Raven has SUCCESS in a TT at last!

[Tuckervill]

Boy that's exciting!! Congratulations!

Karen

[RoadRaven]

Eden, spokewench, saber, MD, Sadie, BM, cat and Margo... I just realised my haste to get off the PC last night (teenage son wanted internet) I didn't say thank you for noticing, reading and responding to my excitement.
And now you too, Tuckervill...

It means alot to me... some of my colleagues at work asked how I went and I said (grinning and trying not to bounce on the spot) I got second!!!

I got smiles and "thats nice/good" comments and that was it.

But I know you gals understand what it means, and when you say congratulations there is a whole lot of knowing and understanding about what achieving a goal on a bike means... whether its a time (like this) a distance or a habit (like commuting).

So heartfelt thanks - this is the biggest thing for me so far (on a bike) this year...

[Tuckervill]

RR, it's posts like yours that suck me in!!!!! I have never competed in an individual sport--I played softball and volleyball in high school. When I read about women like me who do such wonderful things with their lives--women with kids and jobs and past experiences that could have sent them another way altogether--I get so inspired.

I have been changing my direction for the past 5 years or so (really about 14, but that's a long story). I may never, ever compete on a bicycle, except against myself. Just hearing about you doing it makes me think that maybe I could, even if I never do. It's a wonderful thing to think of myself that way. It expands my horizons and enlightens my thinking. Thanks for sharing.

Karen

[Eden]

I have been changing my direction for the past 5 years or so (really about 14, but that's a long story). I may never, ever compete on a bicycle, except against myself. Just hearing about you doing it makes me think that maybe I could, even if I never do. It's a wonderful thing to think of myself that way. It expands my horizons and enlightens my thinking. Thanks for sharing.

Karen

Some of the myths about being on a cyling team or even just racing, (at least in this area) are that you have to be young and you have to be fast. Our team has a lot of people that may never win a race, but they still come out, have a good time and are part of the team. As far as age goes, a lot women don't even find this sport until they are in their 30's or older. (our average age last year was 37 - our oldest member 57 - and one of our older members, in her 50's is also one of our very fast and very competitive ones). This year we even have a mother and daughter both on the team. If you change your thinking away from its about winning races, to its about challenging and improving myself you can have a great time and a lot of good companionship doing it.

[RoadRaven]

Eden has explained well... It is about personal goals, and racing may be part of that - but in order to compete, you don't have to think you have to win the gold...

Thats one reason why I like TimeTrials... its all about me (except for the other weekend when I did better times than my grade-mates and came second )

When and if you are ready, you'll have a go at this... in the meantime, Tuckervill, keep enjoy bikes the way you already do... and thanks for reading my post and for your kind words... I was pretty chuffed with my placing/time (and still am - can you tell? )

[coyote]

Congrats RoadRaven. You are an inspiration!

[RoadRaven]

SheFly... way to make me smile


I laughed out loud and said to my partner "look what SheFly wrote"
He said, wait a minute, I'll be up in a minute" (he was sitting in chair watching telly)
I said, you don't have to, just turn around


And thanks Coyote too, seems weird to be called an inspiration so feel a little humbled by yours and Tuckervill's posts...

I am racing again today, but not a TT unfortunately... it will be 32km of rolling hills by river so I'll be in last today I am guessing
(circuitt race so at least I get to ride both sides of it, it'll be a pretty - if solo - ride)...

But I did get a mention in the Club magazine which comes out at the end of each series... The F grade report says in regard to the Moteo TT on the 17th;
"Raven (sic) made good use of her time trial bike to take second place - her best result this series".

Very chuffed with that

[RoadRaven]

I may never, ever compete on a bicycle, except against myself.

Just re-reading your post and somehow this one line escaped me... see, now you have no excuse not to try a TT.

THIS is exactly what TTs are all about. Pushing yourself to the max to try and beat your own time. You push harder because others are there... but ultimately it is a competition with yourself and there is nowhere to hide. Some people try doing TTs and don't like them at all... but others try and become addicted...

Have a go when you can, Karen, and then come back to TE and tell us all about it

"My name is Raven and I am addicted to time trialling"

[Tuckervill]

Well, the thing is, I don't have any intention of racing ever. But just reading about you doing it makes me think I could. Before coming to TE, it was never within the realm of possibility. That's the change in me that you help make.

But I'll think about this when I get back to riding my regular 20 miler....

Karen

[RoadRaven]

Well Tuckervill... I'm glad you think you could... because of course, we all can

I'm pleased you read about our races even though you don't...

I guess I'm like you - I read the commuting threads, the cyclocross threads and sometimes the tri and mtn bike threads - even though I don't...

If you are ever in Middle Earth though, get in touch... you can come along with me and have a go... I have ridden in the new-comer's grade with several people while they find their way... its as pleasurable and rewarding as racing

[northstar]

Congrats, Raven. I really enjoyed reading your report! Way to go! I am contemplating giving TT a go next summer. You're an inspiration!