cyclist-22

Fellow cyclists of the world, I salute you! I am a recent transplant to San Diego in search of sanity. Driving was a major part of my job in L.A. and for that reason, as well as many environmental and socio-political reasons, I am now a proud bicycle commuter and non-car-owner for about the last two and a half years. Several and various experiences as a driver and a cyclist have pretty much put me in an anti-car frame of mind; particularly anti-combustion-engine car. I believe people should have the right to drive cars, but oil-dependency and environmental degradation are simply prices too high to pay for such a privilege. Additionally, I am horrified at the lack of safety and courtesy in peoples' driving behavior. I just upgraded last April from a too-heavy mountain bike I had owned for ten years-plus to a carbon-fiber road bike I am loving tremendously. My final crossover challenge is to equip this new bike with cleat pedals which, I am told, I will also love. I enjoy recreational riding in addition to all the commuting that I do and am a semi-regular participant in the local Critical Mass rides which happen here once a month. Looking forward to sharing the wonderful world of cycling with all of you! BIKE ON!

DnvrFox

Welcome

Where in SD do you live, and where is your commute?

You should love those cleats once you get used to them.

What kind of CF road bike?

We greatly enjoy biking in SD, and I grew up there and nearby.

cyclist-22

Thanks for the 'welcome'. I live in the Normal Heights area near 36th and Adams. My work commute is a mere 4-mile roundtrip, but I get to do a longer 18-miler to school at Mesa College twice a week. My rec. rides are through Balboa Park if I'm short on time or along the coast if I'm doing a longer one. A few weeks ago my boss at work invited me on an organized 65-mile ride, the 'Tour de Poway' which was a blast; I may be hooked! My bike is a Look KG241 Kelme Tour replica which I bought used when my boss upgraded his bike. It certainly beats the hell out of my old Trek Antelope mountain bike I had had since 1991. Bring on those cleats! I'm ready for full conversion!

cyclezealot

Welcome 22..Used to live in San Diego..Near Oregon and Adams.Did not commute to work then..Do on a once per week basis since it is 26 miles...We sound in sink about our dislike for motoring..The traffic in North county is quickly resembling Los Angeles..Going into Temecula..I can almost do better on the bike..
Growth is out of control here too..I think we will soon be Los Angelezized. The time from North county to the city has almost doubled in time during rush hour in the last 5 years or so. And yes the habits of motorists are appalling. We get a bird's eye view overlooking the handlebars.. I feel so much more content with the world when I bike to work.
My T shirts often reflect my anti car mind set. Congratulations on your move and addiction to bike riding/commuting.
ps Some friends rode Poway..Some talked about organization could be better. And maybe a busy grade up to Ramona is not the safest?
Some friends who live just east of Balboa park, we often visit, Mtn. bike about Balboa Park..Maybe bump into you some time...

Marcus_Abundus

Grew up in San Diego since my family is been there for almost 100 years. I bought my first (non-kid) bike not far from where you live. It was a LBS called Zumwalts and sold Schwins, on University near Texas. It is a great area for biking with the velodrom and Balboa Park nearby. Last year while visiting I rode out on the eastern end of highway (not the freeway) 94 to Tecate Mexico. I have lately become nostalgic for all of the great road rides I used to do before all of the growth and development.

Anyway Good Luck

JavaMan

Welcome!