Just saying hi.

[Vicki]

Hi Ladies,
I just wanted to say hello to everyone. I have enjoyed reading all of your posts. This is a great site.

Just a little about myself:

I got my road bike in April and I love it. I ride as much as possible. I have ridden in 3 organized rides. All 3 were 100Km and I am hooked. I am working up to the day that I do a century ride. I don't know when that will be but I think soon, probably in the fall when it's not so hot. Texas rides can be pretty hot. I plan on trying to do one or two road rides a month. Riding has made me feel so much better about myself. I am in better shape. This is a sport that I don't need anybody with me to do although it is a lot more fun doing it with someone. But sometimes it is a good time to get out and work things out in my head as well as work on my body. My husband has started riding with me and it is a lot more fun having someone there to talk to or just for encouragement. I am looking to join up with a cycling group. I met one on my last road ride. I was drafting behind a group of men and they were impressed that I kept up with them. They said to come ride with them on weekends so I probably will soon.

Does anyone know of any books that I could read about road riding that could help me to improve my skills (drafting, group etiquette, etc.)?

Vicki

[ayermail2]

1) Link to a century ride in Georgia on November 9 (holiday weekend!) geared toward riders who've never completed a century but want to (8 rest stops!, themes at every stop...)
http://web.infoave.net/~royces/

we've got at least 7 of us reconnecting on this ride - none of us have done a century yet - coming from GA, SC & NC - WE'D LOVE TO HAVE YOU IN THE RIDE TOO!


2) good books to read:
The Female Cyclist, Gale Barnhardt http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?userid=6T1Y9WIXHD&isbn=1884737587
A Woman's Guide to Cycling, Susan Weaver http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?userid=6T1Y9WIXHD&isbn=0898159822

[Vicki]

I wish I could go to Georgia and ride with all of you. I wish Texas wasn't so far. Good luck when you ride it and may you have a tail wind the whole way. Let me know how it goes.

Thanks for the recommended reading I'm going to the bookstore tomorrow and try to get them.

[goddess1222]

i have been reading "the lance armstrong performance program."
chris charmichael, lance's coach has written a very easy to read comprehensive book. there is a little of everything in there.

check it out!

happy riding,
goddess1222

[Vicki]

Thanks goddess1222
I'll have to check it out.
I picked up a book at the half price book store. Sport Cycling by Michael Shermer. He is a ultra-marathon cyclist. It has a lot of good stuff in it. One section is about mental fitness. It really has helped me. After reading it I know I will enter and complete a century ride in the fall and compete in a mt. bike race soon.

Vicki

[han-grrl]

if you are looking for an excellent book on mental preparation read "Sport Psychology for Cyclists" by Dr. S. Miller and P. Maas.

it has a lot of good mental imagery to work with. and very easy reading

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1884737684/qid=1028669291/sr=8-1/ref=sr_8_1/102-3953489-6027347

Han