Dr. Moto

OK, where to start. I'm 41, been riding since around age 6. I started with a knockoff "sting-ray" style fixed-gear coaster brake bike back in the late 60s. My first real bike (full-size wheels, multiple gears, handbrakes) was a Columbia 10-speed that I rode through middle and high school. I put a ton of miles on that junker riding up and down the hills of southern Connecticut, and eventually wore out the chainrings. In 1981 I bought a Motobecane Mirage Sport, which I rode for the next 24 years. The only original parts still on it are the frame, fork, handlebars, chainrings, and derailleurs. Everything else has been replaced or upgraded. This year I bought what might turn out to be my last bike, a 2005 Douglas Fusion from Colorado Cyclist.

I'm strictly a recreational cyclist. The longest distance I've ever done in a single day was about 75 miles during college. Over the past few years I've been trying to work up to longer distances with the goal of completing a century, but with two young kids and a full-time job, it's hard to find the time to dedicate to riding. Last summer I got up to around 60 miles, and with the new bike, I feel like I've got a shot at 100 this season. I mostly ride by myself on the country roads outside of Richmond, or towing the kids in a trailer inside our neighborhood. I usually do a couple of organized rides each summer. My favorite area to ride is currently up around Lake Anna, VA, where the scenery is pretty and the traffic is fairly light.

I'm looking forward to interacting with the cyclists on this forum and I hope I can contribute something useful to the discussion. (Hmm, feels like I'm applying for a job!)