Santa Cruz cycling girl and first-time poster!
 

Hey Bike Forums,

My name is Ren, I'm 22 and I live in beautiful Santa Cruz, California on the Monterey Bay. I currently ride a pink Peugeot Aspin which I bought from another lady cyclist on Craigslist about a year ago, and I ride it every single day. I don't have a car and since I graduated from UCSC, my bus pass was revoked, so it's all about the bicycling, which I don't mind in a town like Santa Cruz. I've replaced the black grip tape with some bright yellow tape which I think helps my visibility on the road, although she's pretty flashy to begin with:

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...k/DSC01235.jpg

I'm in the very preliminary stages of planning my first tour, which will probably be on the Pacific Coast Trail ("home turf", essentially). My visions of grandeur also have me looking into touring Norway ("homeland") and other parts of Scandinavia. I would love to hear other cyclists' feedback on either of these places! For the tour I hope to purchase a Surly Long Haul Trucker and outfit it with racks, panniers, an on-board computer, and other goodies. All the research I'm doing right now will be worth it to find that perrrrfect ride!

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...ek/Photo46.jpg

I hope to learn a lot and even make a few e-buddies in the Forums. Hope I can contribute as well!

<><><> Ren

Sweet!!! Nice to have you!

Welcome to Bike Forums, Ren. That's a very pretty bike, and a nice photo of you, too. Check out the Northern California regional forum for other riders in the Santa Cruz area.

There is a women's forum that you are eligible to have access to after you have been posting for a month. Send a PM to Siu Blue Wind (administrator) to get access.

Welcome Ren.