OY! Mothers!! (Yes this IS cycling related)...

[colby]

I got lucky, I guess -- my dad (in his 50s) had some experience riding decent road bikes long long ago in a land far far away (BC - Before Colby, I'm the oldest of 4). We bought new road bikes, nearly identical (mine is WSD), just over a year ago. While he works outside and skis in the winter, he doesn't get a lot of regular aerobic exercise. We both went for it from day one and got clipless pedals (his are SPDs with wide platforms he could still ride on). Riding the road bike is sometimes a challenge for him and he's not a huge fan of bike wear, but I'm proud that he's willing to go all in and I like having an occasional riding partner.

A friend of mine recently bypassed this issue by buying a bike for her mom as a gift. They picked it out together, but she had recently gone through this process herself (and with her husband), so she kind of knew what she was looking for to start out with. Her mom has started riding regularly, and really likes it.

My husband's mom (50s) has an "average" bike herself, and 2 years ago when the folks from her practice (she's a GI nurse) decided to do a sprint tri, she decided to, too. She was a runner in another lifetime (even while Mr. Colby and his brother were kids), but since then the sprint tri was the thing that really re-energized her into exercising. Now she checks out bike trails and kicks my husband's dad's butt on the bike.

A guy I work with was recently diagnosed with diabetes (was pretty overweight). He started walking to reduce his blood sugar (that plus radical diet changes worked, he was able to go off his meds), but his body started adapting, and he's too heavy to run/jog. He got a bike and he loves it. It's really opened up a lot more options for exercise, and he can tour around without feeling like he's walking in circles. He did ask for advice before he bought his bike (and he listened to it), but the end result was the same -- another new rider, AND, he's lost a ton of weight.

2 years ago, I was pretty sedentary. I have a job that has me sitting on my butt, and I had been for about 5 years since college -- basically as much of a change as going from a non-sedentary lifestyle to a sedentary one. My husband and I started riding to work on cheapie mountain bikes (yes, we fell into that trap, but it's only 6 miles), and it was really a great entry-level exercise for us. The first few times were difficult, but it was nice to feel like you were doing something good. We slacked off, gained more weight, I took up running (maybe not so good a first choice), we started riding to work again, fast forward 2 or so years and I've ran, rode, and swam more miles than I'd care to count, and I've lost upwards of 80+lbs. It is possible to enjoy a mediocre bike, but I consider it a gateway drug.

For my husband, the bike has a low cost of entry. He can get on it, go as far as he wants, and turn around and come home. I love to ride with him, but I'm not so sure he loves to ride with me. I've got him on a 2-3 days a week riding to work (12 mile) plan, and he's willing to consider more. He has a flat-bar road bike (road components and fast tires, just flat-bar). Once or twice he's jogged with me, but it has a very high cost of entry (and that whole "you've ran a marathon" thing works against me).

Good luck, RM. If anyone can teach her to love it, it's you.

[Mr. Bloom]

RM,

Not exactly the story you were hoping for, but relevant nonetheless:

Years ago, we were out riding with the kids and SilverDad (at about age 70) said "I want to ride your bike". I was scared, because he's not very coordinated, but he was determined.

He got on the bike and rode half a block - wobbling and shaking the entire way. I was freaking out.

Needless to say, I didn't encourage him any after that.

Unfortunately, today, he's 80 and often doesn't have the ability to even get downstairs to dinner because his legs are so weak from his sedentary living...and that's using a walker!

We had them in exercise classes at one point, but they didn't stick with them.

I'm glad to see what your parents are doing...and remember, your kids favorite toy is a cardboard box (not the expensive item that came in it) and I bet your parents will love their bikes.

[Pyannyplayer]

Okay, after reading this thread earlier (and coming back to read more!), I decided that I needed to post my "biking story" to maybe put another slant on the subject.

Three years ago, at age 44, I had a health scare which pretty much meant that I had to lose weight and move; I was over 260 pounds, sedentary, and was pretty much told that I would be dead in 5 years or less at the rate I was going. I was one of those people that HATED to sweat and was so much happier to sit and, well, EAT.

As a result, I lost some weight but just couldn't get that "exercise" thing. My dear husband, however, has always been active and is a dedicated bike commuter. His sister, also a cyclist, visits often and he decided to buy a used bike for her to use when she's here. It needed to be easy for her to get on (due to arthritis) and to have wider tires for our gravel roads. Of course, "I" had to test ride it. $75 poorer, we had a HUGE, HEAVY Schwinn lady's bike. I rode a few times with him and really enjoyed biking and spending that time with him(he has the patience of a SAINT and would wait for me.....no matter how many times I had to stop!!). 3 months later I bought a new Trek hybrid (my first brand new bike EVER).

Fast forward to now. I have a Trek 1000 road bike, do triathlons, bike a MINIMUM of 100 miles a week, went from my first "exciting high" average speed of 9 miles an hour to 18 miles an hour, and I've lost the equivalant of a person. My closet has been overtaken by workout clothes and bike jerseys. I may be teaching my courses in them this year!

My husband, knowing my personality, NEVER pushed, NEVER gave advice, and just came along to make sure I was safe and to give encouragement. I will forever be thankful he did that, because I wouldn't be here, with my "sexy biker babe tan" (which he LOVES), without him.

I realize that every person is different, but.....that's my story and I'm sticking to it!

Good luck with your Mom and Dad. Be as encouraging and loving as you can. That is really the only thing you can do.

Lorie