rocketgirl24

I am so excited to find such an informative and supportive place to go and learn about the world of cycling. Thanks to everyone who takes the time to post comments and advice. It has helped me a great deal, and I look forward to being able to offer some advice someday!

I am in Houston, Tx and have become a new cycling inductee because a friend introduced me to Team in Training (TNT), raising funds for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society by training and participating in a marathon or triathlon. I will be participating in the Cap Tex Tri race in Austin, Tx on Memorial Day weekend. So, I signed up for the challenge without considering that I needed a BIKE, and started a hurried search this week to find the perfect ride within my budget.

I've just purchased a Fuji Aloha 2.0 from a LBS, Tri on the Run, and got a seemingly good deal from what I've quickly read on the forums here.

I had a bike as a kid (decided to teach myself on a neighbor's bike at age 12 because I still didn't know how to ride and my mom couldn't afford to buy my one...I lost a lot of ankle skin but i learned to ride and have always been proud of myself for that self-improvement feat!) and then again in college, which I used to speed to class once I moved close to campus and didn't have to take the bus anymore.

I will be riding at the Memorial Park loop with the TNT training group, and will hopefully sign up for a few of the road bike races that are scheduled in the spring. I will also be riding in my neighborhood a lot, as I get to know my first grown-up bike!

East Hill

Good job, rocketgirl24!

I know there are a lot of members in Texas, and more than a few members in Houston, so you might want to check into the Southwest regional forum to see if you can meet a few of your neighbours...

Welcome to BF!

East Hill

rule

Howdy!

rocketgirl24

I managed to sprain my wrist playing soccer a few days ago, so I have yet to take my new bike out for a ride. New to my bike and with a lame wrist, I'm a bit fearful of trying to ride with one hand! The weather is so beautiful in Houston this weekend, it have been very disappointing! But I'm hopeful my wrist will heal up soon and I can go out and ride later this week...

thanks for the warm welcome, East Hill and Rule.

snowy

Welcome to bikeforums rocketgirl24!!!

Sounds like you have something great to look forward too!!!

Goodluck

Snowy!

bluebottle1

Welcome, rocketgirl. You'll want to get a little ways out of town for a really good ride. The Memorial loop can get a little numbing after a while as it's the same stuff over and over, but as long as you've got company, I guess it's okay. Anyway, welcome to the club and good to see another Houston rider on board.

AndrewP

Nice bike - what pedals do you have on it? If they are clipless, transfer them to a charity store bike till you are used to them. You dont want to scratch up your new Fuji. Does your name have anything to do with the Johnson Space Centre, I have been there on a few visits from the Canadian Space Agency.

scubapal68

Hi rocketgirl, I'm a new to posting but have been lurking the boards for awhile now. I'm also participating with the TNT Houston chapter, but will be participating in the century bike ride. One of the Tri Team's mentors will also be doing the America's Most Beautiful Bike Ride and a Tri this season.

If this is your first time to participate with Team in Training your going to have fun. It's hard work with a lot of time comminement especially for you Tri guys. This is my second season of TNT, and I have enjoyed almost every minute of it.

rocketgirl24

Funny, when I was buying the bike, I asked the mechanic, "how do I change the pedals if I don't want to ride with the road bike shoes," and he responded with an enthusiastic, "Just hop right on! You don't need to change the pedals."

So I took the bike home, tried to ride it up the street in my puma sneakers, and kept slipping and sliding off the clips!

And no, while Houston is the 'Space City', my name is just an easy moniker derived from my email address. Not very creative.