Quote Originally Posted by runnergirl
I'm totally cool with riding with older women, my coach is much older than I am, but I'm worried about how the other women might feel. I was planning on having something social/educational afterwards. How would you feel about learing something mechanical from a youngin?
I'm 40, and just took a bike maintenance class at the local u. The teacher was a college student (male), who had been working at repairing bikes for at least 5 years during school and over the summer. Our class was 8 people, at least 4 of whom were over 40, I'd guess. None of had problems learning from the "nice young man" as I jokingly put it to my mother! It was clear he had the qualities needed to run the class: (1) the technical knowledge (2) the ability to listen (3) a positive attitude for taking *Us* seriously (4) enthusiasm. I was a little worried about if he'd take me seriously, being 40, overweight and new to biking, but we got into some great conversations. He made me feel comfortable enough to ask questions, and we found lots of common ground. If you can do that, all your students young or older will bless the ground you ride on!