Shameless Begging

Okay, I read these forums for a year before I got up the courage to actually join because everyone else seems like a "real" cyclist, and I'm just... well... not so "real". Anyway, you're all incredibly good at cheering each other on and encouraging one another -- a big, strong sisterhood (with a nod to the males, also) of warm fuzziness, so to speak.

So, now that I've made it official and registered for RAIN 2007 (one-day, one-way, 160-mile ride across Indiana), and now that I'm doubting my sanity, and now that the voice in my head is starting to whisper (okay, more like scream) all those niggling, doubtful comments... any words of encouragement from all of you whom I look up to?

Honestly, you're all an inspiration!

I'm hardly a "real" cyclist, but I will say that a lot of cycling is mental. You'll get some great training advice from other ladies here that will help to improve your stamina, bike handling, pedal stroke, etc, but the first thing to do is squelch those doubtful comments in your head. You're going to have bad days. You're also going to have awesome days when you feel strong, empowered, and can't imagine having so much fun doing anything else. Hold onto those days, and learn whatever you can from the bad ones. There's no reason you can't aim for any goal on the bike that you choose to set.

When is your RAIN ride?

I'm thinking if you registered for and are training for that ride, you should seriously consider awarding yourself "real" status.

When is it?

Mr. is wanting to do this ride!

Tell us more about you and your training!

If you get on a bike and wear a helmet, you are a REAL cyclist, so let's not hear you say you're not again.....OK? ;)

You're a real cyclist :)

I know what you mean though, I look at some of the people here and feel so...amateur.

I also want to hear about your riding and your bike.

And yes, it is so mental. You need to be able to be on your bike for that period of time, of course, but if you tell yourself you can do it, you can.

I aspire to this ride...

Keep in mind that although it's long, Central Indiana is fairly flat.

I think that if you signed up, you are a sense that you can do it! I say go for it with vigor!

Commitment is 90% of the trick. Make sure you've got shorts that will go the distance (I'd highly recommend a chamois cream, like Assos, or Butt Buttr (or whatever it is called) or something), but you ARE a real rider, just to even consider it. Stay hydrated, and stay cool (dump water on your head on a regular basis if you feel yourself getting hot), and keep fueled. You'll be fine. More than fine, in fact. You will be a Cycling Goddess!!!!

OK... I don't and can't "do" RAIN... (location, location, location...)

but...

I need to say something...
I need to reiterate what some of the other women have said...


If you have a bike and want to ride it...
If you like to ride so much than soon after you finish a ride you start thinking about the next one...
If you like to talk about bikes... or about your cycling ventures...
If you commute, or race, or tootle, or cyclocross, or go off-road...
If you know that "drops" are a noun not an adjective
If you know that a "stem" holds your handlebars, not a flower
If you know that a post isn't part of a fence, it has a saddle on it - and that saddle does not fit on a horse...
If you have a bike and you ride it...

You ARE a real cyclist...
PERIOD

Enough self-deprecation ladies, we are cyclists, all with different interests, goals and intentions... but we are def cyclists... REAL cyclists...

I second the mental comments. It helps to have someone to ride with ... you can keep each other sane ... if any of us are sane that ride these distances! :D I have ridden this ride twice. It is an exercise in pacing and nutrition to go the distance. I've attached the stats from my Polar for my 2005 ride (I was out of the country in '06 and planned other events this year) as well as the Delorme profile. Feel free to PM me if you have any questions. Each ride is a learning experience no matter how many years I've been cycling!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by RoadRaven

OK... I don't and can't "do" RAIN... (location, location, location...)

but...

I need to say something...
I need to reiterate what some of the other women have said...


If you have a bike and want to ride it...
If you like to ride so much than soon after you finish a ride you start thinking about the next one...
If you like to talk about bikes... or about your cycling ventures...
If you commute, or race, or tootle, or cyclocross, or go off-road...
If you know that "drops" are a noun not an adjective
If you know that a "stem" holds your handlebars, not a flower
If you know that a post isn't part of a fence, it has a saddle on it - and that saddle does not fit on a horse...
If you have a bike and you ride it...

You ARE a real cyclist...
PERIOD

Enough self-deprecation ladies, we are cyclists, all with different interests, goals and intentions... but we are def cyclists... REAL cyclists...

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Absolutely:D

Wow, I'm shocked at the elevation assent...guess it doesn't seem that way in a car!

I agree with all that's been said...I think you should train well and go for it!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Mr. Silver

Wow, I'm shocked at the elevation assent...guess it doesn't seem that way in a car!

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That is REALLY flat.

Flat is hard because you never get a break.

V.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Veronica

That is REALLY flat.

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I agree...what I should have said was I don't recall ever seeing a hill in Central Indiana....I thought it was totally flat;)

I can imagine how you wouldn't see it as a hill in the car. I don't think any ride is truly flat.

__________________________________________________

:D

V.

In the metric century yesterday, SilverSon and I had 2,800 ft of climbing in about 1/3 the distance. To me, while a couple of the hills seemed tough, they were only about 3% grades, and the difficulty came from the fact that I was going slow for SilverSon.

Seeing this, I'm wondering if we could shoot for RAIN this year????!?!?!?!?