waybehind

hi all!

I got out of riding back in the early 90's after leaving the army.
2 years ago my wife and I bought a couple of mediocre mountain bikes to play around on. While it was fun, I kinda yearned for a road bike. I rather liked the zen of 40 miles every morning before work.

Since my wife has started commuting by bike to work, we decided a better bike was in order for her. Down to the lbs we go yesterday, and she picks out a Schwinn World DBX for herself. Super sweet bike for many types of riding!

Since I was all about hills and speed in my younger, stronger days, I found a Fuji Roubaix Pro that fit pretty well. Except for the "maillot jaune" yellow, it's a nice bike. Carbon fork/seatstays, Ultegra-105 mix, mediocre brakes(tektro), which I'll be replacing, and Alex wheelset.

Went for a 10 mile easy flat ride to get used to the bike and the crank brothers pedals. Wife was making sure her bike was setup ok for her. Being as I'm over 40 now
(wife is 27), and not in very good shape at all, I wondered if I could even ride 10 miles.
I needn't have worried, as neither of us even broke a sweat.

You know, I realized how much I enjoyed riding, and wondered why I ever stopped. The bike felt really good.

It's good to be back in the saddle, tweaking my riding position, wondering where the good hills are.
My only worry is car traffic, and the bad rep cyclists here get from idiot stop sign/light runners, 3 and 4 abreast riders closing down lanes for everyone else and that sort of thing. Not too sure I like being associated with the "spandex warrior" crowd, and even if I look like one, I certainly won't act like one.

Anyway......enough of my babbling.
I hope to meet some of you on the road here!
Cheers!

East Hill

Hello waybehind--where are you located? North? South?

There are quite a few MUPs to practice on if you don't want to quite plunge into dealing with traffic yet.

I'm south, can be found on Interurban/GRT/Cedar River/Big Soos Creek. Check out the Pacific Northwest regional forum, too.

Welcome to BF!

East Hill

waybehind

East Hill.....
We're in Rainier Beach.
The trail was the GRT.

As far as riding in traffic, it's not that I'm so much worried about being hit. I've been hit twice in the past, and have had alot of near misses. I'm rather used to cars whizzing by in close proximity.

I'm more concerned about being associated with rude cyclists who run lights and stop signs and things like that. Education on both sides seems in order.

Jerks aside, there's the whole "Lance wannabe" thing.

Too many opinions, and not enough thought.

Hope to see you on the road, lanky lass!

Tschuss!

2wheeled

Welcome, from another in the Seattle area. I'm in the northend, Millcreek area. Hope you enjoy the forums.

East Hill

The more of us who actually pay attention to road signs and following the rules of the road, the better. You could mix it up with the Advocacy & Safety forum posters, but that's almost as hazardous as riding in traffic .

Don't worry about the Lance wannabees, the equivalent is the Dale Earnhart wannabee--and I don't know how to change the minds of either except by good example. That, and decrepitude.

East Hill

waybehind

Not worried about the lance wannabe's.........worried about being one . But then I don't ride a Colnago or Pinarello and stop at the Leschi Starbucks, nor shop at Il Vecchio, so I'll probably be shunned by the too rich and too cool crowd too. Whatever. Poseur I'm not. I'm just a dude that forgot how nice a session of spinning was.

I've checked out the A&S stuff. And I think it proves my point. No cyclist ever does anything wrong, according to themselves. Bear in mind I'm not defending idiot auto drivers, as there are more than enough of those too. I just think we all need to be mindful of each other, as opposed to demanding that which we refuse to give ourselves. Kinda like the stupid war we're in, but I digress.

What are you riding, East Hill? Maybe I'll see you out one day and say hello.

Cheers!

East Hill

Decrepitude takes care of wanting to be like Lance too! Actually, the Cedar River Trail is a pretty good place to practice speed. It starts in Renton, goes out to Maple Valley, and it's pretty much flat the entire way.


What am I riding? Depends...I've got 12 bikes, so anything from a Centurion LeMans mixte to a Nishiki Prestige to a Raleigh mixte with upright handlebars... .

If you take a peek at this thread you will see the most distinctive one of the bunch:

https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vintage/310308-somebody-once-loved-panasonic-pt-3500-a.html

East Hill

Bekologist

welcome. enjoy the ride.

waybehind

East Hill.....

That Dave Scott looks almost the same as one I wore out way back in the day.
It had a white/smoke(?) paint job on it though.
When I was done with it, the bottom bracket shell was wobbly, the chain and seat stays flexed enough to jump the chain on the cogs going up steep hills, and the derailluer came apart during a ride on Mummy Mountain in Scottsdale, Az. I found all the pieces and put it back together on the side of the road. Made it home, so that was cool. A friend sold me a Trek frame for cheap, and I took what parts that were still useable off the Centurion and put the Trek together. Wore that bike out too. I think all up I put about 10,000 miles on that Centurion. Many many hills and many trips from Phoenix to Wickenburg and back. Those were good times! I don't miss that bike anymore though, after all the problems I had keeping it going.

The new bike should be fine for a year or two. We'll see how it goes.

And thanks for the welcomes everyone!

Cheers!

East Hill

Yours was slightly later then, around 1988. I think mine is either 1985 or 1986.

It hasn't fallen apart yet, but I haven't put nearly the miles on it as you did .

East Hill