Why a women's forum?

[Biciclista]

60 can't be old - heck I'm almost there myself! I'll go out on a limb and say that for the women of this forum 60 is the new 40. There are examples all around here of women doing things in their 50's and 60's that people stopped engaging in during their 40's in years past. Our stories are so inspirational to one another and a big contributing factor for what keeps people around here.

whether you think 60 is old or not is not the point. Go to Walmart where you will see just how old 60 can be.
My point is we aren't laying down and giving up. At TE, this is where you can find self-empowered women who are trying to NOT be old at 60, 50, 40...
and to be healthy at all the other ages..
women that do brevets! what a tiny little group you are!

[snapdragen]

I get what you're saying Mimi, there is 60 years young, and 60 years old. You are in the young category.

I'll never forget the look on my friend Aurora's face when she found out I was the same age as her mom. "But....my mom is old!"

[indysteel]

I get what you're saying Mimi, there is 60 years young, and 60 years old. You are in the young category.

I'll never forget the look on my friend Aurora's face when she found out I was the same age as her mom. "But....my mom is old!"

And that's really the point I was getting at. If "young" women simply used what they saw in the general population to define what being 50/60/70 looks like....well, we'd be pretty discouraged by what was in store for us. To come here, however, and see so many shining examples of women who are defying the perception that any given age is "old" is incredibly illuminating and empowering.

Of course, that same logic applies at younger ages to. When I joined TE at age 36, I was pretty inspired by people my own age who were kicking some serious butt athletically. I'm still pretty inspired (and humbled) by these same women.

[lph]

Their own souls are obfuscated (OH I ALWAYS WANTED TO USE THAT WORD)

That is a WONDERFUL word!

I love your points, both about not overengaging in our kids, and about few hangups about age.

[PamNY]

I find the TE attitude about age -- or lack of attitude -- very helpful. Age comes up occasionally, but no one would even think of using age to define what I can or should do.

I agree with most of the TE positives that have been listed in this thread. The one that was completely unexpected for me is how inspiring I find other women's stories. Many of you (probably most) are going farther and faster than I ever will, but that doesn't matter at all.

Whether it's a triathlon, a mountain biking trail, or transporting a child in a trailer, we are all learning, growing and facing new challenges. I treasure this positive influence in my life.

[Norse]

I originally came here when I was searching for some female-specific advice on bike saddles. I have stayed for many of the reasons already articulated by others. Where else can I come and talk about biking in a non-flaming forum, discuss pets, gardening, food, ... and Diva cups!

[Crankin]

Maillotpois, I always felt "out of it" compared to other mothers. And yet, almost all of the other women i worked with had kids, but they had no other life between their kids and teaching and other family commitments. Heck, if we hadn't found our "cycling" friends, around the time both of our kids had flown the coop, I am not sure we would be able to stand being around our "regular" friends. It's interesting that this couple has no kids; they are younger than us, but we are well matched in terms of what we do athletically. Our other friends "humor" us when talk about our rides, but they are OK with it. Still, it seemed more acceptable when I was running to the gym and it was DH and DS who were riding.
Mimi, that word is awesome. Seriously, one of my non-riding close friends has the same attitude as me regarding the kid thing, but she is overweight and complains about it constantly. The other friend talks about what she "used" to do. I can barely stand it.
The best advice I received from my mom, before she died was to make sure that DH and I developed an interest we could do together. Both of my kids were in middle school at the time and could be left alone finally; she knew we needed more than going out to dinner and the movies.

[lph]

I find the TE attitude about age -- or lack of attitude -- very helpful. Age comes up occasionally, but no one would even think of using age to define what I can or should do.

Actually, more often than not it's the other way round. I see posts joyfully proclaiming "I'm so and so old, and I'm the oldest in my training group/triathlon club/beginners class. How cool is that!". People here revel in finding out how much they can do at whatever age, how they're never too old to try something new, and so many others cheer them on. That spirit is so dominant here that one of the only things that might get you somewhat flamed is saying that you've given up trying to do something. But I think it's just enthusiasm speaking, we so want everyone to feel that sense of achievement.

[Owlie]

I'm in a very different place in life from most of you, so I occasionally feel left out of discussions, but I still feel I can contribute something to the forum...provided the rest of you don't get there first!

I believe I touched on this up-thread, but I'm part of a knitting forum. (SadieKate actually introduced me to TE from over there when I was looking to buy a bike! Thanks SadieKate!) They're a wonderfully supportive bunch, it's a well-moderated forum...but I rarely feel like I can contribute anything. Odds are good that if it's not about knitting (I'm not good at answering "how do I do this?" questions without something in my hand), it's about their kids/grandkids/significant others. It may be that knitting is a more "domestic" hobby than cycling is, but it seems that online, many of these women become entirely wrapped up in their kids or Mothering. It's not my cup of tea at all.

And may I just add to the chorus by saying that you all are inspiring.

[SadieKate]

I believe I touched on this up-thread, but I'm part of a knitting forum. (SadieKate actually introduced me to TE from over there when I was looking to buy a bike! Thanks SadieKate!)

You're welcome! Can you now kick me in the arse to get started knitting again?

[snapdragen]

You're welcome! Can you now kick me in the arse to get started knitting again?

C'mere, I can help with that....

[sundial]

Go to Walmart where you will see just how old 60 can be.

Oh I know what you mean! My area is NOT cycling friendly by any means and by that I mean that there are no lockers to store bikes at work, no bike lanes, roads with big shoulders, etc. There are limited rec areas at the park and very few walking trails so it's no surprise that obesity is on the rise.

[jobob]

Many of you (probably most) are going farther and faster than I ever will ...

Heh. Among the many things I've learned from the TE community is do not underestimate yourself, and never say never.




Great thread, ladies.

[SadieKate]

C'mere, I can help with that....

Hey, invitation only!

[salsabike]

So while Snap kicks SK's butt, I am going to try to answer lph's question, why a women's forum?

I like women, as a gender, and I like men, as a gender. There are individuals of each gender that have traits I don't like much, but they're in the minority. I know a lot of really great women. They don't all have to be cyclists, or even athletes, although most of them want to be active and find ways to be active that they like. I know a whole lot of totally awesome men as well. I am married to one, and most of my close friends also have husbands who are really wonderful. I don't seem to prefer one gender over the other and it bothers me a little when I hear people say that they do, whichever gender it is.

I like this forum because I like women as a group, I guess. I think most of them, whether they like or do the same things I do or not, are interesting, strong, adventurous characters who learn a lot about life and people and themselves over time and thus have a lot of perspective to offer, have varied interests and talents that I like to hear about, and care about the world and the living things in it. Women in a group can be a real force for good stuff. That isn't always true but it often is, and I'm not sure I think that about men in a group.

And I have no idea whether I made enough sense there or not, but it's about the best I can do by way of explanation.