General Geoff

Hi, the name is Geoff. I'm a new member here, as I just recently decided to get back into bicycling. A little history:

When I was growing up, my dad got into mountain biking. He decided to get me and my sister mountain bikes too. He took us to a proper bike shop and got us fitted and everything (I was ~8, my sister was 9). I had a 15-speed that, for the life of me, I cannot remember the brand of. Same with my sister. My dad had an 18-speed Trek. All the bikes were full rigid. Dad would take us up into the Pocono mountains and we'd ride trails of ~20-30 miles or so, great fun it was. My sister didn't last long, she became disinterested after a couple of months. I kept going with my dad for two years. Some of the best times of my life up on those gravel trails with Dad. Unfortunately, he sustained some serious knee damage from constant pressure during his routine work. Tore some ligaments and tendons, and had to stop riding. Me being the youngster I was, kept riding occasionally (around the neighborhood and short distances) for a few years still, but pretty much stopped when I started driving.

Fast-forward to today. I'm 22, my parents live in North Carolina now, and I'm a homeowner. Since I'm a computer technician by trade, I don't really get much exercise on a daily basis. So when a good friend of mine mentioned he was pulling out his mountain bike to go on a trail ride the other day, I thought, "Holy crap, I'd completely forgotten about that!" So I decided to get back into biking.

On monday, I went to the same bike shop my dad went to back in the day, in search of a new mountain bike. My old mountain bike was a very small frame, as I had been fitted to it at the age of 8. So even if I still had it, I'd still need a new one. I'm now a rather large fellow, 6'1" and ~250lbs. I distinctly remembered Dad making lots of comments back in the day about how he wanted a Cannondale, and I figured that was as good a place as any to start. I asked the saleswoman at the shop, and she said she had several Cannondale models. She sized me up, and brought out an XL frame F5. I straddled it, sat on it, and took it for a brief spin. Seeing as I hadn't ridden a bicycle in years, I'm just glad I didn't fall off!

After taking it for a few laps around the parking lot, getting used to the gear shifters and disc brakes (those were unheard of back when I was a kid!), she brought out an F3 "Caffeine" bike, and I took that for a ride. I liked it better than the F5, but was a bit "meh" on it. Then she said she found an XL frame F4, and I took that for a spin. I was in love. That bike just "felt" right. After riding it around the block once, and for a bit of a shuffle on a grassy knoll (almost wiped out!), I concluded that with some extra air in the front suspension, it'd be perfect. So I took a couple of days to sit on the idea of spending a rather large sum of money on a bike. I finally came to the conclusion that my health and well being are worth more than I'll be paying for this bike, so I put a deposit on the F4 today. I'll pick it up some time in the next two weeks.

At ~$850, she's not a cheap bike. But I figured if I'm gonna get back into biking in earnest, I'm not going to waste my time and money on a walmart special; especially since I'm a pretty big guy (a Clydesdale by your definition!) and don't want to risk overstressing/breaking a cheap bike. So here I am, with a bike on the way, ready to reembark on a great hobby. Do you think I did alright on my choice of bike? I've been browsing the forums for a little while and haven't seen one mention of any Cannondales. Other than that, I just have to relearn all my biking skills I've forgotten over the past decade.

Sorry for the novel, I'll shut up now

breadbin

Welcome back to the world of cycling. I am in the same boat except a little older but have to say that cycling is a fantastic sport. Meeting people, keeping you fit, seeing the country etc. Good luck with your new bike. Hope it goes well for you.

(51)

Welcome aboard! I took 25 years off before getting back on a bike, so I understand your situation. I've never owned one, but Cannondale is a good choice.

ang1sgt

Geoff,
Welcome back! Nice Bike too. Very good trail bike with upgrade potential still if you need too. Buddy, you're YOUNG yet! Some of my best mountain biking I didn't get too until I was in my 30 and 40's and into my 50's there are still places I want to go and RIDE. There is nothing like riding in the Mountains as the mist is rising through the trees first thing in the morning.

Good Luck!

GypsyAngel

Great post, Geoff! I wish I had gotten back into cycling when I was 22.
I have a Cannondale road bike which I love. My mountain bike is a Raleigh, love that too. You will hear love it/hate it stories on every bike out there. As long as it works for you and it makes you want to put miles on it it's a great bike.

ETA : Here's a PA regional thread you might want to check out... https://www.bikeforums.net/mid-atlantic/222052-pa-representin-here.html

Ride on!!!

bdinger

I almost bought a Cannondale F400 last summer, GREAT bikes. The XL seems to fit quite well in the 6'2" range .

old and new

Welcome, that bike's just fine. You did really well just by allowing yourself a bike in that price range.it's refreshing,I haven't really been feelin' the $400 price limits on bikes I've seen on posts lately.$800 is realistic for a change. Nothing wrong with any Cannondale that's new.

jaxgtr

welcome

General Geoff

Thanks for the welcome, guys. I imagine I'll be in this forum permanently as my target/ideal weight is right around 200-210. I'm chomping at the bit, can't wait to pick up the bike.

Tom Stormcrowe

Welcome home, Geoff!

ScrubJ

Welcome, and sit (or should I say) ride a spell with us

If you feel so inclined, log your rides here. Several of us are registered in the "Clydesdale" forum https://bikejournal.com

magoolc1

Well from a 37 year old welcome! I have a trek mtb now but i am in the market for a road bike. Im about 1 inch taller and about 50lbs heavier. Its funny, i rode my bmx bike (for kicks mainly)up until i was your age. It hangs in my shed. The kid across the street from me said its a gold mine on ebay since its in such good shape. But it will go to my son. Glad your back and welcome to the family.

General Geoff

Alright guys, update:

I picked up my bike yesterday. I took it for the first ride today after work, on the Ironton Rail Trail. According to my cyclocomp, I rode 12 miles at an average speed of 8mph. My biking companion and I stopped three times for a few minutes each (not really because we were out of breath, but to see the sights). My legs are aching and my bum is sore, but it's all coming back to me now!


Anyway, for those interested, here's a pic of the Cannondale:



For more pictures, click here.

She's a bit dirty from my ride still, I gave the frame a once over but need to clean the chain. It's full of crud. The frame, by the way, has a brushed aluminum finish; clearcoat only, no paint.

Tskuller

Welcome to the forums Geoff.

I test road an F4 and loved it, but for some reason I stayed loyal to Giant and did'nt by it.

The Bumm will start to come around and enjoy the saddle the more you ride.