Mid-life crisis or permanent insanity?

[bambu101]

I have been lurking here on the TE forum for approximately 3 months now, after buying my Terry Susan B hybrid bike in early July. This is a great place, with a wide range of cycling experience and levels of expertise.

Prior to getting my new bike, the last time I had ridden was around 1975, when I had a Motobecane 10-speed that sat in my sister’s garage for 20 years during my various moves, and was finally relegated to the scrap heap after one of my nephews scrounged some parts off it. When my BF bought a beautiful late-70s vintage Casati road bike last year, I started thinking it would be nice to have a bike again, and finally took the plunge this year. WOW! This is wonderful, despite some minor glitches with learning to shift again, and battling the hills where we live (in the Hilltowns of western Massachusetts, or foothills of the Berkshires).

Well, I absolutely love this bike, even though my fitness level and weight could use some improvement. I am 52, almost 53 years old, and have exercised for over 30 years- running walking, aerobics, Pilates, x-c skiing, weights, etc. But nothing comes even close to how much I love this whole cycling thing. I am already plotting (hehehe) to buy a road bike next spring, perhaps a Bianchi, or maybe an Orbea that the local LBS carries? Such a tough choice.

Anyway, I was thinking about all of you out there who have discovered your passion for cycling “later” in life. Is this a mid-life crisis thing, or more of a permanent insanity? My current belief is that this is NOT a temporary fad, but something I am going to stay with the rest of my life. I just cannot believe that there is a cure out there for people like me, and I am also convinced that it is not such a bad thing, is it ????????

[DebW]

Welcome, bambu101. It's not temporary insanity. It's finding where you belong. May it never end.

[oldbikah]

hi, bambu 101---I am now 63 and started riding with real interest about 10 years ago (sounds familiar?) Now I have 3 bikes, with the help of my bike mechanic son, and enjoy all of them a lot. By the way, I used to live in Williamstown (until 1993) and I remember those hills. But there are plenty in western Maine!
I am a life-long skier (used to instruct at Jiminy Peak and Haystack), but I now think I love biking as much as skiing---even tho my ski buddies can't understand how that could be.

[Crankin]

You are not insane. I started cycling at 47, after years of aerobics. I thought I was fit.... HA. I'm now 53, and I now have 2 bikes, with a third waiting to be converted to a commuter. I also X country ski in the winter, and do some other cross training things, but pretty much our lives revolve around cycling.

You are not crazy.

[Bikingmomof3]

Welcome! It is most definitely not insanity. I began this pst July (I am 37). Enjoy your bike, it is extremely addicting.

[Trekhawk]

Welcome to the fold. Im 42 and started cycling 17 months ago. I now own three bikes (2 road , 1 mountain) and I cant imagine my life without cycling.

[eclectic]

hopefully it is permanent insanity

5 years ago I was a bona fide out of shape, overweight slug.

I started walking, then running, then skiing THEN THE BEST! CYCLING

I loved riding my bike when I was a kid - just for the sheer pleasure of riding

Today I love riding my bike - just for the sheer pleasure of riding

I started riding more a year ago July, logged 2049 miles this year, completed 434 mile bike tour and did my first century. I have 2 bikes in the stable but am toying w/ the idea of pulling my old CCM 10 speed out of the barn and cranking her up again (that is if she is still in the barn I haven't checked for a few years - like 20)

I turn 50 in 50 days. My goal for next year? a triathlon

Am I insane - I hope so

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I'm 52. Until about 4 months ago, the last time I was on a bike was when I was about 14. That's what, 38 years ago?....

Last year I got tired of being oout of shape, and started fitness walking.
Then, I got back into biking 4 months ago and started with baby rides of a mile. Now I can do 40 mile rides! I love it so much I ride almost every day, hope to keep riding until the snow and ice comes. I suppose I'll fall back on my walking through the blizzards until Spring.
Happily, my husband (DH "Dear Husband", as we say here on the forum) has gotten back into biking as well, and we ride all over the place together now. It's love.
There's just something liberating about rolling down the Open Road with the sun and wind in your face....

[nancielle]

battling the hills where we live (in the Hilltowns of western Massachusetts, or foothills of the Berkshires).

Just out of curiosity where are you? Berkshire native here (and still here!
North Adams as an undergrad, Great Barrington for 20 years, now currently in Pittsfield. Friends in Monterey & Otis.)

Is this a mid-life crisis thing, or more of a permanent insanity?

Maybe a little of both? Not so much a mid-life crisis so much as a mid-life reawakening. I began cycling off & on about 10 years ago after a squillion years of not doing it. Began doing it more seriously about 3 years ago. Even more seriously last year after having knee surgery and the orthopedic surgeon recommended cycling to strengthen my leg. Have my eye on a Specialized Vita come spring.

[DeniseGoldberg]

It's definitely not a mid-life crisis. I suppose you could classify it as permanent insanity, but I actually think it keeps me sane!

Welcome to our world...

--- Denise

[Dogmama]

I am already plotting (hehehe) to buy a road bike next spring, perhaps a Bianchi, or maybe an Orbea that the local LBS carries? Such a tough choice.

You're hooked. Just surrender. And you must post a pic of your new bike. Them's the rules around these parts!

Welcome!

[Surlygirl]

Hey bambu101, welcome. Don't forget to check out the Northeast thread once in awhile. We'll have to have another get together in the Spring so we can all meet up. And I vote for the Orbea. If you need a great LBS go to Gear Works in Leominster and ask for Darren.

[3weight]

bambu~
When you find something you're passionate about in life, grab it and run, run, run (or in this case, ride, ride, ride!) with it. It's like finding love~ it doesn't happen often and it usually takes you by surprise! You're lucky you found something you're passionate about~ lots of people haven't.
Congratulations!
Teresa

[RoadRaven]

To find this "meditation on wheels" is not a mid-life crisis, but a life-style choice that is physically, mentally and spiritually good for you.

I started at 39, and though some of the women at work think I'm crazy (why spend money on bikes when you could spend it on clothes? why bike somewhere when you have a car?) others at work are like me and we love the benefits.

Def not a crisis, but a wonderful way of being that will help to ensure you have many more healthy years of enjoying the life you have.

[bambu101]

Ahhhhh- I am in good company here at the “asylum”! I loved the comments about finding where I belong and also being lucky to discover something to be passionate about; how very true.

Nancielle- I am in Blandford, and close to the East Otis line and Otis Reservoir. I went on several rides this summer with the BF around the lake, and it was just spectacular. I would love to get together for a ride with some other folks from TE in the spring, either an all-Mass or western Mass group. It will give me some great incentive to lose weight and get into better shape over the winter so I don’t totally embarrass myself in the spring. The BF came home one day recently and said he saw a group of women cyclists on Route 23 (VERY hilly!), and my first response was- “and they didn’t invite me?” It’s OK riding with him, but he is much stronger than I am, and I just cannot keep up, nor do I want to kill myself trying.