Very frustrated and sad (longish)

[Selkie]

Don't be so hard on yourself. Getting to know you from your posts, you seem like a genuine, kind person. No artifice or pretense (in my book, that's a very positive attribute). Now you just have to see that in yourself.

You're a "real" cyclist and you definitely are not a "poser." Try not to worry about what other people think and just enjoy your time on the bike. If people give you a hard time about superficial things (clothing, equipment, etc), they probably aren't worthy of your company.

And Gray, in Morgantown, anything goes (if it hasn't changed too much since I graduated in '85).

[Duck on Wheels]

Hi there! I kinda feel like we're soulmates, or ... næh, more like I aspire to being your soulmate. I'm doing the Lifecycle for the first time this year, and most of my cycling gear will be hand-me-downs from my sister and daughter. My first longish ride was a 100k on a comfort bike. I shipped the bike to my sister who took it to her LBS for assembly and fine tuning. They took one look at it, said "The Cinderella Classic on THIS? I give her one hour!" So she wheeled around and took it to her other and more favorite LBS, where they said, "Hmmm. The Cinderella Classic on this. OK. Let's see what we can do to make it doable for her." They switched me from big knobby tires to medium-narrow slicks and I did 42 of the 62 miles in the worst weather that ride has had in its 30-year history (hail, headwinds, and stinking dead skunks on the road). That was my first ever ride more than to and from work or toodling at snail's pace through the countryside on a Sunday. This year I'm signed up for the California ALC I've got a lighter, more efficient bike (though still a hybrid, and not a very expensive one) and a few more pairs of cycle shorts. I've also dared, for the first time ever, to use some hand-me-down lycra shorts (being middle-aged with the "spare tire", an ostomy bag, and various aches and owies to prove it, I've only gone for baggy shorts before). I probably look pretty dorky, but I'm finally at the point where I consider myself a cyclist and don't care. Well, as for the right to consider oneself a cyclist, you're doing more miles a day than I am at this point. YOU ROCK!!! You'll do great on the Lifecycle, and I bet you're an inspiration for many on the road already! You certainly are to me, and I haven't even met you.

[GraysonKelly]

Hi there! I kinda feel like we're soulmates, or ... næh, more like I aspire to being your soulmate. I'm doing the Lifecycle for the first time this year, and most of my cycling gear will be hand-me-downs from my sister and daughter. My first longish ride was a 100k on a comfort bike. I shipped the bike to my sister who took it to her LBS for assembly and fine tuning. They took one look at it, said "The Cinderella Classic on THIS? I give her one hour!" So she wheeled around and took it to her other and more favorite LBS, where they said, "Hmmm. The Cinderella Classic on this. OK. Let's see what we can do to make it doable for her." They switched me from big knobby tires to medium-narrow slicks and I did 42 of the 62 miles in the worst weather that ride has had in its 30-year history (hail, headwinds, and stinking dead skunks on the road). That was my first ever ride more than to and from work or toodling at snail's pace through the countryside on a Sunday. This year I'm signed up for the California ALC I've got a lighter, more efficient bike (though still a hybrid, and not a very expensive one) and a few more pairs of cycle shorts. I've also dared, for the first time ever, to use some hand-me-down lycra shorts (being middle-aged with the "spare tire", an ostomy bag, and various aches and owies to prove it, I've only gone for baggy shorts before). I probably look pretty dorky, but I'm finally at the point where I consider myself a cyclist and don't care. Well, as for the right to consider oneself a cyclist, you're doing more miles a day than I am at this point. YOU ROCK!!! You'll do great on the Lifecycle, and I bet you're an inspiration for many on the road already! You certainly are to me, and I haven't even met you.

Thank you for saying that. I hope your ALC experience is everything you want it to be. Please keep me posted on your training and stuff and let me know what you thought when you're done. Maybe we can inspire each other and maybe we'll meet at ALC one of these days. Have a great day and thank you again. Hugs!
Gray

[GraysonKelly]

Thanks everybody for your support. I was just really having a down day yesterday. I went to the bike shop again and while they are really nice guys who are willing to listen, they are still pushing all this stuff on me that I either don't understand it's purpose or can't afford and they don't seem to get that. I understand that they run a business, but it's just frustrating. And these people that I contacted about maybe joining their group ride were not all that encouraging when I told them what bike I rode and that I'd never ridden with people before (except when DP and I go to the rail trail). Anyway, thanks again for all the support and help ya'll have offered. I appreciate it very much. As far as my shoes go, they are Sixsixone and I'm not sure they make them anymore. I will have to figure out what "model" (?) they are, first. I was actually wanting a new pair anyway, something that I can walk in as well as ride in. it's funny, I haven't fallen off the bike or had any major incidents since I started riding again, but I've fallen down the steps twice in those shoes. Again, thanks to all of you. I do feel better and have regained some of my "This is my thing. I love doing it. So I'm gonna do it my way." attitude, so thanks for reminding me.
Hugs all around!
Gray