New To The Game, Won't Stop Til' I Foul Out
 

Good Day To Everyone,


Life has brought me many struggles (former fat kid, alcoholic father, anxiety, eating disorder) but finding things that make you look forward to living another day is beautiful.
I grew up always biking the BMX bike with friends to local burger shops, the beach, anywhere. I lost touch with it and once a car key got handed to me, never looked back. Soon life became more a struggle than fun. I live in a place where you grow up thinking perfection is a way of life, when nothing in life is perfect. This caused me to become too thin, miserable with work, and pushing away the people I love most.
Creating a life trying to be so perfect I forgot to have fun. Only 20, working 8-5 6 days a week. Working out, counting calories, seeking the most, yet losing everything. This brought me to a fork where I either stay on the same path and binge on food in depression every night, work so much I hate people, or, do I live life for the moment(?) pushing to do what it is that I love and what makes me happy (not seeking approval from others).
Thinking about what I loved and what brings me to a place of peace and vacation. I jumped on a road bike, pushed the clips in, set the iPod to shuffle, and rolled down the street. What started as a ride soon turned into a never ending vacation where nothing in life matters. I have everything I need; A Bike, Music, and a Coast where reality seems more like a dream.
Be thankful for the things we have and don't dwell on what we don't. I am so happy for getting into cycling. The people are amazing and everyone has a story to tell each day we take a ride. A bigger hill, a longer sprint, the wind ripping the earbuds right out of your ears as you decent from a hill. These are the things that bring me joy and happiness. I hope to become more involved and a good part of this community of family and friends.
The future looks amazing my friends, thanks for everything to come, and all that I will let go.

Treat everyday like a gift thats why its called the "present"

Nice speech

Im was born and raised in santa barbara, i know what you mean.

Hard as life is, I gotta overcome the problems I face.

I don't know if anyone else was a former fatty back in the day, but it really hurts you inside when you lose the fat and people treat you different!

I am stronger than my fears and have set new goals.

I am so thankful that cycling is here to free me.

Hey more Santa Barbara people.

Nice! I am so stoked to find another SB Rider! The more the better, I gotta get into this community of riders...

Have you ridden with any groups here or met any other local cyclists?

Not yet! I am intimidated by some of them! haha. I just heard to jump in and go for it. Dave of fast track told me about the weekly and weekend rides that meet @ Ro.Co. and East Beach

There are some other rides that are easier and better for people their first few times in a group. Today is a recovery day for me, so if you want to meet for an easy ride in the evening, let me know.

..said the spider to the fly.

umd, your recovery day would probably be interval/sprint training for me.

You didn't come in on Friday asking him about heart rate monitors, did you?

I am doin a ride around 230 i think for an hour or so.... I was in there getting my bike tuned... not heart rate stuff...

I can do a casual or recovery ride. :innocent:

how far would you go

I can do about an hour and a half or so in the evening as long as I keep the effort low.

46.4 max on a casual ride. Nice.

This is a casual ride bike.

http://www.instructables.com/files/d...H63.MEDIUM.jpg

Haha, that was coasting down a 10% grade with my wife. :p

ahh, I know who you are...

I was in there when you were... dave had my bike on the rack.... you were doing something with your clips I think at the counter....

I am taking off here around 2:30.. so I can't do a night ride tonight... let me know when i can take one in the future. I need help with building myself up so I can keep up with everyone

If it was Friday I needed new pedals as my old ones had started clicking. I can't ride at 2:30 but I'll PM you with some information about other group rides around town.

I thought at first you were going to call out UMD as a sex offender or something. Glad I was wrong.

:eek:

how long have you been ridiing?

Sounds like a great way to get yourself killed.

I have been "road cycling" for only about 3 years

Whatever