So long , I may have forgotten forgot how to ride.

[Slow Rider]

New here, I am looking at my options, (now menopausal, hip tendonitis, hiking is rough)...to ride or not to ride. I think I am ready to begin again. Is there a thread somewhere which is about Old Rusty Riders coming back into it?

[OakLeaf]

I don't know if there's a thread, but I was one of those. I burned out hard and didn't ride for 12 years. When I first test rode my heavy, long commuter, I felt like I was going to tip right over. But I didn't.

A couple of years later when I got back on a road bike I did have a couple of "newbie" failure-to-unclip tipovers.

Right at the moment, I'm coming back from an injury, so working back into it, but it hasn't been so long that I've lost most of my skills...

How long has it been? Road or off-road? Do you feel you have good traffic awareness skills? It's worth anyone's time to take a LAB skills course, but especially someone coming back to two wheels after a layoff. Just start slow and easy and short, don't worry about trying to ride like you used to - it'll come back.

Welcome to TE!

[Slow Rider]

UPdate : well folks, I *found* my SlowRider bicycle amongst things in the shed, found the pump, aired up the tires, checked the brakes, oiled the chain. Now I am going to have to look hard for something to ride in, which fits !!! I hope this is the last time I'll have that problem. Ever.

ps. I will post when I get back from my first wee little ride, in the next hour or so.

[Slow Rider]

OakLeaf, I didn't see your post when I just updated the last. Actually, I lied, I'm not entirely new, I have been here before, a long time ago. New life, new email address, new identity. But, I am a returning rider, have ridden lots a long time ago, (10years?) both road, off road, and commuter. I am going very slooooow (thus the new identity !) and easy. I have hip problems which make even hiking kind of problematic, so I think I'll mix it all up now... a little hiking, a little riding. I'll be happy if I log 3 miles... seriously .

I don't know if there's a thread, but I was one of those. I burned out hard and didn't ride for 12 years. When I first test rode my heavy, long commuter, I felt like I was going to tip right over. But I didn't.

A couple of years later when I got back on a road bike I did have a couple of "newbie" failure-to-unclip tipovers.

Right at the moment, I'm coming back from an injury, so working back into it, but it hasn't been so long that I've lost most of my skills...

How long has it been? Road or off-road? Do you feel you have good traffic awareness skills? It's worth anyone's time to take a LAB skills course, but especially someone coming back to two wheels after a layoff. Just start slow and easy and short, don't worry about trying to ride like you used to - it'll come back.

Welcome to TE!

[TigerMom]

Take your time. I started riding 20+ years from childhood. Boy was I wobbly the first month, even on my hybrid. I also fell several times. Luckily, I have rock hard bones. Now, I am clipless on a road bike. Still fell 2 weeks ago because I am clumsy. Most people fall a lot less than I do, even if you have not ridden a bike in years. You can always start with your seat lower than before (make sure to mark your original seat height with tape/marker before you lower your seat) so that your feet are closer to the ground, and then raise up your seat more as you get comfortable. Once you are comfortable, you can decide if you want to go clipless.
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2012 Specialized Amira Elite, upgraded carbon handle bars, Jett saddle 143mm switched to 145mm 2012 Selle Italia Max SLR Gel Flow saddle

2011 Specialized Ariel Sport,suspension post,Serfas Rx Women's Microfiber saddle

[Amira]

As another over 50, post menopausal, hadn't been on my bike in, uh, years type, I started out a year ago huffing and puffing at a very slow pace around a 9.7 mile loop here in town. 35 lbs later, my sister and I just finished a 72 mile ride around Lake Tahoe. Yes, you can get back on your bike and have more fun than you can imagine. I've met so many great women, in their 50's and 60's, out riding. Go, girl.

[tealtreak]

ditto! I just started back when I was 48- now 51 ....and have met so many older folks (both genders) who love this sport! (: It is so much easier on the joints than running- and very social (:

[malkin]

I was ok on the back of the tandem, but I used to kind of panic and hyperventilate on my single bike, especially when a car would pass me on the street.

Hang in there. Push yourself just a little bit. Take lots of breaks. Drink your water. Have some fun. Go lie down if you are flipping out. The ice bag is your friend.

Oh--and keep your tires pumped up!

[Slow Rider]

Thanks girls. It means so much to me to come here and find some cameraderie, especially from women in menopause. (but thanks to all) So I did do that ride, lets see, monday of LAST week. (by the way, I rode a lot further than I expected,with only saddle soreness, not majorly sore anywhere else). Now Friday of the following week (today) my saddle-soreness should be all gone. So today I get on and ride for the second time. Yay !

[Slow Rider]

Thanks girls. It means so much to me to come here and find some cameraderie, especially from women in menopause. (but thanks to all) So I did do that ride, lets see, monday of LAST week (by the way, I rode a lot further than I expected, 6 up & down miles, with only saddle soreness, not majorly sore anywhere else). Now Friday of the following week (today) my saddle-soreness should be all gone. So today I get on and ride for the second time. Yay !

[Catrin]

Thanks girls. It means so much to me to come here and find some cameraderie, especially from women in menopause. (but thanks to all) So I did do that ride, lets see, monday of LAST week (by the way, I rode a lot further than I expected, 6 up & down miles, with only saddle soreness, not majorly sore anywhere else). Now Friday of the following week (today) my saddle-soreness should be all gone. So today I get on and ride for the second time. Yay !

Yippee! I hope you had fun