A bit OT - Climbing after a fall.

[Grog]

You did a 950 meters hill twice just to blow off a lil' steam?

No! A 250 meters (elevation)! unfortunately... and just a couple of kilometers - the going up part is about 3-5 km (I should check that out) I wish I had a 950 meters hill anywhere close!!! That would blow off LOADS of steam!!!

Just curious though:

I was discussing with a friend that sometimes cyclists can be somewhat intimidating to other people. I remember, when I was only commuting on a very old bike, thinking that those roadies zooming by were from another planet. People riding 3000 km/year + can't be "real", can they? (well they ARE!!) So, on the dating front, has any of you gals ever experienced guys that were intimidated by the cycling thing? (Not that I would refrain from cycling to prevent that, but I am curious because I know it does happen in the professional field - guys do not always have what it takes to appreciate a girl that's more accomplished in her job than they are). Any thoughts on this?

Of course, I'd rather meet someone who's turned on by this and wants to get into cycling too.

[solobiker]

GROG, I myself have never experienced that. Everyone I have ever spent time with liked the fact that I was independent enough to do "my own thing" and didn't need him to guide or direct me. I used to do a lot of mountaineering and tended to be faster then a lot of our male friends, and they actually were quite impressed. Although I do think I had to prove myself initially as on one of the first days we were set out to climb I could tell they were a bit nervous having a "girl" come along as I would slow them down. Well that didn't happen and actually my climbing partner and i had to wait for them. Well anyway, I think most men would invite an independent women in their lives, and if they don't then I would becareful as you don't want to lose who you truely are.

[swlsue]

Sorry to hear about our break-up.
Big hugs to you today.
It's empowering to ride strong - especailly when life seems out of your control. Good for you

[On_yer_left!]

I'm sorry for the pain of your breakup, Grog -- and you're on the right path. I've found that feeling the wind on my face, the power in my legs, the beautiful Colorado landscape in front of me -- it has the most amazing effect on my perspective. Gives me a little hope where I had none, makes me appreciate what I have and gives me the confidance that I can pretty much survive anything.

More than a year ago, I was a round-the-clock drinker, only able to climb the stairs in my apartment or make my way to a liquor store. I was 30 pounds heavier, and a shaking, hopeless mess. When I got sober, I had hours of empty time my drinking used to take up, I was full of fear of the future and I couldn't sleep -- a common thing in early sobriety. Even tho I hadn't been on a bike in 20 years, a friend talked me into getting one as a 3-month "birthday" present to myself. My fear left me on my bike, hope re-entered my life and after good, strenuous rides, I could sleep again!

Since then, I've put 3,000 miles on my bike -- 3 century rides, a 400-mile tour of the rockies. I've met some amazing people. I have confidance and am even -- gasp -- proud of myself and what I've achieved in a year. Not to say that a bike will solve all your problems, but it gave me a new view of the world and of myself -- something I couldn't seem to get anywhere else.

Hang in there, keep riding, enjoy the views and be proud of your strength.

[LBTC]

Leftie, you've done an amazing thing! Good work! You should be very proud!!

Grog, you'll make it! Keep riding lots and feeling your own power. And I agree with singletrack and others....if the "new guy" doesn't fit....don't settle! Heck, at this point, don't even worry about finding a new guy. You will, when the time is right and the guy is right. If you try to hard, you might do what so many of us do....not see what's right before our eyes, just because we thought it might look different!

Hang on, girl! and ride HARD!

Namaste,
~T~

[Grog]

Oh! Girls, you are amazing, thank you so much to all of you for your kind words and great butt-kickin' comments

I kind of like the idea of a good fit. To say the truth, I am not convinced that such a thing as a perfect fit is possible between a man and a woman (or between any two human beings actually) on all aspects of life, for ever. I guess you must be willing to change your position a bit on long rides and even make readjustments of the components (handlebars, saddle...). But the base must be a very good fit, you are quite right. (Sometimes you change so much that you need a new bike??)

Was this an issue with OldGuy?

Not really as he is from a cycling/sports in general family and I bought my first bike because of him. When I seriously got the bug though I did feel that he was less interested into cycling all of a sudden... That was too bad. It kinda fixed itself when his parents offered him a road bike after he finished an important exam though! Now that we've broken up he wants to keep riding with me because I'm the one with all the cool, fast cycling friends. :P

I have just noticed in general that many men can be intimidated by today's strong, opinionated, often successful women. The number of single, professional women (in law, medicine, universities) testifies for this. So I was guessing that a women who's strong on the bike/in some sport could also be intimidating to some guys who still consider, even unconsciously, the sports territory as theirs. I'm glad to feel supported by you gals on this: I'll stick to my strengths.

--

And Leftie, you rock!!!! I am very glad for you and I'm very inspired by your story.

--

p.s. I'm getting a Velo Bella shortsleeve jersey to celebrate... myself! I'm going to crash my 1500 kilometers goal for the season this week and I still have months and months of riding ahead!

[latelatebloomer]

I love your attitude, and you WILL find someone who loves the way you challenge yourself.

Lefty, thanks for your story. I've faced some of those demons myself, and the wind in my face blows them all away.

On similar vein, any of the other newbies (or you vets, think back, as Miss Tina says, way back!) dealing with their women friends acting weird/fading out as you get serious about riding? I could have picked up a lot worse habit than riding my bike!

[Trek420]

I find that most people, men or women non bikers and casual Sunday-round-the-block-bikers are intimidated by what we do. How many times have you heard something like "you rode WHAT? you rode to WHERE? I can't even ride around the block".

Yep in the wackey wonderfull world of dating it can be an issue. I've heard comments from a date such as "I think you have two screws loose to ride that far". Alrighty then, "check please?"

I think people have two screws loose NOT to bike or at least get some kind of freakin' excersise, hang up the phone, log off and get outside. But maybe that's just me.

I second what solobiker sez "I think most men would invite an independent woman in their lives, and if they don't then I would be careful as you don't want to lose who you truely are." You deserve and *will find* NewGuy who appreciates what you can do and is supportive of that, whether he rides or not. A quality guy would be proud of you whether he waits at the top of the hill for you or (more likely) you wait for him or he's at home fixing the back up bike or cooking the recovery meal.

Meanwhile, get outside and have fun, meet new friends, do things, amaze us all.

Was this an issue with OldGuy?