mlts22 

I have been interested in bicycles since a kid... the time where 30-40 pound wheelie bikes with banana seats (or plastic spoked BMX bikes) were for the kids and the Sears Free Spirit ten speeds with friction shifters on the stem for the adults were the mainstay.

Due to just life, I went from walking, to riding a bus, to driving a vehicle fairly early on in life -- no real "bicycling" stage as a kid.

Just due to life events, I never learned how to ride a bike. I promised myself many times, and a couple years back, bought a new decent Garry Fisher (a Joshua F3, when the back end was made out of aluminum, not cro-moly like the last year it was made)... then had a bad reaction to a medication that nearly put me under, and took me years to recover. The Gary Fisher has been ridden probably about 35 feet in its lifetime, and has had a place in a bedroom ever since. It is also one of the few dual-suspension bikes that offers a suspension lockout switch, but for obvious reasons, its not good to do major drops with it locked out, unless one likes busted oil seals. Once I get going on that, that may be a cool thing for climbing.

Now, I have plenty of time (finishing up college after 15 years in IT/consulting) to learn. I had a Raleigh to learn on, realized it was too unique to take the risk of crashing, so just bought a low-end Kona for learning on, then it will be my commute bike around campus. I look forward to the time where I can actually get the Garry Fisher out of the bedroom and on trails (when I'm confident I won't wreck the thing on the first branch or curve.)

As for other bikes in my stable, a relative promised me a "decent" road bike soon. "Decent" is relative... I have no clue if it means a velo with a carbon fiber flame and all Dura-Ace components... or some rusted ten-speed Huffy. If its ridable, any road bike is better than nothing at all.

But first, its just the basics of riding and keeping a line for me. I have a long ways to go, as I'm very out of shape. However since I have the time, its something I need to do for long term health... as well as something fun that isn't related to some type of computer or electronic gadget as the primary means.

cycle17

Interesting story mlts22. Any kind of cycling is better for you than non at all. I'm primarily a roadie, but was once an avid Mt biker for many years. I still like to mt. bike, but find road biking easier to do on my body and easier to just get on and go to get my rides, training etc... into my busy week. You will see the area you live in....in a different way/new light on your bike. Welcome to Bike Forums! Good to have you!

Enjoy

Platy

Yay, another Austin cyclist! What routes do you ride?

mlts22 

Well, as soon as I can actually keep my balance, I'll be riding mainly around St. Edwards campus, as well as the bike routes around Loop 1 and Anderson lane. Crossing the light at the Far West intersection and loop 1 is a PITA, but once you get to the pedestrian bridge there, the neighbood there is very bike friendly, offering two-way bicycle lanes on several streets.

Hopefully after that, there are a number of trails that are definite winners... Bull Creek Park, Allen Park for starters. Then onward from there.

Platy

I ride mostly in the Northwest Hills, Northcross, and Crestview areas. The pedestrian bridge at Far West and Loop 1 is very nice.

Here's my super secret route from that area to Austin west of 360 that avoids the steep hills in the canyon. Once you make it up the Far West hill going west to Mesa, there is a safe flat bike route north on Mesa to the Arboretum and beyond. Turn left on Old Jollyville where Mesa dead ends, cross the vacant lot where the highway department has gravel piled up, cross 360 as a pedestrian to the Arboretum, then find your way through the parking lot to Jollyville. Jollyville parallels 183 and has fairly new bike lanes that make it a breeze.