how many seasons and/or miles til experienced?

[Crankin]

Veronica, I sort of knew that you were kidding (i.e. the lycra comments...), but I always feel inadequate compared to the people who ride 5,000 miles a year and can do all of their own mechanics. In fact, I feel like a poseur (sp?) a lot of the time. Yep, I've ridden 2500 miles this year and I can climb pretty well for an old lady. But I don't know how much more I can improve. My speed has gone up a lot, but I seem to have reached a plateau. It takes me longer to recover now that I have been doing more longer rides (50-100 miles).

This is sort of like when I taught aerobics. I was constantly comparing myself to the 20 year old instructors who had strong dance backgrounds and had nothing better to do than to hang out at the gym. It made the whole thing not fun. I don't want this to happen with cycling. You have to put it all in perspective. Most "regular" people, who don't ride or even do any exercise at all think all of us are amazing. When i started thinking that a 50 mile ride is not a big deal, i knew something was crazy...

[Veronica]

(i.e. the lycra comments...), but I always feel inadequate compared to the people who ride 5,000 miles a year and can do all of their own mechanics.

I wasn't joking about the last thing on the list.

It's the whole comparision thing. Why do we do that? Ride your ride and enjoy it. Get as good at it as you want to get. But don't feel like you have to be like someone else.

I ride so much because I'm an insane lunatic, who actually likes the way my body feels at mile 150. I learned to do my mechanical stuff, because I ride alone A LOT - even on a big ride I'm alone. Does that make me a better rider? No - just crazier and I need to be self sufficient.

BTW I have never passed Thom on his motorcycle. It was three other guys that I have passed on three different rides. Yes, I'm counting.

V.

[Adventure Girl]

BTW I have never passed Thom on his motorcycle. It was three other guys that I have passed on three different rides. Yes, I'm counting.

During the DMD, Robert and I had to REALLY work to catch you on that long stretch of road with a few twists. We were on an 1800cc motorcycle. And you were on.... Fluffy!

We have an intercom system on the bike, so we can talk to each other. When we were chasing you down, Robert said, "Man, she's haulin' a$$"!