I have a long ways to go for sure. It is embarrassing at the moment, but as a teacher, the plan is to spend every day (or close to it) riding this summer. I live in Huntington Beach, two blocks from the ocean, so I have both PCH and the river trail at my disposal.

First up is to find a bike that I enjoy more, the used Rockhopper that I picked up on CL just isn't doing it. When I used to ride I liked dirt riding, so when I got the urge to ride again and make a lifestyle change I picked it up. I quickly discovered that dirt riding was no longer my thing.

I am leery of buying a bike because the state budget is in the crapper and tenure no longer matters. I can be out of a job any day and I am the department chair. There would be no way to get another teaching job with this budget and other places aren't hiring either. However, I am leaning towards ignoring the what-ifs and enjoying what I can now. If it all goes under, nothing i can do.

I want a steel frame. I have been thinking LHT or Randonee. I wasn't thinking new steel bike when I had my 20% REI coupon a couple of weeks ago. One problem that I have is bike fit. I am short with SHORT legs. I did a fitting at REI and the problem is I need a 52cm frame with a 43cm frame standover. Damn short legs. I test rode the 52cm Randonee, the length was fine, but my poor babies were in a bad way on stand over. Also, with the smaller frame LHTs, they use a 26 wheel. Seems a lot of people don't like them. Why?

And I am never wearing spandex. Ever.