have you changed your life for cycling?

[TrekJeni]

I discovered riding almost two years ago. Originally, it was just a novelty. My best friend and I were sick of going to the gym, and the weather was starting to get nice. We saw a flyer for the local MS150, bought bikes and were off.

My boyfriend and I had been living together for five years at the time. We started out the relationship with similiar likes. We were both young and going to the bars and clubs was fun. Somewhere over the years, I changed (okay he says I changed - I'd like to say I grew up). My idea of a Satuday and Sunday were not in your smoke infested bar, drinking beer, and watching sports. I wanted to be out enjoying life. It was getting to the point that if I wanted to spend any real time with him, it would have to be at the local watering hole.

I started riding more, a lot more. Okay, a lot LOT more. We started to not see each other than at night. We never even went camping this summer. Although my riding friends and I used our RV for getting to organized rides. This summer, he made the comment that I had to "stay home for the weekend". He had something planned with the boys (all you can drink fest)that weekend and I had an out of state ride. He wanted me to stay home "because you always get to do something, it's my weekend to go out". We have no kids and the dogs have a dog door so it's not like someone HAD to be home.

September was the last straw. I crashed my bike and got stitches in my face. My riding buddy called him to say I was going to the hospital to get stitches. He was concerned but chose to stay at the bar with the buddies to watch the football game. Sitting in the waiting room, I knew it had to end. We were living under the same roof but living totally seperate lives.

I moved out. Left seven years, the house, the 50 acres, the camper, one of my dogs, and most of the furniture. I now rent an efficiency apartment, where my two cats and my dog reside. But I'm HAPPY! VERY HAPPY!

We have spoken and visited on several occasions. We both know it was for the best. He's happy and I'm happy.

So, yeah I changed my life for cycling.

Jeni

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Way to go Jeni.

[KnottedYet]

Yay, Jeni!

(and I think you left out one of the best changes you got by starting biking!)

[jobob]

Well, I *didn't* change my life on account of cycling, does that count?

A few years ago Lee & I thought we'd like to move up to the Northwest, either near Seattle or Portland. No reason in particular besides the fact that we like it up there and thought it would be a nice change.

I started to routinely watch the empoyment ads for work up that way (I'm a patent agent at a biotech company, and there are quite a few biotech companies particularly around Seattle).

Then we started biking. And, we liked it obviously.

One day a year or so ago, I came across a posting for a job up in Seattle that had my name written all over it. I was thrilled to bits to come across it and I started digging up my resume, when it occurred to me "but ... I don't want to leave here!"

We moved here well before we started biking, but as it turns out, we happen to live in a wonderful area for cycling. We live very near the Alameda Creek trail and Coyote Hills park, which is about 28 miles round trip and is great for morning rides, and is usually our starting point for longer rides. We can go on very scenic rides directly from our home (Calaveras, Alum Rock Park and Mt. Hamilton to name a few destinations to the south of us, or we can head across the bay over the Dumbarton Bridge into Woodside and other great routes on the SF Peninsula), and other great rides in Marin, the Almaden Valley, Napa and Sonoma are only a short drive away.

I talked to Lee about it, and he admitted that he too wasn't very interested in moving, now that we started biking.

We haven't ruled out moving up to the PNW someday, just not right now, we still enjoy the biking around here too much - not to mention all the great friends in the area we've made through biking and TE ... you know who you are.

[TrekJeni]

Yay, Jeni!

(and I think you left out one of the best changes you got by starting biking!)

I think Knotted Yet is refering to the fact that I now date the greatest guy who's family owns the LBS. He just bought me a mountain bike for Xmas. Rode Sunday and supposed to ride today if the weather holds. A lot of the same interests and we've been riding friends for almost two years.

Little did I know that he had liked me for a long time. Never once hinted, alluded, or tried anything with me while I was still with the ex and we've ridden hundreds of miles together. He's an Eagle Scout (no really) and a gentlemen.

Jeni

[DebW]

Guess I can't really say that I've changed my life for cycling, since I've always cycled (seriously for 35 years) and always found places to ride no matter where I lived. But cycling did bring me 2 very good friends (which has now expanded by 2 little people) who would have remained temporary casual acquaintances otherwise. We played on the same softball team on a women's league in town. They talked about going to Alaska to do an AIDS ride and having to ship their bikes out there. I admitted to being a bike mechanic and agreed to teach them how to pack their bikes in boxes for shipment. It was going to cost $100 each if they had a mechanic in Alaska re-assemble the bikes. So I saved them $200 with a 1-hour lesson and a few tool loans (my Campy pedal wrench went to Alaska!). And we really hit it off as friends and have been backpacking, kayaking, winter camping, cycling, and hanging out together for 6 years. And now I'm an "aunt" to two great kids. And I have cycling to thank for it - or maybe I should thank B.L. for hiring me as a bike mechanic in 1973.

[KnottedYet]

Jobob - Niles and Fremont. Man, I sure liked Niles. We walked a little on that trail along the canal (Alameda Creek?). Then went to this really cool coffee shop a block from the mission in Fremont. Looks like a great area for biking. Is that where you are?

Seattle biking is good, too; but I gotta admit I saw more bikes in CA recently than in WA! Kept forgetting it's December. You guys can ride more easily in December than we can.

[jobob]

Yes indeedy, that's my stomping (rolling?) grounds. And you were describing Mission Coffee, which is one of my favorite destinations. Next time you're there try the turkey-pesto pannini or their turkey sandwich with walnuts and cranberries. They also make excellent soups which I've enjoyed on the recent damp & chilly days, and marvellous smoothies (w whipped cream on top, of course) when the weather is warm.

Yep, nothing at all against Seattle, it's just hard for me to consider leaving here

[hellosunshine]

too much so!i train until 11am means i have to work until 11pm,means ive zilch social life really apart from the bike,which is prob a healthier option!sleep is the new sex and i dont buy "going out clothes"

i also find ive a preoccupation with the weather!and what was a converted garage into a dining room has been gutted and is filled with bike hooks,weights etc etc,so no one can come round for dinner

[Crankin]

Road raven, I understand your feelings exactly (looking out the window and being jealous of the cyclists going by when you are at work). This is why I'm quitting my job at the end of the school year. Yes, it is my 30th year of teaching, but because I moved and took my retirement out of my AZ account, I would be about 67 until my full retirement from MA kicked in. I am lucky that my husband makes plenty of $; I was ALWAYS the one who worked in my social circle... right from the delivery room back to school almost. In fact, I was career addicted and could never picture myself not working. People are constantly asking me what I am going to do. Let's see, Wednesday and Fridays are already taken up with club rides which I started doing this summer. .. Yes, I will look for a flexible part time job, but to start, I will do some tutoring and be able to make some good cash $. Our whole life revolves around cycling (or X country skiing, snow shoeing, hiking) and it might be weird, but I'm happy. We still go out to eat a lot, theatre, etc. I admit, my non cycling friends get on my nerves now, but I know they can't help it! (whining about how fat they are and not doing anything about it). None of them even said congratulations when I did my century!

Sorry for getting off topic here.

Robyn

[Trek420]

Jobob - Niles and Fremont. Man, I sure liked Niles. We walked a little on that trail along the canal (Alameda Creek?). Then went to this really cool coffee shop a block from the mission in Fremont. Looks like a great area for biking. Is that where you are?"

Knott, here's the TE gang on the bay side end of that same trail.

"Seattle biking is good, too; but I gotta admit I saw more bikes in CA recently than in WA! Kept forgetting it's December. You guys can ride more easily in December than we can.

"

California weather is great, we can ride year round (given enough lights and wool).

Your drivers may be saner.

Back to gift wrapping.

[jobob]

Ah, but in all fairness, when I went out for a ride yesterday morning before sunrise, it was 38 degrees out.

[KnottedYet]

Trek, dear, you have GOT to figure out how to use the quote function on that Mac. (remember what I taught you, or do I have to come back there and teach you again?)

[fretwes]

Thanks everybody, for your replies. I enjoyed reading your stories, even those that were off topic, heh heh.

My partner and I need to sit down and revisit our life goals and decide what we want to do. We're hoping to retire or go to a part time situation very early (we're currently 41 and 36) to give us more time for cycling and other pursuits. And in addition to not having good proximity to cycling in our new place, it costs us a lot to live here. Yes we can 'afford' it and yes, it's a beautiful home but we're coming to the realization that it may set us back in terms of other life goals that are more important.

Happy Holidays Everyone!

[Geonz]

I, too, make decisions with cycling in the process. In Richmond, my house was chosen in part because finally I was close enough to bike to work (though I didn't do it religiously like I do now). I don't want to have to drive.
When I need to travel... how will I work in some cycling? (If necessary, how will I find a different way to exercise?)
When I bought a car: will the bike fit?
Bicycling is a big part of who I am and what I do now.