I am in complete agreement with Salsabike and GLC1968. I'm competitive but will probably not race (never say never), am a bit intimated by the large biking clubs in town as I know many of them race and so I ride on my own. On the other hand, I like long rides at a fast pace and my girlfriends think that 5 miles is a work out . . . so what's a girl to do? While I enjoy solo rides since I can go at my own pace, I'd enjoy riding with other similar-minded women.

I'd love to join a group that motivates, instructs, trains and works with women who are not just casual riders but don't race either. I hope that my comments make sense. I'm also 54, work out on a regular basis, am in decent shape but don't have the need (or desire) to compete.

General skills for biking, encourage (aka motivation) as well as bike maintenance, etc. would be wonderful. I did attend 2 maintenance classes at REI which were helpful but could certainly use more info.

Like others, I'd certainly be willing to help organize and support such a group. In my opinion, I think that there is an age group that could be "tapped" for such bike organizations. Being 54, I am absolutely the only person in my group of friends/siblings, who is so active with biking. If such organizations are put together in various locations/states, I hope that some of the marketing per se would also focus on women in their 50's+ and beyond. Biking is an activity that is good exercise and something that many of us did as kids so it isn't intimidating to resume as an adult. Yet, enouragement, education and a support mechanism would be helpful for many women to begin or resume regular exercise, such as biking. I used to work with a couple of men who are avid bikers and so I learned a lot from them about bikes, maintenance, riding, etc.

Whew, didn't mean to ramble so much but I hope that the information has been helpful. Best of Luck! Now I'll have to check back here more often for updates on this idea . . .

- Vivian