jessroz

Hello! My name is Jessica, I'm 25, and I live in Camden County, New Jersey.

After wanting a bike forever, I finally got one...a Ross Europa I from the local flea market. I'm already in love, and despite being terribly out of shape, can't stop riding it!

I'm wondering if there's something I could do to make it more versatile...I don't have much money to spend on a good bike, so I'd like to try to make this one better. I want to be able to take it on different terrains...in South Jersey we have lots of woods and a plethora of trails...I want to make sure my bike can handle it..I'm not looking to do anything too intense, though, I mostly want to take my bike on camping trips . So if anyone has any advice or suggestions, it's greatly appreciated. And to anyone local...hi!!

Here is a shot of my new bike:

FlatTop

Hi and welcome to BF! If you are a true recreational rider, I don't see how you could go wrong with that nice, simple bike. You may decide on some extras to give you a little insurance on the trails, like a bag or rack to hold a spare innertube, a pump, maybe a headlight?

Not everybody needs a serious mountainbike to explore some trails. I think you've made a pretty good choice.

There's a thread about Ross bicycles on the Classic & Vintage forum, if you're curious about the company.
Have fun!

tomg

welcome!
it's always good to see another rider from south jersey. i heard of bike trails being made along the deleware river in your county, but currently am un-aware of specifics. I am from cumberland county, trek also in salem, cape may, atlantic, gloucester, and atlantic counties. there are lots of great riding areas.
check out South Jersey Wheelmen bicycle club ( www.sjwheelmen.org ) also!
welcome x2!!

tomg

like flattop suggested, you could check out the classic section of BF. also, reginal section called North east is a place to explore. usually not much about s nj, but ...
at the bottom of BF site, there is General discussion forum you could explore as well.
id you check out SJW?
t

East Hill

Hi Jessica! Sometimes you do eventually wind up having to get another bike, just because the first one can't do quite everything you'd like it to do.

The Europa should be able to handle quite a bit, though, especially if you aren't talking about really grueling romps of gnarly singletrack.

It would certainly make quite a decent commuting/utility bike.

Welcome to BikeForums .

East Hill

Suzie Green

Yay Jessica! More gals on BF, that's what we need! I love the bike and it'll do just fine until you really get hooked on riding and decide it's time for something more specific. Otherwise, just ride lots and enjoy the outdoors!!

jessroz

I ended up getting a new bike already, haha. I was pedaling along on the Europa when the pedal snapped off. I found out it would cost about $50-60 to fix it, so I bought a new bike for the same amount. Maybe it wasn't the smartest because the Europa was fixable, but I like my new bike sooooo much...it's a Pacific Legend mountain bike, 21 speed...good because I discovered South Jersey has some rough terrain...and more hills than I ever realized. Also good because the fixed gear Europa was kind of tough for me to ride, the mtb is lighter and yesterday I hit up some trails.

I'm already addicted to cycling...it's bordering on obsession but I never want to be bikeless again!!

East Hill

Cool!

Make sure everything is well tightened down on the new bike, and if you have problems, check in with the Bicycle Mechanics forum.

East Hill

neilfein

Hello from Middlesex county!

esloser

Hi Jessica, I grew up in Winslow Twp in Camden County - currently living outside of Millville. Batsto has some trails for riding...