it while you can, the kids will make it on their own, after all you did EH?
Have fun doin it mate, wheel be a seein ya round? Daotenac, OZ

Hi scurry. You live in Westport and commute to Astoria - does that mean you ride across the Astoria bridge? That seems pretty hairy :eek: I know there is another way out 202 (I think) and across Youngs Bay Bridge. Maybe that’s your route.

I use to ride Alpenrose in the mid '70's. That is a fun track. I'm going to Victoria BC for vacation this fall, I'll check out the track up there if I get a chance.

As they say in my neck woods - Velcomen.

Welcome back, Scurry. I've never been out to the West Coast, so I really can't comment on any of the tracks out there. However, if you ever get the chance to ride at the Lehigh County Velodrome (near Allentown, Pennsylvania), it is a top-notch facility. As rockmuncher said, enjoy the ride!