Hey everyone...I guess I need to first apologize for not doing this sooner. I kinda jumped right in and started chatting it up with everyone and asking you fine folks for advice and I did not formerly introduce myself so...sorry for that. I live in a small town about 20 minutes from Charlotteville Va. I got into cycling only about 5 months ago and have pretty much been obsessed ever since. Funny thing is...before then I never thought twice about a bike (since adulthood anyway). I never paid attention to anything remotely dealing with this sport. I started jogging to get fit for a few weeks and briefly went on line to check out a few bikes for sh-ts and gigs...Ended up buying a Trek 2.1. After the first ride I was hooked and began riding pretty much every day. As a kid I rode my bike everywhere! ...However I quickly realized now I had come to appreciate cycling for a whole different set of reasons...Such a liberating and peaceful way to relieve stress, lose weight and get heart healthy, and a way have fun and just have some "me" time...I am 33 yrs old, in the best shape of my life physically and even mentally it seems thanks to this sport. Every landscape I look at is no longer the same because all I do is think to myself “Damn, I'd like to take a bike there"....ridiculous. I ended up taking a nice loss selling the 2.1 on an auction site :-( and I upgraded to a Trek Madone 5.2. I upgraded the wheelset, saddle, new carbon handlebars and stem and have blown an insane wad on cycling attire, cages and bottles, computer, lubes, cleaning supplies, all that jazz. My wife is ready to murder me! But hey, I have slimmed down nicely and have been waaaay more active and overall happy so…She has been pretty accepting of the compulsion. I talked her into getting a pretty nice bike but she cannot even remember the last time she rode one so…Either she will hop aboard and get the sickness or a very nice bike will be taking up garage space for awhile until I sell it to get another for myself ;-). Only time will tell. My pops is 62 yrs. old and he too has bought a new bike and has been keeping with it pretty good so he is often my partner in crime. We usually try to ride at least 12-15 miles a day on weekdays after work and longer morning rides on weekends. We will be hopefully enjoying some local group rides this fall and checking in on here for good advice and company from time to time. I am pleased to be part of your lovely forum…Thanks to all. -C

Welcome to BF. Sounds like you really have the caught the riding bug. Cool! Do you have any pics of your rides?

No worries, I never formally introduced myself in this forum either. But now that you have, welcome to the forum! The Madone is a super sweet bike!

Hey-Thanks DEK! Here is a pic of the Madone in question...I have made a few changes since this pic, adjusted the handlebars forward a bit more but you get the idea.

Thanks alot Z! I appreciate the kind words.

Nice ride. Love the color scheme.