Trek2Kgirl

I'm Sue and I live in north-central NJ. I'm a web designer by trade (hate my job, but it's a paycheck). I've got a 19-year-old son who's going into his sophomore year in college this year. He wants to be a doctor. He's on a mountain bike racing team, and he's actually the one who got me interested in cycling. You see, 3 years ago, we went shopping to buy a road bike for him to train on, and I ended up leaving the store with a Trek 2000 WSD--about $1,000 more than I planned on spending on myself that day! At that point, I hadn't been on a bike for several years (and even several years prior, I don't think I ever rode more than 10 miles on the road on my mountain bike).

So there I was, with this $1,000 toy and nothing to motivate me to ride. I felt guilty for spending the money on myself. But about a month later, I got a brochure in the mail from the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society regarding the Team in Training program. I saw the Santa Fe Century and figured I'd been crazy enough to buy the darned bike, I might as well go off the deep end and sign up for the ride. Little did I know, I was embarking on what would become my passion.

So now, here I am three years later, a mentor for the LLS Team in Training cycling team for the second year in a row. I've also signed up for the Face of America 2002 event, which is a 3-day ride from Ground Zero in NYC to Washingon DC in September. I figured since I've survived a few centuries, it's time to take it to the next level. I'm also considering trying commuting to work on my bike, at least a couple of days per week. If I end up falling in love with it, I'll consider buying something that will better withstand the wear and tear of commuting.

I'm glad I found this forum--it's chock full of great info and everyone seems awesome.

MediaCreations 

It's always interesting to hear how different forum members got into cycling. Great story.

Welcome to the forums. We look forward to hearing ongoing reports on all the stuff you're involved in.

RonH

Hi Sue.
Welcome to the Wonderful World of Cycling!
And a BIG welcome to BikeForums.

bikeman

Welcome to the forum Trek2Kgirl


I too have a job where I'm involved in web design. Boring, I'll agree. Also do print work - slightly more interesting, but not much.

Great story about how you got involved in cycling. Meant to happen I guess. How cool!

Enjoy your cycling experiences. They bring meaning to life!

webist

Welcome to the forums.

My handle "webist" is from the name of a web design company I used to own Called Webist Internet Solutions. I sold it a few years ago to an ISP and took over as the general manager of the ISP.

I agree partially with hat you say about the job being boring. I di however really enjoy the part of meeting with the client and learning about their business and designing the original project. Once they move to the maintenance phase though, it can become a little boring. I'm having much more fun doing the entire ISP thing.

Diabetes got me back on the bike. I hadn't ridden since the 70's but remembered that I enjoyed it. So when the Doc told me I had diabetes, I plugged in the treadmill in the garage, bought a bike from the LBS which is in the same busilding as the ISP I run, and added a weight machine. That was last September.

So far, I am down 56 pounds, and up to an average of 10 - 15 miles per day.

I am now looking longingly at road bikes. My buddies at the LBS keep telling me they are willing to fit me and let me test one. Nice, friendly guys they are.

Again, welcome.

Carl

oceanrider

Hi Sue! It's great to see another cycling woman onboard. Your story sounds like something I would do. Have you read Eloise Hanner's The Big Ride ? Sure you have but on the off chance you haven't, it's on the mark. My kids are 20 and 22 respectively and I'm a granny. Neither one of them cycle and they think of me as some sort of an oddity. My two year old grand daughter sees a bike and she says, "Nana bike." She's got the right idea.

As for your road machine, if you want to move up it sure sounds like you deserve it.

Kathy

Trek2Kgirl

Hi Kathy,

Thanks to you and everyone else for the warm welcome.

I just ordered Eloise Hanner's book. I have a feeling I'll relate to her story in more than one way. Ah, to be able to embark on such an adventure would be a dream-come-true for me, but I couldn't even consider it for at least another 7 years, what with my son having 3 more years of undergrad and another 4 of med school.

It doesn't hurt to dream!
Sue

sscyco

Welcome to the forum!

So, are all your gears GRANNY gears?