How long have you been riding

[allabouteva]

Hi ladies,

To me TE has been a godsend, because y'all have been so amazing in sharing your collective wisdom, and so warmly supportive!

I'd like to hear how long you've been cycling?

I started riding when I was relatively old about 9, and didn't have my own bike until about 11. Then I stopped riding until my twenties, when I owned a couple of bikes, but didn't seriously get into it. Tried but didn't. Then last year about October, my DH and son got REALLY into MTB, and a couple of family weekends away, got me started and then HOOKED! So now I ride a Giant CRX1, which I bought knowing that MTB wasn't fully my thing, as I wasn't very good technically (although I'm going this weekend!), and I consider myself first and foremost a roadie.

So I've started this thread hoping to hear how long you've been riding, and a bit about your experiences along the journey.

e

[LBTC]

Ah, Eva

What a great thing to talk about!

I think I was 8 when I got on a bike the first time - one that was WAY too big for me! I loved it, but wasn't allowed to ride it in the woods! In Grade 6 I bought my own bike, but my dad talked me into buying a bike I didn't like and very rarely rode.

I think I was about 20 when DH and I bought our first crappy mtb bikes. We still loved riding them, even though they were terrible.

It was a few years later, when we bought real bikes - I think that was 12 years ago or so. Since we started buying good bikes, I've upgraded 4 good mtb bikes and a road bike....they've gotten progressively better, I love buying skill! heehee. I got much more serious about riding in the last 3 years, and hope, if work, health, and finances allow, to do some serious riding and racing this year!

It's been quite a journey, with many ups and downs, not all good, but I believe I'm a better person because of them.

Ride on, ladies!
~T~

[im4smiley]

I remember this tiny bike I had when I was a kid,I was too big for it. Then when I was about 12, I remember my purple bike with the banana seat and the tall handlebars, I used to do crazy things on that bike, pretending I was in a circus. like riding real fast then standing on the seat and kicking one leg out. I would NEVER let my kids do that!! I didn't do much riding again until last summer when I bought a cannondale hybrid h600. I enjoyed it soo much that I sold that bike and hubby bought me my new felt

[makbike]

I can't remember a time in my life when I didn't have a bike, the joys of a large family and lots of older siblings. I didn't really get into cycling until I was in college. My older brother spent a summer in France working and cycling. A rather dishonest person took his bike and he was forced to purchase an inexpensive bike in order to get back to his starting point and in turn home. When he arrived home he quickly sold me the bike for a whooping $12.00. It was a piece of junk but I loved spending time on the bike and exploring various roads and routes. I found that cycling was a great release from the pressures of my college course work as well as a great way to build up my strength and endurance (I was heavy into raquetball as well). I purchased my current bike back in 1986 with the help my brother and rode it until I finished grad school in 1989. Once I started teaching full-time my little blue bike spent a few years tucked away in my garage for I had no time to ride given the demands of my job. However, two years ago I decided it was time to pull it out, dust it off, get it working again and to climb aboard. Shortly after making this decision I met my current BF who just by chance happens to work in a LBS so he helped me tune my bike up, replace some parts and most importantly patiently rode with me that first season back in the saddle as I worked to gain my strength and endurance. I simply can't image not riding now. I so looking forward to dry warm weather so I can leave the confines of my living room and trainer and get back outside to soak up the sunshine and sights.

[Brandi]

I fondly remember when I first started riding. I was 7 it was in our backyard and my dog Surgar was there.it was a bike that I got for christmas. It was purple sparkle paint that fadeed into an orange sparkle paint. THe goose neck was put on backwards. At least that's what all the kids said to me for the four years I had her. Many Many fun times on her. Then i got a 10 speed which got stolen not two years after I got her. My parents were mad and didn't get me another one. I have had three other bikes sence then. I am 37 now and the bike I have now? Well she is wonderful i don't know if I deserve her. But biking has been in my life sence my first big wheel. I did skating for a while after my bike got stolen and skate boarding. I am a true california born and raised on the beaches. But get this have never ever surfed! Boogie boarded though . Biking is # 1!!!

[DrBee]

My first bike was a Christmas present somewhere around age 9. Then I had a Huffy 10-speed when I was in Junior High. I destroyed my knees when I was 14 as a serious ballet dancer (riding horses was also involved). 22 years, 2 knee surgeries and 2 kids later I bought my Trek 7200FX. My DH bought one the same day. That was last summer. I feel possessed by the cycling bug! I love it! And now - I'm searching for my first road bike. EEK! I'm hoping to ride a century and some charity rides next year.

And - I must say that I am so happy to be on the TE forum. Y'all are a fantastic group of women that are unbelievably supportive!

[Gidiup]

I always rode a bike when I was a kid. When I was 12 I bought myself a Schwinn Suburban 10 speed-green, $101.70 in 1972. Riding a bike then always gave me freedom to ride to town or to my friend's house. Once I got my license, I left my bike in the dust of the garage for many,many years. Then in my 30's I went though my second childhood and re-discovered the activities that made me happy as a kid, tennis and biking. My husband gave me a Specialized Crossroads for my birthday. I started riding into town again to do errands. The more I rode, the more I enjoyed it. I bought a road bike to see if I could increase my average speed on my bike rides. I road in some charity bike rides. I've always dreamed of riding across the US. That is still on my "to do list". I always ride alone. That's not my choice just the way it is. I'm having a hard time finding someone to ride with. Although I haven't checked at the local bike shop if anyone else is looking or if there are some group rides available. I'm trying to get my husband into biking. He is a runner and talking about getting into cross training. My plan is to give him my bike, Specialized Allez, and get a new bike. I'd love a Specialized Ruby, definitely interested in a Women specific design bike. This June I look forward to riding in my 3rd MS150 with my friend from CT, Peg.

[uk elephant]

I got my first two wheel bike as a birthday present at the age of 7. Way too big as early bikes often are, but served me well for riding up and down the street or around the school yard. I was not supposed to ride it in the streets, but could walk it to school and then ride around the school yard. Of course I rode it to school anyway. Had a major wipeout on a gravelly path. Lied to my mom about what happened. Broke down and confessed an hour later because I felt too guilty about lying. And still to this day am terrified of riding on gravel. I have of course been riding ever since, although mostly just as a means of getting around. I had a sturdy Norwegian mtb for about 15 years which served me very well. Great bike. Had it's first service after 10 years! Brought me to Hell and back on several occasions (although never in winter when Hell is frozen over). It finally retired after 15 years and I upgraded to a Gary Fisher mtb with slick tires. Perhaps not the best choice when living in the flatlands of Illinois, but it served me very well for getting around. Unfortunately that bike "disappeared" (or more likely got stolen) when I moved to the UK last year. So now I have recently invested in a brand new bike, and have redescovered the joy of riding just to ride. I am now cruizing around on my Specialized Tricross and having loads of fun. I have just signed up for my first Charity Ride and have promised to do the AidsRide next year with Trek420 (my aunt). Perhaps I can even convince my mom (Bikeless in WI) to join in? It could be one of those family bonding things.....

And speaking of cycling. It sounds like the rain has let up a bit outside. Think I will hurry up and get a quick ride in before it starts pouring again.

[MomOnBike]

I've cycled off and on since the end of grade school. (Kind of got a late start)

My clunky old Schwinn girl's bike was at the center of one of the best summers in my life. A bunch of us rode to summer school (Driver's ed, of all things) and then took the scenic route home.

Rode a lot in college, to and from school, when I wasn't hauling a large musical instrument.

We then moved out to the absolute middle of nowhere and the bike just sat.

Now I'm using my bike as daily transportation again, and loving it.

[gromit68]

I just started cycling for exercise and to ride in a Century in June. Of course I rode as a kid but nothing like this. There are times(like this week) when I wonder why I started but for the most part I'm enjoying myself. If I can stop the crashes then I know I will completely enjoy myself. I am loving this forum to get tips and support from other females.

[Aint Doody]

This is really fun! I got my first bike when I was 6 years old. It was blue and had training wheels. I got another blue bike when I was in about the 6th grade. Back then all girls' bikes were blue and all boys' bikes were red. My brother had a red one, of course. I kept that bike and rode off and on through high school--just cruising around town. I didn't ride while in college--not many people at Ole Miss did in the late 60's and early 70's. When I married for the first time, I took my old blue bike with me. It was stolen! Then in 1973 I bought Gertrude--she was a brown Schwinn 5 speed--never did like the color, but she was fine for riding around the South Miss. towns. My 2nd husband had her painted 57 Chevy green--better color. I rode with another friend just around town and to the school where I taught. Then I moved to eastern OR (where my 3rd husband is from!). The hills here were too much for Gertrude--or should I say for me on Gertrude, and she languished in the garage for a few years. Suddenly one day I decided I missed riding my old Gertie and took her with her two flat tires, dust, and cob-webs to the lbs. They advised me to get a new bike. I didn't know what I wanted so I got a mountain bike - to ride around town again. Then I went on an organized ride and decided to sell the mt. bike and get a road bike. The next year I upgraded to my Pilot 5.0 and put 3000 miles on her. Last summer Gertrude went back to the bike shop and got overhauled. She's too much a part of my life to let go. I've put a picture of her in another post. She has outlasted 2 marriages and is working on a 3rd one! Oddly enought my latest bicycle is----you guessed it, BLUE! Ah, the cycle of life...........

[allabouteva]

Ah, the cycle of life...........

That's exactly it! Cycling is one big metaphor for life!

Keep these stories coming! They're fantastic...

eva

[Lise]

Hey, Aint Doody's right, my first bike was blue, too! 1967 Schwinn. Wait a minute...there was that tricycle I fell off of in 1963...I do not remember the color, but there's a picture somewhere...I'm going to find it to share with you all! L.

[caligurl]

well i had bikes when i was a kid.... and even had a cheapie kmart bike that we bought to take on our trip to NY so we could ride around town with my nieces... but as far as seriously riding.... a year and 8 months.....

[Veronica]

Lately I've had a thing for pink bikes. I guess I'm regressing.

Reading about everyone else's bikes, I realized my first bike that wasn't a hand me down, was pink, with a banana seat. I got it in 4th grade. My mom still had it. We found it when we were cleaning out her house this past summer. It must have spent a few seasons outside because it was totally rusted. Thom looked at and said that there was really nothing to save. We should have cleaned mom's house out a few years ago I guess.

V.