"over 40"...show of hands?

[Roadrunner]

I'm just wondering how many of you are the "over 40" crowd?

I'm 46 and I've just started cycling recently. I'm loving it. I did twenty miles on Friday and Sunday. I thought it might feel achy but no I feel great. The only problem todfay is tat it's pouring rain and I want to get out on my bike

[spazzdog]

48... I'll be 49 in Oct.

Working on getting fitness back after 4 yrs as a couch potoato. Goal is to start racing in 2006... yeah, I know. I'll be closing in on 51 in 2006.

[gretchen]

Hey Everyone!
Wow, has it been a long time since i was last on ...about a month maybe?
I'm back from my west coast ride! WHAT A RIDE!!! We rode for 9 days....from San Francisco to Tijuana...about 700 miles.
One of the days, the longest was 112 miles into Los Angeles then another at 98 and the next longest was 84...the last day. THe 60 and 70 mile days seems like a breeze after that! What an adventure it was. And no pain..some exhaustion but no pain. And for anyone in the mid west?...there are no hills here that prepare you for the mountains of the west! WOW are they long...one was 3.8 miles long! OH MY GOSH!
Today i have my bike back together (I had to ship it) and it's ready for my old training route. I can't wait to see how it feels after climbing mountains!
I'm so glad it did the ride and look forward to my next challenge...yet to be determind!
gretchen

[gretchen]

ps...Margaret...
I too am 46..and aside from the little twinges here and there, have never been in this good of shape in my life. I love it!
gretchen

[Barb]

Gretchen WOW!!!! I know whast you mean by no hills. I have to actively search out hills in SE MI. I am so afraid that my first centry will be all hills and I won't be prepared. I picked one in October. People say no hills but VERY windy. Oh well, I turn 41 in October and REALLY want my first century before then!

[gretchen]

Hi Barb!
Hills and wind...my two enemies! But i have learned to face them and try and not let them beat me. (they make you strong...isn't that true about anything tough in life!?)
I think we might have talked before? I have the cottage on Glen Lake (near Traverse City)? I had a call out to anyone in that area to ride while i'm up there.
I"ll be up again over Labor Day weekend. Sounds like you are near AA? My daughter goes to U of M. We are HUGE MI fans. We love your state! (in fact we plan on moving up north in two years!
If you're up in that area ever...let me know.
You'll do fine with the century. If i can do 700 miles...
just think steady. Once you do one...the sky's the limit!
gretchen

[Roadrunner]

As I said earlier I'm 46 (47 in December)
We've been married 27 years/28 come December this year.
Gerry thought it would be romantic to get married on the Saturday two days after my 19th birthday(his is on the 7th, mine the 9th and of course the anniversay on the 11th). My daughter has just turned 26 and my two sons will be 24 and and 21 this year. Where does the time go?

[Pedal Wench]

Turned 42 last Friday, and celebrated with a new bike! BF celebrated with a matching helmet and new jerseys! Birthdays are fun!

[stacy]

Just started in May I turned four-five in June. Loving every turn of the pedal.

[veekcee]

My husband and I will be 47 later this year and we just started mountain biking a few weeks ago. We are having such a blast!!!It is so cool to have found an activity that I actually enjoy and look forward to doing! It has inspired me to pick up those weights and workout. We will be taking a mountain biking skills class offered monthly by CORBA here in Socal.

I only wish I could ride more than just the weekends.....

Vickie

[gretchen]

I'm so happy to see other 40+'ers out there! I started in January ...or at least the training part. ( For those of you new to this sight...I'm just filling you in...to the rest...I know, you've heard this already!). I went through back surgery in March, then finally got to ride my new road bike in May...what a ride! Put 1100
In July, my daughter and I did a 700 mile ride down the west coast (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!). I got back on my hybred just the beginning of this week to ride with my son and daughter down the bike trail...OH MY GOSH! is it fun now (now that i have strength in my legs!). I switch back and forth between "serious" biking on my road bike , and riding "fluffy" my hybred...(also highly recommended). My next adventure is in France in a few weeks with my husband (he's not converting so easily and def. not finding the enjoyment in it like i do...darn). It's a bike/barge trip...anyone done that yet?
Anyway...to all you awesome 40+er's...WAY TO GO!!!!!!
I'm in better shape now then ever in my life! Doesn't it feel sooooo great to ride a bike!!!!!!!!!!!!!
: ) gretchen

[fasteryet]

I had the most wonderful experience today at my LBS - met a 76 year old woman. She was just amazing. Road as a girl, then stopped. Started back up again at age 48. Has ridden well over 100K miles since. She's gone across the US several times, plus to all sorts of foreign countries. She was buying a new bike, because her twenty year old one fell of her car. She lookes great, and was sharp as a tack. Makes me very hopeful for my next 26 years.

[ladyb]

Hi everyone,
I just got my bike 7 weeks ago today, and I already have a new obsession. I used to love to ride when I was growing up, but haven't in years and years. I was looking for something fun in the way of exercise my husband and I could do together after we retire next February. As you have probably figured out, I'm in my mid 50's.
Have found a bike association in my home town that is just getting started and have been on a couple of rides with them.

I have also been reading the discussions on this website for about 3 weeks and just love it. Have gotten sooooo many helpful hints and tips. Am always telling my husband about the latest tidbit from this site, so thank you everyone for sharing.

Ladyb

[slinkedog]

I'm 37, so not quite there but getting close. I can't believe I decided to take up a new sport at 37. I guess I figured I might have some time for me now that we're done having babies.

[maryellen]

hey, I took up cycling at 45, you young'un . . .