Relatively new to these boards; been lurking about a week or so, and hoping to join in on some of the discussions. A little about me ...
Started bike commuting in college for the money savings and became a fanatic. Got my first mtb ( a very well used Fisher Montare ) in 1986, which took my cycling addiction to new levels. Fast forward 3 years and I follow a girl -- now my wife -- to Bellingham, WA where I discover true dirt nirvana on Galbraith, Blanchard and the like.
While there I join the legions of bike obsessed in getting a shop job, where I happily wrench and talk bikes with customers. Bellingham is truly an amazing spot for cycling, both dirt and road. Year around bliss with the caveat of the springtime mud.
Jump to 1998 and my wife can no longer handle the incessant rain and clouds. We move across the mountains where I find local riding that doesn't equal B'ham, but with mountainous epic riding that is as good as it gets within an hour's drive. Work for a ski shop that has added a decent bike dept.
Murphy tosses his wrench into the works in 2001: broken back; 2 back surgeries ( the first went craptacularly ); and the discovery that I've had Lyme disease for several years. Certainly explained some pain episodes in the past. Doctors recommend a casual sedentary life and "take your meds". I do that for the next 5 to 6 years and see no real improvement ... unless one counts shrinking legs and an expanding gut improvement.
I tossed out the recommendations and meds about 6 months ago. I hurt like hell sometimes, but I'm back on the bike and gaining some fitness. Hoping to reward myself with a new ride after the new year -- late winter/early spring'ish. Whenever Christmas is paid off that is
So, I peruse the threads at Dirt Rag and Ridemonkey, looking to glean some knowledge on which direction I'll go with the new bike. 29er, full suss, all mtn, freeride; hoping by then I'll have an idea of what my limitations are going to be.
Anyway, a long winded "hola" from me. Hopefully no one's eyes glazed over too much
Started bike commuting in college for the money savings and became a fanatic. Got my first mtb ( a very well used Fisher Montare ) in 1986, which took my cycling addiction to new levels. Fast forward 3 years and I follow a girl -- now my wife -- to Bellingham, WA where I discover true dirt nirvana on Galbraith, Blanchard and the like.
While there I join the legions of bike obsessed in getting a shop job, where I happily wrench and talk bikes with customers. Bellingham is truly an amazing spot for cycling, both dirt and road. Year around bliss with the caveat of the springtime mud.
Jump to 1998 and my wife can no longer handle the incessant rain and clouds. We move across the mountains where I find local riding that doesn't equal B'ham, but with mountainous epic riding that is as good as it gets within an hour's drive. Work for a ski shop that has added a decent bike dept.
Murphy tosses his wrench into the works in 2001: broken back; 2 back surgeries ( the first went craptacularly ); and the discovery that I've had Lyme disease for several years. Certainly explained some pain episodes in the past. Doctors recommend a casual sedentary life and "take your meds". I do that for the next 5 to 6 years and see no real improvement ... unless one counts shrinking legs and an expanding gut improvement.
I tossed out the recommendations and meds about 6 months ago. I hurt like hell sometimes, but I'm back on the bike and gaining some fitness. Hoping to reward myself with a new ride after the new year -- late winter/early spring'ish. Whenever Christmas is paid off that is
So, I peruse the threads at Dirt Rag and Ridemonkey, looking to glean some knowledge on which direction I'll go with the new bike. 29er, full suss, all mtn, freeride; hoping by then I'll have an idea of what my limitations are going to be.
Anyway, a long winded "hola" from me. Hopefully no one's eyes glazed over too much
