Feel my pain....

[Kimmyt]

My friend at the gym yelled at me for not lifting enough today. He is all macho macho, but he had a point. I wasn't pushing myself. My hackles immediately raised and I yelled,

'Well why don't you swim 5000 yds a week and run 17 miles a week and climb for 6 hours every week and cycle for 2-6 hours a week IN ADDITION to lifting and then come back to me and talk to me about not lifting enough!'

woopsy

ah well, at least I think he got my point.

K.

[KSH]

Well, at least when you are a girl... the guys will cut a little slack... sometimes.

No worries... next time... you will be the tiger!

[LBTC]

Hugs to you RNR.

Don't know how long you've been riding with your group of guys, but it takes time for them to accept your level of performance and understand when you're having an off day.

I was fortunate enough to develop that in the group I rode with in my previous home town. There was one night with a large group of mostly regulars and a couple of new guys. We started the mtb ride with some pretty intense climbing. I was just behind the fast guys, sort of the front of the mid pack, and I made nearly all of the crazy steep pitches, only missing one because the new guy in front of me didn't make it. At the first rest stop my stomach was in such a cramp it had me doubled over. I tried to walk it off, tried to rest, tried to breathe, waiting for all of the slow group to come up...and it was a long wait. My stomach did not get to feeling better. I had to turn around. I've only done that twice.

I heard that later, at the post ride bar fest, one of the new guys made a comment about it being a good excuse to get out of a hard ride. I was so grateful to hear that one of my not exactly favourite of the regular group was the first guy to speak up that "no, that was not an excuse. you should see her hammer!" And a few others backed him up.

If you're not there yet with your group, one day you will be. They likely will never say it to your face, but you will gain their respect in ways that are truly inspirational!

Keep up the good tough work, RNR!

Hugs & Butterflies,
~T~

[tattiefritter]

RnR Girl - Been there so many times!

Am enjoying our girlie rides at the minute because I can ride at a steady pace that doesn't leave me feeling like I've been put through the wringer. On our girlie ride on Sunday the other girl who normally rides with me and the boys came out and we had a good mutual compaining session about always being dragged round behind the boys! It was quite refreshing to always be in front for a change.

Still, looking forward to getting out with the boys again and getting my proverbial kicked!

[rocknrollgirl]

Oh...I have been riding with these boys for a while. Last Wed night I passed them on hills, But Sunday, the girl was tired.

About a month ago my guys and I went on a group ride with a bunch of other guys. The new group was nice, but a bit rougher(cruder) than I am used to. I was about a week getting over being sick. So part way through the ride, the leader says...well we could go out to the back section to ride the hills, but it might be too much for the girl..

Whoa, hold on there buddy. I said hey...."man up", I have a big race coming up and could use the hills, lead on....

Too much for the girl my butt!

[Adventure Girl]

My regular ride mountain biking buddies are:
Charlie - The best descender
Cliff - Super strong climber
Pat - Great all-around
Jim - Strong newbie

I'm almost always lagging somewhat behind. Even when I'm riding well I hold them up a little. My personal goal is to get to the next trail head/regroup spot before they are all unclipped!

But every once in a while, I have one of THOSE days like rocknrollgirl had. It just sucks! And I hate feeling like they are ALWAYS waiting for me and that they are adjusting their ride for me.

On one ride, I felt like I just didn't have it to hang with them. I told them I felt so badly about slowing down the pace and that they should go on witout me. I would be fine on my own. But they wouldn't have it! So I hung in there and did the best I could. The next ride everything was fine.

Sometimes you just have days like that. I like the last line of your original post:

Girl will get them next time!