Yrs. on bike & what keeps you there

[RoadRaven]

but this forum would be super helpful if you could jot down:
Number of consecutive years you have been regularily cycling.
Your age
What keeps you on the bike
If you have lost weight, what was it and kept it off?

Q1.
I cycled as a teenager, and then not again til I was 39.
I have been cycling for three years and three months.

Q2.
I am now 42 1/2 years

Q3.
I like feeling fitter (I have never been physically fit in my life - I was the kid who wrote herself notes and forged parents signatures to get out of physical education at school).
Its a family thing - we all do it to some degree
My partner is passionate about it and I am grateful I became interested - it is good to have another thing to share
I have found out I am competitive and I love racing - albeit at club level only
I am addicted

Q4.
In 2004 I was 113-115kgs
In 2005 I lost no weight but dropped two dress sizes over the year
In 2006 and 2007 I lost a few kgs steadily
By Jan1 2008 I weighed 99kgs.
I hope to keep losing weight slow and steady and be down to about 90 kgs by the end of the year.

Good luck with whoever reads this thread. Weight loss is a slow process, and remember as you get fitter you build muscle and although you are losing fat, the increased muscle weighs more than what you lose. So initially you may not notice a difference on scales - see what happened to me in 2005.

Be patient and kind to yourself and celebrate all successes.

[spokewench]

I started riding in either 1986 or 1987 (I'm getting so old I can't remember any more).

I am now 47 years old will turn 48 in mid year, so I have been riding over 20 years. I do not ride as much as I used to, but I still ride quite a bit. I used to race a lot, both mountain and rode racing, some 24 hour racing and cyclocross thrown in there for good measure.

Now I just ride for fun - not that racing wasn't fun, but it was also a lot of work too and kept me from doing other things in life - so now that I am older, I like to balance my life a little better; so I ride, play tennis, work, hike, camp, take trips with my hubby on the motorcycle, hang out more. So, what keeps me riding is a lot of things. The fact that it helps me stay healthy and fit, along with eating well. The fact that is really a fun activity, outdoors in the sun which is where I really like to be. It enables me to see and visit places in a different way - you really get to see the trail and cover some miles if you are mountain biking, you really get to see the scenery and enjoy the culture of where you are riding through. The cameraderie with others who ride and have similar life styles is also great too.

Have I lost weight - well no - I was not really overweight when I started riding over 20 years ago. I was 27 and weighed 110-115 pounds. So, unlike many here, I have gained weight. I now weigh around 120-125 pounds. I actually raced better at 115-120 pounds than I ever did at 110. There was just not as much muscle at 110. I wouldn't mind losing a few pounds, can't ever get below that 120 mark it seems any more, but I'm happy with my fitness, my eating habits and my body so I guess a couple of pounds really isn't all that important.

Spoke

[tulip]

I have been riding for 33 years, with a few years of not riding much in my 20s. I'm 40.

I rode bikes as a kid to get around independently, so say, starting when I was 7. I continued, racing BMX when I was 11-13. I got my first road bike when I was 15 and toured through France for a month with a group of kids my age.

I continued to ride, and began racing in college both road and MTB. This was in the 80s, so the MBT scene was still new on the east coast. After college I continued to ride recreationally for a few years. There were a few years that I hardly rode at all, though. Then in grad school I took it up again for transportation.

I moved to DC and started commuting to work in 2002. Riding has kept weight off, as has pilates.

I ride because I can. I ride because it's fun. I ride because I hate driving in traffic, and I hate waiting for the bus. I love the pace of a bicycle. I love touring and seeing things that you don't notice from a car. It's made my life so much richer than if I were to simply drive to a gym.

It's kept me happy, too. It's freedom.

[roadie gal]

Number of consecutive years you have been regularily cycling.
Your age
What keeps you on the bike
If you have lost weight, what was it and kept it off?

I've been cycling regularly since 1986. I got a mountain bike to ride with a guy that I was interested in. (He was a mountain bike racer.) Then I got a road bike to improve my endurance for mountain biking. I fell in love with road riding.

I'll be 49 in exactly 2 weeks.

I love biking. I usually ride alone and I love the solitude and the chance to push myself. But when I do get the opportunity to ride with friends, I love that, too. I had to slow down a few years ago due to some health issues, but now I'm back up to speed and doing triathlons as well as riding.

My weight has been stable at around 145-147, although my fitness has improved tremendously.

BTW, it didn't work out with the guy. I am indebted to him for getting me into biking, though.

[smilingcat]

# 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

[MillieNZ]

but this forum would be super helpful if you could jot down:
Number of consecutive years you have been regularily cycling.
Your age
What keeps you on the bike
If you have lost weight, what was it and kept it off?

I'm 37...... 38 in March....

I really love cycling out on a ride on my own or couple of friends........ I love challenging myself....... for years I was very competitive eventing my horse all round the north island, when I put her in foal I need something to replace that and found that with cycling the only person responsible for how far & howwell I cycle is myself and I enjoy that responsiblity (it made a refreshing change from horses where it was easy to blame the judge, the horse, other people, the gear etc ).......... I'm not confident cycling in groups but that will come.... at the moment it's summer in NZ and I'm wanting to spend every minute outside on my bike I'm planning on doing some bike rides this year like the Lake Taupo challenge.............(does that give me the reason to buy that lovely Ruby Pro I keep drooling at in the LBS ???!!!! ) I also found that people who cycle have been far more socialable (in person & on the 'net)

I've lost 5kg since last May, but my fitness level have considerable improved .... I also run, weight train & swim when i can..........and also want to do more hiking........

[lauraelmore1033]

I'm 44 and will have been biking for 2 years this march.
I keep with it because it it is so much fun. If weightloss were the only motivation, I'd have ditched it in the first month when I gained 9 pounds or so (without a change in eating habits). That first nine was joined by a second nine in the next couple of months, but I could tell I was getting smaller. I'm sure that quite a bit of that must have been muscle gain. Those pounds did eventually come off plus another 20 in the first year. Another 10-15 pounds came off this year, but the holidays were brutal since the weather was bad enough to interfere with riding (and the family situation has taken some depressing turns). I'm actually at the point where I don't care if I lose another pound (even though I need to lose at least 60). I ride because I love it.
I also ride with a group of people that I really like, which is helpful on those cold, dampish days when I'm balking at donning all those layers necessary to brave the weather

[TsPoet]

Number of consecutive years you have been regularly cycling. 5
Your age 41
What keeps you on the bike: I love the feeling of it (freedom, wind through the air, the positive psyche it gives me), and see the next answer
If you have lost weight, what was it and kept it off? 50 lbs, I've gained 30 back in the last 2.5 months I haven't ridden! I had kept it off for nearly 4 years.

[sundial]

Wow! You guys are an inspiration, especially with the weight loss. Keep up the good work everyone.

[nonsmoker3]

Years on bike - 1 year and 2 months. Bought my first bike at a yard sale for $15. Rode it to death, literally. I named it Barney because it was big and purple. Everyone laughed at me but I loved that bike. I still have parts of him for sentimental reasons.......

I am 46.

My DH got tired of being left at home when I rode and took it up. He is now a bigger bike geek than me! We have a blast riding together.

I ride because I can. I may not be the fastest or the strongest, but I am able to get out there and ride. For that I am grateful. A couple of years ago there was question because of health. Look at me now!

I haven't lost an ounce because of riding but you should see my riding thighs!!

[ChickWithBrains]

Like a lot of folks, I had a bike as a kid, and tooled around my college campus on a bike because I liked a few extra minutes of sleep despite early morning courses on the other side of the campus. I took up cycling more seriously 2 years ago because my husband, a former high-end cycling tour guide, and his friend, began to train for triathlons. I found a sprint length that didn't sound like it would kill me... and was hooked. I'm 31.

I weigh 5 lbs less than when I started but my body has changed considerably. My calves have definition like I have never seen before. I have muscles in my legs which I notice most when in the tub shaving -- in funny places, like over my bent knee and the back of my thigh. My abs are sleeker and my endurance is far better. I do triathlon to add weight-bearing exercise to keep my bones healthy, but I exercise to keep my heart healthy. I want to see my kid's kids, and I don't even have kids yet!

My mental health is far better when I ride than when I don't. I don't snap at people, hard problems get solved with less frustration, hard conversations are less biting and hurtful. I love to watch the world go by and when it's a great day I love seeing how high I can make the numbers on my wattmeter go up. And my husband, who never dreamed I'd pick up anything like this and run with it, thinks it's really sexy.

[crazycanuck]

Number of consecutive years you have been regularily cycling. Four years

Your age 35

What keeps you on the bike-It depends on which type of cycling i'm doing @ the time. I like to the fact I can jump on my road bike & wander round the city and the countryside and do whatever distance I can. I get the feeling of achievement when I can do a 200km ride or a fast 50km. I also mountain bike and it's so nice to not hear cars ahh. It's cool biking past Kangaroos, blue tongue lizards and other creatures.

Cycling is just an awesome activity. Don't worry about injuries you'll recover

If you have lost weight, what was it and kept it off? I am not sure how much i've lost but i used to be a size 16, almost 18 (NZ sizes) and am now just about a size 12. I feel much better about my body shape when I cycle or swim

Get out there and ride

[lauraelmore1033]

Another thought to add:
We recently saw a comedian who said prozac made her feel less "stabby". That is a word I'd use to describe certain downturns in mood I have as well, and I'd also say riding makes me feel less "stabby" too.

[Starfish]

I turn 42 this month.

Been riding for about 5 years now. Before that, not since I was in grade school.

Why? I trashed my knee running in college, and spent a lot of the next 10 years or more out of shape. Got my first bike after giving up my horses...found the freedom was the next closest thing.

Why do I keep it up? I love the combination of training goals & achievement, coupled with the joy, freedom and endorphin rush of working out, outside.

Weight loss? It goes up and down, depending on my eating. But, my legs and butt have really firmed up, and my body image has really improved since I've discovered my body can carry me up and down mountains all day on my bike, regardless of how it looks.

[MomOnBike]

Age: 53

How long and why:
Long answer: Um, I didn't get a driver's license 'til Elder Daughter was a year old and we lived in the geographic center of nowhere. Until that time I rode my bike whenever I wanted to go anywhere. I was much thinner then...

While living the homestead life, I gave up on riding, but managed somehow to stay active and busy.

We moved to the Big City and my weight ballooned. I blame the car. One day for grins I asked an RN at work to take my blood pressure. She turned white and sent me home with instructions not to stroke out on her.

Not long after I pulled out the old Raleigh and started amazing treks of up to 3 miles!!! One thing led to another and I bought a recumbent to take pressure off my hands and so I could tour.

Short answer: about 5 years - to stay alive.

Why continue:
To stay alive. Not just the body, but the mind, too. I'm happier when I ride, get more done, all that. I'm just more ALIVE. And then there are tours. To my mind there is nothing better than getting on a bike and going somewhere new. It's a feeling of freedom I can't get any other way.

Weight loss:
No. (great big sigh) I used to think that if I just rode 10-30 miles a day on a regular basis, weight would just fall off. Not off my body, it doesn't. Of course three (3) sedetary jobs have nothing to do with the weight loss problem. And don't give me the "fat weighs less than muscle" speech. Weight is weight. If you don't believe me, just ask my feet. Yes, I'm frustrated with my weight. At least when I ride I don't gain more.