Yrs. on bike & what keeps you there

[shootingstar]

Ok, I belong to another women's forum..non-cycling. These women are aware that I cycle. A health conscious woman asked me today the benefits of cycling...which any experienced cyclist can rhyme off and point out Internet websites. I did both.

but this forum would be super helpful if you could jot down:
Number of consecutive years you have been regularily cycling.
Your age
What keeps you on the bike
If you have lost weight, what was it and kept it off?

The TE thread on "getting to know you" is abit too detailed to read for non-cycling folks. I plan to link this thread for non-cycling women to read in the future.

Your cycling passion profile..please.:) (Drum roll...)

[makbike]

I did a lot of cycling while in college (84-89). It was a wonderful way to release tension associated with my course work. It also was a great way to avoid the parking hassles that existed on campus. Whenever the weather permitted I would make a 20-25 mile commute (one way) from home to campus. Sadly, upon completing my graduate degree and taking a full-time job my bike was put into storage and sat for nearly 15 years. Four years ago I pulled my bike out, dusted it off, had it serviced and returned to the wonderful world of cycling. With each passing year I have grown more passionate about my riding and I have learned I'm capable of a lot more then I gave myself credit for. I just turned 46 and I now am back to what I weighed when I graduated from high school in 1980 (120 lbs). I did not pull my bike out to work off weight simply to revisit something I loved many years ago. However, since returning to cycling I have dropped 20 pounds (the past two years) and my body is looking pretty darn good :).

I ride because I love it. Riding gives me a sense of freedom I've never experienced with any other activity I have tried. The stronger I become on my bike the more I want to ride. I guess some would call this an obession. I view it as a healthy way to work of stress, stay healthy and spend a lot of my free time with some great people. I ride because it is fun and it allows me to eat some of my favorite foods (in moderation).

[OakLeaf]

Mmmmm, I'll go, but feel free to NOT share this if my history is too off-putting!

I'm 48. I rode for recreation and transportation from childhood through age 33.

When I was 27, a friend of mine got me interested in racing. I spent a few years doing that, and I got as fast as I was going to get and still be any good at anything else in my life. I knew that I'd never be Olympic or pro caliber even if I did give up the rest of my life. That's when I burned out really hard. It just wasn't fun any more. I didn't get on a bicycle again for 10 years.

When DH and I got our winter home, within a short ride of many stores, businesses and restaurants, we got hybrid bikes to run around town. I thought I'd forgotten how to ride, I was that unsteady on mine. Two years later, which is two years ago, I signed up for a Women's Quest retreat, not knowing which sport they were going to emphasize at that particular session, and I was pretty apprehensive when I learned there would be a lot of cycling.

I needn't have been. In those three days I re-discovered everything I loved about cycling. I'd finally been away from it long enough to enjoy it again. And I'm back.

What do I love about it?

The naked, knife-edge exhilaration of a fast descent.

Cresting a long hill, physically depleted, and being awestruck by an amazing panorama for miles around.

Experiencing my surroundings at that unique pace: slow enough to see and hear a lot that I might miss on a motorcycle, fast enough to cover more miles and see more places than I'd be able to walk or run. Smelling the smells (flowers, pine, cedar, ocean, loam, and yes the less pleasant smells too), feeling the sun and wind on my skin.

Feeling the rain on my skin, and realizing that a warm rain actually feels really good once I quit worrying about the cleaning I'm going to have to do afterward.

Finding in myself the resources to meet a challenge.

Having a machine that lets me go out and not challenge myself when I don't feel like it, unlike running where I always have to dig deep.

Sharing camaraderie with other riders... or being really alone with myself.

Cycling is all of that and more.

[kelownagirl]

How long: 2 years regularly cycling
Age: 47
Why: I am competitive against myself. The numbers are what motivates me to go harder and longer and faster. I now want to race. (Oh and of course I love being outdoors and flying down a hill etc etc etc).
Weight loss: 22 lbs so far. And I've kept it off.

[Wahine]

Experiencing my surroundings at that unique pace: slow enough to see and hear a lot that I might miss on a motorcycle, fast enough to cover more miles and see more places than I'd be able to walk or run. Smelling the smells (flowers, pine, cedar, ocean, loam, and yes the less pleasant smells too), feeling the sun and wind on my skin.

Having a machine that lets me go out and not challenge myself when I don't feel like it, unlike running where I always have to dig deep.



These 2 points summarize it for me.

I'll add that I've been cycling semi-seriously for about 15 years. I started because my BF (now DH) rode a mtn bike and commuted to work so I started. then I injured my hip running and cycling became my alternative after healing a bit. Then I got hooked on triathlon and have been riding hard since.

The other thing I love about cycling is the way it makes my legs look and the strength it gives me to be abel to do other things, including running, without injury.

It's freedom.

[7rider]

but this forum would be super helpful if you could jot down:
Number of consecutive years you have been regularily cycling.
Your age
What keeps you on the bike
If you have lost weight, what was it and kept it off?

The TE thread on "getting to know you" is abit too detailed to read for non-cycling folks. I plan to link this thread for non-cycling women to read in the future.

Your cycling passion profile..please.:) (Drum roll...)

I'm 40. I've been cycling regularly since 1992ish, so that's what? 16 years?. Like many, I rode my bike as a kid, but put it away when the pressures and constraints of adulthood took over. I had always been "chunky" as a kid - and still as an adult. But in '91 I had a very stressful period where I didn't eat or sleep for many months. I found I had dropped nearly 25 pounds! So I started walking to try to keep it off....trying to turn a bad thing into a good thing.
I moved from Connecticut to Massachusetts, taking my bad back with me to a chiropractor. He recommended a hybrid bike for exercise...upright and comfortable. So I got one and started riding. I've managed to keep off the weight, plus or minus 5 pounds or so, and I'd love to drop an additional 10 but have no ambition to actively try. I guess I like to eat too much!
What keeps me on the bike is (1) having a DH who encourages me, and (2) getting involved with cycling groups and having an active group of cyclists in my core group of friends, and having a wide interest in how and where I ride (on road, off road, fast, slow....as long as it's on a bike...it's all good). I am a couch potato and somewhat anti-social by nature....often, I'd much rather sit alone on the couch with the paper or magazine. It's good that I have an activity where I can say "Hey...let's meet on Saturday and go for a bike ride." Lord knows, you'll NEVER catch me in the gym's aerobics classes!

[Crankin]

I'm 54 and I started cycling in the fall of 2000. I rode a lot when I was a kid, up until age 14 or so (wish I still had my classic Raleigh with the generator light and a Brooks saddle). Before I started riding I was heavily involved in aerobics and other gym stuff.
When I started cycling, I lost the last 5 lbs. of the 10 I had been trying to lose. I was very skinny when I was doing aerobics, but I got sick of it and had gained a bit in my late forties.
I ride because I can be competitive, social, or just be relaxed while I am riding. I am competitive against myself only; I was the kid who got picked last in gym class. I have new friends because of cycling, some of them from this list! Best of all, I have a whole new lifestyle, based on being outside. Not only am I cycling, but I am hiking, walking, nordic skiing, and snow shoeing. Yes, I still belong to a gym because I go to yoga, spin class, and use the weights, but I have developed quite a home gym, with weights, balls, and my bike on the trainer for the winter. Maybe next year I might join a place just to do yoga.
I weigh the same as I did when I graduated high school.

[lph]

Hmm - my major passion has always been rock climbing and mountain hiking. Biking has been one of the ways to keep reasonably fit to be able to go hiking, but I used to find aerobics classes much more fun. Mostly I'd just bike if it was the most convenient way to get around and the weather was nice. For the past 8 years or so I've commuted regularly by bike, a few days a week to begin with, for the past 3 years all year round.

A year and a half ago my brother died very suddenly from a heart attack. Going through the grieving process I rapidly found out that the days I didn't bike I felt terrible, the days I did bike were passable, even a lot better. And it took away the feeling that I'd be next. So I started biking as medication, every day no matter what. Whomping through the woods at high speed is a great form of "grief management" ;)

Once I got used to biking every day it got hard to stop. I'm probably heavily addicted to the endorphins. I love the speed. I'm also addicted to doing something I feel I'm good at. All that commuting has turned me into a "real biker" without my really noticing... So I've been upping my mileage, bought a road bike last summer and am trying road riding proper this year.

I'm 38. Biking a lot has maybe taken off a few pounds. I have trouble eating enough in high-mileage weeks.

[LadyinWhite]

How long: 2 years regularly cycling

Age: I'll be 43 in two weeks

Why: I'm not sure - it's one activity that I genuinely enjoy. 99% of the time I ride alone and just love the feeling of having time stretching out in front of me, no one looking for me or even knowing exactly where I am and being able to go where ever the spirit moves me. I love a hot summer day, the sun on my back, riding along the ocean. I love feeling fit!

Weight loss: I've gone from 211 to 165 and I'm holding my own there. I could lose more but I just love to eat & drink!

In short, I think I just really like knowing that there is something in my life to help me maintain health and fitness going forward - no matter how old I get, I should still be able to ride the bike to some extent! :)

[silver]

Cycling 2.5 years

Age: 42, 43 next month

Why and weight lost: At age 36, I moved off the couch and became active. I did this to fight back against depression and lack of fitness. I started with weight lifting and running. I ran 7 marathons. I lost 40 pounds and went from size 14 to size 2. The running was too hard on my feet. I developed a stress fracture in the left foot, healed that up, went back to running marathons, developed an avulsion fracture in the right foot, needed surgery. At this point, I bought a bike.

Wow, I was so excited to move again. Cycling didn't hurt my feet. I could go farther, faster. A whole new world was opened up to me. I cycled almost the entire time that I was rehabilitating the foot.

When I was able to run again I moved into Triathlon. Doing triathlon gives me the chance to run a little bit, bike alot and challange myself to learn to swim.

[Tuckervill]

I'm 46. I've been cycling regularly for the last 4 years. But, I learned to ride when I was 4 (it was a birthday present for my mother--4 yos think like that). I rode everywhere a lot when I was a child and would rather ride my bike than do anything else that little girls like to do. Through my teen years I rode a bike everywhere I went, until I got a license, and then got a car in my senior year. I still rode for recreation, though.

I had a bike up until my first child was born at age 20. I took him on a ride in my backpack when he was just 3 months old. (It was a risk, I know that now, but I was young, stupid, and desperate to ride--and he grew up in spite of me.) That was the last time I rode or owned a bike for 20+ years. Life took over and I began raising children, working, divorcing, remarrying, paying the bills, moving, etc. I don't remember what happened to the bike I had when I was 20, but I do remember buying new brakes for it that summer and fixing it up so I could ride.

I got back into it about 2004 because my youngest child was big enough to ride with me, and the guy I bought this house from sold me his RV bikes while he was moving ($50 each, Wal-Mart bikes, his and hers). My youngest and I started riding them, and the next summer we bought mountain bikes.

The next spring I bought a road bike, which is the kind of bike I always had in my teens. (They were always getting stolen, but replacements seemed easy to come by.) Now I have two old steel bikes, a 1985 Schwinn cruiser, the mountain bike, and my modern road bike, a garage full of tools and parts and etc., etc.

What I would say to anyone new is to try to put the fear aside. We do many things every day more dangerous without really thinking about it. Go at your own pace, keep an open mind, and consider it an adventure.

Karen

[sundial]

I am 42 and hooked on cycling.

I have been pretty active most of my life until my knee injury started to slow me down. I had to quit doing step aerobics and turned to weight lifting and power walking, but even the walking was too hard on my joints. So in '96 I bought my first *real* bike--a Terry Symmetry. However, by the 3rd season I was sidelined due to knee pain and gave up cycling for 5 years. I bought another bike, one that truly fit me, and I have not been sidelined with knee pain since. I enjoy the freedom, the sense of well being, and the feeling of empowerment.

[Bad JuJu]

I'll play.

Years cycling: Off and on since 1985, regularly since 2002
Age: 55
What keeps me on the bike is that it's one of few exercises that I truly enjoy (other than yoga, but that's a different kind of thing). As someone else said, I can either challenge myself or just twiddle along and smell the flowers if I want to, or any combination of the two. Whereas running, well, I did it for several years but I never fell in love with it like I have with cycling. Also, I've done a couple of multi-day bike tours, and those were wonderful. The Chief is not a cyclist, which is too bad; on the other hand, we're not looking to be conjoined twins, and cycling provides some quality "me" time.

My weight has been all over the place for years, and it's still not under control. BUT, for an overweight middle-aged woman, I'm in pretty good health--my resting heart rate rocks! In fact, I started a weight-training program just this morning, and the trainer asked me if I'd made an error when I recorded my resting heart rate! That made me feel pretty good--and I have cycling to thank for it.

[Popoki_Nui]

Got my first tricycle at age four, my first bike at five. Rode steadily from then all through high school, even racing at the high school level. In my twenties (~1980) the I sorta went off the rails...partied far more than I should have and made toxic living an art form...sprung a few leaks...then pulled myself together and got a career. Climbed a few rungs of the corporate ladded and perched there awhile, decided it wasn't for me, retired in 1999, and took up cycling again. I had barely touched my bikes for nearly two decades. Just didn't have the time or enthusiasm (or sometimes, the ability) to ride.
After ~20 years of very little riding, getting back on the bike was tough! But the passion was back. It felt so darn good to ride! It still does. :)
I lost almost 50 pounds when I began riding again, My weight has also always been all over the place, but I've kept much of those 50# off. Except around my tummy. Grrr. Weight loss, plus overall fitness is what keeps me on my bikes. And the passion....the sheer enjoyment of just being out there.

[Melalvai]

I've been commuting by bike for 2.5 years.

I'm 33.

What put my on the bike was convenience. We were down to one car, could hardly afford to keep it going much less get a 2nd, and it was much easier on everyone if I biked.

What keeps me on my bike is 1. the fun and 2. the ego trip. There are many, many other reasons I ride, but those are the main ones, without which the others wouldn't matter.

I lost 30 pounds, which mostly stays off, it seems to creep back during the winter when I only ride as transportation, but I lose it in the summer when I ride for recreation as well.

I enjoy this thread. Thanks for starting it, and thanks everyone for sharing.

[RoadRaven]

but this forum would be super helpful if you could jot down:
Number of consecutive years you have been regularily cycling.
Your age
What keeps you on the bike
If you have lost weight, what was it and kept it off?


Q1.
I cycled as a teenager, and then not again til I was 39.
I have been cycling for three years and three months.

Q2.
I am now 42 1/2 years

Q3.
I like feeling fitter (I have never been physically fit in my life - I was the kid who wrote herself notes and forged parents signatures to get out of physical education at school).
Its a family thing - we all do it to some degree
My partner is passionate about it and I am grateful I became interested - it is good to have another thing to share
I have found out I am competitive and I love racing - albeit at club level only
I am addicted :p

Q4.
In 2004 I was 113-115kgs
In 2005 I lost no weight but dropped two dress sizes over the year ;)
In 2006 and 2007 I lost a few kgs steadily
By Jan1 2008 I weighed 99kgs.
I hope to keep losing weight slow and steady and be down to about 90 kgs by the end of the year.

Good luck with whoever reads this thread. Weight loss is a slow process, and remember as you get fitter you build muscle and although you are losing fat, the increased muscle weighs more than what you lose. So initially you may not notice a difference on scales - see what happened to me in 2005.

Be patient and kind to yourself and celebrate all successes. :)

[spokewench]

I started riding in either 1986 or 1987 (I'm getting so old I can't remember any more).

I am now 47 years old will turn 48 in mid year, so I have been riding over 20 years. I do not ride as much as I used to, but I still ride quite a bit. I used to race a lot, both mountain and rode racing, some 24 hour racing and cyclocross thrown in there for good measure.

Now I just ride for fun - not that racing wasn't fun, but it was also a lot of work too and kept me from doing other things in life - so now that I am older, I like to balance my life a little better; so I ride, play tennis, work, hike, camp, take trips with my hubby on the motorcycle, hang out more. So, what keeps me riding is a lot of things. The fact that it helps me stay healthy and fit, along with eating well. The fact that is really a fun activity, outdoors in the sun which is where I really like to be. It enables me to see and visit places in a different way - you really get to see the trail and cover some miles if you are mountain biking, you really get to see the scenery and enjoy the culture of where you are riding through. The cameraderie with others who ride and have similar life styles is also great too.

Have I lost weight - well no - I was not really overweight when I started riding over 20 years ago. I was 27 and weighed 110-115 pounds. So, unlike many here, I have gained weight. I now weigh around 120-125 pounds. I actually raced better at 115-120 pounds than I ever did at 110. There was just not as much muscle at 110. I wouldn't mind losing a few pounds, can't ever get below that 120 mark it seems any more, but I'm happy with my fitness, my eating habits and my body so I guess a couple of pounds really isn't all that important.

Spoke

[tulip]

I have been riding for 33 years, with a few years of not riding much in my 20s. I'm 40.

I rode bikes as a kid to get around independently, so say, starting when I was 7. I continued, racing BMX when I was 11-13. I got my first road bike when I was 15 and toured through France for a month with a group of kids my age.

I continued to ride, and began racing in college both road and MTB. This was in the 80s, so the MBT scene was still new on the east coast. After college I continued to ride recreationally for a few years. There were a few years that I hardly rode at all, though. Then in grad school I took it up again for transportation.

I moved to DC and started commuting to work in 2002. Riding has kept weight off, as has pilates.

I ride because I can. I ride because it's fun. I ride because I hate driving in traffic, and I hate waiting for the bus. I love the pace of a bicycle. I love touring and seeing things that you don't notice from a car. It's made my life so much richer than if I were to simply drive to a gym.

It's kept me happy, too. It's freedom.

[roadie gal]

Number of consecutive years you have been regularily cycling.
Your age
What keeps you on the bike
If you have lost weight, what was it and kept it off?

I've been cycling regularly since 1986. I got a mountain bike to ride with a guy that I was interested in. (He was a mountain bike racer.) Then I got a road bike to improve my endurance for mountain biking. I fell in love with road riding.

I'll be 49 in exactly 2 weeks.

I love biking. I usually ride alone and I love the solitude and the chance to push myself. But when I do get the opportunity to ride with friends, I love that, too.:) I had to slow down a few years ago due to some health issues, but now I'm back up to speed and doing triathlons as well as riding.

My weight has been stable at around 145-147, although my fitness has improved tremendously.

BTW, it didn't work out with the guy. I am indebted to him for getting me into biking, though.

[smilingcat]

# years consecutively?: rode trainers when I was 4, 5, without trainers at 6 stopped riding till about 10 then back on the bike till about 17.

From 17-25 years of age just sporadically in NYC. Wasn't very safe back then.
26-43 rode more less regularly, burnt out of riding once or twice from being overly competitive. When I wasn't it was a better thing for me mentally and emotionally.

Then I had my second major accident during a training ride with a team. And I thought I retired all together from riding.

Last year I turned 49. and I re-discovered the joy and my passion, riding a bicycle. So I'm back riding again. But no racing or serious team riding. Besides I'm way too slow now.

What keeps me on my bike?

Riding my bike allows me to see the countryside in peace and tranquility, I've seen deer up close, I've seen other wild creatures doing their own thing. I can stop whenever or wherever (well almost), to walk over to a creek to look at a fish, look at the birds, to smell and see everything wonderful around us. When you are on your bike you realize HOW MUCH you really miss seeing, smelling, and touching the real world. In a car, you can't hear because of th car noise, you can't smell because of the exhaust, you can't see because you are going too fast or you are driving. The short 5 mile ride out on the countryside on a bike is worth far more than a 100 miles of scenic drive in a car. On foot I can't walk far enough to do these things.

The other reason is: I'am fit probably in better health than those 20 years younger than me. I don't have bone loss problems, my sense of balance is still really good. I say these things because I do not wish to become like my mother who is frail. my HDL/LDL level is super good, my BP is 90/65 or there abouts. With the exception of poor eyesight, I'm doing extremely well. And I can pass for a woman in thirties :D :D well I like to think that.

my weight?: I'm just shy of 5' 4". I weighed around 106 pound till college then first year I balooned (the freshman spread). Then next few years, my weight varied anywhere from 106 to about 116.
in mid-30's my weight had gone up to 125
in mid-40's my weight went up even more to 130
when I stopped riding my weight jumped to 145-147 and I haven't lost any of it yet. Well I just started to ride in earnest so check back with me in about 6 month. I would like to be less than 140lb. I'm just wayyy too heavy. It's not comfortable.

Well if its not cycling do some other exercises. go outdoor and walk in a field. Be a kid again and you'll see the joy you have missed.

smilingcat

[MillieNZ]

but this forum would be super helpful if you could jot down:
Number of consecutive years you have been regularily cycling.
Your age
What keeps you on the bike
If you have lost weight, what was it and kept it off?

I'm 37...... 38 in March....

I really love cycling out on a ride on my own or couple of friends........ I love challenging myself....... for years I was very competitive eventing my horse all round the north island, when I put her in foal I need something to replace that and found that with cycling the only person responsible for how far & howwell I cycle is myself and I enjoy that responsiblity (it made a refreshing change from horses where it was easy to blame the judge, the horse, other people, the gear etc :rolleyes:).......... I'm not confident cycling in groups but that will come.... at the moment it's summer in NZ and I'm wanting to spend every minute outside on my bike :D I'm planning on doing some bike rides this year like the Lake Taupo challenge.............(does that give me the reason to buy that lovely Ruby Pro I keep drooling at in the LBS ???!!!! ) I also found that people who cycle have been far more socialable (in person & on the 'net)

I've lost 5kg since last May, but my fitness level have considerable improved .... I also run, weight train & swim when i can..........and also want to do more hiking........

[lauraelmore1033]

I'm 44 and will have been biking for 2 years this march.
I keep with it because it it is so much fun. If weightloss were the only motivation, I'd have ditched it in the first month when I gained 9 pounds or so (without a change in eating habits). That first nine was joined by a second nine in the next couple of months, but I could tell I was getting smaller. I'm sure that quite a bit of that must have been muscle gain. Those pounds did eventually come off plus another 20 in the first year. Another 10-15 pounds came off this year, but the holidays were brutal since the weather was bad enough to interfere with riding (and the family situation has taken some depressing turns). I'm actually at the point where I don't care if I lose another pound (even though I need to lose at least 60). I ride because I love it.
I also ride with a group of people that I really like, which is helpful on those cold, dampish days when I'm balking at donning all those layers necessary to brave the weather

[TsPoet]

Number of consecutive years you have been regularly cycling. 5
Your age 41
What keeps you on the bike: I love the feeling of it (freedom, wind through the air, the positive psyche it gives me), and see the next answer
If you have lost weight, what was it and kept it off? 50 lbs, I've gained 30 back in the last 2.5 months I haven't ridden! I had kept it off for nearly 4 years.

[sundial]

Wow! You guys are an inspiration, especially with the weight loss. Keep up the good work everyone. :)

[nonsmoker3]

Years on bike - 1 year and 2 months. Bought my first bike at a yard sale for $15. Rode it to death, literally. I named it Barney because it was big and purple. Everyone laughed at me but I loved that bike. I still have parts of him for sentimental reasons.......

I am 46.

My DH got tired of being left at home when I rode and took it up. He is now a bigger bike geek than me!:D We have a blast riding together.

I ride because I can. I may not be the fastest or the strongest, but I am able to get out there and ride. For that I am grateful. A couple of years ago there was question because of health. Look at me now!

I haven't lost an ounce because of riding but you should see my riding thighs!!

[ChickWithBrains]

Like a lot of folks, I had a bike as a kid, and tooled around my college campus on a bike because I liked a few extra minutes of sleep despite early morning courses on the other side of the campus. I took up cycling more seriously 2 years ago because my husband, a former high-end cycling tour guide, and his friend, began to train for triathlons. I found a sprint length that didn't sound like it would kill me... and was hooked. I'm 31.

I weigh 5 lbs less than when I started but my body has changed considerably. My calves have definition like I have never seen before. I have muscles in my legs which I notice most when in the tub shaving -- in funny places, like over my bent knee and the back of my thigh. My abs are sleeker and my endurance is far better. I do triathlon to add weight-bearing exercise to keep my bones healthy, but I exercise to keep my heart healthy. I want to see my kid's kids, and I don't even have kids yet!

My mental health is far better when I ride than when I don't. I don't snap at people, hard problems get solved with less frustration, hard conversations are less biting and hurtful. I love to watch the world go by and when it's a great day I love seeing how high I can make the numbers on my wattmeter go up. And my husband, who never dreamed I'd pick up anything like this and run with it, thinks it's really sexy. ;)

[crazycanuck]

Number of consecutive years you have been regularily cycling. Four years

Your age 35

What keeps you on the bike-It depends on which type of cycling i'm doing @ the time. :) I like to the fact I can jump on my road bike & wander round the city and the countryside and do whatever distance I can. I get the feeling of achievement when I can do a 200km ride :) or a fast 50km. I also mountain bike and it's so nice to not hear cars :D ahh. It's cool biking past Kangaroos, blue tongue lizards and other creatures.

Cycling is just an awesome activity. Don't worry about injuries :rolleyes: you'll recover ;)

If you have lost weight, what was it and kept it off? I am not sure how much i've lost but i used to be a size 16, almost 18 (NZ sizes) and am now just about a size 12. I feel much better about my body shape when I cycle or swim

Get out there and ride

[lauraelmore1033]

Another thought to add:
We recently saw a comedian who said prozac made her feel less "stabby". That is a word I'd use to describe certain downturns in mood I have as well, and I'd also say riding makes me feel less "stabby" too.

[Starfish]

I turn 42 this month.

Been riding for about 5 years now. Before that, not since I was in grade school.

Why? I trashed my knee running in college, and spent a lot of the next 10 years or more out of shape. Got my first bike after giving up my horses...found the freedom was the next closest thing.

Why do I keep it up? I love the combination of training goals & achievement, coupled with the joy, freedom and endorphin rush of working out, outside.

Weight loss? It goes up and down, depending on my eating. But, my legs and butt have really firmed up, and my body image has really improved since I've discovered my body can carry me up and down mountains all day on my bike, regardless of how it looks.

[MomOnBike]

Age: 53

How long and why:
Long answer: Um, I didn't get a driver's license 'til Elder Daughter was a year old and we lived in the geographic center of nowhere. Until that time I rode my bike whenever I wanted to go anywhere. I was much thinner then...

While living the homestead life, I gave up on riding, but managed somehow to stay active and busy.:rolleyes:

We moved to the Big City and my weight ballooned. I blame the car. One day for grins I asked an RN at work to take my blood pressure. She turned white and sent me home with instructions not to stroke out on her.

Not long after I pulled out the old Raleigh and started amazing treks of up to 3 miles!!! One thing led to another and I bought a recumbent to take pressure off my hands and so I could tour.

Short answer: about 5 years - to stay alive.

Why continue:
To stay alive. Not just the body, but the mind, too. I'm happier when I ride, get more done, all that. I'm just more ALIVE. And then there are tours. To my mind there is nothing better than getting on a bike and going somewhere new. It's a feeling of freedom I can't get any other way.

Weight loss:
No. (great big sigh) I used to think that if I just rode 10-30 miles a day on a regular basis, weight would just fall off. Not off my body, it doesn't. Of course three (3) sedetary jobs have nothing to do with the weight loss problem. :mad: And don't give me the "fat weighs less than muscle" speech. Weight is weight. If you don't believe me, just ask my feet. Yes, I'm frustrated with my weight. At least when I ride I don't gain more.

[Fredwina]

age 47 next month
Cycling since 1993
why? A good question!:rolleyes: I Like OakLeaf's comments on page1
Why keep it up:? see previous.
Weight loss 100 pounds, but I've put back on 30(age is slowing me down:o)

[kelownagirl]

I'm amazed at how many of us are in the 45-55 age range.

[shootingstar]

I'm amazed at how many of us are in the 45-55 age range.

You ladies are fab!
My story is more boring..no drastic weight loss..I was underweight. Now am trying to stay within my acceptable weight.
Cycling consecutively for nearly past 17 yrs. after abandoning bike at 19 yrs. old because of studies, etc. I was itching to get back on bike, but didn't know how... coincidentally met my partner ..who is a cyclist....rest is history.

Will be like roadie gal, in 2 wks. will turn 49.

Once on bike, it's like a drug that regenerates itself everytime I bike. ;)
I love the freedom and to explore...because I don't drive. Car-less for most of life except for 6 years, when father bought a car. (I was 15 yrs. old).


I need the bike to do stuff around town and to take cheap(er) vacations. :D

Yea, we would also like to hear from women under 30? And is there anyone 60 and over?

[Tuckervill]

The most inspirational thread around here is the one about women over 40 or whatever it was. That was a GREAT thread.

I'll try to find it.

Here it is: http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=7782&highlight=cycling

Karen

[RoadRaven]

My mental health is far better when I ride than when I don't. I don't snap at people, hard problems get solved with less frustration, hard conversations are less biting and hurtful. I love to watch the world go by and when it's a great day I love seeing how high I can make the numbers on my wattmeter go up. And my husband, who never dreamed I'd pick up anything like this and run with it, thinks it's really sexy. ;)


Can I add this bit to my reasons "why" as well? :p

[Ninabike]

Over 60 here (63). My brother and I were serious cyclists in the early '60's, and rode with a club when road bikes were not a common sight. College and other things got in the way, and didn't ride again until the mid '70's. At that time I got my DH interested in cycling. Other things got in the way and I didn't cycle again until about 4 years ago when a friend of mine told me her spinning class was going on a charity ride of 50 miles. I said, "Oh, I could do that!" - not having ridden in about 25 years; never been spinning and didn't even have a bike!! Got a road bike and rode the charity ride 2 days later: result -sore butt but I got hooked again (DH too).

Anyway, I have been on the bike ever since. I am no longer as strong a rider as I once was, but give me a bike and I'll ride it. As far as weight goes, I have lost a few lbs.; am 5'2'' and 125. Could still lose a few more.

I think what has always drawn me back to the bike is the following: I have found as I have grown older, that I love exactly the same things now as when I was younger, i.e, I loved road cycling, loved to play the guitar (which I still do in several music groups and also play bass), and I loved art (started college as an art major) and plan to go back to that when I retire. There is something about the technology and beauty of a road bike that draws me to it. That along with the sense of accomplishment when riding - especially distance riding. Cycling also makes me feel younger and healthier. Most people don't even believe my age. That's my story.

[mimitabby]

Number of consecutive years you have been regularly cycling.

I guess this is the 4th year

Your age

56

What keeps you on the bike
staying alive!! I need the exercise, and those new muscles feel/look good

If you have lost weight, what was it and kept it off?
nope. Gained weight, that's right, 5 pounds of muscle..... maybe more because
I lost some abdominal fat (gut) too. I weigh about 120 lbs right now at 5'3"
I wasn't worried about my weight.

[IFjane]

Number of consecutive years of cycling:

12 or 13 - I started with a mountain bike when my DS was in college. I would ride with him and his friends. Finally got tired of leaving body parts on trees and rocks and switched to a road bike.

My age:

54

What keeps me on the bike:

I absolutely love it! I have always been active but never excelled at anything. Cycling is something I can do all day every day and never get tired of it. I might be slow, but I can usually keep pushing the pedals.

How much weight have I lost?

It depends - if I work out really hard I can lose 10 - 15 lb. but somehow manage to put it back on every time there is a health crisis that keeps me off the bike for a bit. Very, very frustrating! However, I am fit and feel good about that - just wish the clothes were a little more loose.

[shootingstar]

Well, so far 26 ladies over 40..

Actually I've always said often to many people, that more women tend to take up cycling regularily in their mid-20's or 30's and up. Just my personal observation.

But then maybe much younger cyclists ie. early 20's and under would get bored here?? :confused:

[crazycanuck]

Luvs2ride94 hasn't been here in a while..she's 14 and doesn't seem to mind us older :o folk

[shootingstar]

Luvs2ride94 hasn't been here in a while..she's 14 and doesn't seem to mind us older :o folk

Maybe she'll remember us...one day

[roadie gal]

Well, so far 26 ladies over 40..

Actually I've always said often to many people, that more women tend to take up cycling regularily in their mid-20's or 30's and up. Just my personal observation.

But then maybe much younger cyclists ie. early 20's and under would get bored here?? :confused:

Maybe we have the time for it? I never had time to ride my bike when I was in college, then med school, then residency... That's about 12 years through my entire 20s and into my 30s that I just had no time.

[RoadRaven]

Well, so far 26 ladies over 40..

Actually I've always said often to many people, that more women tend to take up cycling regularily in their mid-20's or 30's and up. Just my personal observation.

But then maybe much younger cyclists ie. early 20's and under would get bored here?? :confused:

I think SS, that as late teens/ early 20s, many young women have other priorities...
Then women have families, and once those babies get big enough women start to make time for themselves again - and hop back on bikes...
Just a theory...

[7rider]

Maybe we have the time for it? I never had time to ride my bike when I was in college, then med school, then residency... That's about 12 years through my entire 20s and into my 30s that I just had no time.

I think it's just a function of the demographics of this discussion forum, and not necessarily representative of women cyclists as a whole.

I know lots of women cyclists in my area who are NOT on this board...in fact, who have never heard of Team Estrogen (and a few who have and bust a gut laughing at the name :rolleyes:). It's likely they wouldn't spend their time cruising such forums. So, yeah...I guess it's just a matter of priorities.

[shootingstar]

I think it's just a function of the demographics of this discussion forum, and not necessarily representative of women cyclists as a whole.

I know lots of women cyclists in my area who are NOT on this board...in fact, who have never heard of Team Estrogen (and a few who have and bust a gut laughing at the name :rolleyes:). It's likely they wouldn't spend their time cruising such forums. So, yeah...I guess it's just a matter of priorities.

Methinks this forum is just a snapshot of entire female cycling population. As for women who are raising children, in my face-to-face friendship circle, over 70% of the women are childless. There is some time for some fitness, even if it means just a short bike ride..between campus and home...which is what my niece did for a few years. She probably needed cheap, flexible transportation and wasn't even thinking of fitness.