kflagg 

Finally gave up after suffering the last few years with neck pain due to arthritis. After many cockpit alterations on a few different bikes it was getting to the point of very little riding. I'm hoping the new bike will help get back to a enjoyable routine. I picked up a new 2015 Giant Fastroad SLR 1. Will be a few weeks before it shows up will post pics when it arrives.

NormanF

Congratulations on your new acquisition!

I'm sure you it will give you many years of pleasurable riding.

Wanderer

I think you will like it. Hybrids helped my arthritic neck. Like you, neck discomfort was one of the primary reasons for me giving up drops back in 08

kflagg 

Thanks! I'm hoping it will make riding enjoyable again.

KF

badger1

That's a great choice, the Fastroad. However, and much more importantly, Fla Gulf Coast? If you tell me you are in Naples, I'll eat my arms off with jealousy. For that matter, anywhere on the southern Gulf ... love that area.

kflagg 

Thanks! The Fastroad really caught my eye and liked what I read about it.

Lol I'm not in Naples I'm about 130 miles north in the Sarasota/ Siesta Key area. Looking forward to the coming months cooler weather to log some good miles.

KF

badger1

That's a great area as well! I know the more southern bits a little better (Punta Gorda and south from there) but still ... central/south Gulf Coast is, to my mind, beautiful.

kflagg 

Punta Gorda is about 40 miles south and it's starting to grow a bit as is everything in this area. The older I get the more I enjoy it here,not long ago I wanted nothing but to head to NC area. Never been in your area but would like to someday.

badger1

NC ... North Carolina? Never been there; just Georgia (Atlanta area) and Florida (get out much? not!). At any rate, my love of the south Gulf Coast might be a Canadian 'geezer' thing (soon to be 64), but I have no shame ... I love it. Some of the most pleasant riding I've done has been in the area ... Gulfshore Blvd. etc. south to Marco Island, on up through Pelican Bay and so on. Never been able to spend more than two weeks at a time ... oh well, I can dream. My hope is to return to my roots on the West (Left) Coast of this country (Vancouver Island), but if I had the means to choose I'd be torn.

Back on topic: that Giant is a great choice, imo. A really good example of a flat-bar road bike. I've had the opportunity to test ride the SLR version -- very nice bike.

avidone1

I feel ya' bro...........
that neck arthritis is a pain in the ne...we'll y'know
I have it to the point where even with a hybrid, (specialized crosstrail comp) I had to get a new stem
so the bars would be higher.
It's a ***** getting older, but thank God there are alot of alterations that we can make to keep us riding.

DBrown9383

I have back problems and an arthritic hip. I ride a hybrid but the roadies diss me all the time

kflagg 

Unfortunately a lot of roadies have that attitude guess that's another reason I don't fit in with their click.

DBrown9383

I don't understand the elitism ? BTW, I used to spend a lot of time in the Naples area.. Too hot for me though

ColonelSanders

It might pay to keep a water bottle on your bike filled with urine and when the roadies diss you, give them a spray from that bottle.

DBrown9383

Why didn't I think of that

Wanderer

Siesta Key, and the Hungry Fisherman, is one of my favorite spots on this continent....... LOL

kflagg 

We always look for unique places to eat when traveling however there are probably some great local spots I overlook... Such as the Hungry Fisherman.

Frizlefrak

That's what the middle finger is for