leicanthrope

Still pretty new to cycling, quite new to the forum, and I thought it appropriate that I stick my head in here and meet the other locals.

Not a true native of the area, but I've been here long enough to have lost my accent (mostly), and to have functionally "gone native". Grew up in Sunnyvale. Lived in San Jose, Santa Cruz, Fremont, and now Los Gatos. I'm a full time bike commuter, and just starting to really get my feet wet (literally and figuratively) five months in. Currently, I ride a middling hybrid, and I'm on the hunt for a vintage road bike of some sort.

hammern_frank

A reintroduction of sorts. My name is Frank and I use to post on a regular basis back in '07 and participated in the Diablo Challenge that year. Got to know a couple of the board members and things were grand. Then a job change followed by starting a family pretty much relegated my cycling habits to never. Did some riding last year but stopped, I always do, when the rain starts.
Fortunately the rain has given way to a stunning spring and I've been riding pretty consistently, 3-4 days a week. Thinking about doing the Diablo Challenge this year and looking forward to joining a group ride.

ruirui

hi all, i'm rui. been a member here for quite some times, but never really popped in here before. moved to santa teresa area about 2yrs ago and saw a couple ppl riding around, but always when i'm driving.

rode to morgan hill and back a couple times, which was pretty nice. would like to meet more locals around south SJ area for a group ride of some sort.

BF Norcal ppl.. we should do a gathering of some sort.. like a group ride and then pizza joint afterwards or coffee shop...

warrennnnnnnnnn

Hey all, I'm Warren, a 30 year old clydesdale in SF/San Jose. I just got into cycling this year and I'm loving riding around town and looking to go out farther and farther. I just did my first 23 mile ride with San Jose Bike Party and I had a blast.

I ride a 1981 Univega Sportour. It's old but it has good steel and some serious vintage vibes.

djyak

Dan here, just moved 45 miles north of Sacramento. Already been riding all over and loving the weather! Big change from Germany.

greenteei89

Just became active in the forum. From the South Bay and been loving the weather this summer for bike riding.

ruirui

welcome greentee.. i'm in southbay too! the summer has been great.. now prepping for winter riding...

jwcdis

I'm also native southbay San Jose. I'm a pretty big beginner so I usually ride alone.
A group rides would be fun just as long as someone yall are willing to teach me the ropes.

ruirui

jwcdis: i've been looking into ACTC. guest can join in on group ride to check it out.

TransientByNatr

My name is Matt. I'm a 26 year old rider out of Livermore. I've been riding for 6 months now. I bought my first serious road bike in June and I've put about 1500 miles on her and counting (granted, a bit slower now that it's winter). I'm chronically poor, and the investment set me back considerably, but it was the best investment I have ever made. I'm an addict now :-)

rodentcloister

I posted an introduction here: https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...5#post16382455

I'm not sure I'm a fit for this forum; the people here seem to be a lot more serious about cycling than I am.

spdntrxi

I'm am ex cyclist.. I mean I probably stopped riding seriously for 15+ years. Always had a road bike and a MTB… occasionally the MTB would come out for a trail ride here and there… but the road bike collected dust since my collegiate race days. Cant really explain why I quit… just did. Blew my knee out last year playing basketball, surgeon asked if I do any cycling, I said I used too and he said well I think is the future sport for you. So here I am.. getting back into road cycling after all those years. Honestly wish I never had quit, just trying to get fit.

Lanceoldstrong

Hello spdntrxi, and welcome!

Pleasanton is an awesome place to ride. You are surrounded by some fabulous routes. Enjoy.
I have a bad knee too. Cycling is the sport for the knee challenged. I recommend low gears for climbing. Your old college race bike is probably not geared low enough for you to climb seated at a high, knee friendly, cadence.

spdntrxi

yeah thanks my old bike is too much for me nowadays.. compact cranks are for me now… 34/27 now.. been doing Mt. Diablo,MT, Welch, OLH, San Bruno on my Wahoo/Segments trainer combo.. sometimes I wonder if I need a more of a granny gear.. just for my knee. I'll get out there for reals soon with you guys/gals. Really wanted to do that ride @ MT Diablo

Lanceoldstrong

I would bet yes. I have a 50/34 compact and a Shimano XTR 11-34 cassette.
My buddy uses 50/34 with an Ultegra 12-30 that Shimano now makes.

My 3 lowest gear sets are 34/27, 34/30 and 34/34.


People who know me know 2 things about me that they can take to the bank:
1) My left knee is gnarled and trashed.
2) I can climb anything.

spdntrxi

I'm in 11sp campy land.. I know there is a 12-29.. slightly better then my current 11-27. I just need to work on my power and fitness.. Been grinding away on the trainer… no major pains yet. BTW.. my left knee too.

ruirui

Wow, we should make a thread for bad left knees... cuz same here.. lol

kreeess

Hey guys new to the forum, I live at Hercules CA do most of my riding at Martinez, Pinole, Walnut creek, occasional SF - Sausolito area. Been riding damn near all my life but never really got serious about it.Goal this year is to be more consistent with riding. Hopefully with this forum itll help me get on the bike more often !

Louis Le Tour

Hi everybody, I'm another bicycle newbie (at age 72!) and I hail from Oakdale ('bout 20 mi. NE of Modesto). I just bought a brand spank'n new Surly LHTD and start'n to get my old legs used to the idea of pedling my butt down the road. If all goes to plan I'll be in plenty good shape by this time next year to FINALLY retire from work and start spending most of my time bike'n. My dream is a cross country ride, and if I can make it one way I sure's hell can make it back! So, here goes and maybe a book is in the works "Old Fart Pedles His Antiquated Ass Across the US and Back"!!

4151zero

Just dropped into this thread to keep it alive, east bay resident and revived cyclist.

I'm slowly working my way up the east bay hills into redwood rd and maybe diablo in the fall. Some riders I met want to drag me out to the Altamont, so I've got some hard work ahead.

fmt_biker

Nick here ... Live in Fremont. I run trails and ride ... prefer riding in low-traffic mellow rides, so I find myself riding alone alot, which is fine by me. Most my friends prefer the Santa Cruz hills, but those stress me out too much. My current favorites are doing long (50+ miles) rides along the Bay Trail using an old mountain bike.

ChrisM2097

One of my favorite rides in the Fremont/Milpitas area is the loop from Milpitas to Fremont to Sunol then taking Calaveras back to Milpitas. The stretch into Sunol can be a bit stressful during busy times, but if you pick the right time, this is a great ride.

spdntrxi

I'll join that club

ChrisM2097

Same here.

FireTiger

Greetings, NorCal cyclists!

Born-again rider, here. Thor (35), of Sacramento, CA.

New owner of a Giant Roam 1. First bike that I have bought outside of a Target or Walmart.

Took it out on the Sac County Bike Trails just recently for its maiden voyage. 40 miles in just under 4 hours. Taking it easy since I haven't rode in almost 10 years. I will say that my toosh was begging for a new saddle. Got a Bontrager Commuter Gel CRZ+ saddle on the way. The stock Giant Connect just isn't doing the job.

Sticking to the trails for now until the helmet comes in. Gotta go shopping for ride apparel now. Gotta look the part, at least. =P

Once the dry season is over, will definitely hit up the trails packing hotdogs and burgers and will skewer it up on a nice spot on the American River. Will even try to bring the fishing pole and wrangle up a salmon or two. It will be interesting trying to carry a salmon back to the house on the bicycle. =P