ashwagandha

Hi All!

I've been preparing for my first Tri for a bit over a year now. I may have found a donated road bike from a member of my YMCA Tri Club that will help with this effort. I've really enjoyed a couple of threads on entry level bikes found on this forum. So for that reason I've joined. Yeah! The two bikes offered to me so for may be either slightly too small or slightly to large. Still no better price then free. I am just under 6 foot tall. One bike is a Shogun from the mid 80's with a 54cc frame. The chart online said I would be best on a 58cc. Another member has offered a Trek 1400. Her husband, (who agreed to the donation by the way), is 6'1". That's a little closer to my hight although I don't know what the frame size is. So I will hopefully get to see these bikes this week. I had been thinking seriously about a Windsor Dover from Bikes Direct. Seemed acceptable but then they didn't have my size. The thread that sent me here suggeted that most bikes with the Sora group sold online are actually from the same manufacturer in Taiwan. Still it was agreed that for the price, ($300 - $500) the bikes were okay. later it suggested considering used options are opgrading certian companants, (such as on the Motobecane Mirage Pro). Anyway just saying hi. Feel free to reply to me regarding my bike search. I'll update once I have a good road bike in my posession. I have three bikes now. One my Gary Fisher Wahoo has a wasted drive train from long use and constant use on winter roads this year. I've been told repairs may cost $250 although I may be able to learn and complete these myself. My Others are a Mongoose Crossways 625. A nice light bike and now usable. And a Fuji Grand Tourer. I've had problems with this bike. #1 heavy. #2 May have survived a crash.#3 Won't accept modern tires on it's steel rims. It may be a classic to someone. It is pretty in that way. If someone in the Seattle area has an interest please let me know. I'm sure we could work something out. It does have it's original parts and is in fairly good shape conidering it's age. I would guess mid 70's. Anyway I digress. Hello. Once I get my bike I'll be going on some long rides. I would like to break the century mark around Lake Washington from South King County and when the road is fixed around Mt Rainier next year. Some time would like to do the Seattle to Portland as well. I've gone on several 50 mile rides on my Mountian Bike. Looking forward to riding a decent road bike some time soon.

Ciao, Mike in Auburn WA

donnamb 

Welcome, Mike. I must say, that is a very interesting screen name.

East Hill

Hello Mike, do you ride the Interurban and GRT very often? I use that as my way home bright and early in the mornings...

I can't help you with your bike selection, but if you ever see anyone on tiny older bikes, it's probably me!

Welcome to BF! Oh, and don't forget to visit the Pacific Northwest regional forum if you haven't already done so.

East Hill

ashwagandha

As you may know Ashwagandha is an herb used in traditional Indian medicine. It is a mental stimulant. Perhaps it is used in a spiritual way as well? Looks like some fun times in Portland Bike festival.

Mike

ashwagandha

Thanks for the welcome. I do enjoy the Interurban as well as the GRT. I live very near the White River Trail in Auburn. I do some maintanence along The White and explore the underdeveloped trails east and west. I'm enjoy following the progress being made in our regional trails system. Some times it is darn slow. But at least it is moving in the right way. I'll look for the forum and for yourself along the trial.

Mike

East Hill

Slow is certainly the word for it. It has taken almost three years to get an extension of the Big Soos Creek Trail--all 700 some feet!

But it is better that progress is slow, than non-existent.

You may spot me on anything from a 1980 Centurion LeMans mixte to a Nishiki Pro and back. But I will be the one in a skirt almost every time .

East Hill