zpl

Hi everyone,

Let me first of all say I'm really impressed with BF. There is an incredible amount of diversity in this forum, and it seems a lot more down to earth than others I've spent time on. The owners of this site have obviously built a wonderful community.

I'll be turning 30 this year, and have been off of bikes for 12+ years. When I was in high school in the early 90's I was obsessed with mountain biking, worked as a wrench in a bike shop (started at minimum wage and worked my way up!) and got into cross country racing. Even did a few NORBA Sport class races.

Then I went to college in Boston, was afraid to bring my Trek 8700 carbon bike into the city in case it got stolen, was slammed by my engineering courseload, and eventually sold my bike to a friend. I assumed that I had simply closed a chapter in my life.

I wasn't active nearly as much after that, hitting the gym a couple days per week if I felt like it, etc. Twelve or so years later I find myself with another 50 pounds that I've had some success attacking with diets and focused gym sessions, but it's been a yo-yo trip that hasn't been too satisfying.

I'm not sure what it was, but this spring I started craving going on bike rides again, and generally just doing things outdoors such as hikes. I live on the top floor of an apartment complex, and dragging a filthy mountain bike up and down flights of stairs and cleaning it in the bathtub didn't really appeal to me. So I've decided to try road riding. I borrowed a friend's bike for a couple of weeks and was hooked.

About three weeks ago, I took the plunge and bought a 2007 Specialized Allez Triple and the corresponding gear (of course). Fortunately I saved my SPDs, riding shoes, HRM, and a whole bunch of tools that I've had lying around for years.

I'm back on the bike and loving it! I've put just over 200 miles on the bike already, and have set a goal to ride my first century by the end of this season. I also plan to commute to work by bike this coming Thursday for the first time (~ 12 mi. each way on back roads).

I feel like I'm getting back to my roots (although on skinny tires this time), and it just feels great.

Thanks for taking some time to read about my enthusiastic return to cycling!

Regards,

Scott

Seacoast NH Area

ddmann

Scott

You sound a lot like me only I have nearly 20 years on you. I also was motivated by weight loss to get back into biking. I wish you success young man.

rkimble

Scott

Welocme to the forums, I to have not been on a bbike for years. I spent 11 years in the Army got out in Aug 2003 weighing 185 three years later I have balloooned to 235. I started riding the stationary bike at the gym two weeks ago. I just purchased a Trek 1000 this weekend and I plan to start riding several miles a week. Hopefullly the pounds will start melting away.

East Hill

Hello Scott, as you can see, many people drift away from cycling, but return when they remember what a great time they had--and you can get in shape by doing so!

Don't forget to check out the Northeast regional forum--believe it or not, there are quite a few members from New Hampshire here.

Welcome to BF!

East Hill

old and new

Welcome ,nice new bike,you made a good choice Mister, the Allez is a fine bike ! Rode 200 miles already? I may hit 200 by summer's end. Did you play LeCross in hi-school? big up there in your state. You stated diversity, yeah, yeah, I'd say so,like a srap yard,..Kinda..

zpl

I never played LaCrosse myself, though my school did have a team, and it was pretty popular.

Many thanks to everyone who replied to my intro. I am fortunate enough to work from home a couple of days per week and have a lot of flexability in my work time, so putting in 5+ rides per week isn't much of a problem (as long as the weather co-operates). Just another reason I'm glad I can take advantage of this opportunity to ride again.

Scott

East Hill

Winter cycling--now there's a real sport . There is a forum here just for dealing with winter cycling, even in New Hampshire...

East Hill