HELP NEEDED PLEASE! Opinions and comments wanted :)

[ivorygorgon]

This is a really interesting thread. I have enjoyed reading it.

I have to say I agree with most of the comments on why younger folks, and I do think it also extrapolates to folks not in their 20s, don't ride.

I want to add modeling though. I think there are probably just not enough good models for women and riding. I know I didn't have ANY women in my life who rode a bike. I still don't personally know any other women who ride. I also think it isn't high profile enough. On the "Family Feud" thread, I had to really think to come up with a name of a famous woman cyclist, and even when I thought of someone, I wasn't sure I wasn't making it up.

One of the reasons I think biking is so much fun, is that I feel so free on a bike. My mountain bike, and my road bike, just infuse me with an emotion or sense of flying and being free. The WEEEEEEEEEEE factor keeps me coming back. It just plain feels good to ride. The fitness is certainly a bonus, but mostly I feel like I need to be fit to enjoy riding my bike. Not the other way around. I don't give a fig about helmet hair - well maybe I give a raisin, but certainly not a fig!

[limewave]

I admit, I've been skimming the responses, but has anyone said:

sore bottom? I hear that ALOT. They ride once and their bum hurts. So they never do it again.

And the bike jerseys/kits are UGLY (not my opinion, but I hear that alot).

And who wants to wear spandex shorts, OMG! Especially if a guy will be riding a foot behind you!!!!

I will never forget the first time I rode with DH and he told me my bum jiggled a lot. It's a good thing I'm not overly sensitive.

[chicagogal]

I too have enjoyed reading this thread. It has made me think back to how I got into cycling when I was in my 20s (it wasn't that long ago, being in my 30s is a recent development

I think that the biggest deterrent to me before taking up cycling was the idea of getting places sweaty and gross. To be honest, that hasn't changed much. Therefore, I don't commute by bike. Cycling is my sport and I am only in a public place after a ride if I am with other cyclists post-ride at a coffee shop, or at the LBS - that is one place I have never minded arriving sweaty and gross, and driving there just seems odd. I'll occasionally bike to the tennis courts (my other sport) but don't really like having to carry my tennis equipment so only do it if I am desperate to get a ride in.

The roads are another problem. Being young, I tend to move around a lot. I got used to biking on the roads in the bay area, and then moved to chicago. It took me some time to feel comfortable on new roads. Partly I didn't know what to expect from the drivers and partly I was afraid that I didn't know the best/safest routes, or that I might get lost in a bad neighborhood. Finding groups/clubs to ride with definitely helped.