BahrGAl

Hi. I'm new (again) to biking. I live in the Central Valley of California and just recently (after much research) bought at Trek Navigator 300. My husband and I decided that riding bikes would be a great way to get out of the house each evening and get some much needed exercise so we bought bikes for our 20th anniversary (he got a Del Sol?). We have five kids (ranging in age from 5 to 18) so away time is important! We just got back from a weekend in Santa Barbara where we took our bikes and had a great time cruising along the coast, through town, up some hills, and on a nature reserve trail. We had a blast! I'm looking forward to exploring new places to ride as well as riding around town.
I've become a little obsessed with my bike-even rode in the rain yesterday just to get out and get it (and myself) a little more broken in. My kids gave me a hard time for meticulously drying it off after I got home. However, my teenagers are now very interested in upgrading their own bikes. They're gonna have to save up themselves because I'm bike-poor at the moment.
I've been haunting this bike forum for several weeks now and have appreciated all the advice/information on the different bikes. I think I finally made the best choice. Thanks for all your help! I'm looking forward to gaining experience so that I have advice for other new bike riders.

JenM

Sounds like your'e really having a blast. About being meticulous with your new bike, I say if my husband can ask me to help him clean tiniest crevices in his Corvette with a Q-tip, then I am perfectly justified in being meticulous with my stuff. I hope wer'e having as much fun together as a couple in 10 years as it sounds like you are!!

BahrGAl

I think the marriage thing gets better as you go along. You figure out how to smooth the bumps along the way and have a great time. As far as being meticulous I'll have to remind my kids how often they stand at the kitchen sink wiping a smudge off their shoes before school.
Mother's Day was great! My kids got me a new helmet (fits much better than the one I was using), an odometer, and a bag for under my seat.
We've finally got some Spring-like weather so hopefully I won't have to ride in the rain for a while.

jabike

Come now, BahrGal, it really does rain in California? I thought it was the perfect cycling paradise. I just wanted to add my best wishes to some enjoyable cycling. My wife and I plan many vacations or long weekends around our bikes. We like to go to Florida, Mississippi, Louisiana and and other places to ride new routes. I hope you have as much enjoyment in your cycling adventures as we have. Jeff

BahrGAl

Thanks Jeff. Yes, it does rain in good ol' Sunny California (gotta keep the asparagus growing). We're at about 120% of normal right now. I actually love the rain so I won't complain - well, maybe a little. I'm sure in a month we'll all be missing the cool rainy days when we hit the upper 90's.
I'm looking forward to a lot of cool bike rides. I'm still researching good places to go to get used to the saddle again. We'll probably stick to CA for now but it would be fun to venture into other states.