Biker Wanna-Be

[bikerHen]

Hi, I'm a new rider that some how stumbled into this site. This maybe just what I need. I've got questions and would love your input! I started riding last spring/summer. I rode to work 3 days a weeks, before work 2 days a week and did a longer ride (20 miles) with my husband on Sundays. On the whole I averaged 60 to 75 miles per week. This year I've been able to start riding early, since we had no winter here in the Inland Northwest. I'm riding 10 to 15 miles 5 days a week and trying for at least 20 or more on Sundays. I'm shooting for 100 miles a week as my goal for this year. OK here's where the questions begin. I'm not your average hardbodied biker on a nice road bike. I'm 100 pounds overweight, knocking on the big "50" door and pedal myself along the roads on a comfort bike. Even though I don't fit the picture, I still want to play with the big girls and boys. I started bike riding to get in shape but am liking it! I want to learn more and do more, but am a little overwhelmed with the thought of joining the local club. I don't want to be the third wheel slowing down the group on a ride. I haven't had the greatest contact with bikers I meet on the road with the exception of the 5AM crowd. I am doing a fun ride this weekend and plan to do one a month all season. My plan is to try a 50 mile ride by mid summer. How do I know if I'm ready for that? My mind says go for it but my legs and lungs aren't too sure. Where is the best place to learn everything. I plan to have a different body and bike next year, but for now I'm stuck with what I have! Any comments?
bikerHen - I aint a chick no more! :)

[Veronica]

You're still a chick in my book honey. :p Anyone who changes their lifestyle around to ride bikes like when you were a kid is a "Chick" - unless you'e doing the mother Hen routine a la Jo.

I think on some answers and post when I get home - unless someone beats to me.

V.

[SadieKate]

BikerHen - I have to say your attitude alone is going to get you there. I'm going to giggle about your handle all day. Thanks for making my day!

I think you're on the right path. Ride several days a week and just gradually increase the length of your weekend rides. Then if you can increase the length of one of your weekday rides, you'll be be there. Be sure to mix up the pace, length and intensity of the rides. Read through all these forums on eating and drinking so you can ride farther and recover quickly.

I'm sorry about the attitude of some of the riders you come across. We all have had that experience. I could give you my own theories on this but it might offend some people. Don't let their attitude ruin your ride.

Welcome and thanks for the giggle.

BikerHen . . . hee hee hee.

[CorsairMac]

welcome to the board BH! Love the handle - just too cute. (visual of a hen pedalling a bike!) anyway, if ANyone can help ya - I Promise these ladies can!...they are my source of information, my giggle for the day, my inspiration, and my positive reinforcment! I hope you get as much out of this board as I do - it's a Great place to "surf" to.

[Biking Chick]

I aint a chick no more! :)

Ya ain't a chick if ya don't believe ya are :D

I adore your handle ... hope you'll stroll over to the 'Getting To Know You' thread. I know I'm looking forward to getting to know you better!

My rediscovery to the joy of biking was five years ago when I was 'knocking on the door' to my 50th birthday. First bike was a comfort bike and dh and I rode the heck out of those bikes - including our very first charity ride. I love to tell (again and again and again ...) the story how coming down the home stretch of the final five miles when we rode by a group of women riding road and hybrids. After a cheerful 'On your left!' and as I zipped by (yes m'am I was zipping!) I overheard ... 'We just got passed by two comfort bikes.' One of my fondest memories.

It wasn't long after that that we ventured into road biking - for my 50th birthday (two years ago this coming October) my husband surprised me with a beautiful carbon road bike.

This is an awesome place to get jazzed about your new passion for cycling. From my experience I've learned that the biggest obstacle to trying to figure out if I'm ready for the next step or the next level or if I *think* I'd like to try something new ... is me. It sounds as if you have an awesome attitude and know what you would like to do and where you'd like to be - terrific goals.

This is a wonderful group of women and I know you're going to fit right in. Welcome to the boards

[Barb]

Welcome! You can't imagine how many of us started out on a comfort bike. You may NEVER know how many of us are very overwieght or were when we started riding! Find a nice club, they are out there. Ride because you like it. Goals are great but remember to keep having fun. At 100 miles a week, I'd say you'll be able to do a 50. When a 20 mile ride starts to feel like a quickie ride, you will really be smiling. I can still remember how unsure I was about riding my first 10 miler on my new comfort bike. Seems like a million years ago, but it was only 2 :).

have fun

[singletrackmind]

1) You ARE a biker chick. Just 'cause some other bikers have hangups it doesn't change the fact that you RIDE, really ride.

2) If you can find a club that's dedicated to people of all abilities join their rides (in some clubs you don't have to be a member) and see how you feel. Don't be suprised if you pass people, either. Find a well supported ride. Your LBS might be able to help you find one. I never thought I was all that fast mountain biking and was always apologizing for holding up the dudes I rode with but you know, I not only won the first race I was talked into as a beginner, I passed all of the expert women and beat them as well (we have a very small pond). Don't worry about what you can't do-work on what you can and most of all-enjoy doing it.

3) Don't worry about the bike you ride. It'll get you where you want to go just fine and it'll suprise the heck out of strangers when you show you aren't the typical oversized got the bike out of the garage for the first time in months kind of rider-'cause it will show. Don't let someone else's attitude limit you.

4) Wave or nod hello, if you want. Who cares if they don't return it?

I started this wearing tank tops and denim shorts with hiking boots. It took a little while but once people got past the image they realized I could ride ok and I was willing to learn. I no longer wear the afformentioned items (learned the comfort in bike shorts-once I got past the diaper feeling) and I've slowly changed bikes from the very basic to a higher-end version so I can go faster but as I've ridden with others I've learned I can only be who I am and they can either accept that or not. They usually accept once they get to know me. The others-piss on em!

Best of luck meeting your goals and other great riders! I have a feeling you'll do just fine!

[Dirt Girl]

Welcome! What part of the Inland Northwest? I'm in Spokane. If you're anywhere near, I can get you connected to a couple of riding groups that welcome beginners.

Sounds like you're doing all the right things with the right attitude! Just keep it up and do what works for you. Enjoy the rides and don't worry about measuring up to anyone else. We're all at different places, at different times. 60-75 miles a week sounds pretty impressive to me.

Keep on ridin'!
(And when you're good and ready, we'll get you going on the mountain bike thing?!)

[MomOnBike]

Hey, I'm fat, forty (far too close to 50) and female. None of this is going to change in any hurry - though my pants are fitting more loosely all the time. AND I ride a big ol' recumbent bike with fairing.

The point being, by all rights, I should be intimidated by all the super-fit twenty-somethings on helium bikes. BAH! I'm not, and you shouldn't be either. We are who we are, and we like our bikes.

Enjoy your bike. Try a ride with a club and see what happens. What's the worst that can happen, anyway? If you're slow, you're slow. You'll get faster. If you don't like the club, find your own routes or a different club.

Be happy, you ride a bike.

[Dottie]

Welcome bikerHen! I am another 50 year old, new to cycling the past 3 years and loving it! I love this quote: "I stand and rejoice every time I see a woman on a wheel" Susan B. Anthony. Doesn't say what kind of wheel just that she's on a bike! Hang in there, it gets better and better!!!

[jobob]

Hi bikerHen -

Welcome to the fold ! I can't add much more to the great advice that's already been given.

singletrackmind brought up a really good point, most clubs don't require you to be a member to join in on their rides.

If you like to surf the web, maybe you can find a local club with a website that lists their ride schedule. Some clubs have weekly or monthly "getting to know you" social rides designed especially for new (or potential) members. Some clubs try to offer a variety of rides with different lengths, avg speeds, amt of climbing, and often have some sort of rating system to let you know how long/fast/strenous the ride might be - your best bet is to find some of their lowest difficulty rides first, those tend to be the most social and you wouldn't have to worry about trying to keep up with the group the first time out.

Also, some clubs offer progressive training rides (weekly rides with increasing length &/or difficulty) geared for a specific future event, or offer classes or worshops on bike riding skills or bike repairs. Joining things like that is a great way to meet other like-minded cyclists.

Anyhoo, welcome!

- Jo "sometimes a mother hen" bob :)

[Biking Chick]

Don't worry about the bike you ride. It'll get you where you want to go just fine and it'll suprise the heck out of strangers when you show you aren't the typical oversized got the bike out of the garage for the first time in months kind of rider-'cause it will show. Don't let someone else's attitude limit you.

Isn't THAT the truth!

It doesn't matter if you ride a comfort, a hybrid, road, fitness bike or how much you paid for your bike.

The one thing they all have in common is that they won't *go* until you get on and pedal :)

[bikerHen]

Wow, thanks for all your encouragement! You all have really made my morning. I think I'll have my husband bring the bike by after work and I will pedal myself home. For the record, I am in Spokane, WA and while I do have a daughter, I'm no mother hen. I am very interested in the whole mountain bike thing, but my husband keeps reminding me that old bones take longer to heal! I will fill out the information page if I can find it again. I am computer savy, but have internet issues, and am new to the whole forum thing. Luckily I do have a daughter that can roll her eyes and help poor mom. Thanks again,
BikerHen - I aint a chick no more :)

20 minutes later - Can't find the getting to know you thread :o and have to leave for work! Will someone point me in the right direction? Thanks

[Bike Goddess]

Sent Ms BH a private message re Getting to Know You!

Now on this thread: You sound motivated and ready to tackle all the issues around cycling- eating, drinking, riding, etc.

As you feel more comfortable in distance riding I recommend that you look at road bikes. NO need to purchase one, but I think you might want to try riding one at the local bike shop(LBS). It's a whole different way of cycling!
I'm sure the LBS people can set you up for a trial ride. I only suggest this as it could be that after you ride a road bike if you find you like it you could add it to your goals list.

Even those of us who have road bikes look around and wonder what it would be like to ride a new bike, or a new kind of bike. Seems to go with the territory. I'm so interested in others bikes, that when someone passes me with bikes on their car, I immediately want to know what they have!

Doing supported rides introduces you to the cycling community. Who cares which ride you do, the point is to just get out there with like minded people. When I do supported rides now, I am as interested in the other cyclists as I am in finishing the ride I set out to do. It can be fun and challenging at the same time!

One more thing- this is a NON judgmental group- you can tell us all and we will totally support you in your endeavors! :) :) So have at it!!! :D

[Irulan]

Biker Hen, getting to know you thread is at the top of the open topic forum.

Both Dirt Girl and I are in Spokane too. As for "old" mountain bikers... almost everyone I ride with ( excepting dirt girl :D ) is over 40. You don't have to get big air. I try and keep my wheels on the ground most of the time. :D DG is real active with the Mountaineers riding group, and I'm on the board of the new mountain bike club, www.fttrc.org. There's also the WOW group, http://www.northdivision.com/wow.html which is primarily road riders of all abilities. Lots of choices.

see ya around

Irulan

[Hill Slug]

Welcome bikerHen...I actually picture Ginger from the Chicken Run movie on a bike!!!(love that movie too...)

Anyway, I so TOTALLY know what you're talking about. When I decided last year to finally get on a bike, it just about killed me to go 10 miles, but I kept doing it. I started in January, and was able to ride around Lake Tahoe in June - 72 miles. This year, my longest ride was 65 for the Cinderella Ride, and will do Tahoe again in June, then Seattle to Portland in July.

You can do it, and don't let anyone else tell you you can't. Just do what you can do.....I actually went on a short ride this morning, 18 miles, with 2 other stronger riders from my Team in Training group. It took me about an hour and 20 minutes....Last year, that same ride took me 2 hours and I was exhausted. So I know I've come a long way.

This forum has just incredible information, and the members are awesome about contributing. :D So we look forward to hearing about your progress!!!

[Dirt Girl]

As for "old" mountain bikers... almost everyone I ride with ( excepting dirt girl :D ) is over 40. DG is real active with the Mountaineers riding group, and I'm on the board of the new mountain bike club, www.fttrc.org. There's also the WOW group, http://www.northdivision.com/wow.html which is primarily road riders of all abilities. Irulan

Nope, I too am 40 now. Recently got my first pair of progressive eyeglasses to prove it!

In addition to the above mentioned groups, there is a Spokane Bike Club for roadies. If you're interested in more info and a contact person for any or all of these clubs, PM me. I know lots of riders of all abilities. The Women on Wheels group will be having their monthly meeting next Mionday at David's Pizza. What part of town you live in? I'm a Valley girl just east of Tower Mt. and work in the higher education park near downtown.

[nuthatch]

I can't add any meaningful advice to all the great stuff already posted here for you BikerHen, but I've got to say how SHOCKED I was when I was starting out last spring on my bike for the first time since, oh, I was 12 years old and I decided to join a local club on their invitational ride (only 25 miles). I was so nervous, I just had to come along on the practice ride they did to make sure the route would work for everyone on the big day. Well, everyone, and I mean everyone from the club working that ride was a grandparent!!! I figured "bike club" meant fast lycra-clad men and women about 25. Not so!! Lots of clubs are a real mix of all ages, sizes and tastes in riding! Riding with other people who you can identify with adds so much to the experience! Welcome and glad to have you here at the TE forum.

[KSH]

Well, everyone, and I mean everyone from the club working that ride was a grandparent!!! I figured "bike club" meant fast lycra-clad men and women about 25. Not so!! Lots of clubs are a real mix of all ages, sizes and tastes in riding! Riding with other people who you can identify with adds so much to the experience! Welcome and glad to have you here at the TE forum.

Yea... I have to say... when I go ride with a group... I feel like the baby of the group and I am 32!

Most serious bikers seem to be out of their early 30's... and they come in all shapes and sizes!

I would also like to add that they all kick my butt too!

[nuthatch]

Most serious bikers seem to be out of their early 30's... and they come in all shapes and sizes!

I would also like to add that they all kick my butt too!


They kick mine, too - appearances can be deceiving!!!

[Trek420]

Hill slug sez "I actually picture Ginger from the Chicken Run movie on a bike!!!"

I don't want to be a pie! ;-)

sorry, back to the thread.

You can do this, riding on a heavier bike just makes you stronger. I still have my ol' GT that I started getting back into riding on, started doing 2-5 mile flat rides. Now I'm 49 and doing the AIDS ride for the 2nd time this year along with 3 other TE'ers (and I wish I had the weekend free to ride the Top Hat with Team Amici. You go girrrls!)

I may need more coffee but has anyone pointed you to "over 40 show of hands" thread? There's a lot of us out there.

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=922&highlight=show+hands

[Susan126]

Looks like you got a lot of support, advice, and warm welcomes! Not much more to add but I still would like to say, welcome BikerHen to the best cycling forum out here and to continue doing what you are doing right now. Which is continue to do your weekday rides and your long ride on the weekend. And slowly increase that weekend ride until you reach your 50 mile goal. You'll be there in no time at all. You'll be surprised!

Go Girl!
Sue