New poster, old lurker, no bike, bummed - Huntington Beach

Hi STR,
I've been reading the forums on here for awhile without commenting much. My bike got stolen not too long ago, so I'm not riding at all right now ](*,)and spending more time online looking at bikes and reading forums, figured I might as well introduce myself.
My riding level is adequate but nothing special, I've been MTBing all the typical OC trails for the past 6 years or so, venturing out to neighboring counties when I can, and every once in awhile to AZ or Utah for some slickrock.
I worked weekends for the longest time and spent many years riding the trails mid-week and not seeing many of my fellow riders, but now I have weekends off and was still getting used to riding with the rest of the M-F crowd when my bike got jacked. Until I have the money to buy a new bike, I guess I'll be hiking, fishing and surfing (at least the water is still warm). Not bad options, but fall is my favorite season to ride, so I'm a little bummed.
I'll also be researching the hell out of what to get when I have the money (rwhen the time comes I'm hoping to find a lightly used Mach 5.7, Blur, 575). Not super convinced 29ers are for me, but the tallboy looks like an affordable option if I want to go that way. I know it's not the right forum, but any thoughts on those three 26ers or comparable suggestions (and yes, I've read all the DW Link vs. VPP stuff already).

Anyway, be nice to those hikers, it might be a mountain biker who lost his ride.
See you on the trails,
John

 

You're not the only 'hiker'...

:welcome: from Mission Viejo!


I have wheels, for that I'm blessed, yet I'm 'Running for my Life' in the Zombie run on the 21st with my older kids at Vail Lake. So I've traded my riding shoes for some running shoes and hitting some old familiar trails with a different perspective.

 

I too have been running quite a bit. (coming back from an injury) I like the different perspective that you mention as a hiker/runner. We miss sooo much zipping thru on a bike in comparison to the slower speeds of running. (Revalimage, I still owe you a tube, You, Brownie and perhaps your son stopped on Rock-It to help out after I went OTB and you did that sling thingy for me) I will never forget that, Karma blessings to you and yours!

 

Cool - great to see you're here...and back on the bike! You don't owe me a tube - nothing but stans and boogers in my tires, those things are putting people and bikes together after a crash ...or a sidewall tear, in which case a dollar and cable ties are a necessity too.

Welcome to STR! Holler when you're ready to ride

 

There are plenty of STR family members with bikes for sell, just ask around and I'm sure something will become available in your price range. Running is great, helped me drop 20lbs off my fat ass for the WLC!

 

Thanks Brownie, I'm definitely keeping an eye out on all the classifieds for the right bike at the right price.