Greetings from H-, I mean Texas!~
08-04-11 | 10:42 PM
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Insane Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 125
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From: Arlington, TX
Bikes: Huffy Grand Prairie 15sp MTB (don't hate!), 1980 Schwinn World Tourist, 1976 Schwinn Traveler, 1974 Romic Custom (project bike!)
Greetings from H-, I mean Texas!~
Some stuff about me....
I started riding around the neighborhood when I was 7 or 8, by the time I was 10, I was going several miles across town to the grocery to get milk or whatnot for my mother. At 13 I got a new MTB, and from then until I was probably 18, I was primarily an off-road/trail rider, including a bike trail crew at Philmont Scout Ranch one summer. The trail crew was official, the bikes were not, but we found it was easier to get around on them. Now I'm a senior in college (chem), and commuting to school, 8 miles every day in the sweltering heat and humidity (it was 122 F today, 45% humidity). On the same MTB I've had forever (hey, it's paid for), now decked out with new-to-me (round!) rims, slick tires, and a few accessories I've been able to scrimp for or salvage from other peoples' wrecked bikes when given to me. Actually, most of it has been salvage...
Anyway, I'm competent enough to rebuild a hub, replace bearings and spokes, and change wheels now. Keeps my old rusty beater going, and me getting from point A to B. Been doing so for a couple of months now, and thoroughly enjoying it. Doesn't hurt my knee nearly like running did, or trail riding, for that matter! The fact that I can make the trip by bike faster than I ever could by car, and can park the bike for free are nice perks, as is the weight loss!
Less than two months and I'm already known on my route as "that weird guy who bikes freaking everywhere and stops to fix other peoples' bikes".
I started riding around the neighborhood when I was 7 or 8, by the time I was 10, I was going several miles across town to the grocery to get milk or whatnot for my mother. At 13 I got a new MTB, and from then until I was probably 18, I was primarily an off-road/trail rider, including a bike trail crew at Philmont Scout Ranch one summer. The trail crew was official, the bikes were not, but we found it was easier to get around on them. Now I'm a senior in college (chem), and commuting to school, 8 miles every day in the sweltering heat and humidity (it was 122 F today, 45% humidity). On the same MTB I've had forever (hey, it's paid for), now decked out with new-to-me (round!) rims, slick tires, and a few accessories I've been able to scrimp for or salvage from other peoples' wrecked bikes when given to me. Actually, most of it has been salvage...
Anyway, I'm competent enough to rebuild a hub, replace bearings and spokes, and change wheels now. Keeps my old rusty beater going, and me getting from point A to B. Been doing so for a couple of months now, and thoroughly enjoying it. Doesn't hurt my knee nearly like running did, or trail riding, for that matter! The fact that I can make the trip by bike faster than I ever could by car, and can park the bike for free are nice perks, as is the weight loss!
Less than two months and I'm already known on my route as "that weird guy who bikes freaking everywhere and stops to fix other peoples' bikes".
