Raven has SUCCESS in a TT at last!

[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

[DirtDiva]

I think about the hurt I put myself through on my personal Thursday night sh!t-I'm-running-late-for-my-bunch-ride-again 8.5km timetrial and cringe about the pain it must take to do 25km 2.5-3kph faster. You're a machine! Winter may have been uninspiring, but the training sure paid off!

32km of rolling hills sounds way fun. Hope it went well.

[Starfish]

Wow, I don't know how I missed this thread, but what an exciting race report!! It is SO inspiring. Thank you for writing...I am really impressed...and encouraged that maybe someday I might try it. Thanks!!!!

[RoadRaven]

Thanks Diva, and Starfish

I am still looking at the stats on this TT... Still relishing it and feeling good about it.

The 32km of rolling hills was a nice ride, thanks Diva - I stopped to help someone with a flat, so not such a good finish result. I came secon in my grade - second to LAST

And thanks for the vote of confidence in my legs - I strive to be a machine - not there yet, but on the way I hope

Starfish, do have a go some day... it is sooooo much fun... particularly the next day after your recovery ride when your legs don't hurt so much, and you can relish the intensity and how far you pushed yourself. I love it (just in case you hadn't gathered that yet...)

I have an 18km TT tomorrow evening... I haven't ridden this course since February this year when I did an average of 30.11km... I aim to crack 32kph... I'll let you know