New member, long time biker, RAGBRAI rider
08-08-19, 01:32 PM
#1
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Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: Dubuque, IA
Posts: 2
Bikes: 2015 Salsa Vaya, 1971 Schwinn Super Sport Retro Mod, 2013 Cannondale Synapse, Origin 8 Fat Bike, 1996 Gary Fisher MTB
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New member, long time biker, RAGBRAI rider
Hello,
I live in the great state of Iowa (yep, the one with the RAGBRAI). I've done 7 of them so far.
How I ride: The first two were on "stick bikes" (no bags) and the last 5 have been self supported fully bagged endeavors. I prefer taking all of my stuff with me and traveling a little slower than flying by towns and missing out on possible fun. I like to say that "I ride for fun, not for fast". Our team can usually be found way in back having way more fun. Our motto is: "first place finishes last!" meaning that the later you finish the day, the more fun you likely had.
In addition to RAGBRAI, I also organize a 3 day self contained touring event called BOLD Tour (Bike Over Labor Day) which takes place, you guessed it, over Labor Day weekend. Including those two, I typically get at least 3 or 4 touring rides in per year.
I've recently purchased a fat bike and am looking forward to getting into that type of riding as well as possibly exploring mountain biking in the near future.
Mechanical abilities: I hold a Mechanical Engineering degree from Iowa State University (go Cyclones) and worked as an auto mechanic from the time I was 16 until I graduated college. I have volunteered at a bike Co Op for the last 5 years and learned a lot about bike mechanics there. I built my first touring bike from a 1971 Schwinn Super Sport adding all late model Ultegra components to a vintage frame. I saved the handle bars, seat, seat tube and fork. The rest was new. As it turns out, Super Sports don't make great touring bikes and so I've upgraded to a Salsa Vaya which I customized to be a medium touring bike.
Besides biking I enjoy kayaking, camping, cooking, snowboarding, disc golfing, and many other outdoor activities.
I'm happy to be part of the community and look forward to expanding my knowledge about the fascinating world of bicycles.
- Austin
I live in the great state of Iowa (yep, the one with the RAGBRAI). I've done 7 of them so far.
How I ride: The first two were on "stick bikes" (no bags) and the last 5 have been self supported fully bagged endeavors. I prefer taking all of my stuff with me and traveling a little slower than flying by towns and missing out on possible fun. I like to say that "I ride for fun, not for fast". Our team can usually be found way in back having way more fun. Our motto is: "first place finishes last!" meaning that the later you finish the day, the more fun you likely had.
In addition to RAGBRAI, I also organize a 3 day self contained touring event called BOLD Tour (Bike Over Labor Day) which takes place, you guessed it, over Labor Day weekend. Including those two, I typically get at least 3 or 4 touring rides in per year.
I've recently purchased a fat bike and am looking forward to getting into that type of riding as well as possibly exploring mountain biking in the near future.
Mechanical abilities: I hold a Mechanical Engineering degree from Iowa State University (go Cyclones) and worked as an auto mechanic from the time I was 16 until I graduated college. I have volunteered at a bike Co Op for the last 5 years and learned a lot about bike mechanics there. I built my first touring bike from a 1971 Schwinn Super Sport adding all late model Ultegra components to a vintage frame. I saved the handle bars, seat, seat tube and fork. The rest was new. As it turns out, Super Sports don't make great touring bikes and so I've upgraded to a Salsa Vaya which I customized to be a medium touring bike.
Besides biking I enjoy kayaking, camping, cooking, snowboarding, disc golfing, and many other outdoor activities.
I'm happy to be part of the community and look forward to expanding my knowledge about the fascinating world of bicycles.
- Austin
Last edited by wanko383; 09-09-19 at 02:21 PM.
08-08-19, 02:37 PM
#2
Not actually Tmonk
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 14,117
Bikes: road, track, mtb
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Welcome Austin! And happy trails. I'd love to try touring someday myself, I think I'd dig it. I'm a competitive road/track/MTB racer and like to backpack and camp during my off-season.
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"Your beauty is an aeroplane;
so high, my heart cannot bear the strain." -A.C. Jobim, Triste
08-08-19, 02:45 PM
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Middle Earth (aka IA)
Posts: 20,435
Bikes: A bunch of old bikes and a few new ones
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Welcome, lots of great riding in the state especially in the area where you live.
08-08-19, 04:26 PM
#4
Mother Nature's Son
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Sussex County, Delaware
Posts: 3,110
Bikes: 2014 Orbea Avant MD30, 2004 Airborne Zeppelin TI, 2003 Lemond Poprad, 2001 Lemond Tourmalet, 2014? Soma Smoothie
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Welcome to BikeForums. Enjoy your rides and be safe.
08-08-19, 06:48 PM
#5
Super Modest
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Central Illinois
Posts: 23,466
Bikes: Trek Emonda, Giant Propel, Colnago V3, Co-Motion Supremo, ICE VTX WC
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Welcome!
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Keep the chain tight!
