Tulip--I agree with you. They are different paths, each with their own rewards.

When I started cycling, I didn't know any women my age that rode. I did most of my riding with the guys. The women I did know that were riding were all in their 50's and their kids were in college or grown adults.

I really wanted to pursue racing, but I didn't know how. At the same time, I kept thinking that if I have children now (as opposed to putting it off for 5-10 years) I can look forward to returning to riding in my 40's and 50's.

It wasn't until the last 3 years where I've met some great women my age that are racing and love the sport. I do think that if I knew them before I had my first child, that I may have decided to wait awhile on children . . . but I don't regret the decision I made.

I need to make some friends that are in a similar place that I am. But everyone I know that has kids are inactive or they go to aerobics at the Y twice a week. I wish I had some friends with kids that also liked Adventure Racing and Mountain Biking and riding centuries! That would be awesome.