Total Cycling Newbie

[Catrin]

I just found this great forum! Not only am I new to the forum, but new to cycling in general. I am focusing right now on spin-cycling for the winter to gain fitness and cardiovascular endurance, but already have my eyes set on a couple of Trek Hybrids that I will choose from come our local LBS tent sale in March. Thankfully my spinning instructor has agreed to come with me to add his input to that of the LBS staff.

Am I the only 50 year old novice cyclist out there? I've had a couple of lessons at my LBS, and I am already hooked

[Tri Girl]

Welcome to TE and welcome to the wonderful world of cycling!!! You're not the only young'in who's taken up cycling later in life- there are many around. I hope you'll find some great advice, tips, and new friends here on the forums!

[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

[Tri Girl]

Oh there will always be people who are the Debbie Downers. One friend I have worries I'll be kidnapped or run over when I ride alone on remote country roads. I have mace, a bike to wield as a weapon, and a legs for kicking. Not saying it can't (and hasn't happened), but I'm not going to worry myself about all the things that can possibly happen. I'm prepared and aware of my surroundings. If anything ever happens to me- at least I was doing something I loved.
Ride on!

[ciao_bella]

Welcome Catrin; I'm 56 and just ordered my first "serious" bike. Well, for me to plunk down over a grand for a bike, now that's getting serious, lol.

Over the past 6 years I've been riding my old Trek hybrid, that mostly sat in the garage for the first 6 years I owned it. After I went through a divorce, I dusted it off and started riding it, but not very often, or for long rides.

In the past year or so, I've hooked up with a group of lady friends around my age, and we've been going out on 25 to 30 mile rides together. We have a blast. That's when I started wishing for a newer, faster bike. I've been getting more and more into it as time goes on.

Ciao