Biker Wanna-Be

[Hill Slug]

Welcome bikerHen...I actually picture Ginger from the Chicken Run movie on a bike!!!(love that movie too...)

Anyway, I so TOTALLY know what you're talking about. When I decided last year to finally get on a bike, it just about killed me to go 10 miles, but I kept doing it. I started in January, and was able to ride around Lake Tahoe in June - 72 miles. This year, my longest ride was 65 for the Cinderella Ride, and will do Tahoe again in June, then Seattle to Portland in July.

You can do it, and don't let anyone else tell you you can't. Just do what you can do.....I actually went on a short ride this morning, 18 miles, with 2 other stronger riders from my Team in Training group. It took me about an hour and 20 minutes....Last year, that same ride took me 2 hours and I was exhausted. So I know I've come a long way.

This forum has just incredible information, and the members are awesome about contributing. So we look forward to hearing about your progress!!!

[Dirt Girl]

As for "old" mountain bikers... almost everyone I ride with ( excepting dirt girl ) is over 40. DG is real active with the Mountaineers riding group, and I'm on the board of the new mountain bike club, www.fttrc.org. There's also the WOW group, http://www.northdivision.com/wow.html which is primarily road riders of all abilities. Irulan

Nope, I too am 40 now. Recently got my first pair of progressive eyeglasses to prove it!

In addition to the above mentioned groups, there is a Spokane Bike Club for roadies. If you're interested in more info and a contact person for any or all of these clubs, PM me. I know lots of riders of all abilities. The Women on Wheels group will be having their monthly meeting next Mionday at David's Pizza. What part of town you live in? I'm a Valley girl just east of Tower Mt. and work in the higher education park near downtown.

[nuthatch]

I can't add any meaningful advice to all the great stuff already posted here for you BikerHen, but I've got to say how SHOCKED I was when I was starting out last spring on my bike for the first time since, oh, I was 12 years old and I decided to join a local club on their invitational ride (only 25 miles). I was so nervous, I just had to come along on the practice ride they did to make sure the route would work for everyone on the big day. Well, everyone, and I mean everyone from the club working that ride was a grandparent!!! I figured "bike club" meant fast lycra-clad men and women about 25. Not so!! Lots of clubs are a real mix of all ages, sizes and tastes in riding! Riding with other people who you can identify with adds so much to the experience! Welcome and glad to have you here at the TE forum.

[KSH]

Well, everyone, and I mean everyone from the club working that ride was a grandparent!!! I figured "bike club" meant fast lycra-clad men and women about 25. Not so!! Lots of clubs are a real mix of all ages, sizes and tastes in riding! Riding with other people who you can identify with adds so much to the experience! Welcome and glad to have you here at the TE forum.

Yea... I have to say... when I go ride with a group... I feel like the baby of the group and I am 32!

Most serious bikers seem to be out of their early 30's... and they come in all shapes and sizes!

I would also like to add that they all kick my butt too!

[nuthatch]

Most serious bikers seem to be out of their early 30's... and they come in all shapes and sizes!

I would also like to add that they all kick my butt too!

They kick mine, too - appearances can be deceiving!!!

[Trek420]

Hill slug sez "I actually picture Ginger from the Chicken Run movie on a bike!!!"

I don't want to be a pie! ;-)

sorry, back to the thread.

You can do this, riding on a heavier bike just makes you stronger. I still have my ol' GT that I started getting back into riding on, started doing 2-5 mile flat rides. Now I'm 49 and doing the AIDS ride for the 2nd time this year along with 3 other TE'ers (and I wish I had the weekend free to ride the Top Hat with Team Amici. You go girrrls!)

I may need more coffee but has anyone pointed you to "over 40 show of hands" thread? There's a lot of us out there.

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showt...ght=show+hands

[Susan126]

Looks like you got a lot of support, advice, and warm welcomes! Not much more to add but I still would like to say, welcome BikerHen to the best cycling forum out here and to continue doing what you are doing right now. Which is continue to do your weekday rides and your long ride on the weekend. And slowly increase that weekend ride until you reach your 50 mile goal. You'll be there in no time at all. You'll be surprised!

Go Girl!
Sue