# years consecutively?: rode trainers when I was 4, 5, without trainers at 6 stopped riding till about 10 then back on the bike till about 17.

From 17-25 years of age just sporadically in NYC. Wasn't very safe back then.
26-43 rode more less regularly, burnt out of riding once or twice from being overly competitive. When I wasn't it was a better thing for me mentally and emotionally.

Then I had my second major accident during a training ride with a team. And I thought I retired all together from riding.

Last year I turned 49. and I re-discovered the joy and my passion, riding a bicycle. So I'm back riding again. But no racing or serious team riding. Besides I'm way too slow now.

What keeps me on my bike?

Riding my bike allows me to see the countryside in peace and tranquility, I've seen deer up close, I've seen other wild creatures doing their own thing. I can stop whenever or wherever (well almost), to walk over to a creek to look at a fish, look at the birds, to smell and see everything wonderful around us. When you are on your bike you realize HOW MUCH you really miss seeing, smelling, and touching the real world. In a car, you can't hear because of th car noise, you can't smell because of the exhaust, you can't see because you are going too fast or you are driving. The short 5 mile ride out on the countryside on a bike is worth far more than a 100 miles of scenic drive in a car. On foot I can't walk far enough to do these things.

The other reason is: I'am fit probably in better health than those 20 years younger than me. I don't have bone loss problems, my sense of balance is still really good. I say these things because I do not wish to become like my mother who is frail. my HDL/LDL level is super good, my BP is 90/65 or there abouts. With the exception of poor eyesight, I'm doing extremely well. And I can pass for a woman in thirties well I like to think that.

my weight?: I'm just shy of 5' 4". I weighed around 106 pound till college then first year I balooned (the freshman spread). Then next few years, my weight varied anywhere from 106 to about 116.
in mid-30's my weight had gone up to 125
in mid-40's my weight went up even more to 130
when I stopped riding my weight jumped to 145-147 and I haven't lost any of it yet. Well I just started to ride in earnest so check back with me in about 6 month. I would like to be less than 140lb. I'm just wayyy too heavy. It's not comfortable.

Well if its not cycling do some other exercises. go outdoor and walk in a field. Be a kid again and you'll see the joy you have missed.

smilingcat