biking and self esteem?

[Trekhawk]

Then 2 years ago an incredibly close to fatal tractor accident left me with a right arm full of medical reconstruction metal (2 plates, 12 screws and a "kebab stick") Even after 18 months of physical therapy I thought I would never be able to ride again. But my son gave me his Trek 820. A bit of adjustment (twisted the handlebar to off center to accomodate the unstraightenable arm) and I am now riding 3 or 4 hour trips .I love the international border military "road" where I can see the prints of the night animals and the early birds in the sandy roadside. Today a flock of migrating storks flew right over me.
You know, Lance, it *is* about the bike

Wow Margo49 - you story is an inspiration. Thanks for sharing.
Happy riding.

[CorsairMac]

welcome to the board Margo! Good to see you. If you get a chance there's a thread unde open titled "getting to know you".....gives you a chance to giggle for several hours while learning about us and - if so inclined - tell us something about you!

and what a wonderful story, thanks for sharing!

[littleblue]

Cycling is new to me (less than one year), except for when I was a kid and used to bike all over the place on my banana seat But when my hubby was overcome with everything cycling, I decided I'd better follow in his wake or I'd be missing out on a huge part of his life. It's been very exciting to share the sport with him and has given us a boost in our relationship. And when we go on long rides together it's way better than a date I mean, most people go for dinner and a movie - nice, but not THRILLING! With four kids (ages 15, 12, 8 and 2) it's a fantastic escape. It's also great for the legs, but, back, arms, shoulders... As for the sexy underwear - My man would rather follow behind me and admire the "view" in my bike gear (of course, he'd probably rather see me in sugar shorts than attack shorts) than in cheesy lingerie. Well, OK - he still likes the cheesy lingerie...

Biking makes us women strong, and strong is sexy!

One more thing - biking is a great metaphor for life's ups and downs. Get over a really hard climb (bad day) and then coast down that same hill (good day). Just remembering how tough a particular hill was, and how I conquered it, is like therapy on a really bad day.

Can't tell you how much I've enjoyed these chats. My hubby even peeks on every once in a while to see what all the "chat" is about and he follows threads too! What a guy! BTW - he signed on as jfish a while back hunting for bike shorts for me

[Civa]

OK, now I'm the one sitting here all teary eyed. When I'm out on a big group ride I will often look at someone and wonder "now what is their story?". I love this opportunity to hear what other women think. Every year I do the Danskin triathlon because I love seeing so many different women in so many different sizes and shapes---and I know that they all have their own reason to be out there.

I started spinning after 9-11 as a stress reliever. That turned into purchasing my Gary Fisher Nirvana (hybrid) and riding all summer. It made me feel like the girl who saved all of her babysitting money to buy her first Schwinn 10 speed. I'm that girl again, not a 47 year old mom!

The next summer my husband joined me on his old Trek commuter, and this past xmas he surprised me with a Specialized Dolce Elite. He's since purchased the Allez and we have spent hours and hours and hours together riding this season. Its great.

And my self image has soared. I have a bright green leopard print jersey, and I just love it when guys ride past me and growl! This after noticing that after 40 I felt invisible to most men (except the ones REALLY older than me!) Oh, and the feeling when I leave guys eating my dust! PRICELESS!!!!

So for me it beats Paxil for anxiety, I again feel like that 13 year old girl that I once was, it makes me feel young, and strong, and helps me deal with being a parent to two teenagers and a pre-teen. It helps me walk tall!

[Trek420]

yeah!!!! glad to see CorsairMac is back!! writing "If you get a chance there's a thread under open titled "getting to know you"....."

what'd we do without you? really, I mean it.

psst, Corsair, it's Spazzdog's b'day, I just e-mailed her a card.

[Trekhawk]

With four kids (ages 15, 12, 8 and 2) it's a fantastic escape. It's also great for the legs, but, back, arms, shoulders... As for the sexy underwear - My man would rather follow behind me and admire the "view" in my bike gear (of course, he'd probably rather see me in sugar shorts than attack shorts) than in cheesy lingerie. Well, OK - he still likes the cheesy lingerie...
Biking makes us women strong, and strong is sexy!
:

littleblue - thanks for sharing its great to hear everyones stories. Boy you must be busy with your kids - phew - when Im feeling stressed by my kids I will think of you. (mine are 8, 6, 4 all boys).

[Trekhawk]

And my self image has soared. I have a bright green leopard print jersey, and I just love it when guys ride past me and growl! This after noticing that after 40 I felt invisible to most men (except the ones REALLY older than me!) Oh, and the feeling when I leave guys eating my dust! PRICELESS!!!!

So for me it beats Paxil for anxiety, I again feel like that 13 year old girl that I once was, it makes me feel young, and strong, and helps me deal with being a parent to two teenagers and a pre-teen. It helps me walk tall!

Civa - great read. I agree about cycling and self image. I dont know if I actually do look any different but I feel like I do. Feeling strong makes you feel younger and happier and I think that shines thru to others.

[bouncybouncy]

My adventure into cycling has been an esteem lifting experience as well...I have always loved tooling around on a bike and was jealous of those screaming by me on the road or those gettin' all dirty (I have always loved mud-puddles)
For a while I was married to a very controlling, verbally abusive person (I do not say man cause he does not deserve that title...I use person with hesitancy *is that a word?) It took a year to crawl out from the hole I had allowed myself to bury myself in...I started riding a very old Diamond Back to the gym and to work, running, lifting weights, quit smoking, quit drinking...then he came into my life
We went on a MTBike ride and I was HOOOKED!!!! ....and after seeing me ride, he was too He went out and bought me a Santa Cruz Juliana after dating a month

A few months later and many, many rides one day on the way home I burst out in tears (and I mean BURST!) Poor Chris had NO idea what was going on....and neither did I... I did know that I was extremely happy and it all just came out at once...LOL!

I had fully gotten over the X, but I had not completely renewed myself. Cycling has been a constant reminder that there is always something different and you must adjust to stay upright. It has also been a great challenge...as if getting older wasn't enough!

Yesterday I experience a slue of emotions (being hormonal doesn't help) but I chose to walk down a few drops that I have made in the past and after chickening out on one I started to get upset that I was regressing in skill (I won't mention the sections were extremely washed out since last ride cause of rain) until we came upon a climb that I have NEVER made up...I made it with NO PROBLEM!!!! and Chris went at it twice with no luck , but boy did that make me feel good....all my worries about lacking was gone!!!! I rode the rest of the trail with great pride and even made it up a few more climbs I have never made before!!!! WEEEEEE!!!

Needless to say I have gained so much from just being out on a bicycle....