How old (or young) are you?

[GLC1968]

Lisa beat me to it, but I was going to mention the kid thing as well. Where I live, EVERYONE has kids. It is extremely family oriented around here. When we go on group rides, the men are mid-30s and up and the women are mid-40's and up.

DH and I discovered from many, many conversations with these recreational/club riders that these are the 'dads' and the 'moms' are at home with the kids. In fact, more than a few times I hear "she used to ride with me, but now she stays home with our children." The women who are out there with us, are usually past the age where their children are young. And, a couple riding together? Very, very few of us...I could count them on 1 hand and I have yet to see any other couples our age (late 30's).

That might skew the numbers a bit.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Ah. I forgot about kids.

I tried to, but they kept whining for food.


(just kidding!)

[Kitsune06]

LOL!

[Grog]

In fact, more than a few times I hear "she used to ride with me, but now she stays home with our children."

Don't you feel like asking them, "So why doesn't SHE ride while YOU stay home with your children??"

[Trekhawk]

Don't you feel like asking them, "So why doesn't SHE ride while YOU stay home with your children??"

Well in my case that would be true. My husband looks after our three kids while I ride. Im off to my first Brevet this weekend and as its 3 hours away Im staying the night in a hotel close to the start. My husband will be on babysitting duty all weekend. I know Im lucky to have a husband that is so supportive.

As far as young kids go and being in your 20's/30's my youngest is five and I will be 43 this year.

[Bad JuJu]

Sweet deal, TrekHawk.
GOOD LUCK in your FIRST BREVET!!!

[Trekhawk]

Sweet deal, TrekHawk.
GOOD LUCK in your FIRST BREVET!!!

Thanks JuJu.

[alforfun]

Yes, yes, as much as I enjoyed my kids (all four of 'em), they do tie you down. Everything is a major event, babysitters ("you got HOW many??"), food shopping, getting to work, getting 'em off to school in the morning. My husband was willing to babysit on the weekends, but my idea of fun was usually putting my feet up. Joining a bike club did not cross my mind. My youngest is now 16, I am "50" and finally getting to do so many of the things that I used to do years ago, like bicycling. Did I wear a helmet back then? Probably not. Also very cheap bike, but I digress....

[luv'nAustin]

I just turned 45 on the 20th of February. I started riding two years ago and it has been a blast. Love to see the ages of everyone...it is so inspiring.

[wurkit_gurl]

I am just now looking into the sport at age 26. But I know several young men my age who actually cycle (not just baggy-pantsed mountain bikers!), and who've been doing it for quite some time. I've dated 3 cyclists- one who did it recreationally, one was a former nationally-ranked triathlete in his late teen/early college years, who also mountain bikes, and the most recent one raced both road and mountain bikes in college and still cycles/mtbs regularly for fun and is looking to get back into racing. I think for most 20-somethings though, it's a money issue. Certainly for me; I just finished grad school in May and up until now I've really not had enough income to spend on something like this. Plus, I used to be a dancer (undergrad in theatre), so didn't have time for extra sporty hobbies. And because I used to be a dancer, everyone sees me as some weak, wussy girly-girl, who can't hack a real sport (ie, all of my cycling exes). But I recently got into rock climbing, and am trying to branch out more, because I really enjoy athletic pursuits. Dancing is actually very athletic, just in a different sense.

[Laterider21958]

I'm 48 and still have my first 10 speed racer, bought in the late 1970's. Got the OGK helmet when Australian road rules changed and we couldn't ride without one. (My 60yo husband has an attractive white Bell helmet, however his has a bright red speed stripe around the rim. ) Back then there wasn't the style choices we have available now. My old 10 speed hasn't had a lot of use, it's never been in a race, and still has it's original (now perished) tyres, which will be replaced soon. It was only ever used as a short distance commuter around our small city and I'm about to start using it for that purpose again. (Saving my new bike for the longer rides.)

Bike riding became less popular here once the helmet law was introduced. Up until then there were many older people who rode regularly to shop and visit etc. Then they seemed to disappear. "Helmet hair" was not popular among the "blue rinse set." I think everybody just became reliant on cars instead.

Now that there is a focus on health and wellbeing many more people are exercising in different forms (jogging, walking etc.), and more cyclists are beginning to appear. That's part of why I'm riding now. I love the freedom and I can go much further quicker than I can walk, and it doesn't really matter if I am by myself. When I ride I'm very much more aware of my surrounds.

Our country regional development board is in the process of promoting our region as a cycling destination for tourists and locals. So, hopefully more people will take up this activity in the future. The more the merrier.

P.S. It amazes me when riders don't acknowledge other riders. It only has to be a nod, especially when you are the only ones on the road and meet face to face, so to speak.