I SOOOO need a jumpstart!

[jlnc]

The 30 miler in NC that you mention...is that le Tour De femme in Oct? I am thinking about doing that also. Our LBS (i am in NC) is hosting a weekly training ride for it and they have a beginner group. Does your LBS do group rides? If they do, ask if they will do a beginner ride. I've found it a great way to build my endurance after sitting all winter I also found an article in my Weight Watcher's magazine, which unfortunately i can't find on line, that gives a schedule for training for a 35 mile ride. Basically ride 4 times a week, starting around 30 minutes, and build up a little every week. if i can find the link i will post. Good luck!

[jlnc]

Also, check meetup.com to see if you can find a group to ride with at your level...I find riding with a group is so much better than riding alone!

[FatChickBikes]

Thanks for all the fast replies! You guys were absolutely right-I jumped on and went about 12.5 mph for the majority of the ride. Oddly, my husband also told me I was probably going too fast, but what does he know?

Glory - I do have that book. I bought it when I first started riding. Sounds like I need to dig it up again.

jlnc - Tour de Femme is indeed the ride I was considering. Girl, I live in rural Mississippi - the closest bike shop is about an hour away. Luckily, we have quite a few cyclists in our little town, but they are vastly male and into adventure races and such. Heck, a professional road cyclist lives just up the street from me. But, I can certainly get my hubby to help with the adjustments on my seat. I guess I need to just take it slow and easy for a while and then maybe encourage a few of my friends to try cycling.

Also, I am a nurse practitioner and only live about 2 miles (or less) from the hospital where I work. I think riding to work would be another great way to get some miles in. If I can figure out how to get all the sweat from the MS heat off me when I get there.

Thanks again for all the suggestions!

[Glory]

jlnc - Tour de Femme is indeed the ride I was considering. Girl, I live in rural Mississippi - the closest bike shop is about an hour away. Luckily, we have quite a few cyclists in our little town, but they are vastly male and into adventure races and such. Heck, a professional road cyclist lives just up the street from me. But, I can certainly get my hubby to help with the adjustments on my seat. I guess I need to just take it slow and easy for a while and then maybe encourage a few of my friends to try cycling.

This sounds like fun, even with an 8 hour drive roundtrip. It would probably motivate me to train a little harder and also to spend more $$ on another bike =)

[jlnc]

the closest bike shop is about an hour away. Luckily, we have quite a few cyclists in our little town, but they are vastly male and into adventure races and such. Heck, a professional road cyclist lives just up the street from me.

LOL!

[Biciclista]

well, hey all you gals, WELCOME to TE!
and Fatchickbikes, YOU HAVE started. just get on that bike again. and again and again.

[Geonz]

What they said -- especially about avoiding any comparison to What You Should BE and/or What You Once Were. Practice, with a vengeance, enjoying THIS pedal stroke. If you can get out for ten minutes, that's ten minutes more than staying on your backside. If, like me, you let your mind go all over the place when riding, make up a lovely soap opera story for how bravely you are getting back on the bike after, oh, any made up story you want. Suddenly 5 more minutes have gone by and another chunk of terrain! If it's 10 mph, it takes 6 minutes to go a mile (oh, I also do math while riding...) Program your brain to Think Positive Thoughts and Do that Little Bit -- and then come back and brag that you GOT OUT THERE! I"m waiting to hear...

[jennyrc]

If you want a good book to read - the Noncyclist's Guide to the Century and other road races (even if you aren't intersted in actually doing a race) is very funny and might be good inspiration.