"over 40"...show of hands?

[Irulan]

as you all know, we had our 20th in Mexico. It really ought to be 24 if you count the years we lived together!! I feel young too for that many years.

Our trip was really special to us. A few years ago the **** really hit the fan, and instead of bailing we both did some really hard work. We came through it more in love, and more emotionally healthy that we had ever been before.

It was a wonder to wake up every day in Mexico filled with so much love and joy and peace to know we did the right thing.

in between dives:

[Trek420]

Hi gals, I don't think I've ever specified my age...48 and counting, still riding. I rediscovered cycling when my partner (now ex) signed up for the AIDS ride. She's gone, and stopped cycling to boot or so I hear, but I love the sport, just got a new bike! Also I'm doing the california AIDS lifecyle this year, not bad for the shady side of 40.

Dita

[bentforlife]

Here's another hand for the 40+ group. And my husband and I will be celebrating our 23rd anniversary this June. I think we will be headed to South Dakota, Mt. Rushmore, Custer's battlegrounds, etc. on our anniversary. There are supposed to be some spectacular fireworks planned this year at Mt. Rushmore, something about the 50th year as a national park.(?)

Since we are renting a pop up tent trailer I don't think I can take my bike(you know, the 6 foot recumbent) but plan to do plenty of walking and hiking. Our 14 year old is very excited. We may stop at Yellowstone as well.

To the teachers among us, just a few more days and we are free!!

Donna

[Veronica]

When's your last day? Mine is next Friday - May 28! We're going to take a trip to the Big Island in the middle of June with Thom's folks. A few days after we get back I'm driving to Jackson to do a tour of the Grand Tetons and Yellowstone with akaKim. I think I'm more excited about the 2nd trip. Thom and I are planning on doing some weekend camping trips to do some mountain biking over on the coast in July and August.

This will be my first summer off in a long time. I've been at a school that has been year round and will be converting to a traditional schedule this year. So I have a huge break. Thom worries I'll go stir crazy with so much time.

V.

[gretchen]

Trek420...tell me about the AIDS ride...
I'm doing the BikeAid Ride but it has nothing to do with Aids. It's down the west coast. What's yours? and When?

I would love to set my sights on next summer so i'll stay motivated over the next year. (listen to me...i should prob. give this summer a chance first, huh!!!?). My dad died of AIDS (bad blood transfussion )and i would love to do something in his memory.

Don't you just love hearing about everyone's adventures, stories, etc...
We are a great group i think!

[bentforlife]

Veronica,

Our last day is also on May 28th. I worked last summer but just could not finish up all my projects I had planned to do. So I plan to finish them this summer. With an aging house I can always find something to work on. I'm going to finish painting the kitchen cabinet doors(that one has been ongoing for a while), tile the kitchen back splash, and tile the laundry room floor. The outside of my house really needs a coat of paint but that will have to wait. Besides, I'm not willing to get out in the TX sun to paint. May have to hire someone to do this in the fall.

Right now we are planning to go up to Mt. Rushmore and area at the end of June, first of July. Until then My 14 yo daughter has 2 different orchestra and band camps and several percussion clinics. She just made the cymbal line at the high school, not many incoming freshmen make that.

We have to be back at school August 9th and the kids start back Aug. 16th. Summer is just too short.

I understand about the stir crazy thing but if you look around, I'll bet you can find enough projects to keep yourself busy.

Good luck and Happy summer!!

Donna

PS. Do you have a sailboat? We have a 26 foot Mcgregor about a 1986 model. My husband, Larry, teaches and races on the lakes around here.

[Veronica]

We have a little cat rigged boat that we take out on the Delta. We used to charter boats to sail in SF bay, but when we started volunteering at the Maritime park we ran out of time to do everything. Of course then I really got bit by the biking bug...

I hear you about the heat. Our summers are generally in the 90s. Too hot for a lot of outside work. Not too hot to ride though!

We start back a bit later then you. The kids start Aug. 30. We'll go later next year. A couple of weeks into June.

V.

[fultzie]

There's an annual AIDS ride in Illinois too... last year it was a 3-day ride in Starved Rock Nat'l Park, this year it's around Chicago (i think they're actually riding in the city, but i could be wrong... kinda like the AIDSWalk Chicago.)
the website is AIDS Ride Chicago
I checked it out, but couldn't find info on the route... i can't imagine where it'd be downtown to satisfy "all skill levels" (ie. hills)... if i remember, last time i was in Chicago (last month) it was still pretty flat!

[Roadrunner]

I'm just wondering how many of you are the "over 40" crowd?

I'm 46 and I've just started cycling recently. I'm loving it. I did twenty miles on Friday and Sunday. I thought it might feel achy but no I feel great. The only problem todfay is tat it's pouring rain and I want to get out on my bike

[spazzdog]

48... I'll be 49 in Oct.

Working on getting fitness back after 4 yrs as a couch potoato. Goal is to start racing in 2006... yeah, I know. I'll be closing in on 51 in 2006.

[gretchen]

Hey Everyone!
Wow, has it been a long time since i was last on ...about a month maybe?
I'm back from my west coast ride! WHAT A RIDE!!! We rode for 9 days....from San Francisco to Tijuana...about 700 miles.
One of the days, the longest was 112 miles into Los Angeles then another at 98 and the next longest was 84...the last day. THe 60 and 70 mile days seems like a breeze after that! What an adventure it was. And no pain..some exhaustion but no pain. And for anyone in the mid west?...there are no hills here that prepare you for the mountains of the west! WOW are they long...one was 3.8 miles long! OH MY GOSH!
Today i have my bike back together (I had to ship it) and it's ready for my old training route. I can't wait to see how it feels after climbing mountains!
I'm so glad it did the ride and look forward to my next challenge...yet to be determind!
gretchen

[gretchen]

ps...Margaret...
I too am 46..and aside from the little twinges here and there, have never been in this good of shape in my life. I love it!
gretchen

[Barb]

Gretchen WOW!!!! I know whast you mean by no hills. I have to actively search out hills in SE MI. I am so afraid that my first centry will be all hills and I won't be prepared. I picked one in October. People say no hills but VERY windy. Oh well, I turn 41 in October and REALLY want my first century before then!

[gretchen]

Hi Barb!
Hills and wind...my two enemies! But i have learned to face them and try and not let them beat me. (they make you strong...isn't that true about anything tough in life!?)
I think we might have talked before? I have the cottage on Glen Lake (near Traverse City)? I had a call out to anyone in that area to ride while i'm up there.
I"ll be up again over Labor Day weekend. Sounds like you are near AA? My daughter goes to U of M. We are HUGE MI fans. We love your state! (in fact we plan on moving up north in two years!
If you're up in that area ever...let me know.
You'll do fine with the century. If i can do 700 miles...
just think steady. Once you do one...the sky's the limit!
gretchen

[Roadrunner]

As I said earlier I'm 46 (47 in December)
We've been married 27 years/28 come December this year.
Gerry thought it would be romantic to get married on the Saturday two days after my 19th birthday(his is on the 7th, mine the 9th and of course the anniversay on the 11th). My daughter has just turned 26 and my two sons will be 24 and and 21 this year. Where does the time go?