I have been on this wonderful forum for years except, last year I spent my time tooling around South and Central America. I tried to keep up with the forums even though I wasn't riding during the year. I let my membership lapse and forgot my password, etc. Started a new one and am happy to be back. Quito, Ecuador is where I had an apartment to base my travels. There was a lot of effort in the bicycling world down there with many weekend rides organized. They sure need it down there as the pollution is pretty bad from all the busses and cars and motorcycles.

I have only been back in the States for a week and finally got my bike out of storage. I have a MTB set up for my commuter/exercise bike and am looking into buying or building a single speed bike. I borrowed one from a friend here a few months before I left in 2008 and fell in love with it. I hated to give it back! On my way home from the East Coast last week I found that a good buddy of mine in Buffalo just built himself a fine fixie. I had a good time riding that for a couple of days.

I'm a Minneapolis Public School teacher and enjoy riding the bike into my classroom , especially in the winter. The kids get a kick out of my slush and salt covered self and we talk gear. I had a good time keeping fit with mountain climbs, hikes, Tai Chi, and jumping rope, but miss having the aerobic benefits from riding. Glad to be home for that!

Good to be back, eh? Too bad you have to go straight into suffering through July and August, tho.

Welcome to bike forums...