stumpsbmwm3

Greetings everyone.

I am a cyclist (thought I would never be able to say that in a matter-of-fact way). And I have desired to join this forum so that I can learn more about cycling, meet cyclists in my area, find out about rides in my area, and have a forum to seek advice from those whom may have ridden enough to help me identify flaws in my riding style, position, height adjustment,....

I have been riding since a child. Joined the Air Force, rode back and forth to duty (didn't own a car), and eventually became captivated by cycling when I was stationed in Europe and the Middle East.

Now I ride for every reason I can think of. I think it is so because it feels wonderful, is somehow possesive of my soul, and offers me an opportunity to escape whatever it is that pursues me.

Although at this point I do not know what I can contribute, but if there is--hopefully I can find a way to present it that will be beneficial.

Thank you for allowing me the priviledge of joining.

Thanks again,

55/Rad

Welcome...what do you ride?

stumpsbmwm3

I have two bikes. I have a Peugeot that I bought in Germany many years ago, and I have a Greg Lemond Zurich that I got three years ago.

55/Rad

Is the Zurich an older all-steel version or the steel/ti spine series version? Great bikes.

Also...I have a fond place in my heart for all things Air Force.

sixtyten

dumb question, but are those shoes clarks?

55/Rad

The original Wallaby...yes. I went on a mission to find them back in 1996 as they were my favorite shoes of all time back when I was a kid. They are still out there....mine have hardly been worn and I intend to keep them forever.

55/Rad

stumpsbmwm3

It is the newer (I guess) carbon fiber/titanium version. And hey that looks like an Eagle behind you!

stumpsbmwm3

I have my eye set on working this fall and spring so that I can purchase a 2007 Trek Madone. I have been monitoring them on EBay, and have seen the prices lower than I had expected they'd be. I read a few test reports on this bike and all said that it is wonderful.

It is ironic that I have a car that I feel toward it like non cyclist feel toward their bikes: something to ride, but not high on the got-to-save-in-a-fire listing. I find myself looking at jerseys, shorts, Keo classics, Nike cycling shoes, helmets, Bontrager tires,... and find ways to justify getting them. My associates say that they cannot believe that I don't squint over the prices of the stuff--being that it is for a bike--and not a car. But in my heart, I squint over car part prices as it is a means of transportation; not a means of whatever it is that cycling fulfills.

55/Rad

Do you drive an M3? I'd save that in a fire, especially if it was the E-30 type (88-91)

I'm disappointed. No, that is not an Eagle behind me...it's a F-22 Raptor Prototype. One of only 2 in the world at the time back in 2000. Had to get clearance from Chief of Staff Michael Ryan himself just to get in the hangar.

It seems you have the sickness. The one that grabs you and pours you into all things cycling. The one that has you searching online at all hours for the next thing to satisfy your cycling hunger. Welcome to the disease. You will find many here who share in your plight...including yours truly.

Satisfaction comes often but it is never truly complete....

55/Rad

ftsoft

Welcome to the forum.

Hipcycler

Welcome.

First piece of advice after reading your first post.

You hardly seem jaded enough to be here...way too nice. That'll wear off in time I'm sure.

Patriot

Hello, Hello. I don't know why you say goodbye, I say Hello!!! (I know, cheesy song)

Zurich Bike, good. Sounds like OCP in progress.

Welcome to the forum.

scotch

OP, just so you know, this forum is lousy with miscreants, perverts, con men, thugs, losers, loners, dilettantes and evil do-ers who hate liberty and democracy. It's a bad place full of bad people.

That said, welcome aboard.

Mariner Fan

stumpsbmwm3 Welcome aboard.

Jerry,

Come back East. We can visit the Smithsonian air and space museum.

vpiuva

Welcome to BF, beneficial contributions are rare here from all involved.

BillyD

GET OUT!!!

RUN AWAY NOW, WHILE YOU STILL CAN!!





Just kidding. Welcome. You'll find a lot of that kind of . . . um, humor around here . . . and much worse.

LIUser22

excellent, lets get right to the point

stumpsbmwm3

Sorry

stumpsbmwm3

Sorry about that mis-id. Have had a really bad evening. I was viewing the site, last night, when I got a call from my brother that my aunt passed away. So, in order to pull myself and head together I started reading the forums many inputs and began to visualize cycling.

Although I use to see fighter a/c every day in some form or another...I don't now. And I miss all of that fiercely. But I spent way too much time away from home and hardly saw my sons grow up. So...please forgive me for not recognizing the Raptor. I only looked at the tail and said twin stabs: Eagle.

As to the other quotes of way too nice: I will say that I was a crew dog in the USAF. Which means that way too nice is never a player. All of us have failed, and come very short... But in the meantime of getting it together we have decided to keep our bodies fit, so that when we get our heads in shape all will line up. I think there is nothing good, or worse, for that matter than to have a "six pack" head and a keg body. I use to race motorcycles up and down the highways of the east. And the end result of that was that I had my license revolked in NY, NJ, and Conn. Cycling for me is my beer, wine, loose women (well--maybe not that far), escape, reality, gauge, love, ....

The M3 is a car I bought in Aachen. But due to my inability to drive cycles below triple digits I had to put it in storage. But I don't know. I never lost weight in my M3 except pissing after a few Bitburg Pils. And I have never seen my legs get tighter in the M except navigating the Belt Parkway on a Friday evening at rush hour. I bought the M to impress everyone else. I bought the Lemond to impress me!

Quijibo187

you'll have no troubles finding people for that here, it's what we specialize at, internet fit specialists. Who needs trained pros to tell you how a bike should fit.

welcome to the forum.

stumpsbmwm3

When I first started using clipped pedals (Look), I didn't really know how to set them for best usage and fit. I tried several so-called settings and never seemed to know if it was okay or if I just got accustomed to them. Sort of like a guy who has a bad window crank but has figured out a way to get it to roll up and now does not even think about the faulty crank. I met a guy who is a EMT/cyclist, and he informed me that I had the pedal settings off. He helped me to get it together, and now I think--I am riding in them to the best fit.

HWS

That would be a Raptor.

operator

F-22.