My revelation.."Do I fit in here?"

[Caprice]

Last night I spent a couple of hours reading many of the posts on this site. It was obvious in my first post written about 24 hours ago, that I was so excited about my new bike and learning to ride. As I read through the forums, I read about really long rides, a few races, etc. As I viewed the pictures I noticed that most of you have these beautiful sleek and slender road bikes! I began thinking,"Oh my gosh, I have my little white pearl hybrid. I won't be entering a race. I doubt that I'll ever make a 25 mile ride. So, maybe I am out of my league on this website." I had planned to post a photo of myself and my little granddaughter on our bikes, but decided not to. I figured that I'd look like a "dork"!! I decided that I could just view posts and the wealth of information that all of you give so generously. In other words, I'd just stay to myself and make no comments or ask any stupid questions! I told my husband about my concerns. He encouraged me to hang in there. He's a serious runner, just ran Boston this past Spring. He told me that experienced runners welcome new people and there is never a stupid question. In my first post, I mentioned that I had gotten a new Hybrid and I also told my age. Still, I received 4 really kind and helpful replies to my question about clothing. A memory suddenly came back to me that speaks to what I am trying to express. I am a musician and taught piano for many years. My husband and daughters became quite familiar with the little 2 and 3 note ditties that my beginners learned in the first weeks of lessons. One day my husband said, "Don't you get tired of hearing Little White Pony?" I said, "Never! I love hearing and feeling their excitement over their accomplishments. They each develop their own style and each time I listen to this little "piece", it is fresh and new!"

That memory has truly spoken to me this morning. Am I a serious rider? "Yes!" I am committed to maintaining fitness and bike riding will add to my program. My husband and I are not only Grandparents but we are also in a parenting role. Our 7 year old granddaughter lives with us. We realized several years ago, that we must do all that we can to stay healthy and fit, so that we can raise this precious little girl. Now, I can ride with her and my husband. This afternoon will be our first outing as a threesome. I think this might be my first 10 miler.

As I read back over this, emotions well up and I think that I'm going to go ahead and post it anyway. I hope there might be someone who will take the time to read it. Perhaps there are others who understand. My role as this special caregiver is daunting. I think that becoming a bike rider will be good for me not only physically but perhaps emotionally, even more. I can do this even if I don't have a road bike! Maybe I'll have the courage to post a picture this evening! Thanks to everyone!

[pfunk12]

Yes, you fit in here, Caprice! I've only been a member of TE since April of this year and I've noticed the wide range of different kinds of cyclists on here. There's so much diversity and that's the great thing about this forum. I don't post a lot on TE because although I ride almost every day and I sometimes do very long rides, I am "technically challenged". I honestly don't know a thing about bikes but I come here for a lot of my answers.
And your husband is right - no question is stupid. When I first started cycling, I didn't know how to inflate my tires. I didn't know that I had to clean my bike There was so much I didn't know and I am still learning.
And don't feel bad if you don't get a response (or many responses) to a post. As you probably saw when you were searching, it's a pretty active forum so your question might just slip by. Like I said, I've only been on here since April but I have learned a ton from these women and they are a pretty friendly, welcoming crowd.

[papaver]

hey, it doesn't matter how fancy or how sleek your bike is. The only thing what's important here, is that you love cycling. So stick around and enjoy our goofy adventures and silly talks.

And we don't mind reading your stories too.

[Biciclista]

many of the riders here ride hybrids. And many more started on hybrids, me being one of them. The common ground between us all is that we are women who love to ride. welcome to TE and don't worry about dorky, we're all dorky to someone!

[Tri Girl]

Please post a picture of you and your bike! We love to see other people just like us who love to ride their bike.
We welcome EVERYONE here!!! If you ride a bike and love it: you are a serious bike rider. Who cares if you never race? Many here don't. Who cares if you never ride a century? Many here wouldn't consider it- and they are serious riders. I think being a serious cyclist has less to do with the bike you ride (or how many miles) and a lot more to do with how much you love to ride and how it makes you feel.
That being said- I don't ride with the "serious roadies" because they don't have as much fun as I do. I can probably keep up with them, but for me- riding hard and wearing myself out isn't my idea of fun. Riding my bike for miles and miles and still smiling is my idea of fun. Do what makes you happy! And I love that you're doing it for your granddaughter (and for yourself, too). She'll appreciate grandparents that can run circles around her!

[spokewench]

I think that TE is the best forum on the internet for being very inclusive. There are few judgments of people and most have a very accepting nature. If you like bikes, ride bikes or just want to ride bikes; you are welcome!

[tulip]

Hi Caprice, Welcome! I saw your first post, but I'm super busy at work so I didn't reply, although I smiled and though of you and your granddaughter and husband all riding together. There are actually only a few racers here (and they are all very nice). Probably the majority of us go on longer rides, but not everyone. There's room here for you, believe me.

Good for you for being an active family!

[blackhillsbiker]

I'm glad there are people like you on here. I'm 47. I started back on a comfort bike to rehab my spine and get back into shape. I just recently "graduated" to a hybrid since my back is able to accept a more agressive (for me) riding position. I love it! I commute to work because it puts me in a good mood and helps keep me in shape. My husband rides with me when he can. We like to enjoy the exercise and scenery together. We're even thinking about maybe getting mountain bikes in the spring to ride some of the easy trails, just for the fun of it. It's all about how cycling can make your life better, which is different for each person here. I'd love to see a photo of you and your bike. If I get one taken, I'll put one up, too.

Deb

[snapdragen]

We need to see the picture of you and your grand daughter!

[featuretile]

The kind of bike you need is what is appropriate for how you ride. If you live in a flat area and ride with your family, a hybrid is just fine. There is no need to compare yourself to racers.

I'm 57 and I have step grandchildren. I bought a comfort hybrid about 9 months ago and thought it was the greatest bike. But since I did not like riding alone, I joined a beginners class with the local bike club. That class really improved my mileage and my learning of safe biking rules. Since I live in a hilly area, after 3 months I realized that the bike was not good enough for what I wanted to do. I bought a flat-bar road bike/hybrid that was lighter weight. It still was as easy to ride as the other bike, but I could keep up with the others better. It's still not a 'real' road bike, but it's what I need now.

Most of the ladies in the club are in their mid 60's and can ride circles around me. So, improving to that level is not impossible. I went from the 10 miles rides to usually 20 miles, but my longest is 40.

So, you can do that too, if you want to. The age is not the problem. I don't intend to do centuries or race either. I'd like to be able to keep up with the 60 year olds. Have fun on your bike. If you feel like you need to upgrade later, you can do that.

[Pedal Wench]

This is a women's cycling (well, and more!) forum. It's not a "fast, sleek cycling forum." It's not a "young women on bikes" forum. It's for anyone and everyone with a bike. That common bond carries over for all types - the questions remain the same. How to deal with traffic, how to increase fitness, how to dress for the elements, it's all part of the big picture.

Welcome. You fit right in.

[indigoiis]

You are awesome to take in your granddaughter. My mom just took in my sister's seventeen year old, and at age 73, that is a huge deal. I am very proud of her, as you should be of yourself! And everyone here comes from all walks of life, and share especially one thing: our live of everything bicycle.

[malkin]

"Little White Pony" would be a great name for a bike!

Welcome!

I'm a new piano player too!

[uforgot]

Hmmm...you need to take a look at this mixte thread! There are all kinds, shapes and ages of riders here. Welcome!

[Bike Chick]

Welcome to TE! And how wonderful of you to be raising your granddaughter. Anyone who rides a bike belongs here and that now includes you. I've only been on a bike for 6 years and have learned a lot from the ladies in this forum. I started on a used mountain bike then when hubby joined in we both got hybrids. Our first ride was 6 miles and I thought I would never make it home. It wasn't long before we traded those in for road bikes and then for better road bikes. That was many miles ago. I never thought I would be doing the things that I have done or seen what I have seen from the saddle of a bike. You are making many wonderful memories for yourself and your granddaughter. And let us see those pictures!