Introductions - Another San Diego Roadie

Hello Bike Forums Members!
My name is Dave.
I found cycling about 4 years ago.
I started mountain biking the local canyon trails, looking for exercise that didn't involve a gym.
Then I decided to try Bike to Work Day with a friend, we kept commuting twice a week. He let me ride his road bike one day.
Soon I bought a hybrid bike and found that I lived in a cycling paradise, and I was hooked.
Now I gotta ride, it's not a choice:thumb:
I commute apx 2x a week, with a weekend ride or two-apx 100+ miles a week. I actually enjoy climbing.
Bikes
Specialized Sirrus
Giant Yukon hardtail
My other passions are snow skiing, and salt water fishing.

Hi Dave,
Nice town to ride in.
Have you been up Texas Street?

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh187/10wheels/IMG_5977.jpg

Doing that today, to get to Adams Ave Bikes.
Steep hill, good thing I like climbing...
I will be sweating a little more than the rider in that pic.

Tough hill.
Toured there from NY in August 2009.

Howdy and welcome to the forums! I just picked up my Specialized Sirrus on the first of July, love it so far and I am shooting for 200 miles this month, only 90.90 miles to go.

Hello Bike Forums Members!
My name is Dave.
I found cycling about 4 years ago.
I started mountain biking the local canyon trails, looking for exercise that didn't involve a gym.
Then I decided to try Bike to Work Day with a friend, we kept commuting twice a week. He let me ride his road bike one day.
Soon I bought a hybrid bike and found that I lived in a cycling paradise, and I was hooked.
Now I gotta ride, it's not a choice:thumb:
I commute apx 2x a week, with a weekend ride or two-apx 100+ miles a week. I actually enjoy climbing.
Bikes
Specialized Sirrus
Giant Yukon hardtail
My other passions are snow skiing, and salt water fishing.


Looks like Cycling Dave's are plantiful! I'm a David and in San Diego as well. Where do you usually ride? Not that you need another bike but there is a Police Auction this Saturday in Balboa Park.

David,
All the coolest guys are named Dave!
I live just east of Mission Bay so most rides begin/end there. I like all of the coast, Mt.Soledad, Fort Rosecrans, Torrey Pines, Del Mar, Rancho Santa Fe, Elfin Forest, Camp Pendleton, Cuyamaca Grand Loop, and Noble Canyon to name a few.

Chucks are just a little cooler than daves,lol. I'm a disabled vet that was lossing my mind trying to figure out a way to get back in shape and get that high of digging deep for every breath. I live in blossom valley and every weekend I see these people riding bikes & thought I should give it a chance. I had to modify (raise) my handlebars as high as possible due to back injuries. I agree climbing is the best. Does anyone know where I could find a safe rout to the beach from blossom valley/north east El Cajon? Thanks!

Chuck
Thanks for your service sir!

I'm not too familiar with riding in that area. That's kind of a big ride. You might consider riding to the trolley, and using that for part of you leg to the beach and back.
Check the bike map http://www.icommutesd.com/Bike/BikeMap.aspx this will show you bike paths (best), bike lanes/routes, public transportation routes etc. There is a nice bike path along part of 52 fwy.
I hope you find cycling is a great way to improve your health, I am sure it has saved my life :thumb:
Good luck.

Hello and welcome

Welcome to the forums!

Thanks guys! Cairncross, thanks for the info sir that will come in handy, I'm the kind of guy that when I get into something I get in to it big time. I'm still wrestling with the hills around here of which there are plenty. My legs had gotten so atrophied from years of doing nothing it is a challenge just riding around the block, albeit a very large block. But I absolutly love the sport. I can't wear the shoes that clip into the peddles because the docs that put my leg back together, put it on crooked about 35-40 degrees off to the right side. I'm having a peddle extender put on my right peddle to keep my ankle from hitting the crank, chain & derailer, which really bites the big one going up a steep hill. If I peddle with my foot straight it strains my knee way more than it already is. Maybe I can get lucky and find someone that can build a custom peddle that has a clip in that coincides with the angle my foot is off. Until then its high tops. Thanks again guys!

Chuck
I am amazed. You have so many reasons to not get up and ride, and yet you are doing it. You are an inspiration sir.
Mad props to you!
Theres a new shop on Santa Fe St, Intrepid Cycles http://www.intrepidequipment.com/ that does recumbents and handcycles that could likely build that clipless pedal when you are ready.
Keep pedaling!

Many thanks to all for the warm welcome here at BF!
Dave

Welcome!

Cairncross, believe me brother it aint easy, I liken it to Animal House when Belushi had the angel on one shoulder & the devil on the other, well we know the devil won. I have the same thing except I have the, awe srew it civilian on one shoulder & on the other the Marine that says "dont you dare puss out, YOU ARE A MARINE JUST FN DO IT! LOL. Thanks for the hook up with intrepid cycles, I will check them out. Since I have never ridden a bike with clip in shoes. Does it realy make that much of a difference to have your foot clipped in the peddle. I understand you get a lil more power if you can pull up with one leg as you push down with the other. But is it that much of a diference? Because I don't know the difference, I dont know what I'm missing, but the hills around here are a *****. I had a 34 tooth sprocket put on the rear, it helps but I'm going 4.5mph up the hills. any advantage on the hills would be a bonus.

Chuck
Its impressive that you wanna ride.
It seems to me clipped in helps immensely. You dont waste energy keeping your foot on the pedal, the stroke is stronger, you can pull up, more horsepower to the ground.

Cairncross, I went to see the guys at Intrepid cycles in La Jolla/PB. great bunch of guys, the owner Graham Butler (a parapalegic) What an awesome and inspirational guy he is. He believes he has a simple remedy for my disability. I want to thank you again for the hook up. :D