Newcomer from MidMichigan
 

Howdy there, I'm a new member to the forums (obviously), so I thought I'd introduce myself (obviously, else you wouldn't be reading this post, now would you?)

Anyhoo...I'm a former cross country and track runner. In high school (junior year) I developed a heart condition that forced me to change how I worked out. My cross country coach recommended I bike instead of run the workouts, so I went out and bought myself a new bike and started it up. I ran through college until my senior year where the heart condition reared its ugly head and forced me out for good. Since then I got into biking as it was a little easier, and I've done that ever since.

Outside of my first bike as a kid, I've had mountain bikes and I enjoy the offroad biking when I can. Recently I lived in northern Pennslyvania and I bought myself a birthday present in 2004 of a Cannondale F300 (my most expensive bike to date, ooooooo). Right across the street from my house was a 36 mile pipeline trail, so it got a workout ;)

Currently I live in Mid Michigan (about 1.5 hours North of Detriot). Great place to live, if you don't mind the winters. My new job is actually 8.5 miles from the house, so I am now, for the first time ever, able to bike commute to work, which is literally a dream come true for me. Always wanted to bike to work but the situations have never allowed themselves. It's the greatest feeling in the world for a work day (I'm gonna miss it in the winter time :( ).

I really bike to just stay in shape, though it'd be fun to hit the trails again if I can find some here. I know northern michigan has a ton of trails, and I was in Traverse City for vacation where they are everywhere. Sadly, I slipped a disk in my neck (ouch!) the week before and was unable to bike :(

Anyhoo....there's my intro, hi :D

Hi Mr_H and welcome. I'm also Mr. H. :)

Same distance as my commute. :beer:
Got pictures of your commuter bike? Or other bike(s)?


Read through the Commuting forum and the Winter Cycling forum for tips on riding through the winter.

Hello fellow H :D

I always thought 8.5 miles was long, but I've seen in the commuting section some 20 milers. :eek:

No picts of my bike handy, but I'll take one tonight and post it over in the commuting section. I only have one bike for now, so it has to handle all my riding styles. That might change in the future:)

Sounds like you may be in the Midland area? The Pere Marquette trail is a nice 60 mile round trip. August 6 is the annual trail ride.


http://www.lmb.org/pmrt/event_frame.htm


I'll be there. Fun.

Yes, as a matter of fact, I am in the Tricities area:)

Thanks for the info, I'll take a peek at it.

I'm a Mr. H, as well. I live in Midland and commute 3.7+ miles to/from work as much as I can manage. As it is, I just started doing the commute about a month ago, as well. Even more coincidentally, when I was in high school (many, many years ago), I ran cross-country and track (1/2 mile primarily, although they changed it to the 800m near the end of my 'career'). Small world.

I have to get up to midland sometime and hit those trails. I've heard good things about them:)

I was mostly long distance in high school and college. 1 mile tended to be my shortest distance (sometimes 800 m, but that reminded me of 'sprint til it hurts, then sprint some more'). 5K and 5 Miles were my average race distances:)

Steeple Chase Rules.

Welcome to BF, Mr. H. :)

I'm in Lansing and I've commuted for 4 years. I also do some road riding in the summer and a little off-road, especially in the winter. There's a recent thread in tha Advocacy & Safety subforum about Michigan bicycle laws, if you're interested.

OOPS...Sorry! I just noticed that Mr H is the one who started that thread!
:o

:p