asforme

I've been lurking these forums for about a week and I decided it's finally time to introduce myself and start participating since everyone I live and work with is sick of hearing about my new addiction.

I have fond memories of my dad and I going for long rides on our mountain bikes (never even questioned why we had mountain bikes when we only cycled on the road) so when I got married and moved out on my own my priority was to get a mountain bike. Having too many walmart bikes fall apart on me I stepped into my LBS not knowing what I was getting into. Due to a bit of luck and a great LBS manager I got a great deal on a 2008 Gary Fisher Marlin Disc. The first time I rode it on the local MUPs I saw something I'd never seen or ever considered before. Singe track trails. I later learned that mountain biking is very popular around here and single track trails are everywhere. I got hooked and was out riding these trails several times per week for hours at a time.

Then we had a kid and life got busy, and the bike sat in my shed untouched for about 2 years.

A couple of months ago I decided to pull it out of the shed, air up the tires and give it a spin again. Being thoroughly exhausted after only 5 miles of slightly hilly road riding was absolutely depressing, but also motivating. Since then I have put on slick tires and been on my bike several times per week and two weeks ago started using it to commute to work. Last Saturday I went 30 miles with my son in a seat on the back. My weight is also down to 285 from 300 before I started riding.

I'd still like to get back out on the trails but I'm finding myself enjoying road riding more than I ever thought I would and am saving up and educating myself so I can someday buy a proper road bike. I'm also trying to figure out a better commuting option that won't result in a bike I love being locked up outside on a bike rack all day.

Lurking on these forums has been very educational and helpful as I plan my next purchase and I wanted to take time to introduce myself before jumping right in and asking questions in other threads.

CraigB

Good on you for getting back in the saddle. That Marlin should continue to serve you well until you decide you're ready for a road bike. I have that same bike, same year, but sans the discs and I think it's a great little bike for the money. I, on the other hand, have never taken mine off-road, as it was never my intention to. Maybe someday I will, but I got it mainly to ride on roads and paved trails until I was at a weight where I was psychologically comfortable back on my road back. So right off the bat I got a second wheelset with slightly narrower rims I could run 1.5s on, and it's been great. It actually equalizes my wife's and my efforts while she's on her old Panasonic road bike.

Still, I've been missing my road bike for a while and plan to get back on it as soon as I make a few comfort concessions in its setup and components. I'm not as young and flexible as I used to be.