Encouragement for newbies

I just wanted to say to you girls starting out, keep at it and you can do it! I started riding my mtb in March after way too many years of being an inactive mom who sat and watched my kids do sports. Tired of being out of shape, I dusted off my entry level hardtail, lubed up the chain, and started riding on the road to build up my cardio. In May I met a group of women who ride locally and started riding with them. They kicked my butt uphills and left me in the dust on the downs, but always waited and encouraged me as they showed me the ropes. I've ridden 3x a week all summer with them. A month ago I was able to buy a full sus bike that I loved so much I almost took to bed with me.:D

Today I rode with one of my friends on a trail we rode when I first started. I climbed (almost) all the hills and was able to talk at the same time. I tore down twisty rutted singletrack and was able to manuever every switchback. I bombed the fireroad and hit 30 mph.And I didn't fall once. When we got through I realized what I have accomplished this summer.

I'm 43 and although that's not too old I'm not exactly a spring chicken. I just wanted to share my little story for those of you just starting out, or maybe thinking about it. You go girl!

Your story is very encouraging. Although I am not actually new to mountain biking, I am reaquainting myself with it. I found out how much I enjoy riding the trails after many years of staying off of them. I am hoping to venture off those fire roads and onto some of those single tracks and more technical stuff. I'm really no spring chicken at 50:). Thanks for your post.
What full suspension do you have?

Here she is. 2005 Giant Trance 1. I got her a month ago off ebay and replaced the cassette and chain, new tires, and today I put on Ergon grips. This is a fantastic bike. XT/XTR components, Hayes brakes, Fox shock/Fork and Mavic Crossmax wheels. I'm sad because she will be replaced with a Trek Fuel but I will find her a good home. (That's another story.)

Thanks for the encouragement FBG - it really gives me hope!

I've been reading my mountain bike skill (Ned Overend) book at night (when I'm not on TE!) and practicing as much as I can on our trails. Tonight I worked on cornering, and I did so much better! I made it around a very sharp turn I have never managed before, by practicing shifting my weight to the outside leg and leaning my body that way too, to avoid the dreaded rear tire skid, and it worked! I am still not "one" with my bike and need tons more work as I get very nervous on downhills (fear of endo is utmost in my mind), but I'm doing much, much better on the climbs too. I'm 45 so am also coming to this rather late, but I am so glad to know that it can be done!

Your bike is so gorgeous - I almost wish I didn't have my Racer X so I could talk you into selling her to me when you get your gorgeous Trek! :D

Emily

Thanks for the encouragement! I have tried to get into mountain biking several times now and in the past have gotten to a certain point and then given up - totally frustrated! This time feels very different. The biggest thing is that I lucked into the perfect bike for me. She's not flashy or shiny or new but she's perfect!! I can honestly say I don't have bike envy at all for anyone else's bike! Anyway, the other big difference is that I'm riding in groups now so I see others stuggle over some of the same stuff I struggled and it sort of validates my growth on the bike. Makes me feel much better and like maybe I don't completely SUCK!!

Today I road my first real clipless ride. The pedals went well. I bonked big time!! I only got through 1/2 of the ride. I had to go back to the car. I was dizzy - weak and jelly legged!!! I was actually having trouble WALKING my bike! YIKES! But tomorrow is another day. I'll try again.

OH - my friend that is hunting a bike road the Giant trance yesterday and she really liked it!! She's also in love with a specialized stump jumper. I don't blame her at all - it was a cool bike!!

Wow, way to go!
I am a 34yo mom of four and am just getting into it. I am so loving it, but frustrated because I'm almost emarrassed to be seen on my sad looking bike. I just don't get enought riding time right now with all of my kids playing soccer. The only riding buddies I have are my dh and his cousin (also a man). I would love to find some other women to ride with. Your story is definately an encouragment!

BTW, my 15yo dd said you don't look 43 either. I agree, you look way younger! Maybe another benefit of MTB'ing.

FBG...

Thank you so much for sharing your encouraging story! I've been back on my road bike since March but have not done much mtnbiking....

I did a ride recently w/BCIPam and some of her friends and really want to get back into it! I've been a bit concerned about my lack of skills so your post is very timely for me ;)

I ordered a full suspension mtn bike today so I am very excited to hear how far you've come!!!!

GREAT JOB!!!

Tracy

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Originally Posted by Steph

Wow, way to go!
I am a 34yo mom of four and am just getting into it. I am so loving it, but frustrated because I'm almost emarrassed to be seen on my sad looking bike.

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My girlfriends were amazed at what I would do on my old bike. I swear you could hear my teeth rattling in my head as we rode down rocky technical singletrack. But the hardtail made me a better rider, made me pick my line and stick to it, taught me how to move around and use my body more. The full sus feels like riding a couch compared to my old beater. So no apologies for your sad looking bike. She will teach you a few things.

Is the group you ride with an organized one? I know redhot3368 is near you and her group is pretty heavy into mtn biking... actually, looking at her website and trip pics have done a lot to inspire me to get back on the dirt!

Yeah, that is actually the group I ride with! I haven't met Karen yet, she rides a lot of road lately. I am with the weekday crew and generally lay low on the weekends, but recently rode with the local BOMB group on a saturday (Believers on Mountain Bikes). I'm sure I will meet up with Karen soon. In fact this morning I am riding Space Mountain in her neighborhood!

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Originally Posted by fatbottomedgurl

Yeah, that is actually the group I ride with! I haven't met Karen yet, she rides a lot of road lately. I am with the weekday crew and generally lay low on the weekends, but recently rode with the local BOMB group on a saturday (Believers on Mountain Bikes). I'm sure I will meet up with Karen soon. In fact this morning I am riding Space Mountain in her neighborhood!

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I LOVE Karen and Kim (I met Kim at the Three Harbors ride) they are SO great! My goal is to get good enough to crash one of their trips! Karen has been on almost every road ride lately so I guess she's trying to ride both these days... just look for long red hair, tall and thin, basically a really beautiful girl... uh, woman :p

I am very envious that you're getting to ride w/them! I am way too far away to be able to do that however, I am looking forward to reading about more of your adventures!!!! Are you planning on going on any of their future trips??? I love the ones in AZ red rock country :D

t~

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Originally Posted by fatbottomedgurl

Yeah, that is actually the group I ride with! I haven't met Karen yet, she rides a lot of road lately. I am with the weekday crew and generally lay low on the weekends, but recently rode with the local BOMB group on a saturday (Believers on Mountain Bikes). I'm sure I will meet up with Karen soon. In fact this morning I am riding Space Mountain in her neighborhood!

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btw... I'm blaming you guys for making my order my new mtn bike.... 'cause I just had no control whatsoever ;) hee hee hee

Yes I have ridden with Kim. On our ride today we said it would be fun to go to Moab... but nothing in the works for now. If you ever come down this way we'll take you on some rides! Today's ride was really challenging. No fire roads, just climb climb climb up fairly technical switchbacks and lots of swoopy fun downhill and testing out my full suspension. Didn't crash but came close a couple times.:D Met a guy who rides there every day and said we are the first girls he's ever seen in a year.

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Originally Posted by fatbottomedgurl

Yes I have ridden with Kim. On our ride today we said it would be fun to go to Moab... but nothing in the works for now. If you ever come down this way we'll take you on some rides! Today's ride was really challenging. No fire roads, just climb climb climb up fairly technical switchbacks and lots of swoopy fun downhill and testing out my full suspension. Didn't crash but came close a couple times.:D Met a guy who rides there every day and said we are the first girls he's ever seen in a year.

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sounds like a great ride! Tell Kim that Tracy said HI! when you see her next! I'm so excited about getting out on my mtn bike since reading your post, I actually bugged a friend and now I'm going on Wednesday afternoon!

YEAH!!!

Trac'