krushgroove

I've been seeing loads of links to bikeforums.net on various bike threads I participate in, and finally decided to join up. I'm 34, from the US (Texas and California mainly), live in the Midlands of England and this summer started cycling to work semi-regularly. Since mid-May I've lost about 10 pounds, saved loads of money (gas/petrol costs over $8 per US gallon here!) and hope to lose more weight during the summer with wiser food choices.

I was cycling in on my '99 Giant ATX 890 fitted with street tires, but last week picked up a free Raleigh Pioneer Elite bike from a Freecycle member. Made in Nottingham so it's pretty old (cro-moly) but it's got 700c wheels and almost the same gearing as the mtb. Hopefully soon I'll start trail riding with a friend who has a new mtb, but this needs to start soon as in the autumn the sun sets really early (like 4 PM!) and the rain gets more frequent.

I also have an old Centurion road bike, also from Freecycle, but I haven't replaced the tires yet to give it a real go and get training.

I'm also just learning how to tune things like the derailleurs and stuff, but I have a way to go yet as last night I destroyed the rear derailleur on the Raleigh!

East Hill

Hello krushgroove, you must show us photos of the bikes when you have time! Nothing wrong with cro-moly, and there are many of us here who love those vintage steel bikes .

Welcome to BF, and feel free to PM me with any questions !

East Hill
Forum Moderator

krushgroove

Hi, thanks, here's the picture of my mountain bike, I'm in the middle of converting it back to off-road duty after serving as a commuter for a few months:

East Hill

Where do you ride MTB?

East Hill

krushgroove

Just going to start up again next week in the south Derbyshire area, but I've done a few rides in the lower Peak District area. The last one was on a full downhill bike that I could barely get going on level ground so that put me off MTBing for a while! But hopefully I'll start riding semi-regularly again, should be good.

East Hill

The Peak District is beautiful...but so is all of Derbyshire .

Even though I am a Lanky Lass, I must confess that Derbyshire is absolutely brilliant.

East Hill

krushgroove

Ah yes: lanky = Lancashire! It took me a while to get that I've not been there much myself but I have been wanting to visit the home area of a certain Mr Dibnah for a while now!

East Hill

It's a shame that his garden apparently won't be preserved, but at least there's a statue of him now in Bolton .

East Hill