I'm from Granite City IL, just across the Mississippi River from St. Louis.

I have a Giant Cypress - that was my first bike purchase a few years ago. Right now this bike has a trailer hooked up to it. I haul my 1 & 2 year old around to get us all out of the house.

I have a Schwinn Voyaguer 11.8 that was my grandfathers bike. He rode it to work every day from the time he bought it until the time he retired. Rain or Shine. He enjoyed riding very much. I enjoy riding this bike more, even though it needs a little bit of cleaning & updating.

The company I work for is very green oriented, and we are fortunate enough to be close to https://trailnet.org/downtown-bicycle-station. The company pays the fee for us to use this very nice facility, which has a bike station attached. https://bigshark.com/about/urban-shark-pg778.htm

I ride to work from home (about 9 miles) as often as I can, although my wifes current work shedule means I have to take our girls to daycare. I fully expect to get back to it this summer.

I'd like to learn more about how to repair my bikes myself. Currently I can change a flat tire and raise or lower the bike seat pretty efficently. Hopefully I don't screw up posting in the forums too much. I don't have much experience in this corner of the world.

Hello DMercer,

Welcome to Bike Forums from Texas.

Alright Mercer sure glad you're riding and more that you want to do your own work on your bikes,, you need some special tools and some regular ones, there's some real good books on bike maintenace out there but most important don't be afraid to mess something up! worst thing that could happen is that you have to bring it to your LBS and don't forget you gotta pay for what you don't know!!!! welcome to the forum

Hi DMercer, glad to have you join in here at BF. Both the Voyager and Cypress are really good bikes, two ends of the road spectrum if you will. I wouldn't sweat posting in our forums, it is pretty aid back here. We have a few forums you might find informative, the Mechanics Forum for your learning about repairs and maintenance, and the Commuter Forum for your daily rides to and from work. You seem pretty well into things so hop in where you like and enjoy the place. The forums would love seeing pictures of that Cypress and your trailer for the children. For your Voyager you may want to post an introduction and pictures of it in the Classic and Vintage Forum, lots of Schwinn road bike enthusiasts there.

Bill