Newbie Annual Achievement Thread

[Bike Writer]

1140.98 A year on the Bike

The official mileage for a year's worth of riding is 1,140.98 miles from July 24, 2010 to July 23, 2011. Wow! What a journey it's been.

Starting with a desire to once again lead an active and athletic life I started out with a tenative purchase of a used bike from craigslist. Considering the problems I have with arthritis, my knees, one total knee replacement surgery, rhumatoid arthritis, joint pain and flare ups, biking seemed to be the most viable choice being that it is a non impact activity. RA causes more than pain and stiffness in joints, it can cause severe fatigue, respitory problems and be debilitating in general. Combined with moving to a career that is more sedentary than how I have worked all my life spelled disaster unless I changed something and added in some physical activity.

I fell back in love with biking immediately.

I rode a lot as a kid and young adult, spent too many years away from it and it was almost like learning all over again.

I wobbled.
I fell. A lot.
I frustrated myself.
Hills and heat beat me up pretty good.
I kept riding.
I wouldn't quit.
I've gotten strong.
I am a bike rider with 1,140.98 miles under my belt for this first full year of riding!

I feel more energetic than I have in years, my health is improved dramatically, my pain is greatly diminished and mostly non existant with the exception of occasional flare ups. Riding has impacted my body, mind and soul in a positive way with a big increase in energy, stamina and peace. Riding puts a big smile on my face.

I celebrated today with a group ride with a group who rides the back roads around Domino's Farms. We had a 7.5 mile ride today and I had a chance to meet new people and ride with a biking friend. Photo is below but we had a few camera shy people who are not pictured.

Over the last year I have explored nooks and crannies through bylanes and byways in my neighborhood and for miles around. Trails and parks have become a second home and certain barns, meadows, flower beds or people waving a hello have become familiar and comfortable sights. Ponds, creeks, woodlands, and the lakes have their own unique fragrance and sounds.

I've been soaked in rain, nearly cried over steep hills, I've had mechanical failures and been helped out by friends and strangers. I've celebrated milestones along the way and I've felt the sting of defeat. I've learned to carry tools and spare parts and how to fix my bike and how to fix a flat. Through all of this I have learned a lot about myself and about life.

I love my bike!

If you've been riding for a year or 3 or 5, what goals have you achieved or milestones have you passed along the way, this is the place to share!

[Velocivixen]

Thank you so much for sharing your inspirational successes. You sound as though you have blossomed so to speak. It hasn't been a year back on the bike for me yet, although I bought a flat bar hybrid in October and felt intimidated and shy about riding fast, up hills, around people and taking it onto light rail. Now, as of last week, I bought a road bike (cyclocross actually) with drop handlebars and it's the first time in 27 years that I've ridden one! I rode over 20 miles today and it involved riding fast during some spots, on busy streets, going to/from destination on light rail, and riding around a lot of people. I was vigilant and aware, but not frightened. So those are some things which I have overcome. It definitely comes with practice.

[hebe]

Well done BikeWriter and Velocivixen!

BW, I have enjoyed following your journey and have felt as if I shared in your highs and lows. You have done so well reclaiming your health and fitness.

My first year has just passed too. What I feel most of all is PEACE that I have finally achieved a goal that had been niggling at me for decades. I have more choices now in how I transport myself and my family. If I don't want to pay for petrol or bus fares I don't have to. I will never need to join a gym again. I can get right out into the heart of the countryside on my doorstep within minutes, and explore lanes and tracks that I never knew were there before. I can thumb my nose at roadworks and congested carparks. And best of all, I can raise my daughter to have all these choices too. Cool. And doing this has strengthened my self-confidence to take on other wishes and ambitions too. I can ride 8 miles? OK, so it can't be that hard to knit a few inches. And so on.

Happy anniversary to everyone celebrating their first weeks/months/years as a cyclist.

[Crankin]

Great story, Bike Writer.
I rode 700 miles my first year, 1300 the second. It's hard to believe that was almost 11 years ago.
Yesterday, DH said to me, did you ever imagine you'd be doing this? I can honestly say no. I was involved with aerobics and gym stuff and felt the same way, but I got burned out. The thing about cycling, is that there's always another type of riding to do, if you get sick of one thing. A couple of years ago, I did about 700 miles riding around to farm stands, errands, appointments, in addition to riding my road bike, because I was sick of trying to be a fast road rider. That was a needed thing.
I often wonder what my gym teachers would think. I flunked so many physical fitness tests, it's not funny. Of course, those were "skill-based," i.e. shooting a basket. One time I got put in "flab lab" in high school. The other students wondered why a 5 foot tall, 95 lb. person was in there... but the stuff we did in that class was endurance oriented. I found out I was good at that by running around the locker room and gym, in the dead of winter, for 30 minutes.

[Bike Writer]

Velo, hebe and Crankin, I'm happy for your victories as well and thanks for your words of support. Much of my own inspiration has come from stories from you and other women on this forum. At times when doubt over my ability to do this would creep in, I would find inspiration from someone elses personal victories and it would spur me on to have my own.

That is the beauty of this particular forum. There have been some awesome accounts of women overcoming adversity, bad luck, injuries and self doubt and great tales of triumph. Most of you will not know how much your little snippets of wisdom, humor and courage have helped me and others I'm sure.

[itsalldownhill]

Just wanted to say congrats to both of you, BikeWriter and Velocivixen! I hope to be there when my first year is up!

[hebe]

I'm celebrating my first year on the bike by entering the Let's Go Ride A Bike Summer Games. Two events done so far I had a lovely ride this morning. It was unexpectedly sunny and I seemed to be the only person on the byways this morning. So a short off-road ride, and back via a couple of roads that I hadn't ridden before. Only 5 miles, but 5 great miles. Straight up my nemesis hill and no need to stop anywhere. Fun! ps thanks to Deb for putting the games link on her blog!