What got you into biking?

[Lakerider]

I have logged 9960 miles since September 11, 2008

Wow nolemom! 9960 miles since Sept. 11? I've got some catching up to do!

[kenyonchris]

My husband rode, and got me into mountain biking. I was GOOD at it, i am pretty athletic, fearless, and tough. If I am good at something, I work at it. I had a stroke in 2007 (January) and was on blood thinners for almost six months while the doctors tried to figure out why a 36 year old, 12 percent body fat, non smoking, non-hormone-taking healthy woman with no family history of stroke would have a stroke. So, because of the blood thinners, no mountain biking. I was going nuts! So I stated on the road bike then, and was hooked. Now, almost three years stroke free, I do both. And I am FULLY aware how quickly your life can change. For me, it took about two minutes.

[Lakerider]

Now, almost three years stroke free, I do both. And I am FULLY aware how quickly your life can change. For me, it took about two minutes.

Thank God that you recovered!

[Aggie_Ama]

Wow kenyon, that is an insane story. When I was in college my roommate's now husband's sil had a stroke at 34. I never heard the final reason but she was in pretty good health, non-smoker, etc. No warning signs, glad you are back tearing up the pavement and the trails.

I started because I worked somewhere that would pay for charity rides. They sponsored my husband in the ride to Shiner, Tx. It looked fun and I was already running up to 5 miles daily so I didn't think it would be hard physically. I got my first road bikeon our first wedding anniversary and 5 years later I am about to get my second mountain bike and am on my second road bike. I just love that the girl who never wanted to go outside can be covered in sweat or dirt and no longer care. It is liberating. Plus it is a really fun way to sight-see.

[Lakerider]

I just love that the girl who never wanted to go outside can be covered in sweat or dirt and no longer care. It is liberating. Plus it is a really fun way to sight-see.

It is kinda fun to get sweaty and dirty, isn't it! (Never thought I'd say that!)
And wow, what a view!

[shootingstar]

I had a stroke in 2007 (January) and was on blood thinners for almost six months while the doctors tried to figure out why a 36 year old, 12 percent body fat, non smoking, non-hormone-taking healthy woman with no family history of stroke would have a stroke. So, because of the blood thinners, no mountain biking. I was going nuts! So I stated on the road bike then, and was hooked. Now, almost three years stroke free, I do both. And I am FULLY aware how quickly your life can change. For me, it took about two minutes.

Did doctors figure out what caused the stroke? Glad you're around!

Learned to bike at 11 yrs. old. Dropped out of it after 19 for various reasons. Was hankering to return to cycling but had to buy bike, become familiar with bike routes, didn't know how. Coincidentally met my partner a few months later. So returned to cycling at 32.

I wanted to be freer, see more that's what got me into cycling: I don't drive and was walking alot, taking public transit. First it was fitness, recreational , shopping/chores and bike trip touring rides. Started work-bike commuting 1 yr. later. Social circle widened to include more friends that cycle regularily. I was burnt out from other community volunteer work and found the cycling community as a great transition cross-over.

So over 17 yrs. later..am still at it. As many folks know here already, Lakerider, I've been car-free for over a quarter century.

By the way, it's alot easier for car-free me, to bike home 15 lbs. of groceries vs. carrying and walking same weight home.

[kenyonchris]

Did doctors figure out what caused the stroke? Glad you're around!
.

Not really. They did a better job figuring out what DIDN'T cause it. They did a zillion tests on me for everything possible, and kept me on Lovenox, which I injected into my stomach, until they had everything ruled out (I didn't do well on warfarin, the usual blood thinner). Finally, it got chalked up to a "migraine induced stroke", even though I did not have migraines. 200 vials of blood (208, to be exact), one year, 25 lbs, lots of curse words and frustration, and one marriage later, I was back to "normal". It was the first time I have ever been physically sidelined beyond injuries...and it was the worst thing to happen to me. My husband could not deal with the walking, drugged skeleton I was, and I couldn't help it...I was drugged. Yuch.

My neurologist wanted me to be on Topamax forever, it suppresses migraines. But it made me into an idiot (uh, dopamax). It curbs appetite, so I never ate. It kept my heart rate at 155 max, so exercising became a go till I passed out process. UGH. I finally decided that I would stay on the aspirin, lose the Topamax...I would rather risk it.

Cycling became my out. I would pedal, stop, pedal, stop. Thank goodness for it!

[Aggie_Ama]

My neurologist wanted me to be on Topamax forever, it suppresses migraines. But it made me into an idiot (uh, dopamax). It curbs appetite, so I never ate. It kept my heart rate at 155 max, so exercising became a go till I passed out process. UGH. I finally decided that I would stay on the aspirin, lose the Topamax...I would rather risk it.

Cycling became my out. I would pedal, stop, pedal, stop. Thank goodness for it!

Topamax is evil. I felt tingly when they put me on it for my tremors and go paranoid that maybe I was actually having tremors because I had MS. Then my neurologist assured me when I got off the Topamx I would feel alright.

[Grits]

7 years ago a friend invited me to go on a Woman Tours ride of the NC Outer Banks. I did a lot of riding to prepare for that (on a WAY too big mountain bike, LOL). I bought the Terry Classic I rode on the tour, but still didn't ride much at home except to train for the other tour I went on a couple of years later.

Last summer I joined a group of friends who have started riding, got a new road bike after about a month, and have been riding ever since. I rode a little over 1500 miles in my first year. We have added more riders to the group now, including a few guys, and we ride 4 times a week and are preparing for various charity rides and tours between us. I love it, although I am still on my quest for the perfect saddle.

[nolemom]

Lakerider, I kept thinking that my mileage was too high. Figured it out this morning when I let a friend borrow my older bike this morning. The computer was set on kilometers. So......my revised total is 7781. My DH kept telling me something wasn't adding up right with my numbers. I'm still very happy with the mileage, but at least now it is honest.

[kenyonchris]

Topamax is evil. I felt tingly when they put me on it for my tremors and go paranoid that maybe I was actually having tremors because I had MS. Then my neurologist assured me when I got off the Topamx I would feel alright.

It IS evil. It made me, literally, stupid. Apparently it affects the language part of the brain. Suddenly, I couldn't write or spell...and I am a creative writing major! And yes, I was very tingly too until I got used to it...I was on 50 mg a day. I was scared to stop it because of the stroke (it seemed like the lesser of two evils) but finally decided I would rather live one good day than five Topamax ones. And I wanted back on the bike.