"over 40"...show of hands?

[Bike2Work4Me]

They had wonderful support and it was nice knowing that if I really needed it - it was there. We had rest stops/water stops every 10 miles or so. They were great with the signage too. They put up signs that said next rest stop 5 mi, 3 mi, 1 mi. You can always go 10 more miles. We found that riding rest stop to rest stop was a lot easier mentally than looking at the total distance. An 88 mile day broke up into about 7 rest stops and a drive for "home". We camped in a different spot just about every night.

[Adventure Girl]

Originally posted by Bike2Work4Me
I've posted my pictures of the ride, if anyone wants to see

Nice pictures! Nice Project One. Congratulations.

[Trek420]

ooh, bike Oregon looks so purty, i wanna go 8-)

Good job doing the ride.

[guenevere]

Count me in, at 42. I'm a 'returning' rider after lazing out for a few years and rapidly gaining more weight like there's no tomorrow (my gawd... is this what turning 40 is about???) --to total 40 pounds now that I have to shed. I'm riding to lose it, without dieting, and I'm determined to make a comeback, and with a vengience! I have a dream to bike commute from my mountain home, and it's tough to get use to it, but I'm getting psyched up. It's a 10 mile ride and 2100 foot climb from town--yikes, but I did it once before, so I know the ropes... it's just so dang hard to commit. That's the reason I showed up here.

~guen

[doc]

Well, I turn 40 in January. Does that count? I took up riding 2 months ago and I LOVE it. I've done 1 metric century so far and am going for my second this weekend. Age just doesn't mean a thing. Never say never, and never say too late.

[kimberly]

Hi ladies, I'm a new rider (4 months now) and 49 in a month. Wish I had started sooner but now is better than never. I love riding! My goal is to ride 100 miles per week which is do-able most of the time (weather cooperating). I'd like to ride a "century " by spring. I have a hibred Trek but Santa is bringing a road bike this year (I've been very good!) I am healthier and more motivated now than 20 years ago. Age has it's benefits, although I wonder when and if I will ever be able to ride without knee pain at some point. When my husband asks what I'm "training" for I just remind him "for the second half of my life". Kim- Raleigh N.C.

[maryellen]

hi kimberly, it's definitely doable. I started riding in late june of 2003 and did my first century in august 2004 on my trek hybrid. Could probably have done it earlier but I rode only once between September and March. Keep riding.

PS are you getting the knee pain checked out? Watch your gearing. No extra credit for not using granny gear if you need it!

[Rhonda]

You are definately not alone, I am 42 and have only been riding for about 3 months. My husband has been riding a road bike for a little over a year now and I am just now starting to work up my distance, the most I've done is 30 miles. Just went on my first organized ride this past weekend and it was great, a huge sense of accomplishment when I was done.

[rosie99]

Hi
I've just started cycling again after 25 years. I'm 43 now and need to get back in shape. I have a weight problem and I think it is time to deal with it. I just love to cycle. I am definitely a newbie. Currently riding my daughter's Specialized Hardrock Sport but looking to buy myself a new one next spring. I'm considering either a hybrid or a road bike, but am leaning toward the road bike. Not alot of places to ride but still enough to keep me busy. Thanks for letting me check in.

[maryellen]

hey rosie, if you're leaning towards a road bike, go for it. I got a hybrid -- my first bike -- last year and soon realized I really needed a road bike! If desirable, you can go for wider tires.

[Trek420]

looks like we need to start a new thread soon, "over 50 show of hands" ;-) that'll be me in a year n' a quarter

[rosie99]

Thanks MaryEllen for the advice, I think I will look more seriously into road bikes. They just seem to get me excited about riding! Reminds me of my teenage years riding my 10 speed everywhere. Anyway, wish me luck in my search for something suitable!

[syklnsoph]

Hey Grrls!
Sophie here... in (now wet Fresno, CA). turned 52 this year (feel like i'm the old lady here) and have been riding for 5 years. the Mr. and i ride sometimes together, sometimes alone. but with retirement brought added mileage and now we both do around 100mi/wk. i know i could do more, but have other responsibilities to share me with.
love the bike, love to cycle, love the quiet times on the back roads, love big hills, (both up and down) love the way you can sweat and use lots of energy, and keep coming back for more!
income tax will bring new road bike for me! have been drooling through the catalogs, and bike stores.
soph

[CorsairMac]

Hi - my name is Kathie and I'm 45 - 46 in 2 months! I've been riding on and off since I was 5 - sometimes more seriously than others. My second husband divorced me 6 yrs ago and I moved allllll the way across the US from Indiana to New Mexico by way of Arizona. During my journey I discovered who I Really was as a person and am trying to decide if I ever want to get married again?.........or even have a partner?? My office moved the first of June right next to a bike trail that has its head about 1 mile from my house so I bought a Trek Commuter bike and I now ride to work every day I can - 6 miles each way: coming down the mountain in the morning, going up the mountain at night. I Love my Trek but am now lusting for a road bike. I Want More Speed!! I found this forum in Sept and you gals - ALL of you - psych me so much. I want to ride a centuary and join a club and buy fast bikes and ride races and and and and..........

[spazzdog]

turned 49 last week... haven't died yet

weather here is horrible and the kitchen remodel just went from the addition to actually tearing out the old kitchen... what a mess! Banging and drilling and flying debris!

Thankfully my builder is the tidiest man in the universe and when he leaves for the day everything is spic & span.

rain forcast for most of the week... and cold. New England - YUCK!