Total Cycling Newbie

[Biciclista]

oh no, there have been lots of us. I'm 57 now and started training when I was about your age.

[kimikaw]

Catrin,

Welcome. I turn 50 in March, and just bought my first "real" bike. So, nope, you're not the only one - there's plenty of us finding biking (and in my case fitness) as we hit 50!

Kim

[Catrin]

Thanks for the kind words and welcome. I have spent far too many years in front of a computer (being the resident computer nerd in my office) and this is my campaign to spend only as much time in front of any of my computers as needed, and to spend more time in the fresh air and to get more in tune with my body

I do have a couple of friends who think that I am cracked for even considering this, one of which is trying to convince me that I am going to get robbed and beaten if I ride a bicycle... I've told her that she can come ride shotgun if she likes!

[Kalidurga]

Where the heck do you live that you'd get robbed and beaten if you ride a bike??

[Catrin]

Where the heck do you live that you'd get robbed and beaten if you ride a bike??

It isn't the place where I live (Indianapolis), it is just this person is always thinking about such things, and she thinks that I am being foolhardy. Personally I can hardly wait until March

I have a goal of going on the local NITE ride in late June - a local 20-mile ride that happens at night. I will have to do a LOT of practice to be safe to ride around others by then - I don't have to be the fastest person on the ride, just be able to go in a straight line for 20 miles!

[Zen]

Is this friend by any chance named Debbie Downer?

[PamNY]

I returned to biking at age 57, and I'm loving it. My friends think I'm crazy for cycling at all, cycling in certain neighborhoods, and cycling in winter. Of course I'm healthier and stronger than any of them, and I eat like a teenage boy with no ill effects. So.

I'm sure you will enjoy yourself when you cycle, and you will find lots of good advice and support here, as I did. This group is a great antidote to any negatives you might encounter, and I find it very inspirational to read about other women's adventures. I'm looking forward to some night rides as well, and I'd love to hear about yours when you do it.

Pam