As a moderator you should be well aware of the difference between criticizing an object and abusing a newbie. At least, I hope you are.

Besides, if you knew what gems people toss into dumpsters you might not take it so hard. ;)

Well, what can I say? The bicycle bug bit me hard and left a good sized whelp. I "donated" the Mongoose to my friend's son to get him on a bike better suited for his size.

After many hours in vain over research and test riding, I bought a 2008 Trek 7000 hybrid. That lasted about six months before I realized how inadequate it was for really exploring my riding potential. I was quite literally hooked on cycling after making friends with a new local shop owner and their head mechanic.

I have since sold the Trek, bought a used '07 Langster single speed for urban rides under 30 miles, a 2008 Allez Elite compact for longer duration road rides and a used 2007 Giant Trance X2 for getting dirty. I have logged just over 1,000 miles since last November on all three bikes and I am signed up for a metric century at the end of April.

I am very active in the local bicycle club and we are starting an advocacy group for bicyclists in our region of the state. Ride safe everyone.

Thanks to everyone for their help and words of wisdom. (even capwater).

nice. having 3 bikes for 3 different purposes is a great way to go. you never get bored riding, and if you do you can mix and match parts for something new.

That was certainly an intense twenty months of guitar training.

http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/n..._Excellent.jpg

Welcome back!

Wow, what a great ending. It was as if you were originally trying to turn an enduro into a sport bike part by part. Glad you ended up getting equipment designed for your intended purpose.

Oh how the world of bikes turns... or at least the revolving door of them through my garage. The Allez was sold and I purchased an Airborne Thunderbolt to build/race. Registered as a USAC Cat5 and placed 2nd in my local crit series this year. Up to Cat4 now and only a few more finishes to get Cat3. My Airborne was smashed into an Oreo cookie creamy filling between a stupid kid showing his butt in a 4WD Chevy truck and the rear of my Jeep. His insurance then cut me a check and I now race a 2010 BMC Road Racer SL01. I just purchased a Raleigh Grand Prix from the early 80's to retro-fit and frame-off resto. The Langster was traded to another racer who gave me his Bianchi M.U.S.S. in return. Single speed MTB is a lot of work but very rewarding. Will most likely try it in some CX races this year.