What have I gotten myself into?!

[HeatherErin]

Welcome! I'm quite new too (got my bike a little over a month ago) so, I can't offer any 'expert' advice. But I can offer encouragement - keep it up! I was lucky to ride with a fun group this weekend and got in a little hill practice. It was hard, but you just keep plugging away...

[mimitabby]

HeatherErin you are a strong rider! get some miles under your belt and there's NO WAY i will be able to keep up with you. Hope to see you on another ride soon.

and Amyelice, keep on riding and tell us how you're doing

[HeatherErin]

HeatherErin you are a strong rider! get some miles under your belt and there's NO WAY i will be able to keep up with you. Hope to see you on another ride soon.

Many thanks for the encouragement. We will ride again...

**end threadjack**

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

When I first started riding, I did a time trial. I was passed by a lot of people and then, up ahead, in the distance ... lo and behold ... I saw a rider. And I realized I was closing the gap. I mustered up all my strength and finally, huffing and puffing, passed him!!!!

Unfortunately, he had gotten a flat and was WALKING.

I came in second to last out of like 80 riders. I finished ahead of the walker - but not by much

Hey at least he wasn't taking a nap.

[nic840]

I too am 34 and a mother of two girls...I started riding in November and haven't looked back. I had to give up the soccer/running and other high impact pursuits because of injury. The bike has taken its place plus some.

I think the main thing was getting "myself" back after two pregnacies in such a short time. I had to find something that was mine!!! Cycling does that. It gives you the solitude you crave and some of the social aspects that I loved with team sports.

I can't tell you how cool it is to have my 20 month old look at me and say "bike ride day Mom?" or "Mom, Bike fast!" Priceless!!! I hope to pass along the need for athletic and physical pursuits not only for the fitness aspect but for the mental attributes as well.

I do suggest trying to find a clinic or something in your area to get your confidence up. I did one through REI and it made me make the leap into purchasing a bike. (had to make sure my injuries weren't aggrivated by riding) The clinic was pretty basic but it made my riding foundation more solid.
Keep pedaling and just remeber every ride gets easier!!! In a month or two you will be just like the rest of us...buying shorts, gloves, jerseys and sigining up for your first metric century!!!! - Nic

[tjf9]

Another 34 year old mom of two here. (mine are twin boys) I just started biking again about a month and a half ago as a healthier way to get to work. After a couple of weeks, I was having so much fun, I bought a bike trailer so I could take the kids with me on the weekends. Now I find every excuse I can to take the bike.

My other problem is that I'm finding every excuse to buy *stuff* for the bike - and maybe even a new bike! I think that's a good problem to have.

[East Hill]

I was the ringleader on HeatherErin and Mimitabby's ride, and I am used to hills. But I can tell you that when I first started I had a hard time with them . However, since in order to get anywhere on my bike I have to go up and down hills, I learned to deal with them. It actually gets to a point where you LIKE hills, because you have such a sense of accomplishment when you get to the top. Plus, you get to go downhill . Sometimes learning how to enjoy going downhill fast is harder than learning how to get up the hill!

Being in the correct gear is the first step. There's one hill we took this past Sunday which is a bear, because you've just gone downhill (so you are in those big gears) and then immediately start going back up a very steep incline (so you need to switch to granny gears)--those are tough!

East Hill

[amyelice]

I think the main thing was getting "myself" back after two pregnacies in such a short time. I had to find something that was mine!!! - Nic

Exactly!! My girls are 17 months apart, currently 4 1/2 and 6. DH works long hours, not getting home until 7:30 most nights, so I have very little "me" time. The fall looks promising though since one will be in 1st grade and the other in half-day kindergarten...believe me, I'm counting the days!! Hope that doesn't sound harsh, but you other stay-at-home moms will understand!!

I live in north-central Connecticut - do any of you know of any cycling clubs in the area, or how I can find one?

[gingergin]

Just have fun out there and take a lot of pride in every little step of progress you make. That's what I try to do - a couple months ago when I broke my distance of 11.5 miles and went 15 miles, I gave myself a big pat on the back and posted it here so I could get more pats! One suggestion might be to take a class with a local club. I took one last year with MassBike that taught me things I didn't even know to ask about!
Most importantly - have fun!

[nic840]

It sounds like we are in the same sort of situation as far as "me" time. My husband works long hours running a family business. I am extremely fortuante to be able to stay home but it doesn't leave much time for any extra non-kid activities. I have ridden early in the AM but that is going to take some getting used to!!! Its hard to get your blood flowing at 5:30am when you haven't had a full night sleep.
I am so looking forward to the days when they are both going to be in school at the same time for even a short three hours. (I can crank out some miles in that time!!!) I know they grow fast and to enjoy every moment but for me to be able to enjoy every moment I have to enjoy being myself too.
Good luck to you and hope you find someone or a club to ride with. -Nic