View Full Version : Like my bike better
suzieqtwa
01-28-2007, 12:10 PM
I went to the State Park with my 2 TE friends ,and I just got on that road bike. We went only about 5 miles or so. I fell at my first stop because I couldn't get un clipped. My pedals were too tight ,so Ellen loosened them for me ,and I felt better. The fall didn't hurt yesterday ,but today I have some nice bruises,and I feel like someone punched me in the arm. The wheel wasn't on straight so I had to take it back to the bike shop to fix ,or I would have ridden it today. I felt comfortable after riding yesterday. I think Ill be ready for the roads in a couple of days.
If this picture showes ,its (left to right)..Ellen ,me ,Darcy
BleeckerSt_Girl
01-28-2007, 12:19 PM
I was just about to email you to find out how you were!!!! :) :) :)
I think it is so marvelous that Ellen and Darcy came to help you get comfortable on your bike. That is some gorgeous bike! How great that you are less nervous now. It will get better every time from now on....
Some people use a bungy cord to loop around the front wheel or handlebar and secure it to the bike frame or the bike rack on their car so that the front wheel will not bump around and flap/turn back and forth in the wind when the car is moving fast.
RIGHT ON, all three of you TE girls!!!!! I wish I could be there too and ride with all of you!!! :o
suzieqtwa
01-28-2007, 12:22 PM
I have a bungy cord ,but I was taking the bike off the car ,and decieded to take the picture. I cant believe how much better I feel after only 5 miles. No as scary as is was.
Thistle
01-28-2007, 12:22 PM
Good work suzieq.... :)
mimitabby
01-28-2007, 12:25 PM
I am reading your progress and holding my breath! you go girl!
and it was a TE event too!
fatbottomedgurl
01-28-2007, 12:36 PM
You girls look awesome! And what a pretty place to ride! No woods around here. Just some oaks and sycamores in the canyons.
Triskeliongirl
01-28-2007, 12:41 PM
Good Job!!! Great TE gals tot he resuce. I am curious which model trek you bought that you have clearance for what looks like full conventional fenders, an often talked about topic around here. You'll be ready for your event!
Hey, that's a nice looking ride there lady!
Also... and I'm not sure you are doing this or not... but I have seen a lot of newbies do this... make sure you are NOT sitting on your seat when you stop the bike. If you are fitted properly on your road bike, you should not be able to put your feet on the ground when sitting on the seat. All you can do is balance on your toes, and this is dangerous and has made many a newbies fall over.
Well, keep riding! It gets better! Great job on getting out there and doing it!
suzieqtwa
01-28-2007, 01:48 PM
Its a 2.1 pilot WSD. Being so new to biking ,I just know that it rains alot here ,and the rain ,and dirt from the road go right up my back. Is it bad to have fenders...I will never be competing ,so weight isnt an issue.
mimitabby
01-28-2007, 01:50 PM
no, it's not bad to have fenders! it's bad to have a black mud stripe up your back. Not to mention what happens to the person behind you when you go through a puddle!
fenders are great!
WHat Trisk meant was that a lot of bikes are not made with enough clearance to TAKE fenders!
DarcyInOregon
01-28-2007, 02:03 PM
Suzie did awesome yesterday. I didn't get to witness the fall because I was in back around a curve.
We biked to the end of the park so Suzie could practice going up a steep hill on a road outside the park. We got to the end, and Ellen and Suzie wanted to keep on going on the valley roads, and that is what we did. I was really impressed because on my first day I didn't go outside the park and bike those steep grades. But there went Suzie, pedaling along, with her long hair flying out behind her, and she looked like she had been on that bike for years.
In my self-defense, my body looks much larger in the photo than it actually is. Unlike Ellen and Suzie, I am wearing multiple layers of thick clothing and it all adds quite a bit of bulkiness to my body's contours.:(
However my bike looks awesome. It is a Trek Pilot 5.2 WSD. I enjoy riding a girlie bike.
Also, Ellen is a very strong cyclist. She hopes to bike a century this year and I am sure she can do it.
Darcy
Triskeliongirl
01-28-2007, 02:14 PM
WHat Trisk meant was that a lot of bikes are not made with enough clearance to TAKE fenders!
Exactly, so its good to know which ones out there do! The pilots seem to be really nice in that they are still light and racy, but accomodate a wider range of tires (this I knew) and even fenders (this I didn't know!).
Denise223
01-28-2007, 02:26 PM
Hi Ladies!
It is SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO great to see the three of you together :D ! You all look like you were having a blast -- how I wish I was there!!
Good for you Suzie:) !! It sounds like you did great! BTW.....I LOVE your bike, too. Nice ride!
Originally posted by Darcy
But there went Suzie, pedaling along, with her long hair flying out behind her, and she looked like she had been on that bike for years.
Suzie, Darcy & Ellen -- You all look just wonderful :cool: ! It must feel great having women friends you can get together and ride with:) !
Peace & Love to you all,
Denise
BleeckerSt_Girl
01-28-2007, 02:26 PM
But there went Suzie, pedaling along, with her long hair flying out behind her, and she looked like she had been on that bike for years.
In my self-defense, my body looks much larger in the photo than it actually is. Unlike Ellen and Suzie, I am wearing multiple layers of thick clothing and it all adds quite a bit of bulkiness to my body's contours.:(
Yeah, nothing can stop Suzie.
Hey Darcy, don't worry- we ALL look heavier in our jackets and fuzzies! The rest of us have already assumed that all 3 of you are way skinnier than any photos might seem to suggest- and that goes for the rest of us too! :D
SouthernBelle
01-28-2007, 02:48 PM
Photos taken during the winter do not count.
All 3 of you look great.
Suzie, with the decrease in weight and increase in speed, I knew you would end up loving the road bike. I think each of us, with our first, have that moment when we first jump on of, "OH NO, What have I done!!??" But it passes quickly.
Maureen Valley
01-28-2007, 04:09 PM
Suzie....you and your TE buddies look TERRIFIC and of course, I'm a tad partial....but I love your bike. I, too, am getting used to the clipless idea but am getting close to taking off my training wheels....that is to say auxilliary pedals I had installed on one side of the clips.
I wish I had some TE members close by. We could hit some of the rails to trails that Florida is expanding every day!!
LOOKIN' GOOD SUZIE.
Maureen
oxysback
01-28-2007, 05:48 PM
We had an awesome time! Hey Suzie, I think that fall didn't hurt because it was so stinking cold!! LOL! At least you fell into the ivy.
Unlike Darcy...I am as large as I look in the picture. I'm sure I look rediculous on my bike, but at least I'm out there, ya know?
Darcy looks GREAT on her bike...pink is definitely her color! And Suzie is a hill climing MACHINE! She just leaves us in the dust!
I think we ended up doing about 12 miles or so...just a nice easy ride. Thanks, Darcy and Suzie, for letting me join you. We MUST do this again!
li10up
01-29-2007, 09:20 AM
I'm glad you had a good experience...except for the fall.
Call me paranoid but this is a woman's forum and who knows if any sick individuals are out there prowling around. I would recommend that anyone posting a photo of their vehicle blur or black out their license plate. Someone with the motive/means might use that info in a way that I don't even want to imagine....my 2 cents.
Bad JuJu
01-29-2007, 12:00 PM
I'm sure I look rediculous on my bike, but at least I'm out there, ya know?
"Ridiculous" is in the eye of the beholder. It took me decades to figure this out and then to believe it, but if someone doesn't like the way we look, that's THEIR problem, not ours. Especially if the beholder is a fat-and-sugar-swilling couch potato. Nuts to them.
I think you all look great with your bikes, and it's so cool to see TE biking buddies getting together to ride and support each other. Brava!
liberty
01-29-2007, 02:22 PM
I am so glad you had a good time! :) How did you do with learning your gears? Did that become easier?
missymaya
01-29-2007, 02:44 PM
Congrats suzie! You ladies look great! Keep riding and you'll find that clipping in and out gets easier along with the other little things like balancing or going for your water bottle while riding. Have fun and keep riding!:D
DarcyInOregon
01-29-2007, 02:55 PM
I didn't think Ellen looked ridiculous. She looked strong and vibrant on her bike. I think she will do well on her rides this year, and will probably finish more than one long ride.
Also, we didn't see any male cyclists out there on Saturday, and that says something right there.
roguedog
01-29-2007, 08:37 PM
no, it's not bad to have fenders! it's bad to have a black mud stripe up your back. Not to mention what happens to the person behind you when you go through a puddle!
In college we called this "the freshman stripe" :) Didn't take long before they figured out a solution! Or if you were like me too poor and it never bothered me enough to put fenders on.
light_sabe_r
01-30-2007, 02:13 AM
I think all three of you look fantastic on your bikes! DARCY i love yours! But then I'm partial to pink bikes myself.
Suzie. It's amazing that those slow falls hurt nothing but pride eh. :D Fenders are good... as long as they aren't like mine and move around all the bloody time!
GLC1968
01-30-2007, 05:18 AM
I think you all look GREAT!
I'm glad you are feeling better about the new bike, Suzie...and I'm really glad that you all got to ride together! (Darcy, I love the pink bike!)
Now, am I seeing correctly...do you ALL ride Trek's? :eek:
oxysback
01-30-2007, 07:45 AM
Now, am I seeing correctly...do you ALL ride Trek's? :eek:
Suzie and Darcy are on Treks. I have a 2006 Schwinn DBX Supersport. It's a great all around bike!
Bikingmomof3
01-30-2007, 09:20 AM
Thank youf or sharing photos. :) All three of you look so happy and fantastic. :cool:
BleeckerSt_Girl
01-30-2007, 11:24 AM
Frankly, if the 3 lovely ladies in that photo were all slim, we wouldn't be having this discussion about whether people look good or not on their bikes at all!
We women can feel selfconcious about our bodies for multiple reasons- (society and our upbringings often don't help at all) - whether we are overweight, underweight, short, tall, or a million other variations, we need to fight the stupid tendency to think we are not as beautiful as others. Unfortunately many of us are our own worst critics.
The fact is that EVERYONE looks a million times better riding a bike than they do slumped on a couch watching tv. :)
Every single one of us TE gals is a truly beautiful woman, both inside AND out, if you ask me. We ROOL.
lauraelmore1033
01-30-2007, 11:29 AM
Suzie and Darcy are on Treks. I have a 2006 Schwinn DBX Supersport. It's a great all around bike!
I was just about to ask you what kind of bike you had there in the picture. I'm of a similar build and have been wanting to get something suitable for my size, but closer to a road bike than what I'm currently riding.
emily_in_nc
01-30-2007, 11:30 AM
What Lisa SH said!!!! :p
~Emily
lauraelmore1033
01-30-2007, 11:37 AM
Frankly, if the 3 lovely ladies in that photo were all slim, we wouldn't be having this discussion about whether people look good or not on their bikes at all!
We women can feel selfconcious about our bodies for multiple reasons- (society and our upbringings often don't help at all) - whether we are overweight, underweight, short, tall, or a million other variations, we need to fight the stupid tendency to think we are not as beautiful as others. Unfortunately many of us are our own worst critics.
The fact is that EVERYONE looks a million times better riding a bike than they do slumped on a couch watching tv. :)
Every single one of us TE gals is a truly beautiful woman, both inside AND out, if you ask me. We ROOL.
I always have a mental picture of a big rolly polly bear on a bike when I think of myself on the bike and this is reinforced by the reality that almost every time I ride out on the street, some loud-mouthed jerk finds it necessary to aprise me of the fact that I'm not his cup of tea, sexually speaking. So it's always good to hear otherwise. Next time I'll just yell back: "Hey! I ROOL!!!":D
oxysback
01-30-2007, 11:54 AM
I was just about to ask you what kind of bike you had there in the picture. I'm of a similar build and have been wanting to get something suitable for my size, but closer to a road bike than what I'm currently riding.
The Schwinn I have is a great bike! Although I'm glad I got the 2006 model, because the 2007 model isn't as pretty. Just my opinion, though.
The things you want to stay away from if you are a heavier rider...
1. Lots of carbon. I have a carbon fork, but that's about it. It's strong and light, but I don't trust it with my weight! I had a carbon seat post when that pic was taken, but have since swaped it out.
2. Racing wheels. Get traditional 36 (??) spoke wheels. They're not as likely to 'taco'.
3. Super skinny tires. I stayed with the stock tires on my Schwinn and they're fine. I haven't had a flat since I've had it (knock on wood!).
The best thing to do is ask a reputable bike shop. They'll give you more tips, I'm sure!
{{{HUGS}}} to all you ladies that gave a great boost to my ego!!
oxysback
01-30-2007, 12:03 PM
I always have a mental picture of a big rolly polly bear on a bike when I think of myself on the bike and this is reinforced by the reality that almost every time I ride out on the street, some loud-mouthed jerk finds it necessary to aprise me of the fact that I'm not his cup of tea, sexually speaking. So it's always good to hear otherwise. Next time I'll just yell back: "Hey! I ROOL!!!":D
Now see...that's always what I'm afraid of, but it's never happened to me. I'm always trying to think up witty comebacks, but have never had a chance to use them. Don't know if I would even if I had the chance.
One day last summer I kept up with this roadie guy for a few miles on some small rolling hills. He kept looking back...probably thinking, "Geez, I can't lose the fat chick!" LOL! After awhile he dropped me, though.
BleeckerSt_Girl
01-30-2007, 12:20 PM
Well there are A-holes all over this world, we just can't get away from them completely. Some people feel small and ugly inside (maybe didn't feel truly loved as a child?) and the only way they know to try to feel more important is by making others feel bad. If they don't say mean things to you, they'll just pick on the next person who comes along, anyone who looks at all different than them will do.
How sad it must be to be like that, all those bad ugly feelings churning around inside like a nauseous stomach. Just feel sorry for them if you are able- and be glad and grateful you don't have to BE them!! ;)
lauraelmore1033
01-30-2007, 08:47 PM
Now see...that's always what I'm afraid of, but it's never happened to me. I'm always trying to think up witty comebacks, but have never had a chance to use them. Don't know if I would even if I had the chance.
One day last summer I kept up with this roadie guy for a few miles on some small rolling hills. He kept looking back...probably thinking, "Geez, I can't lose the fat chick!" LOL! After awhile he dropped me, though.
well, it only happens when I ride on the interurban trail that crosses Everett Mall Way. It seems like there is ALWAYS a pack of teenage boys behind me hooting as I wait for the light to change. It's why I don't ride that way often...
Thanks for the advice about picking out a bike. I guess I'm wary of going to the lbs since it seems to be populated by teenage boys, and I'm reluctant to flag one down and ask him to help me pick out a bike I won't break (he might have been one of the guys at the mall...).
LadyinWhite
01-31-2007, 03:40 AM
Frankly, if the 3 lovely ladies in that photo were all slim, we wouldn't be having this discussion about whether people look good or not on their bikes at all!
We women can feel selfconcious about our bodies for multiple reasons- (society and our upbringings often don't help at all) - whether we are overweight, underweight, short, tall, or a million other variations, we need to fight the stupid tendency to think we are not as beautiful as others. Unfortunately many of us are our own worst critics.
The fact is that EVERYONE looks a million times better riding a bike than they do slumped on a couch watching tv. :)
Every single one of us TE gals is a truly beautiful woman, both inside AND out, if you ask me. We ROOL.
Well said.
LadyinWhite
01-31-2007, 03:51 AM
I think that every cyclist every where, male or female, heavy or light feels a little self conscious initially in biking apparel. It's really not flattering to even the most trim and fit forms. All it takes is one round of saddle sores to convince a newbie to invest in some decent bottoms!!
What's so great is that once the addiction kicks in, you stop caring real fast. All that matters is, like Ellen said, is that you're out there!!
I'm new to road cycling. Switched out my mtb last spring for my first road bike to see if I'd like it. (Hence the entry level bike. I now join the hordes of cyclists who wishes she'd spent a little more getting started.) When I was strictly mtb - I wore plus size clothing. It was SO frustrating trying to find fitness wear for a woman my size. (over 200lbs) Sure there were a few places but the cost :eek:
Since switching to road cycling (and loving it so much more than MTB) I have dropped 42 lbs. You'd think my problem would be solved but nope. I'm a straight up size 10 or a ladies medium but when I buy cycling clothes I still have to buy large or XL. I will never understand why our culture preaches get up off the couch, get out there, get fit.. but makes it so difficult for folks who are trying to do just that.
Suzie - take the bike inside and sit on it while in a doorway. Hold yourself up by the door jam and just hang out, click in, click out, click in, click out, click in, click out.
You'll develop muscle memory in no time. Besides, any excuse to sit on the bike!
Kudos to all of you for getting out there!!
Theresa
oxysback
01-31-2007, 07:59 AM
II'm new to road cycling. Switched out my mtb last spring for my first road bike to see if I'd like it. (Hence the entry level bike. I now join the hordes of cyclists who wishes she'd spent a little more getting started.) When I was strictly mtb - I wore plus size clothing. It was SO frustrating trying to find fitness wear for a woman my size. (over 200lbs) Sure there were a few places but the cost :eek:
Theresa
AMEN to THAT!!! I can't walk in Performance Bike and pick up a pair of shorts or a jersey. Even in Fred Meyer, where they do have plus sized clothing (that only old ladies would be interested in, if you know what I mean), they don't carry fitness type stuff for larger women.
So we're supposed to wear....uh, what??
I did find a great site for ordering shorts, though...and they're reasonable AND decent...www.aerotechdesigns.com. And thank goodness for the TE store!! Hubby got me 2 jerseys for Christmas that I absolutely love!
suzieqtwa
01-31-2007, 08:31 AM
I havent been on the bike since Saturday due to work ,weather, etc....but this early evening Im for sure going to ride it. Im trying to switch the lights from the hybrid over to the Road bike.
All this talk about being heavy ,and self consious. Well, Im 5/9 ,and weigh 125 ,and am extremely self consious about being too thin. :( I wear my shorts under someting,so I guess it doesnt matter what size you are, we all have our insecurities,at least Im out there.
Once Ellen loosened my pedal, I seemed to ride easier. I know Ill be Ok ,but Im out of my comfort zone.
lauraelmore1033
01-31-2007, 08:46 AM
I havent been on the bike since Saturday due to work ,weather, etc....but this early evening Im for sure going to ride it. Im trying to switch the lights from the hybrid over to the Road bike.
All this talk about being heavy ,and self consious. Well, Im 5/9 ,and weigh 125 ,and am extremely self consious about being too thin. :( I wear my shorts under someting,so I guess it doesnt matter what size you are, we all have our insecurities,at least Im out there.
Once Ellen loosened my pedal, I seemed to ride easier. I know Ill be Ok ,but Im out of my comfort zone.
hard to believe that one could be self conscious about being thin! I'm glad to hear you are feeling more confident on your bike. I've been following the thread with great interest since I'd been thinking about making the switch myself. At one point I'd decided, "well, if she doesn't like it, most likely I won't either--and I'll look even more foolish during the learning process". But I think we're all coming 'round now.
Bluetree
01-31-2007, 08:50 AM
Don't worry about it Suzie! Just last summer someone mistook me for a small boy...:rolleyes: My friends are still having a good laugh over that one.
lauraelmore1033
01-31-2007, 08:54 AM
AMEN to THAT!!! I can't walk in Performance Bike and pick up a pair of shorts or a jersey. Even in Fred Meyer, where they do have plus sized clothing (that only old ladies would be interested in, if you know what I mean), they don't carry fitness type stuff for larger women.
So we're supposed to wear....uh, what??
I did find a great site for ordering shorts, though...and they're reasonable AND decent...www.aerotechdesigns.com. And thank goodness for the TE store!! Hubby got me 2 jerseys for Christmas that I absolutely love!
besides TE there is also Junonia.com. They are a little spammy, though...
So you like those aerotech shorts, Ellen? Have you tried the Terry plus shorts? I only have a pair of Junonia shorts (which are fine, but I need a couple more pairs of decent shorts).
Fyi, I recently ordered a Sportshill long sleeve top from TE, and it's actually sized like it says on the site- pretty roomy, I recommend it for the big girls looking for something warm: http://www.teamestrogen.com/products.asp?pID=22298
I'm liking the turn this thread has taken....I am really struggling with my body/weight....trying to love myself the way I am, but knowing it would be easier to get up the hills if I dropped about 75 lbs. It seems like a never ending and consuming struggle.
Yay for all the big girls on bikes! And for everyone else, too, of course :-)
oxysback
01-31-2007, 12:18 PM
So you like those aerotech shorts, Ellen? Have you tried the Terry plus shorts? I only have a pair of Junonia shorts (which are fine, but I need a couple more pairs of decent shorts).
Fyi, I recently ordered a Sportshill long sleeve top from TE, and it's actually sized like it says on the site- pretty roomy, I recommend it for the big girls looking for something warm: http://www.teamestrogen.com/products.asp?pID=22298
I'm liking the turn this thread has taken....I am really struggling with my body/weight....trying to love myself the way I am, but knowing it would be easier to get up the hills if I dropped about 75 lbs. It seems like a never ending and consuming struggle.
Yay for all the big girls on bikes! And for everyone else, too, of course :-)
I do like the Aerotech shorts. I have a pair of the classic shorts and 2 pair of the plus pro ones. I haven't tried the Terry ones...I tend to balk at that price a bit. ;)
I just took a peek at the Junonia site....that's one I'll be putting on my favorites!
It's nice to participate in a forum that is this supportive about size and body image. I do feel I need to apologize to Suzie for the thread drift, though...
Sorry, Suzie!!
logdiva32
01-31-2007, 02:28 PM
I have been to Bicycles West in Tukwila and they were quite helpful. I am not overweight, but can understand, cause I have been after having my kids in succession. I am very, weary of where I shop and ride in Washington because I am black. Despite what many Wa people think, they are not as culturally accepting as they believe themselves to be. I get many strange looks out with my HB and 3 little mix kids...... I ride the interurban also, never had many problems but am weary still.
I used to say to myself, " I am not the smallest chic out here, but damnit, I'm out here... Keep riding, one push at a time, one breath at a time, it gets easier..:)
LadyinWhite
01-31-2007, 04:21 PM
I do like the Aerotech shorts. I have a pair of the classic shorts and 2 pair of the plus pro ones. I haven't tried the Terry ones...I tend to balk at that price a bit. ;)
I just took a peek at the Junonia site....that's one I'll be putting on my favorites!
It's nice to participate in a forum that is this supportive about size and body image. I do feel I need to apologize to Suzie for the thread drift, though...
Sorry, Suzie!!
I'm going to check out the Aerotech site, thanks. I love new sources no matter what size I am at the moment.
I have a few Terry items but like you the price makes me cringe. Hubby picked up a gorgeous long sleeve mandarin jersey for me for xmas of their clearance pages for half price.
I have a few junonia items and they are fine. Know going in though that once you are on their mailing list you ain't NEVER coming off LOL!
T.
LadyinWhite
01-31-2007, 04:24 PM
PS: My bad on the thread drift, I do tend to rant and wander a bit once my fingers get going! :o
lauraelmore1033
01-31-2007, 04:40 PM
logdiva--
oh, I notice there is a Bicycles West in Lynnwood. I will definitely look in on them. Thanks! I'm not really in a position to comment on the race issue (I live in a self contained bubble). There are pockets of accepting people and pockets of ignorant ones. In any case, I'm sure I would give you and your family a broad smile if I met you out on the bike and you were looking my way...:D
DarcyInOregon
01-31-2007, 04:56 PM
I just took a peek at the Junonia site....that's one I'll be putting on my favorites!
Ellen, I have two pairs of Junonia shorts you can have. They are quite stretchy and may fit you now. If not, they will fit you by the time you finish your first century. I wore them last spring when I started cycling. My body burned a lot of fat in the first months and I went down a couple of sizes, and the Junonia became too big for me. I switched over to the Terry and haven't regretted it. I've never had a sore seat problem with the Terry shorts, or any kind of problem. If you want these shorts, just say so and they are yours.
The thread drifted towards women riding, their size while being on a bike. I want to make a few comments. Around here, which is Northern Oregon, where I cycle and where I am when I am in my car, I rarely see a female cyclist. In truth, most of the cyclists I see are older men. I've wondered about this oddity because I don't understand it. I get on my bike and I go out and bike. I don't need to be with anyone, therefore I am not dependant upon anyone's schedule other than my own. I just do it. I was larger when I started, and I am less large now, but still large. And I am still biking. I love cycling with a passion. It makes me feel good, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.
I don't understand why there are not more women out there cycling like I am, in the area where I live. It can't be the body weight because if you have a bike that supports your weight then use it. And it can't be because women are worried about how they look because who cares what strangers passing by in cars think. I can tell you when I see a female cyclist, big or small, old or young, I think they are awesome, totally incredible people. However the sad reality is I very rarely see a female cyclist, except when I meet up to go riding with Suzie and Ellen, or I am on an event ride.
A few times last summer I saw some female cyclists, and they were either with a spouse or boyfriend, or cycling with a small group. I've never seen a female cyclist biking by herself like I do. I know Suzie does it. I know others on this forum do it. I guess I am just confused as to what keeps most women from getting on a bike and going out and getting some miles in, and doing it regularly. I see male cyclists biking solo every day. So why don't I see female cyclists biking solo?
Darcy
DarcyInOregon
01-31-2007, 05:05 PM
Despite what many Wa people think, they are not as culturally accepting as they believe themselves to be. I get many strange looks out with my HB and 3 little mix kids...... I ride the interurban also, never had many problems but am weary still.
I used to say to myself, " I am not the smallest chic out here, but damnit, I'm out here... Keep riding, one push at a time, one breath at a time, it gets easier..:)
Logdiva, the looks might be looks of envy. You are outside doing a physically exacting sport, and the others are actually thinking oh gosh, I wish I was her, out cycling like that. :)
When I am in my car and I see a cyclist, that is what I think, wishing I was out on my bike and oh how lucky that cyclist is. Then of course I look at the bike and try to see what kind it is. I think I always look at the bike first, then the cyclist second. Then if the cyclist is a handsome male, I forget about the bike. :D
Darcy
logdiva32
01-31-2007, 08:18 PM
Big is big no way around it for me. But when I see big folks out there doing any activity, I think good for him/her. I was about 185 after my kids, I am 5'4 I was too embarassed to go out. I worked it off at home, measured my food the whole 9, until I got a little smaller. I did not have the courage to go out to a gym or track.
So when I see big people out, I smile and say gettem girl. I've been watching a guy run near my house for a year now, he has dropped at leas 45 lbs. I don't even know him and I am proud of him.
I have been thinking of a tatoo inside of my bicep Gettem Girl. It is my " I'm coming out motto". 45 lbs smaller.. Oh yea try that song by Diana Ross in your workout playlist, hypes me up.
logdiva32
01-31-2007, 08:20 PM
As for the cyclist, i thought it was really popular in Oregon??
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