Who are you?

[Joe Gardner]

I seem to know so much about a lot of you, but then again, so little... so, who are you?

I guess I'll start...

A little about my self... Well, im 23,single, living in Utah, currently working full time for Sears, saving money for cycling stuff, and school, I am tall (6'4") and skinny, (~165 lbs)... I was born in Hilo Hawaii, then moved to Montana when I was 7. We moved in Feb, the first night in montana it was -40 degrees, and we had over 5 feet of snow on the ground, I thought I was going to die! Luckily, I only lived there for a few months before making my way to Utah. I have been stuck in Utah for the last 16 years of my life, and I cant wait to move elsewhere and travel around the world. I have done some limited travel, and have visited all 48 lower states, Canada, Mexico, South Korea, and Thailand. One of my future goals is to ride my bike across the states, I hope to do this within the next few years.

I have been riding bikes for almost 20 years now, I received my first bike, a little red tricycle for my 3rd birthday, I had my first case of serious roadrash within 15 minutes of receiving the bike, I have been addicted ever sense. My last big crash took out my 4 front teeth, and now have fake teeth, kinda odd for a 23yr old

As for my hobbies, other then cycling, are computers and the Internet, paragliding, I have always wanted to fly, and I plan on getting my p2 paraglidng licence this summer, I also love to sleep, eat, and love anything outdoors.

And lastly, my picture:


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Ok, now its your turn Tell us the basics, a bit about yourself and history, a bit about your bicycling life, and a few hobbies, if you have anything else to include, please do! If you have a pic of yourself, feel free to include it in your post, you can include it with the [ img] code, or as an attachment. If your nude, eh, don't post it.
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[Rich]

Geeez Joe,

It's good to put a name to a face...I was thinking yesterday, how great it would be, if all of us in these forums could meet up and go for a bike ride....wouldn't that be something!!!!

I'll put some info on this page as soon as I can get a decent photo...*hehe, it might take a while!!*

TTFN................................Rich

[TriBob]

Ok. First the usual stats: age 33, 6'2", 195#, married w/children, Philly PA.

Rode every where and to deliver papers for years as a kid. I looked like a track cyclist. I wore slim pants but had to go up a size to fit over my thighs (in a good way). After HS I took about 10 years off from cycling between school, work, grad school the usual. I wanted to do a triathlon (hence my ID) so I got a new bike and have been getting more involved every year. Joined a club and now run the web site. (http://www.geocities.com/brandywinebikeclub )

So one of my other hobbies is triathlon;but, my knees have been bothering me so I have done less running and more cycling. My other interest is martial arts. I am a part time instructor two nights a week.

I am attaching a picture of my marathon in 99.

[Marcy S]

Great thread Joe!

I am 29, 5'3" short, 120 lbs., married 3 years, no kids yet, and we live in New York. I work for an investment banking firm doing research for different domestic and international stocks. My cubicle is filled with biking pictures and all sorts of bike 'stuff', not work related articles.

I got into biking when I was a sophomore in college at Ohio State. I choose OSU with my best friend, since we both decided that we wanted to get as far away out of NY/NJ with the ability to fly home in just a few hours -and yes, we lived together and are still best friends! Actually, biking started as a means of transportation for me, since I didn't have a car at school. I went everywhere on my bike (some type of Murray); grocery shopping, friend's apartments, classes, etc., since the campus was (and of course still is) so large - the largest in the country! As things turned out, I was not just using my bike to get from Point A to Point B. I was actually arranging bike rides and meeting friend's for long rides all through Ohio. Since I got so involved in biking, I decided I wanted to buy a better bike, which I spent more money than I should have at the time (GT Tequesta).

Two years after college, I bought a dual suspension mountain bike that I fell in love with (GT LTS-2). Since I was back in NY, it wasn't really practical since there are no trails in Manhattan, but at the time that is what I preferred. I didn't mind though, since jumping potholes became my sort of thing. I changed the wheels to slicks and I did many centuries, metric centuries, and too many rides to list. I started to realize that what I really needed/wanted was a road bike. Well, it took me another five years before I decided on one. I am in total love with my new bike (Cannondale R2000si) and I will try to attach a picture below.

Here is a picture of my bike (although it looks a bit funny with the mural painted in the background). I look like I have wings coming out of my head. Anyway, here it is:

http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?...94113&pw=bikes

Keep spinning,

Marcy

[Rich]

OK gang, here it goes….

Name: Richard Matthews
Age: 26 * god am I really that old? *
Height: 6ft
Weight: Never mind that!!!
Eyes: Yes…and Blue
Hair: light to dark brown depending on season and temperament

Factfile:

I was born in the Seaside resort of Bournemouth on the South Coast of England, 24TH January 1975….came to London for University in 1993, and graduated in 1997…couldn’t get enough of the student lifestyle, so I decided to work as an administrator for the University of Greenwich. Currently work for City University in the same post.

Met the love of my life in 1999, and we’ll be getting married in 2002….ahhhhhhhhh! Mountain Biking came to me in 1989, after reading a magazine with a picture of Tim Davies (British National Champion 1989) on the front, and have been hooked ever since. Currently ride a 1991 issue Trek 8500 and recently bought a pair of suspension forks for it…

Here’s me after a bad case of beer drinking…..

[Joe Pozer]

Alright!! I get to talk about myself.

Real Name: Carlos
Home: Foster City, Ca (about 30 minutes south of San Francisco.)
Home town: Orlando, Fl
Height: 5' 8"
Weight: Well it depends on the time of the year. Varies from 155 to 175.
Age: 32
Bikes: Cannondale Raven and a Gary Fisher Hookoo E koo. Hope to be owning a Road bike in a couple of months (I'll be asking for advice on purchasing a road bike soon).
Favorite Trails: The one I'm riding at the time.
Other Hobbies: Snowboarding, hiking, camping, rafting. If it's an outdoor activity, I enjoy doing it. Oh, how could I forget...Lurking in BikeForums.com

I've been mountain biking for the past 5 years and I'm completely addicted. It started when my friends persuaded me to ride with them on a 40 pound, non-suspension bike. After snapping my chain twice and falling 10 feet down an embankment I was completely hooked on the sport.

Pozer

[orguasch]

Oscar is the name but "Racso" at this forum
Presently located in Toronto, Canada
53 years young
5 feet 9 3/4; 150 lbs depending on the season...
Married for the last 25 years, with 4 kids, two boys and 2 girls;
Presently working in the restaurant Industry, as a souz chef, and partime brain surgeon (for Mike)
I ride a Pinarello Paris, my son also ride a Pinarello
I have been riding a bike for 40 -45 years or maybe more;
Has a natural Tan line on the Bicep and another one on the Thighs and also on the forehead, due to the helmet .
Keeps my wife away from my bike stuff, coz' she might find out that I Have several Things she think its old, but its not

[Hunter]

Hunter my first name is Mark.
I am 34.
I am 6' 2" and 200 lbs.
I have blonde hair that except for a trim here and there has not been cut in 7 years and blue eyes.
I am retired.
I worked in the building trades for 13 years in which I ran my own buisness.
I ride MTB and have ridden off road for 20+ years.
I started on BMX then raced them, I also was a practitioner in the martial arts for 7 years then because of competing injuries gave it up. Still work out and practice I just don't compete.
Me and my wife of 2+ years have a 143 acre ranch that we live on and maintain. I have about 3 miles worth of trail cut on the "back 40."
I am originally from Va. transplanted here to Tx.
Outside of bikes my hobbies are firearms, and my animals.
Oh yeah and I work hard at exposing the "green agenda."
Anything else and I would have to kill you.

[Monkey Spud]

Name is Damon
Age is 24
6'2" 220lbs
Sell auto parts and save most of my money for drag cars. Ive ridden MTB on and off for 10 years and am back on with a passion (I want to compete!!). Working on cutting out some weight, while having fun in the dirt.
Live in sunny california where beautiful women grow on trees.

[LittleBigMan]

Originally posted by Marcy S
Here is a picture of my bike (although it looks a bit funny with the mural painted in the background). I look like I have wings coming out of my head.

Keep spinning,

Marcy

I didn't notice any "wings..."

(I was lookin' at the BIKE, O.K.? )

[Joe Pozer]

Now I know Marcy's secret for speed. It's all about the wings.
Can I get a pair at my Local bike shop or where they specially ordered?

Poz

[A F Baker]

Name: Andrew Baker
Age:28
Height: 6' 3"
Weight: More than Joe Gardner

I am a father of one, and I have been married for 7 years. I have been cycling since I was very young. I had a bike when I was in high school and early college that I rode everywhere. Before the odometer died, I had logged 2000+ miles, and at the time I thought that was a lot of miles. I've almost ridden half that amount since January.

I live in Central Kentucky, and I work as a Data Base Administrator at a telecommunication design company that is owned by my father-in-law. We design cable systems all around the country. I taught adult education (GED, ESL, adult reading) before I stated at my present job. Although the past job was very rewarding, I now make enough money to be able to support my addiction to cycling AND pay the bills.

Besides cycling everyday, I also play softball (my team isn't very good, but we're improving), I write music and play guitar, and I am an avid reader of mostly literature and history.

Saturday morning at the Baker house: My stupid cat woke me up at 5. My son was roused out of bed at 6 by, you bet, the cat!, and now my wife is up also. We have nothing to do for most of the morning except watch Sesame Street and Blue's Clues (my son is almost 2). It is right now 6:48, and at 7:30 I'll be meeting a guy from Brazil (who will be starting to work at my company next week) to take an early Saturday morning ride (it was my idea). I should get away from this computer and get fuled up for the ride. adios.

[Oscar]

My name is Oscar, and I would like to thank Racso for changing his name.

I am not an interesting person. I am of average height and weight and wear drab colors. I am married and have two children. I have no musical or artistic talent.

Luckly, I have a garage full of bikes, so when I'm riding I become quite dashing and debonnair.

Here's a recent picture.

[JonR]

Born 1940 in Oklahoma, raised in Missouri and Kansas, graduated with B. A. in French from University of Kansas in 1962, taught French there for two years. Moved to Kansas City. Clerk at a truck line till I up and moved to St. Benedict's Monastery, Atchison, Kansas where I wrestled with becoming a lay brother for a few months; decided I couldn't reconcile being gay with Catholicism as I understood it, and returned to Kansas City. (In 1975 I shifted from Catholicism to Buddhism.)

Worked as a social worker for six months in 1966. Then for the police department, as a civilian employee, for seven years. Great co-workers; some tough jobs and much stress. Went to work for a grain inspection agency in 1973, where I stayed till I retired in December 1999. Major emergency stomach surgery in August '99 helped prompt that decision.

Car-free since 1982, I racked up lots of public transport and, more interestingly, bike commuting miles while working. Two bikes: Giant Iguana mountain bike and an old Nishiki road bike I upgraded when I could still afford such projects. I used both for commuting.

Disgust with street conditions (Kansas Citians must consume half the world's beer, and then drive around smashing the bottles for fun; and local government can't be bothered to clean or repair streets, too busy pouring funds into professional sports), cleanup after muddy rides, and similar gripes, I abandoned my bikes late in 1997. Now, with ample time to clean up, and a renewed effort to forgive or at least accept the broken glass, I'm riding once more and benefitting greatly from it. Tried in spring 2000 (when I first visited these bike forums), and couldn't go more than a couple of miles. But that surgery was still healing; I just didn't have the physical resources. Now that's done, and I'm already almost back to where I was when I was doing my daily commute. I see friends younger than me crumbling before my eyes, and I would rather avoid that fate. That's probably my biggest incentive.

I'm no athlete; my goal is just to do maybe ten to twenty miles most days, to keep in shape and make life easier in the city, since I can do some shopping on the bikes as well. I still feel basically like a commuter. I hope to get into some group rides.

Non-cycling interests include classical music (I play piano and harpsichord, but have only a cheap Yamaha keyboard), jazz; Italian, Vietnamese, and Mexican-American cuisine; reading (especially classics); Internet of course; arts (especially photography and printmaking); journal writing; and trying to help people coping with loss or impending loss of loved ones (my best friend died at a hospice last September, and I attend support group meetings there now).

I live with my cat friend of fifteen years, Katie, a tortoiseshell-with-white beauty.

[MadCat]

I'm Christopher J (my call display calls me christ)
I'm 25, 6,2" 145lbs
I learned to ride when I was 4 on my own. I didn't stop. I grew up in Vancouver which is a great place to grow up as a cyclist. My mom pushed me to ride.
I presently ride a Fisher Marlin that's on it's last legs. New bike comes next month. I just don't know what to get. If I could afford it, a Cannondale Badboy standard edition.
I have no kinds but a sweetheart of a girlfriend who I bought a bicycle for a couple days ago. We rode in her first critical mass yesterday. It was awesome til the cops started hassling us. A year of no trouble. Just smiles and waves from the cops and now three tickets. Ok I'm rambling. I haven't posted here in a while. Been too busy working on www.cmedmonton.org.
I also do my part to organize the North American Bicycle Courier Championchips here in Edmonton, and the bicycle festival that it expected to go along with it.
Ok I'll stop talking now.

[Buddy Hayden]

Ok you guy's here goes :My real name is Ritchie Hayden but for the last 18 years I've been known as "Buddy".. not sure how it came about,but anyways..I'm 35 , not married,no kids but in a relationship with my girlfriend Lee. I work as a bike mechanic in a bicycle touring specialist store,been there close on 12 months now and I love the work and the people I'm around and it's very laid back and non -stressfull !.I worked in the music industry for 14 years as a guitar player in bands and as a guitar tech also, working for the likes of Leo Kottke,Richard Marks,Vinnie Moore(alice Cooper),Scatterbrain(NJ)Hothouse Flowers(ireland)and Colin Hay(men at work)amongst a lot of other guys. I have been situated in Melbourne (aust) all my life, I have been all over Australia many times with bands etc and it is a truly beautiful continent !Please feel free to pay me a visit if you're ever in the "hood"...e-mail me first though (lol). My bikes ,which can be viewed in the photo section of the mtn bikes forum are my baby's along with my guitars, which I bring them all to life and vice-versa they are more than mere "objects" or "possesions" they are an extension of my pure being,something my soul craves, metaphysical in the purest sense.I have found that biking and music go together hand in hand both of which allows me "escape" the confines of normality and truly be myself,at one with a higher force,for which I'll always be inspired by. I have included a photo of myself ,albeit not a bike pic,but me in the studio recording an album a couple of years ago ....ok I guess thats it for now. but please feel free to e-mail me if you have anything to ask or discuss with me...cheers your friend - Buddy.

[Stan]

Great thread Joe! Makes me realize I need A) digital camera. B) a scanner. Oh, by the way, I'm eagerly anticipating the first annual Joe Gardner day!!!
About me. Stan Kirkpatrick, 38, 6'0', 150# since high school, but my waist is 2" bigger. What's up with that, Huh?
Quit smoking, and started riding when I was 30. Just seemed the thing to do at the time. I'm a roadie if stratification is your thing, I prefer, just a person that likes to ride. I recently bought a mountain bike, also.
Hobbies include, anything outdoors, woodworking, building models, Star trek fan. Did I mention that I am single?
Grew up on a farm, moved to Kansas City in '88 and went back to school. Been kickin around moving south for about 5 years now. Riding a trainer just isn't like ridin. Don't know maybe where "beautiful women grow on trees" would be alright too!! ha hah ah ha!!!
Ride long, and prosper.

[HuffyMan]

My name is John and I'm from KY. I have enjoyed reading a great deal of useful information on several topics here. Some time last October My wife asked what I would like for Christmas, feeling my paunch and glancing at the beer in my hand, I said a bicycle. I thought I would enjoy riding as a form of exercise and thought that it would be a lot less boring than the ol' Nordic Track. She seemed to take the hint. Visions of sleek road bikes danced in my head, I could see myself leaning over the bars and cranking for all I was worth. Well Christmas came and I unwrapped my spanking new Huffy! I nearly choked, but she reasoned that my interest in biking would not last as long as the bike. So in part determination to proove her wrong and in part because I really enjoy it, I'm propelling my 40 pound Huffy around some really nasty hills. I'm up to about 50 miles without passing out and would like to ride in a century sometime in Sept. In the mean time I am trying to wear this machine out so I can get a TREK 2200. Oh yeah, I am 5' 9" 205 LB, down from 226, and my favorite color is blue.

[Joe Gardner]

HuffyMan, welcome to the forums! Imagine how much faster and further you will beable to go on that 20 pound trek after pushing your 40 pound huffy around! I know i noticed a world of difference when i went from a 28 pound mountain bike to a sub-20 pound road bike.

[nebill]

What a great idea!

My name is Bill Whitlow, a 52 year old male living in the wilds of Nebraska. I am 5 ft 10 inches tall, and weigh 224 pounds, and falling! A little over 3 months ago, I wieghed in at 260 pounds. I finally got tired of looking like a bearded Buddah, so decided to do something about it. Besides dieting and working out, I was inspired to start riding by a local lady who is a magnificent rider! She also referred me to a great bike dealer in North Platte, who set me up with a really great cross trainer bike at a price I could afford. My first ride of 7 miles was quite an experience. Another local "super rider" happened to ride with me for the last couple of miles, and I was puffing so hard, I could hardly talk to him! Now, 3 weeks and 160 miles later, I still huff and puff, but I can sing along with some of the songs on my Eagles tape that I listen to while I ride. I am having so much fun, that I pout when I can't get in a little ride on the weekends, as this weekend we have had winds of 30 to 45 miles per hour, so I didn't ride. My goal is to ride to a town 35 miles away non stop by the end of the summer.....or sooner if I can manage it! My only regret is that I didn't start riding years ago! Best of luck to all who read this! And remember, it is better to put more life in your days, than days in your life!

[orguasch]

Nebill.
welcome to Bikeforum, as you were saying its not to late to start a good hobby, If you have any question or concerns don't hesitate to ask us were just be to glad to answer you, happy riding:dance:

[jramsey]

I began riding, in Red Bank, New Jersey, on a blue Ross single-speed at age 5. My older neighbor helped me learn the two-wheeler. After that, I rode like a maniac. That bike lasted me until age 10, in 1975, when I got a crappy, red, white, and blue, Sears "10 speed".

Now, 35, living in Kansas City, I have been married to my wife, Krista, 4 years. A couple road bikes later, I'm a new bike commuter. I am a musician and a sometimes internet applications consultant. I'm 5'9", 170 lb (12 stone 2).

My daughter, Marlee, 9 years old, enjoys riding her first bike as much as possible.

Jonathan

[Rich]

Hey,

This is great...really nice to get to know all about you guys and gals....makes me feel like part of a family unit...

Hoping your week ahead is a good'un!!

Rich

[Oscar]

To all those whose goal it is to ride 30 miles nonstop: I've been riding hard miles for years, and I always find that it's good to have a 5 minute rest after 15 miles. You'll enjoy the next 15 better.

[RainmanP]

Raymond Perry, 6'0", 220 lbs and falling, New Orleans, LA. I will have been married to the lovely and vivacious Rainbabe for 28 years this June.
We have three daughters all of whom are in college or post graduate. Two will be moving home this summer. One because she is graduating and has a JOB, (Yesss!) She is a pragmatic (read cheap) young lady who figures she can mooch off the parental units for a year or so and sock away a ton of money. The other is transferring to a smaller school here in town that has its own nursing school.
I just started riding regularly, commuting 20 miles round trip, last October. It started off as just a fitness, weight loss, save the planet thing, but I have already fallen in love with riding and have started thinking about doing some racing next year, by which time I should have lost another 40 pounds or so.
If you find yourself headed this way, let me know.
Regards,
Raymond