Meeting women my own age/interests

[colby]

I have this problem, too. Even if I share interests with people I work with (married or not), I just can't make the leap to hanging out with them outside of work, it almost feels like asking someone out on a date. With co-workers, starting with getting lunch or going out for coffee is my go-to. I have to admit I've had more trouble with women than men, I share obvious common interests with more male co-workers (and I work with 90% men). I also share your fear with cycling/running clubs not being my speed, literally or figuratively. At some point, I think you have to take a chance, one way or another. Don't exclude married co-workers, try the cycling or running club, try a new class, try a meetup or something new around another interest you have.

Maybe we should start a support group, I'll join. Once a week, stick your neck out, try to make a new friend. Just one thing. One week, I checked out the local triathlon-oriented bike shop just to see what they had. It was super passive, but I wanted to get a feel for whether I'd fit in. Someone in the elevator of my condo building was very reassuring about trying another local womens ride, saying it was very friendly to new folks (apparently she sensed my trepidation). This week, I'll have the same bike shop rebuild my bike that I'm shipping and see what strikes up from that. Baby steps.

[solobiker]

Welcome to the Denver area!! All the above ideas sound great.. I am not one to participate in group activities..as you can tell by my name so I do a lot on my own or with DH. There are lots of groups out here though which may help you out with what you are looking for. I would offer to ride with you but I have not been on my bike since the end of June due to back issues. I may try to get some riding in pretty soon to see it feels.

[VeganBikeChick]

Thanks so much to everyone for your ideas. Unfortunately i dont have internet so i dont get onto TE nearly as much as I'd like . Jess, I'd love to join your running group. I just signed up for a 10k and need all the motivation i can get.

I will definitely put into motion the ideas you all have suggested. Thanks again.

[Catrin]

I hear you, I have the same problems meeting other women close to my age and interests. It doesn't help being shy in person, though that might sound odd coming from me. It is hard for me to break out of my routine and get out there to meet new people. What has been interesting to me is recently I've been meeting younger women (30s) with similar interests with whom I seem to be making better friendship connections than women closer to my age. These women have children and are not single, but their interests are closer to mine than most of the 50ish year old women I know.

One exception was a woman I met recently who wants to mtb with me since she figures her children are now old enough to take care of themselves if something happens to her on the trail! Her comment opened my eyes to a few things. Not being a mom I hadn't thought about it that way but given my own injury rate on the trail (and the whiplash injury last year could have been far worse, as bad as it was). She is my age and wants to start mtb racing next year. I told her I would be her cheering section

[missjean]

I hear you, I have the same problems meeting other women close to my age and interests. It doesn't help being shy in person, though that might sound odd coming from me. It is hard for me to break out of my routine and get out there to meet new people. What has been interesting to me is recently I've been meeting younger women (30s) with similar interests with whom I seem to be making better friendship connections than women closer to my age. These women have children and are not single, but their interests are closer to mine than most of the 50ish year old women I know.

This issue is something that has been on my mind lately, and it is good to see that I am not the only one who is having this problem. I've even thought about starting a Meet Up group for active woman over 45, but I just don't have the time.

[indysteel]

I haven't paid much attention to my friends' ages relative to mine in a long time. I have only a handful of friends who are also in their early 40s. The rest of my friends are in their 50s and 60s. And my husband is in his early 30s. Age matters less to me that compatibility.