Can a Fat Lady Ride

Wow. Just found this thread today and so grateful I did.

I only started riding again alittle over a week ago after years of not riding. Right now, my longest ride is 4 miles and I was feeling very embarrassed about it. I thought I must be the worse cyclist going. The truth.

I thought maybe I was just too old (54) to start biking again and be able to do any distance. I thought a ton of stuff that I realize isn't true after reading this thread.

So, now, I'm feeling completely okay about my 4 miles (instead of embarrassed). I'm gonna keep riding (even if I am slow and HATE hills) till I get to 5 miles, then 6 and then, maybe, in a bit, I'll be able to go on the longer rides I want. I don't have to be the perfect shape or the perfect age to get there. I just need to keep riding to get there. Might take me longer than some of you took to get there cause I'm starting late. But I can get there.

Got a smile on my face and it's from these posts and this great thread. Much thanks.

Welcome Ester and congrats on your riding for 4 miles!! You should feel proud, you earned it. The first time I got on a bike was just over 3 weeks ago. I am brand spanking new to the biking world. We all go different distances and speeds, but in the end, we are all biking. :)

Note: every month or so... BUMP THIS ONE UP...

And if you rode a little and got away from it... so just get back on! Nobody's giving you a grade...

... and it should be cooler now. I can see that stufrf on the radar to the west of us... any hour now (guess I better go do that online course before the lightning gets here...leaving NOW...)

I just stumbled onto this post - it's a small thing, but it's very encouraging. :)

Heck, a couple months ago I was damned proud of my ONE mile riding!! :)
And remember, it's better to not be "perfect" because then you just make everyone else look bad! :D
Another thing to consider is that if you are out of shape and only riding tiny distances, seeing you biking can be a huge inspiration to other women who are out of shape as well- they will see you pedalling along and hopefully realize biking is something they actually CAN do. Be an inspiration to others!!!

I love this image from Lowell Herrero. It captures the audaciousness and unabashed joy that a woman--of any size--can feel on her bike.
See it better here: Mary's New Bike

Of course you can. I have an overweight male friend who I got started on cycling. He just does what he can, though I do push him a little when we ride together :D If you can find a riding buddy that'll help you with motivation, which we all can suffer from a lack of!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Bad JuJu

I love this image from Lowell Herrero. It captures the audaciousness and unabashed joy that a woman--of any size--can feel on her bike.
See it better here: Mary's New Bike

---

Heeey, where'd you find that picture of me on my bike!? The likeness is spooky!:D

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Bad JuJu

I love this image from Lowell Herrero. It captures the audaciousness and unabashed joy that a woman--of any size--can feel on her bike.
See it better here: Mary's New Bike

---

Bad Juju,

We have this poster on our wall here at TE! I think it's inspirational. EVERY woman looks beautiful on a bike. :)

Susan

:D You guys crack me up! :D

I am a newbie here, and love the posts! I am 5'7''. creeping up on 50, and trying to stay under 250. I started riding again recently and am up to 23 miles this week. I figure if someone doesn't like the view, go around me! Keep up the great work! :cool:

Good for YOU, Shubie!! :)

An excellent attitude. Happy Riding. :)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ShubieGA

I am a newbie here, and love the posts! I am 5'7''. creeping up on 50, and trying to stay under 250. I started riding again recently and am up to 23 miles this week. I figure if someone doesn't like the view, go around me! Keep up the great work! :cool:

---

Sounds like you're doing the right thing to keep it down, and take it further down! Way to go!

I'm new to the forum and kind of new to cycling. I'm 27 and desperately trying to stay in shape and shed some pounds. I just got a Giant OCR3 and am loving it. My husband and I are riding in the Paws and Puddles ride in Galveston, TX tomorrow. Any newbie tips?

Hi, Meaux--Re: Newbie tips--just read these forums--they're loaded with tips. Also, check out the articles on the TE site--lots of info there. Hope you're having fun on your ride!

My neighbor's been checking out the Giant OCR line, and she's on the verge of getting one herself. Rockin' bikes!

I LOVE my Giant. It's a really great bike. Our first "big ride" today went well. I'm feeling inspired. Thanks for the help. It's great to find a forum with people like me.

Meaux, I have an OCR3, too. We should figure out something really cool for OCR to stand for! Have fun with your new friend, and ride safe.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by latelatebloomer

Meaux, I have an OCR3, too. We should figure out something really cool for OCR to stand for!

---

How about "Obsessive-Compulsive Riding"? ;) :D

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Lisa S.H.

How about "Obsessive-Compulsive Riding"? ;) :D

---

PERFECT!!!! :D

~Emily

I like it! The best I could come up with so far was "Only Courageous Riding!"

Thanks for such a great thread, ladies! I am 27, trying to stay ahead of the grim possibility of pre-diabetes, and started riding seriously again about 2 weeks ago, after a 3 year hiatus. This thread has been such a great boost!

Sometimes I, too, get down on myself when the svelte athletes on their road bikes whiz around me without so much as an "on your left!," but it's good to remember to do what we can. Like other posters have said, we don't start out riding centuries. We need to work up to it!

I ride 10 miles each way to work, and on days when the ride is hard, I just remember my little mantra: "if you need to, stay in a low gear and do what you can. You don't have to rush."

Thanks again, ladies! I <3 this board!

*nod* There's a sort of zen to riding, commuting, and antiinternal combustion mobility. It's the "I'll plan ahead so I have time if I need it, but no rush." or if you're out for just a spin "I'll get there when I get there. In the mean time, if I really need to, I can stop and rest, but... sitting and coasting is almost like resting..."

I wish more people understood it.