50th Birthday Gift

[isconniethere]

Hello,
I like to read these threads, but have not written in. I thought I would today.
This past year has been the WORST year of my life! I was 49 yrs old, my husband of twenty years told me he needs his space, wants a divorce and has moved out of the house, I have two teenagers at home, had surgery, and now I have to find a job after 15 yrs of being a stay at home mom. These are just the highlights, of 2010!
Anyway, I was pretty miserable when my 50th birthday rolled around this month. So... I went and purchased myself a 50th birthday present! A beautiful new Specialized Dolce Elite roadbike! You do not know how excited I am about this bike! I have been riding a Diamondback hybrid bike (that my husband picked out FOR me) for over ten years. I have wanted a road bike but was afraid to get one, and they are expensive for me. Anyway after wishing for a new bike for the last couple of years, I thought, you only turn 50 yrs old once, and I deserve it!
I just brought it home and I feel like kid with a brand new toy!! I can't wait to ride it!
As the kids are visiting my husband at his apartment this weekend, I just had to tell someone!
Thanks for listening!
Connie
http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/SBCProduct.jsp?spid=52859&scid=1001&scname=Road

[HoosierGiant]

Congrats to you!!! Hopefully 2011 will be filled with all sorts of new beginnings and positive experiences for you. Enjoy the ride!!!

[LivetoRide]

Congrats on the new bike! :)

[HillSlugger]

Welcome. Congrats on the new bike; I just got a new bike for my 50th, too.

Let's hope that 2011 brings you much better things.

[lauraelmore1033]

You soooo deserve it! Enjoy!

[marni]

congratulations on your new bike and on taking the first steps to self prideful self reliance and self realization. You will soon begin to feel healthy, happy and competent on the bike and that feeling will carry over into all you do. Enjoy the ride for all you're worth and you know you are worth a lot.

[Aggie_Ama]

You deserve a bike you picked! Happy Birthday and enjoy your new bike. :)

[macski]

So 2011 is going to be wonderful year for you and your new bike! And that will help to put 2010 behind you. I'm not going to pretend that it will be easy - your whole life has just turned upside down. But you've started on a positive path of taking control of your life where you can. Good for you!

Many of us have been there - or at least our own version of 'there'. And we all got through it in our own ways too. But a beautiful bike to ride certainly helps.

[emily_in_nc]

What a wonderful thing to do for yourself! It will help you both physically and emotionally as you learn to live your new single life. May this second half of your life exceed your every expectation!

I turn 50 in April myself...seems like there's a lot of us turning 50 about now. I already bought my "new" birthday bike, a beach cruiser. I can't wait to ride it on the sand!

[OakLeaf]

Welcome! Enjoy your new bike. :)

[jobob]

Awesome. Welcome to our world! :cool:

[NbyNW]

Welcome to TE and congrats on the new bike! Take care of your bike and it will take care of you. Hope it brings you much joy and happiness in 2011 and beyond!

[deskrider]

Hi! I had a very crappy 2010 (and 2009) too. Although it sounds like our bad years did not end up exactly the same I am VERY VERY excited for you and your new bike!!! My DH wanted me to get a bike with fenders and some kind of upright strange handlebars, lol. I chose a flat bar road bike with some carbon parts (wasn't ready for a full road bike yet). I am hoping bike riding in 2011 will bring some positive energy into my life and I certainly wish you the best as I think biking will make your 2011 better too!!!!!!!!!!!!! Best Wishes!!!

[Roadtrip]

First, you do deserve the new bike, please post pics!! We always share around here! It sure does sound like you had one heck of a 2010.

My 2010 was very different then yours. I decided I needed to finally learn to ride at the age of thirty five and started lessons in August on a Trek Pure Lowstep, plus started seriously working on getting back to a healthier me and started looking for a new job that was going to make me happier too.

I quickly outgrew the Pure and realized I needed something different after a we biked 26 miles up the bike trail for lunch... It felt really good, but I wanted to go faster! I was hopelessly hooked.

I found a really good deal on a used Trek FX 7.3 and decided to buy the 2008 so DH could buy his new FX 7.5, plus I just wasn't sure about buying a full roadbike. I've dropped twenty five pounds so far and working on core strength this winter.

Once we took the bikes on the road instead of the trail, I felt the full brunt of every bump and imperfection of the road. This started me pondering on ways to make riding more pleasant and enjoyable. I was starting to be in invious at dh's bike and its carbon fork, so what grew out of that was me saying why don't I just go SEE if I like a roadbike, which happens to be a Dolce Elite as well, I just havent made up my mind and need to ride some more bikes.

Just this week I'm starting a new job which will give my bank account an extra amount of love, plus I'm hopeful the future growth opportinities are good too. A year ago I would have never thought I'd be where I am and I'm even considering the Ruby and getting what feels really right this time-- because I deserve it darn it!! :)

Still working on making the Ruby carbon bike work financially-- but I'm hopeful!!

Here's to 2011 and making it the BEST year!!

Shannon

[Grog]

Congrats on the new bike... and on your first post too!

This is very exciting.

If you are so inclined, you'll also find that riding a bike is a great way to meet lots of other people (not necessarily for romantic purposes).

Tailwinds to you!

[hebe]

Well done Connie, and many happy miles on your new bike! I'm sure your teenagers will be proud of you, and possibly a little bit jealous too :) I wish you all the best for 2011 and hope that it is a much much better year for you.

[pinsonp2]

I think you would need a roadbike to conquer some of those hills in SW MO. I am originally from the Joplin area. Welcome to TE and enjoy the ride!

P2

[Catrin]

Welcome and congratulations! I turned 50 in late 2009 and purchased my first bike and learned how to ride for the first time in my life :)

Times of change are hard, and you are in a difficult period of your life. It will pass however, and I think you will find that your beautiful new bike will really help with that. You deserve your very own bike that YOU picked out and I hope you will be able to spend all of the time on it that you would like.

When you get around to taking a picture of it, we would love to see it :D

[Bike Chick]

Hey Connie! Happy birthday and welcome to TE! I have a feeling this new bike is the beginning of something great and your life is going to take a positive turn. The bad times are temporary. Hang in there and enjoy riding your new bike. It's good for the soul;)

[ASammy1]

If you are so inclined, you'll also find that riding a bike is a great way to meet lots of other people (not necessarily for romantic purposes).



Yes!!! I completely agree with this! I have met some wonderful people who I would have never met had I not started riding.

Congrats on your new ride and please post pics so we can all "Ooooh and ahhhh" at it! It's what we do best on this forum :D

[Jo-n-NY]

Connie,

I think your new bike was the best gift you could have given yourself. I found cycling not only helps physically but as well as mentally. It has helped me over a major hurdle during the last few years, hopefully coming to resolution this year.

Wishing you much enjoyment with your beautiful bike and many happy and safe riding miles!!!

[Chile Pepper]

Happy birthday, Connie! And welcome to TE. As others have said, you deserve a great 2011 after all that. Have fun with your bike.

[ClockworkOrange]

So pleased you posted at long last, now I think you should change your name to Connieishere.

I think many of us could tell a similar story but I will say, now you are riding, things will get better and better, life began at 50 for me. ;)

Whether it’s something good, bad or just for advice, I am sure you will begin to realise what a great site this is.

I know nothing about road bikes, just had a look at a Specialized Dolce Elite, very smart.

Hugs from across the pond and a belated happy 50th birthday too. :)

[malkin]

Very best wishes for your next half century!

[isconniethere]

12565 12566

Thank you all for the kind words and encouragement. It is nice to know that others have actually lived through this, or something like what I am going through right now. I have tried to place photos in the message, so hopefully you can see my bike. It is in the house today as we have two feet of snow on the ground today, with more snow on the way!
I have read here that many of you have rode your bike indoors, getting use to the seat and the gears of a new bike, and I think that is a great idea. I have to sit differently, different gears and a new seat, so I will try to do that too. My husband left a trainer here that I can use, and my old bike had a gel seat, so I will have to get use to the narrow seat on this bike. I am very excited, and can't wait till spring! Isn't it a beauty! Thanks again everyone!

Connie

[kermit]

Beautiful bike, I REALLY like the green (reminds me of a certain frog). Happy riding and welcome!

[Kerry1976]

Beautiful bike but most wonderful that you are taking what was most certainly an incredibly difficult year and turning it into what will be a new and wonderful time in your life. We look forward to hearing about all your victories on and off the bike.

[Melalvai]

Hi Connie, if you're near Springfield there's active cycling groups there. That's where I did my undergrad, back when it was SMSU. Of your list of things that mark this as a bad year, I think having 2 teenagers at home is great. I know they're a handful but you love them! Have fun with your new bike and your new life!

[emily_in_nc]

Beautiful bike! I love white bikes (my Bike Friday is white), and green is also a fave of mine. Enjoy! :D

[marni]

good looking bike !

[isconniethere]

12603
Thanks for all of the encouragement!
I do have to great girls, they are the best thing that ever happened to me. I am close to Springfield/Joplin area, and we do have many, many hills here. I am excited to ride my bike this year, and hoping I can get use to these little saddles!
I hope to find a gal pal to ride with this year, and someone to go with to rides. I hope I can do this. I will have so much time alone, with the girls being gone every other week, and I hate being home alone! I guess this is one of the things I will have to get use to. Not sure how to find a gal pal that would like to ride, at a slow pace with me. Any ideas?

Connie