shawmutt

So many forums here...

I was an avid motorcyclist for nearly five years, clocking close to 50,000 adventurous (and not so adventurous) dual-sport miles over that time. Then the kid came, then the other kid came 14 months later, then the bike went...

I also gained a lot of weight, doing the dad stuff. After a few years I had enough, went on a diet, and started jogging. Then I started running. A couple months ago I reached my goal, a 5K in less than 29 minutes, and decided to look for bigger and better goals.

I miss being on two wheels. I was looking for a more family oriented two-wheel experience, with some dad time set aside as well. I found a local bike group on meetup and set out to find a bike. Well, just the shopping part has been an enlightening experience to say the least. After going through comfort, road, fitness, hybrid, mountain, etc., etc. bike, I finally dialed in on touring bikes as the way to go. It's the bike that most closely matches my motorcycle days. Hopefully I'll be the proud owner of a Jamis Aurora by the end of the week, and start putzing around. The bike group I joined up with does 30-60+ mile rides, and I'm also looking for a trailer to haul my kiddos around in.

I'm looking forward to more fun!

1nterceptor

Howdie, another ex-motorcyclist on board. I used to be an avid biker myself,
mostly sportbikes. But a few years back, I started questioning my role in the
whole scheme of things and I guess I started thinking about the environment
and how I can help. Gave up my motorcycle, scooter and car. Been riding a
bicycle for awhile and enjoying every minute. Good call on the touring bike,
seems to fit your needs. Congrats on your new ride and let us know how you
feel getting "back on the saddle"

GeoBigJon

Howdy and welcome to the forums!

dunelt_1954

Welcome! I am also an ex motorcyclist, bought a house only 1.4 miles from my office, and thus found bicycling rather more efficient for the trip. Actually, I hadn't ridden a leg powered bike since my youth, but was lamenting to one of my old high school teachers about the trip to work being too short to drive, but feeling a bit long to walk. He suggested bicycling, and let me borrow an old Austrian 3 speed, which was actually not a bad bike for riding to work. And, much more comfy and practical than the bike-boom instruments of torture that I remembered from my youth. I had forgotten how much I had used to enjoy both riding and wrenching on my bikes. Now have quite a fleet, kept the Austrian 3 speed, got a British 3 speed which I used for my user name here, have a Fuji Del Rey hybrid that is my current ride to work, grocery, etc, an old Trek 560 road bike, Bianchi Strada flat bar road bike, etc etc.

I expect that more fun will be coming soon.

shawmutt

Just in case ya'll don't check the touring forums, here is my new rig! I have a lot to learn...

steve85

Welcome to the forums! Nice ride!