Introductions - tell us about yourself

[Cowsham]

Welcome to the forum -- what was your usual cycle for 45 years and how do you find road bikes?

As a late teenaged I had a straight handlebar Dawes tourer. Still the best bike I ever owned.
I then had a gap of about 12 years and the next bike I bought was an Emelle Cortina. It was great, but at the time I was living in a one bed flat in London. However I used it on and off for about a decade, including a very short commute to work.

Then there was another gap but the London Cycle hire scheme got me back onto a bike. After a bit I thought ‘this is daft’ so ended up with a Brompton. Still have that and occasionally use it, at the time it was my preferred mode of London Transport. I then bought an ATB which ate the miles along the Thames path with ease and would plough across Wimbledon Common or through the dirt track in Richmond park as if it wasn’t there.

I’ve only had my road bike for a month, but I’m really enjoying it. Even broken my ‘fair weather cyclist’ label by going out in the wind and rain the other day. I will upgrade my bike next spring.

That's a very similar timeline to mine minus the gaps, I even had a cheap Emelle racer ( road bike ), the frame flexed around corners which was very disconcerting. I bought a Claude Butler mtb after that which I used till the wheels went square so only as recently as 2016 I bought my first decent bike, a Giant Rapid 1.

[revjames]

Real name James

Occupation - Minister (Vicar) of a Pentecostal Church.

I live in N Wales and recently took up cycling again. I have a Cannondale CAADX and enjoy riding for pleasure. Planning a long ride S- N Wales next year. I have had a few bikes MTB, Road bikes but love this gravel bike and now its set up correctly its a joy to ride.

Recently had an accident which involved a severe bash on the head and a lot of scrapes and bruises. No memory of the event. Considering a camera or maybe 2 incase I do it again!

Hi James -- wouldn't you be known as a pastor ?

Yes I guess so. just using language and definition that most would understand, but yes Pastor.

[Cowsham]

Real name James

Occupation - Minister (Vicar) of a Pentecostal Church.

I live in N Wales and recently took up cycling again. I have a Cannondale CAADX and enjoy riding for pleasure. Planning a long ride S- N Wales next year. I have had a few bikes MTB, Road bikes but love this gravel bike and now its set up correctly its a joy to ride.

Recently had an accident which involved a severe bash on the head and a lot of scrapes and bruises. No memory of the event. Considering a camera or maybe 2 incase I do it again!

Hi James -- wouldn't you be known as a pastor ?

Yes I guess so. just using language and definition that most would understand, but yes Pastor.

I sort of guessed that. Welcome to the forum James.

[Corpulent_Porpoise]

D

[drossall]

I'm a lover of most things Italian, live in rural Suffolk and am hoping to find my legs again after a few weeks, though I'm pragmatic and realise my fitness won't climb to its old levels (and they never were that high!).

Used to love audaxes and sportives, plus the occasional TT but I'll never match my PB so that'll be something I won't return to. Anyway, greetings and I look forward to some good banter and idea swapping.

Welcome. My PB for a 10 is 23:42. I've not been within six minutes of that for one or two decades. Doesn't stop the club 10s being good fun. I just get more riding time for my entry fee these days, so I reckon I win hands down.

Lots of good Audax events in Suffolk, Essex and Norfolk.

[Corpulent_Porpoise]

D

[mister_ed]

New to the forum!

Back to biking (and maintenance). I went on indefinite haitus after moving to back to London because I didn't want to die, and have started up again since the LTNs went in, and am now commuting/shopping/etc daily by bike. Currently enjoying older styles of bikes because I can take the entire thing apart and put it back together again easily and I can get replacement parts from an LBS.

My current hobby is submitting police reports from bike cam footage.

[mitchfloyd]

Hi, I'm Mitch, 36 years old. I'm an IT engineer.

I ride my bike in my spare time and especially on weekends. For me, riding my bike is both fun and a sport to improve my health.

[Alcyon]

Hello all, and greetings from Toronto, Canada!

Sixty-two years on two feet, perhaps fifty-five years on two wheels. The last almost three decades more seriously; happily getting along without a car.

My main ride, handling the commuting and day tour duties, is based on a locally built frame. One part has remained from the original build: a Campagnolo front derailleur...I wonder how many shifts it's performed in over one hundred thousand miles?

I have an old Miyata Triplecross that I break out for extreme winter work. I have been thinking of going Sturmey AW, with drum, in the back, and drum front...perhaps with the dynohub option? Anyone looking for information on Sturmey-Archer will find themselves here.

[Grangerider]

Good morning. I am John, 75, and living in South Warwickshire. Serious touring cyclist until my mid 30s then for a variety of reasons stopped. Bought a new bike and recommenced at 50. Added electric assistance at 67. Do about 80km a week.

[cyclist]

Hello,

My name is Sid. I am in my late 40s. I am a doctor. I am a member of Cycling UK (CTC). I cycle because I am passionate about cycling. I also cycle for commute, leisure, fun, adventure, health, wellbeing, fitness, good company, meditation, lowering stress levels.

I enjoy cycling on roads, gravel, and mud (if I have to). I enjoy cycle touring, I had rides with Cycling UK, Audax UK, and sportives for charity, in addition to the daily commute and utility.

I tend to use more single speed as well as gravel/adventure bikes, I prefer the relaxed geometry for longer distance travel. I have done a few 200 Km Audax rides, as well as cyclotouring.

I also use a 16" pneumatic tyre kick scooter, and another regular kick scooter for short commutes to the local grovery shops.

[BlackRat]

I am Ken, I live in the US - raised in Norwich - and cycle maybe 6,000 miles a year and this year will be embarking on LeJog, solo, bikepacking. I have cycled all over the US but I also backpack - mostly in the Sierras.

[Garry]

Hello, Garry here.
I wouldn't call myself a proper cyclist, I just like mooching around my local area for some exercise, and to get outside for a bit.
More of a bike fan than a cyclist.
I broke my ankle last year, and have plates and pins in it. Only feel comfortable on smaller wheel open frame bikes now, so I'm looking at getting a Brompton or Moulton, and getting rid of my large wheel ones.

Cheers all.
Garry

[stutteringp0et]

Mohamed here.

Yes, I've been a cycling enthusiast ever since I first learned there was such a thing as a bicycle, lol.

What followed was a documentation of what I love. Yes, I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes and use insulin. However, my bicycle has remained my sanctuary, my escape through agricultural lands and away from the city and urban life.

My son, Hossam ♥, is now 12 years old, and he wants a bicycle too. But I worry about him getting injured, as he's overly enthusiastic, lol... I love him dearly.

Perhaps I'll share some photos of him, me, and my beautiful bicycle later.

[Martyl]

Evening, a new member here just looking to re-introduce myself back in the cycling. Currently looking at buying a Gravel bike as I like the idea of going off the roads rather than spending all the time on roads, especially in todays crazy busy world...