Starting Again at Ground Zero ....

[gnGracie]

Welcome and kudos!

Good for you for getting back in the saddle!! You should be patting yourself on the back. I'm a new rider (just started around April or May), so compared to a lot of these ladies I'm pretty sure I'm a pokey butt, but I sure am feeling better and stronger and enjoying my rides. I finally have my ride up to 12 miles and think I avg about 12-13 mph. However, I'm in NW Florida and don't have the mtns and large hills a lot of you ladies have to cope with, so I don't know how much of an accomplishment some people here would consider that; I'm happy with it, though.

[sundial]

HermitGirl, welcome back and please.......don't be a hermit.

You know, this time of year is so spectacular. Lights. Decorations. Gorgeous sunsets. Crisp air. Starry night. There is so much awaiting you if you'll just take that step out the door. Don't be your own worst critic. Get on and ride. Whether it's just down to the end of the road, around the bend, or a lonely back country road, just ride.

[Dogmama]

I have a two year old male Shepherd who INSISTS on his daily walks - so I use his morning walk as a warm up for my bike! When we get home, he gets his breakfast, I hop on my bike and he takes his nap. Everybody is happy!

Be sure you don't push really tough gears on your bike for awhile. Your muscles will get stronger much faster than your tendons & ligaments. Spinning at ~ 90 RPM will exercise your heart, raise your metabolism and keep your knees happy. Intervals are your friend for losing weight. Be sure that you incorporate some weight training and watch your diet. Don't use your cycling workout as an excuse to load up on carbs. As you get fitter, your body will learn to burn fat preferentially over sugar.

And be careful about whining about being "old" - 47 around these parts is just about right!