bicycles | New member intro

I hope it's okay for me to introduce myself as a new member of the community. If not, please let me know.

executrix just pointed me here. Dreamwidth keeps surprising me with its wealth.

I'm

darkemeralds and I commute four miles each way to work and home 100% of the time on my cruiser style bike here in Portland, Oregon USA.

My bike is a very large-framed Specialized Globe Carmel model. I call him Clyde, short for Clydesdale, because he is a draught-horse of a bike. Suitable, since I am a large person.

Until last August, I hadn't been on a bike since I was 14 years old. I'm the walking (or rather rolling), talking living proof that an out of shape 54 year old woman with a sedentary job CAN take up bike riding; and also that it's possible to commute every day, even in rainy, gray old Portland, wearing presentable office clothes.

I use Clyde for grocery shopping and other errands around town, and haven't fueled my car since January. My interests in bike riding range along the "cycle chic" (if that's possible at my age and size) and "slow bike" axis, with sustainable urban living as a key factor.

My own DW cycling entries are tagged "riding clyde". I look forward to reading and participating in this community.