Hi everyone - I came across this forum a few days ago and I’ve really enjoyed wading through many of the threads, what a nice supportive bunch you are!

My name is Jo, I’m in my early 40’s and live in the San Francisco Bay area. My husband and I took up biking about a year and a half ago. Up until recently my husband was much more into biking than I – he has 3 bikes to my 1, and he goes out riding nearly every day, while I just tended to plotz around for a few hours on weekends on my hybrid, staying mainly on the bikepaths near our home. Riding with me is a ‘rest’ ride for my husband, LOL!

I’ve been a bit timid about riding on roads, but lately I decided I’d like to take my riding up a notch. Part of the impetus is bike envy – my husband just got a Rivendell Romulus (early christmas present – he lost about 50 pounds from biking, and I told him he could get whatever bike he wanted, within reason ) and my oh my, it’s a beauty! Veronica, you seem to be a big Rivendell fan, I think you’d agree…

So I’m thinking I’d like to get a road/touring bike too, and expand my territory beyond the bike paths. But I feel I should up my skill and conditioning level beforehand to justify the new bike (that’s the way my mind works, I have to “deserve” it, LOL!). So I’ve been trying to get out for longer rides, and I’ve been using a cyclops trainer for 30-45 mins a few mornings a week before work – I tend to work very long hours and don’t get home until early evening when it’s already dark, so riding during the week is diffcult for me this time of year. At least with the trainer I can work on my endurance.

As luck would have it, I came across a notice on the website for a local bicycle club which puts on a ten-week progressive training ride program for women, to improve their mechanical and road riding skills and to build endurance for longer rides. And even better, it’s also meant as a preparation for a women-only metric century called the Cinderella Classic at the end of March. I was so thrilled to find out about this, this is *exactly* what I had been looking for! It’s a tangible goal to work towards, and I would think the group training rides will help me in gauging my progress better than if I were on my own. Plus, since it’s women only, it would be “my” thing (rather than hubby & I), and I really like that. So, with a little luck and a lot of work, I’ll complete a 62 mile ride by the end of March.

Heh, the big question is, do I get the new bike as a reward to myself for completing the century? Or do I get it sooner knowing that the ride will be that much easier on a road bike rather than the hybrid? ( she asks, while paging through the Rivendell website - oh gee, who am I kidding? )

Thanks for listening. I'm so glad to find this site, I have a lot to learn and I won't be shy about asking!

all the best, - Jo.