"over 40"...show of hands?

[annie]

kpc,

Got a question for you. Maybe it's a dumb question, but since I don't know the answer, I'll ask anyway.......... It sounds like you only drink soy milk, right? Do you get the same amount of calcium in soy milk as in cow's milk? I've never tried soy milk, always done fine on the "other mammals" milk. I figure - they're a mammal, we're a mammal, what the heck....... - Just a different way of looking at it, I guess. If soy is really more beneficial, I would be willing to give it a try, however, I count on my milk as part of my daily calcuim intake so would need to know if that would be affected by soy milk. I know soy is supposed to be great for pre-menopausal symptoms but I don't seem to be suffering from anything there yet so it's not really an incentive to go for the soy. Would you share your reasons for using soy? I would truly appreciate it. The thing about the hormones being fed to the cows is a little scary so let me know what you think, okay?

Thanks!

[annie]

Gretchen,

Just re-read your post about hating hills.......Not gonna work, girl! You need to learn to love those hills. They are what will make you a stronger rider. They will challenge you to improve. They will make riding more interesting. Approach a hill as something you will own. By riding up that hill, you have defeated it and it's yours then! You know, if something is really easy to do, the sense of accomplishment is not going to be so wonderful, but those hills, when you get them, you feel awesome! It will happen, but you have to get out and push. It's worth a little struggle and gasping for air and aching legs. It gets better eventually. The hills seem shorter. They never get easy, nope, 'cause when they get easier, we just push harder to go up faster. Duh! But they do end more quickly and you definitely will feel good about how strong you are.

Can you tell I love hills? Didn't always, believe me. I know people think of Iowa as flat - trust me - it isn't ALL flat. I live right next to the Mississippi river and all we have are hills and valleys. It's all up and down. Wonderful training terrain. NOT as good as mountains, but when I've ridden in mountains after training here, I have felt competent. So you make your hill route, when the weather allows. You have plenty of time as long as you keep active all winter. I bet you will find the hills become a great part of your riding.

[gretchen]

re: Hills...
Annie...you've inspired me! No, really! I've always looked at hills as monsters, dreaded them, avoided them, cursed them and hated it when they beat me (as in getting off the bike after feeling like you're going to throw up if you push any more!).
I am psyching myself to look at them with a new approach.

I really can't get over what spin classes have done for me. I"m hopeing that training during the winter adding several more days a week and a much more serious training routine will leave me in the beginning of the Spring where i usually am by the end of the summer. (much stronger).

Ok, bring on those hills!
Thanks! Those pep talks really keep me going.
(although i'm taking tonight off just to be a couch spud in front of the fire...i NEVER do this...just feel the need). : )

[Irulan]

I'd check your basic camping outfitter or army surplus type camping store for cast iron, methinks you'll pay triple at a specialty kitchen shop. You'll need to season it too, and learn to care for it properly.

Irulan

[Debbie Long]

I took Black STrap molasses, unsulphered, from the health store and my blood count was higher than any woman's the Red Cross had ever seen. I also recomended it for my friends baby and his blood count immediately went up. Doesn't taste great but it works.

[repto]

Okay, I ride all the time (daily, in Chicago, year round)... but so does my MOM. She is 80 years old. Mind you, she lives in Florida from Oct to April, but still. Not bad, eh?

Of course, my dad rides every day too. And he's 83. And has had both knees replaced and has had two back surgeries in the last 2 years. Plus he rides a bike from the 1920s!

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pi...&id=1206674480

[Ritamarie]

I'm approaching 50, but I want to brag on one of my best biking buddies who will be 62 Friday. Of course, we're going for a ride to celebrate. She does about 6,000 miles a year. Here is a pic of her taken yesterday on our ride:

[Adventure Girl]

Originally posted by gretchen
Ok, bring on those hills!

Off-topic: That's the attitude! Climb and conquer!
There's a 20-ish mile loop that I do often (mountain bike) that ends with a 20 minute climb. At the bottom you can look up this enormous hill and see this little, tiny "monopoly" size house at the top. And you know that you have to get there!!! I used to hate that climb, but now I savior the victory!

On-topic: I, too, am in the 40-plus class. I started riding when I was in my late 30's and started racing at 40. The over-40 women's beginner's class is an odd group in mountain biking. Most women start when they are younger and are sport level riders in their 40's. The starter at my first race announced our class and said that the term "granny" means something different to us than the rest of the racers...

[Irulan]

Originally posted by Adventure Girl
On-topic: I, too, am in the 40-plus class. I started riding when I was in my late 30's and started racing at 40. The over-40 women's beginner's class is an odd group in mountain biking. Most women start when they are younger and are sport level riders in their 40's. The starter at my first race announced our class and said that the term "granny" means something different to us than the rest of the racers...

so did you smack him?

I won the over 40 beginner's in the only race I ever did, lone class participant

Irulan

[Trek420]

47...wil be 48 on the day of the Cinderella...wonder if they got my registration in time?

[jobob]

That's great, Trek! I hope I can find you in the crowd to wish you a Happy Bday. I'll be near the back

Yow, I just checked the web site ... registration for the Cinderella is closed already! They weren't kidding, were they?

- Jo, who checked her bank account online, and found her entry fee check has been cashed, whew!

[Trek420]

"That's great, Trek! I hope I can find you in the crowd to wish you a Happy Bday. I'll be near the back "

I'll be in back of you ;-)

Just checked my mailbox, no card, guess I'll call the bank.

I'm short, dark haired, glasses and on the round side, will be riding a mountain bike Blue GT Outpost trail with slicks (don't think I'll have or if I do be used to my new bike yet by then)

We can work out the secret handshake if we all get registered.

[Dogmama]

OK, I'll 'fess up.

49. Riding 15 years. Bought custom bike as a present for my 40th birthday & road across Arizona (the LONG way for all of you cynics out there!). Great fun, I did it, can say I did it & never have to do it again! This was before saddles with the cut- outs. That leather saddle got mighty old!

[gretchen]

That is so great you biked across Arizonia!!!...or sorry...the LONG way! ; )))))))
How many miles was that? How long did it take you? What dod you do to train? Any hints, recomentations, warnings, etc...for those us us who like the challange of a loooonnnngggg ride?

Off the subject: I am just not getting comfy on my saddle...
I've been on it about 2 weeks. Do i stick it out or look for another? The problem?...it's the little nerve just below my sits bone on the left side. On my old bike with the "Target Special" seat it would take an all day ride (at least 6 hours) before that little nerve would start to hollar at me. With this saddle it takes about 45 minutes. Oh, its a Dolce with the split back and the hole in the middle. Hmmmmmm. Any ideas.
Oh, another question. What do you do with your "old" bike seats that are really not old at all and look just like new? E Bay?
Thanks! Gretchen

[Trek420]

"Oh, another question. What do you do with your "old" bike seats that are really not old at all and look just like new? E Bay?
Thanks! Gretchen"

I've usualy donated my old saddles to Trips for Kids.

I'm in the same boat with you, the saddle that came with my mountain bike is not comfy since I'm basicly using it to train for longer rides. I'll switch it soon to what I usualy use on a road bike.