Now to get them to actually ride....

[NoNo]

Last year I got into road biking, and to varying degrees, my family has supported me.
"You'll never be able to ride that far!"
"Good for you!"
"You look great! Must be all that biking."
"You're skin and bones! Must be all that biking!"

Well, they must have decided that the good outweighs the bad, because last week 5 of them bought bikes! My parents came down to see me Sunday and I took them to the LBS around the corner. They tried out a few and brought the brochures home to ponder things. On Thursday my aunt's boyfriend called to ask me about something and then said that they'd bought bikes that week. On Saturday, my mom, aunt, and uncle went to another LBS I recommended, spent 2.5 hours, and found what they were looking for. Now my dad needs to get his, and my extended family will be set! Of course, they actually have to ride them regularly now to justify their purchases. We'll see how that goes Oh, and naturally when mom tried to ride last night, the chain came off after 5 minutes. Whoops!

[Technotart]

Isn't that a great feeling?

My middle son who raced for a team and in college dragged me kicking and screaming onto a bike, that year hubster and baby son also got a bike with a tag-along. Then my parents got bikes for christmas, hybrids - that was 3 years ago, they bought road bikes last year. My oldest daughter has worked recently as a bike messenger in philly, oldest son rides for fun with his wife and son, and youngest daughter is considering tri's and just bought a bike.

My sister and her daughters ride now, my brother will do the occasional rally.

I have a great aunt and uncle in their 80's who ride their tandem all over the country.

My own experience went like this...

2000 - "Look - I just don't understand why you think need a set of Ksyrium elites! They are over 600.00 and you are FOURTEEN for crying outloud!"

2002 - "Ok Corey I will drive you to your race this weekend and pay for the hotel...but just remember I am NEVER getting on one of those things"

2003 - "I'll consider getting a bike. I'll think about it, but I don't think I'd get much use out of it"

2004 - "What do you mean you have finals the week of the MS150? Somebody has to ride for Susan!"

2006 - "Fine but my seat will NEVER be higher than my handlebars!" (It is and the bike has Ksyrium elites on it! LOL)

2008 - "I am not ever racing. No how. No way."

to be continued...

[SheFly]

2008 - "I am not ever racing. No how. No way."

Never say never

SheFly

[NoNo]

I remember a time when I would scoff at cyclists. How hard is it to ride a bike?! Little kids do it! Yeah, I've definitely changed my thinking on that one

[tulip]

That's great! Sometimes just setting a good example goes alot farther than we imagine.