Bicycles & Biking

[imoldernu]

I have noticed a number of posts that reference bicycles and biking. (As different from Bikes and Harleys and like that.)

I like to ride, but am no way an expert on the subject. Having said that, I'm into recycling whatever bicycles that people have given up or thrown away, and usually have 3 or 4 in the garage at one time. (currently 7)
Along the way, one picks up bits and pieces of information and cycle talk that makes the subject quite interesting, so will ask:

Do you bike?
Been doing it long?
What kind of biking... road, mountain, cruiser, stationary
Serious, or just occasionally?
What kind of bike(s)... ?
Into the technical part of biking?
Got a picture of your bike?
Ride alone or in a group?

Yes, I know there are hundreds of bicycle websites and forums, but this looks to be a good place for us to share our interest. Something about early retirement and cycling that naturally go together.

Looking forward to your thoughts on the subject.

 

[xyz]

I'll bite...

Do you bike? Not a fanatic but yes regularly.

Been doing it long? Off and on 50 years.

What kind of biking? Road I like to cover some distance and see the sights. We bring our bikes everywhere on vacation it's a great way to see things.

Serious, or just occasionally? I do it as part of my exercise regimen but would not consider myself overly serious. I am probably covering 200 - 300 miles a month.

What kind of bike(s)... Road Bike (Specialized), Folding Bike (Bike Friday), Recumbent

Into the technical part of biking? No

Got a picture of your bike? If I find one I will post it.

Ride alone or in a group? Usually alone or with DW.

 

[HFWR]

Do you bike?
Been doing it long?
What kind of biking... road, mountain, cruiser, stationary
Serious, or just occasionally?
What kind of bike(s)... ?
Into the technical part of biking?
Got a picture of your bike?
Ride alone or in a group?

Yes
~51years
Mostly road bike on paved trails
Often, but never serious...
1980s Fuji road bike, 1990s Trex "mountain" bike
Can work on bikes, but hate to...
Mostly ride alone.

 

[ronocnikral]

I'll play as well....

Do you bike? Yes please
Been doing it long? 18 years, I started cycling when I was 11
What kind of biking... road, mountain, cruiser, stationary road and mountain
Serious, or just occasionally? I ride between 3500-5000 miles per year, not sure where that puts me
What kind of bike(s)... ? I have 2 road bikes, an Holdsworth Record from the 70's and a front end suspension bike I use mainly for commuting, which can include single track trails.
Into the technical part of biking? Depends, do you mean carbon fiber seat posts, nutrition and diet, top tube angles etc? I do all my wrenching if that is what you mean...
Got a picture of your bike? Yes
Ride alone or in a group? I prefer to ride alone as I do it to get out and look around. Not to worry about running into the back of people, or have them run into the back of me.

Bike Porn

My commuter is a Motobecane cheapie. It serves its purpose, and reliably gets me to and from work each and every day. Studded tires for the winter, slicks for the summer. This is with it brand new, and I was taking my skis in to get the bindings mounted.



From the ages of 13-28, I road the same road bike. DW blessed a new bike purchase, and this is what I ended up with. I completed two different 1200k rides with it in 2011, one being the Paris-Brest-Paris ride held once every 4 years.

 

[savory]

Do you bike? Yes

Been doing it long? On/off most of my life. Fairly steady since the early 90s

What kind of biking? road, touring and daily commuting. Started touring over 20 years ago. My wife and I would take one week of vacation and do a bike tour somewhere in the USA or Canada. Since retiring, we have taken multi-month rides. Otherwise, do long rides for exercising. And, I try to keep the car parked by riding my bike. That is accomplished about 90% of the time. Here is a link from last years tour, Key West to Milwaukee crazyguyonabike.com: Bicycle Touring: Finetastic Adventure 2012, by Marti Fine

Serious, or just occasionally? I'm serious encouraging others to ride by participating in local bike advocacy. Having said that, given a choice to get my exercise playing basketball or bike riding, I will choose b-ball.

What kind of bike(s)... Trek 520 touring bike, Trek 2320, & my commuter is a 1980 Schwinn World Tour

Into the technical part of biking? Not really but I do basic maintenance.

Got a picture of your bike? Touring bike can be seen in Crazyguy blog

Ride alone or in a group? My wife and I enjoy biking together

 

[Nemo2]

This one's ~ 5 years old.

 

[LauAnn]

I hope to do more biking next year and and will be biking the Virginia Rails to Trails Creeper in May.

All 3 bikes along the way have been Schwinns. I sure wish I still had my first bike -- a 26" blue cruiser. I am sure it was perfectly good when it was discarded somewhere along the way.

I bought a 10-speed red Schwinn Traveler that suited me in my twenties and thirties. I didn't ride in my forties but picked it back up in my fifties. The Traveler no longer suited the riding I wanted to do so I bought a green-lime 'hybrid'. It a little heavy, but fine for the riding I do.

Not too good with the mechanics.

These days I prefer designated bike paths or very low traveled roads.

There are some modest hill right outside my house and the streets are residential so I hope to get some aerobic excercise once spring comes around.

 

[easysurfer]

Yes. I ride a bicycle except during winter.

In the summer, I try to go at least a few miles every other day (for exercise) and also to run errands. During the spring and fall, if weather permits, I ride more just for the errands.

Rode a bit as a kid, stopped until around 1999, then got back into riding around. I'm kind of all thumbs when it comes to bicycle maintenance.

I don't have a picture of my bicycle, but it's a Dahon folding type and looks like the attached (except my bicycle is gold color and I have a more comfortable seat and attached a mirror and water bottle holder):

Just a couple of weeks ago, I was out to get a haircut when folks were saying how bad parking was. Only 30 minute meters. I was thinking, "no problem" as had rode my bicycle and locked that on a rack right outside. No possible ticket for me . Also, since my bicycle is a folding type, that's really handy when I need to get my car fixed, but don't want to walk or take a taxi back from the shop (which is several miles away). I just give the bicycle a fold and stuff it in my small car

 

[anethum]

I ride all the time. I never stopped riding a bike when I got my drivers license as a teenager. I typically ride my bike more each year than I drive my car. I ride for fun and exercise, I run errands on it, I commuted on it when I was working, I sometimes go on rides with a local group, and I love to tour on my bike. I've done a lot of touring overseas, as well as in the US & Canada.

Like xyz above, I've got a Bike Friday, which is a folding bike designed for travel. I've also got a road bike and a mainstream touring bike. I used to also have a mountain bike which a friend has more or less permanently borrowed.

I'm not sure what you mean by "technical part of biking", but if you mean maintenance and repair work, I do most of it myself.

The photo below is my bike somewhere in the middle of nowhere in Laos.

 

[Koogie]

What kind of bike(s)... as above.

Into the technical part of biking? - no but that is an area I want to know more about.. do some mechanical courses.

Got a picture of your bike? - attached ! also a pic of one of the skinny bridges in my main riding area... ride my old Giant 26er hardtail on that mostly.. to many crashouts.. lol

Ride alone or in a group? - alone mostly except when doing technical mountain biking.

Also have plans for getting into bike touring when I retire (or semi-ER). Spend a lot of time reading the trip reports on Crazy Guy On A Bike.

 

[Rambler]

I biked from the time I was 6 years old up to about age 25, for fun as a kid, paper route from 10-12, commute to school from 12-14, commute to PT job 14-18, off a couple years in college then pick up a beater schwinn for commute to PT job for the last two years of college, then moved to Japan after college and cycled to the train station for a few years before I got lazy and bought a 50cc scooter. Didn't ride when we moved back stateside. Didn't ride for first 11 years back in Tokyo. Two years ago I bought a bike for exercise and commute, but my staff instructed me that it was not appropriate for the big boss to come to work on a bike instead of a car. So, I just rode a couple times a week for exercise. I picked up a Specialized hybrid about a year ago, which I ride on the country roads around my stateside home, when I am there. That will be my starter bike when I get back home (4 more days, but who's counting). Eventually, I will probably get two more bikes: 1) a nice road bike (if I can get myself fit enough to try a tri), and a folding bike to take on camping trips. On our list of startup purchases is a hybrid bike for DW. We intend to ride the 8 miles to town once or twice a week, have breakfast, putter in town until the food settles, then ride home. We'll do that when the weather is nice, so most likely April-June and Sep-Nov. Each of us also have a stationary bike for exercise (spinner for me, upright for her, and a combined rowing/recumbent bike for both of us).

No photos for now.
Not technical.

R

 

[Bikerdude]

Do you bike? = yes
Been doing it long? = 60 yrs
What kind of biking... road, mountain, cruiser, stationary = road & stationary
Serious, or just occasionally? = fun & exercise
What kind of bike(s)... ? = Trek hybrid & Raleigh folder
Into the technical part of biking? = no
Got a picture of your bike? = somewhere
Ride alone or in a group? = alone

 

[donheff]

I have been biking all my life but I only got seriously into it about 7 years ago. My wife and I now ride about 50-75 miles week in good weather and take one or two bike trips a year. We are not into for technical aspects, speed, or fitness. We just ride for fun. Usually just us but friends come along at our weekend house and our trips are group affairs.

Our current bikes are cyclocross bikes (you can see me next to mine about one year ago and 30 pounds heavier than today). We have custom steel sport touring frames being built up now. I will post a picture at the end of this thread when we take possession. T-Al needs to drop back by for this thread, he and Lena are committed velo-nuts.

 

[Brdofpray]

I have biked off and on most of my life. It wasn't until I turned 50 that I got semi-serious about it. I think this was my midlife crisis. I primarily ride an OCR1 Giant. I manage about 2,500 to 3,500 miles per year. To keep my motivation up throughout the year, I have participated in 6 rides across Iowa, and one ride across North Carolina. These rides are seven day, 500 mile adventures with anywhere from 10,000 riders (Iowa) to 1000 riders (North Carolina). If you aren't in shape for these rides, you can be in a world of hurt. I split my training rides between solo rides, and rides with a local bike club.

As far as the mechanical side, I have a local bike shop that does most of the adjustments. My LBS says they love Utube videos on how to tune a bike, it brings them more business after the customer totally screws up their bike.

My picture is from some where in North Carolina, during this fall's ride.

 

[ERhoosier]

Had a big hiatus between bike commuting in HS/college until getting into MTB (& MTB racing) in my late 40's. Took up road riding as part of MTB training & now ride roads almost exclusively. I've learned enough to do all my own wrenching (inc frame-up builds), except never learned wheelbuilding. Enjoy long rides (inc centuries) with buddies & local cycling club. My peak yr was just under 6k miles, but now significantly less since taking up triathlon & running. Only 2100mi this yr (due to 2 tri's and running 2 half & 2 full marathons).
My stable now includes 3 Cannondales (CAAD5, Synapse, Slice), a Specialized (Tarmac), a Haro (MTB), & IronHorse (dual-susp MTB). Time to thin the herd

ronocnikral - CONGRATS!!!! PBP is a truly legendary achievement in endurance cycling. I did my 1st ironman triathlon in Oct of last yr, but I would trade that for a chance at PBP in a heartbeat.

 

[CyclingInvestor]

Do you bike? Yes.

Been doing it long? Started age 9 (1967) with paper routes. Commuting since 1979, touring since 1982.

What kind of biking... road, mountain, cruiser, stationary : Mostly road, a bit of dirt road

Serious, or just occasionally? Serious in my younger years (8000-15000 miles/year), now backed off to about 3000-6000/year.

What kind of bike(s)... ? Cross. I am a big guy, too big for 'road' bikes.

Into the technical part of biking? Fixing my own bikes, yes. Everything short of broken frames. Fascinated by new bike technology, no.

Ride alone or in a group? Mostly alone, sometimes with a friend

 

[Ronstar]

Do you bike? Yes
Been doing it long? About 52 years
What kind of biking... road, mountain, cruiser, stationary mostly road and paved trails
Serious, or just occasionally? About 3 days a week when weather is ok. Used to bike to work once a week- 50+ mile round trip. Planning on doing another ragbrai - ride across Iowa
What kind of bike(s)... ? Trek road bike and trek hybrid in il, trek hybrid in az
Into the technical part of biking? no
Got a picture of your bike? Yes
Ride alone or in a group? Usually alone

 

[dessert]

Yes I love bicycling just for the fun of it and the exercise. I own a Hybrid Sport bike and a road bike. My DW and I ride 10 miles around the Lake when we are there on the Hybrid bikes. When we are home I ride the road bike 14 miles on the backroads near here only during the week because of the traffic. I find it to be relaxing while enjoying the outdoors. (until a big dog comes out of nowhere).

 

[ronocnikral]

To keep my motivation up throughout the year, I have participated in 6 rides across Iowa, and one ride across North Carolina. These rides are seven day, 500 mile adventures with anywhere from 10,000 riders (Iowa) to 1000 riders (North Carolina).

My first RAGBRAI was RAGBRAI 22, when I was 11 years old. I rode my dad's old schwinn criss cross the entire way. I've done 8 or 9 of them, I've found the training for the eating to be the more strenuous training. Don't know if Mr Pork Chop is still around?

ronocnikral - CONGRATS!!!! PBP is a truly legendary achievement in endurance cycling. I did my 1st ironman triathlon in Oct of last yr, but I would trade that for a chance at PBP in a heartbeat.

thanks! I'm still trying to convince DW on 2015. anyone can do it. of course, I was 28. my father, 55 at the time, said it was the hardest thing he has ever done. and he's done 25 or so ironman tris.

 

[DayDreaming]

Do you bike? Yup

Been doing it long? about 35 years

What kind of biking... road, mountain, cruiser, stationary? road

Serious, or just occasionally? I ride about 2000 miles/year, but only ride about half the year - I hate cycling in cold weather so in winter I go hiking and exercise indoors instead.

What kind of bike(s)... ? an old Trek road bike

Into the technical part of biking? I can fix most things, but couldn't care less about having the latest and greatest equipment & gear

Ride alone or in a group? Always ride alone. I once joined a bike club but only went on 2 rides with them - they always rode in a big pack and seemed to enjoy blocking the auto traffic behind them. That's not for me, I try to be as courteous as possible to cars and trucks which are much bigger than me!

 

[xyz]

I'll bite...

Do you bike? Not a fanatic but yes regularly.

Been doing it long? Off and on 50 years.

What kind of biking? Road I like to cover some distance and see the sights. We bring our bikes everywhere on vacation it's a great way to see things.

Serious, or just occasionally? I do it as part of my exercise regimen but would not consider myself overly serious. I am probably covering 200 - 300 miles a month.

What kind of bike(s)... Road Bike (Specialized), Folding Bike (Bike Friday), Recumbent

Into the technical part of biking? No

Got a picture of your bike? If I find one I will post it.

Ride alone or in a group? Usually alone or with DW.

Found some pictures I hope they post correctly..

 

[CoolChange]

Do you bike? Yes.
Been doing it long? Almost 40 years, off and on.
What kind of biking... road, mountain, cruiser, stationary? Mostly road and paved trails; some packed gravel rails to trails riding.
Serious, or just occasionally? Daily some summers; sometimes months without riding; main commuting vehicle when weather is good
What kind of bike(s)... ? Mostly recumbent road bike
Into the technical part of biking? As little as possible: I do not enjoyed fixing the bike; and, I am getting too old for technical mountain biking...takes too long for the body to heal these days.
Got a picture of your bike? This is not my bike or me; but, it is my exact make/model of bike and actually does look a bit like me when I was in my worst physical shape.
Ride alone or in a group? Usually alone; occasionally with girlfriend.

 

[67walkon]

I'm a cyclist! Got my first bike at about age 5, rode to school until 10th grade and then commuted on a bike for 3 years of law school.

Now I ride a road bike and have 4 bikes. One is abeautiful vintage 1973 Schwinn Varsity that I rebuilt for fun--it's looking for a new home but it has to be the right adoptive parent. I have an older hybrid we poke around the neighborhood on. Then there's the obligatory carbon fiber road bike and a titanium road bike.

I ride a bike because it's fun. It also lets me pretty much eat and drink anything I want without gaining any weight. It keeps my BP nice and low. It keeps my spirits high. Sometimes I go relatively fast, but much of the time I just go at my own pace. And I love the week long BRAG ride in Georgia.

 

[nun]

Yes I cycle. I ride each weekend and take a couple of weeks each year to go on a tour where I camp and stay in hotels, last year it was 3 weeks in Iceland.

 

[savory]

We visited Iceland but did not bike there. I would love to hear more about your trip. Did you have a blog. If not, can you share your experience. Thanks