Newbie from Tampa
 

I just purchased a Trek 4300 alpha (my first mountain bike) a month back for my birthday. It's a fantastic bike, and I use it mostly for urban riding. Getting back on a bike after a few years and riding almost daily has been incredible in getting me back into shape. I'm hoping to make some new friends and learn more about the sport and also how to take care of my bike.

My previous bike was a Schwin hybrid, purchased in 1998, which I enjoy riding when I'm visiting my folks in Tennessee.

-kms007

My husband has a 4300, and sometimes I can't pry him off the thing! He prefers it to the beautiful 1980 Schwinn LeTour, even :D .

Where do your folks live in TN?

Welcome to BF!

East Hill

hi East Hill:

Thanks for the welcome! My folks live in Knoxville, TN - which, coindicentally, we'll be traveling to this Sunday to spend the week with them.

Regarding the bike, the Trek 4300 has really brought the 'fun' back into riding. I bought a Diamondback mountain bike from Sports Authority a few months before that, and ended up returning it after only a few days due to the crank breaking (!). (That, and horrible customer service.)

I ended up getting my Trek from a bike specialty store (Oliver's Cycles and Sports). The folks there love bikes, and spent a good amount of time helping me find the right bike for me.

-kms007

There is some great riding in that area. There's the trail near the Hillsborough River, and several others around. When you eventually tire (hoho) of pavement there are some great off road trails as well. When you get some confidence you need to do the drive to Ocala and do the trails at Santos. It's not Moab, one could say it's Disney World for trail riding. Tenoroc (spelling?) in Lakeland, Alafia, outside of Brandon both have some cool rides that aren't too hard. There's some up around Carolwood but I can't remember what they're called.

I know the S.W.A.M.P club in Tampa, and the Ridge Riders Club in Lakeland both have websites and resources that are worth checking out. And they're mostly a friendly bunch of guys, so if you see any of them around, and you will, say hi and ask questions.

I sometimes miss the riding in Florida. I would rather crash on the ferns and sand there than the rocks and thorns here.

welcome aboard.