You know you’re in trouble when your wife says “All you ever think and talk about is that freaking bike!!” But there are bad addictions and good addictions, and a guy's gotta have a hobby, right?

Speaking from recent personal experience, I have realized that I am indeed a road bike addict… and proud of it. The cycling bug bit me hard in October 2006 when a friend of mine invited me to ride along with his riding buddies one Sunday morning.

I said “Sure, why not” - envisioning me on my old 40 lb mountain bike (the one that has sat in my garage for years) toodling around Washington County for a leisurely cruise.

HA! I had no idea what I was getting into, but it became crystal clear the night before “the ride” when my friend stopped by with a brand new racing bike for me to demo. It turns out that he manages a Performance Bike Shop and had brought home a new Fuji Roubaix RC racing bike for me to demo.

I took one look at that bike and the first question out of my grinning, drooling mouth was “So how much am I going to have to spend to get this bike??” It was the sleekest most beautiful 17.5 lbs I had ever laid eyes on - Love at first site.

That first ride was a 25 mile ride that almost made me pass out, but I had more adrenaline going through me than I could ever have imagined. Bombing down hills at 35 mph only a few feet behind the riders in front of me is still a rush that is hard to fully describe! It didn't matter that this first ride was in pouring down rain (or that the rainy season was just starting out here in Orgeon). I was one with that bike, and the addiction was inescapable.

I never gave that bike back to my friend – I bought it from him the next day along with a full set of gear (Giro helmet, Sidi shoes, Look pedal clips, Pearl jacket, Performance riding bibs, tights, shirt, riding computer, gloves, glasses, the works).

Performance has an awesome one-year free financing option that was the perfect answer to my wife’s financial concerns, and I figured "what are the chances of me ever being able to learn the ropes with a group of riders – some professional racers – as well as getting in the best shape of my life?" (a goal I have set for myself before I turn 40, which is only a year and a half away). So I jumped in full board!

I’ve learned since then to make my riding addiction appear a little more balanced, or maybe I’m just still in denial and just refuse to admit that I have a problem. I get out every weekend for at least 30 miles, and usually go on one or two 30-milers during the week. Now that I'm working closer to home, I ride 10 miles each way into work and back a few times a week as well, and the pounds are literally melting away.

I hope to capture my passion for cycling in this blog, along with all the tips, tricks, and lessons I'll be learning along the way. I encourage you to jump in and comment on my posts as well, and post links to your cycling-related sites of interest.