Got my first road bike (a Huffy 10-speed) for Christmas when I was in the fourth grade. There were times when I would ride it while pulling a lawn mower behind me to do lawn work and earn some money. When I was in college (in another state) I bought a 12-speed at K-Mart and started doing some regular riding during the summer before my senior year.
After graduating and working a few years, I picked up the bike, again, to try and get in shape for a 30 mile bike race at my college alma mater as part of Homecoming festivities.
I don't race, I just ride for exercise and enjoyment, and enjoy doing long distance cycling.
Description: Replacement frame because of broken chain-stay at the rear axle mount. Had to replace the bottom bracket cartridge, the front derailleur (because of the size of the seat tube), and use the fork from the '09 Roubaix, because the steer tube was carbon and I have extensions to raise the handlebar height.
2023 Odometer:
430.1 miles
Lifetime Odometer:
16,058.7 miles
Tires:
700 x 25C Continental GatorSkin, front, 2,495 miles
700 x 25C Continental GatorSkin, rear, 320 miles
Chain:
Shimano SRAM 9 speed, 2,495 miles
SRAM 9 speed, 13,957 miles
Description: It is actually my 2003 Newest with a new frame. Fuji upgraded my replacement frame because they no longer make Newest frames larger than 58 CM - and the 61 CM is a little small for me.
Description: Bought for the purpose of riding more during colder months and potentially commuting to work. Actually, took it for its first ride by riding to my work (on Saturday) and back.
Started biking to work in May - two days a week - to complement my riding/training. Have enjoyed a couple jaunts on the KATY trail (another alterior purpose) and other paved trails with the wife & kid!
Have given this bike the name Diana - I don't know the names of the other Supremes.
2023 Odometer:
70.1 miles
Lifetime Odometer:
24,636.5 miles
Tires:
700 x 35C Nashbar Nashbar Mechanical Mountain Bike Disc Brake Set, front, 13,486 miles
700 x 32C Specialized Nimbus Sport, front, 4,731 miles
700 x 32C Schwalbe Marathon Plus, rear, 358 miles
700 x 35C Nashbar Nashbar Mechanical Mountain Bike Disc Brake Set, rear, 13,167 miles
Chain:
Shimano 8 speed cassette 8 speed, 1,976 miles
Shimano Chain 8 speed, 1,976 miles
Description: Developed a crack in the rear rim after 2331 miles. Received a replacement wheel, but it had spoke problems - had to replace 9 of them in just 1755 miles. Received another replacment wheel, and it lasted 549 miles before breaking a spoke - and another 2 miles trying to get home before breaking the 2nd. Broke two more - separate incidents - before getting a custom replacement wheel.
Otherwise, the bike is a nice ride that I have enjoyed since the day I test drove it.
Have named this bike Dory, from Finding Nemo - she's a "natural blue" and "built for speed"
Description: Borrowed from David & Christy Ball, Bowling Green, KY. They just got a new tandem, and could not take it, their two single bikes and the old tandem back home from WI Camp in Beloit.
Jacque & I sure enjoyed using this bike to learn to ride 'tandem'. Since David has come by and picked up his bike, we have missed it. When we ride our single bikes on the path we frequented w/the tandem, as we climb the one short/steep hill, we both comment about doing the hill on the tandem sure seemed like less work.
We test drove a Co-Motion Primera in July 07 - it was about our size!. We will get a tandem, one soon - may be in '08!