Okay- I'm here and...

[kimba]

I'm kind of nervous.
I've been lurking a bit.
Anyway-
I've just began to get back into cycling after about 20 years off the bike...
When I was a kid I cycled everywhere- but- once ya get a car...y'know...
I'm 47 now and I've had lots of surgery on my knees- I'd love to one day try a triathlon but with these knees -now it's a pipe dream.
But I'd like to really get into mountain biking. I've been cycling around a lot this summer on my old commuting hybrid- the one with the racks and the fenders I've haunted the community trails and cycled to work- a pretty good workout I guess...
But I'm actually gonna build my own bike. I've been slowly acquiring the components - and I should have it done in about a month. Late for this season but hey-
an aluminum 7000 series hardtail with Shimano Deore components all round...and a Rockshox Judy suspension fork
So I guess the reason I'm here is:
I'm looking for some cycling soul mates and maybe a mentor or two -and a sense of community, and a feeling that I'm not the only one cycling at this age...
Oh- by the way- did I mention that I lost 35 pounds last year by cycling?
so that's also part of it- I have these dreams of cycling- but I'm still not a lean mean cycling machine!
So I guess I kinda feel like a wannabe...maybe I just wanna belong...


Kimba

[Irulan]

But I'd like to really get into mountain biking. I've been cycling around a lot this summer on my old commuting hybrid- the one with the racks and the fenders I've haunted the community trails and cycled to work- a pretty good workout I guess...
But I'm actually gonna build my own bike. I've been slowly acquiring the components - and I should have it done in about a month. Late for this season but hey-
an aluminum 7000 series hardtail with Shimano Deore components all round...and a Rockshox Judy suspension fork

Hiya, there's a few of us mountain bikers here, tho I do think the roadies outnumber us pretty good.

I wishi I knew more about building and wrenching, but in the meantime I am good friends with the wrenches at the LBS.

I mountainbike exclusively, lots and lots of singletrack riding. No racing tho, I just like to get out and ride.

Dang I do need to update my page tho, lots of new trail pics from this summer.

Irulan

[williamtash]

Kimba

you are not the only one starting out ride at 47 I am 49 and I started riding 1 1/2 years ago I am riding in oct across north carolina ride. when I started I could only ride 8 mile because of my legs now I do 40 once a week and 24 on two other days. I have two a road and hybrid. The more you ride the more you will want to. The weight lose is great you will keep getting better with that to. Never worry about the age thing it all in the mind anyway.

[kimba]

Originally posted by Irulan
Hiya, there's a few of us mountain bikers here, tho I do think the roadies outnumber us pretty good.

I wishi I knew more about building and wrenching, but in the meantime I am good friends with the wrenches at the LBS.

I mountainbike exclusively, lots and lots of singletrack riding. No racing tho, I just like to get out and ride.

Dang I do need to update my page tho, lots of new trail pics from this summer.

Irulan

Well- that's good then...
In my youth I dreamed of racing- hey- that was pre mountain bikes!!
but now- I really love to get close to Mother Earth, smell the composting leaves, the wild garlic, the sweet grass...
yep- mountain biking is it for me now...
besides- I've spent time working in Vancouver- a heck of a cyclist town...everybody bikes there.
That's how I got my commutin' bike- it wasn't "cool" enough for a co worker- she GAVE it to me! I rode it all around Vancouver, ( at the time my job was not what it was promised and I had no money for gas!!
and then I dragged it all the way back to Ontario. It's been my mode of transport in Ottawa - I took it with me, parked the van, and cycled everywhere.. and the last time in Vancouver- without the car- I didn't want to take the bus, so I borrowed a friends bike and cycled ...well..everywhere.
and well- now I have the spandex, the shoes, the jacket...
well- hey- I guess I'd even fit in in Vancouver now...

Kimba

[kimba]

Originally posted by williamtash
Kimba

you are not the only one starting out ride at 47 I am 49 and I started riding 1 1/2 years ago I am riding in oct across north carolina ride. when I started I could only ride 8 mile because of my legs now I do 40 once a week and 24 on two other days. I have two a road and hybrid. The more you ride the more you will want to. The weight lose is great you will keep getting better with that to. Never worry about the age thing it all in the mind anyway.

Thanks!
I really really love to ride, but I'm not losing as fast this year, I'm not quite sure why...
I'm really starting to develope muscles - quads and calves. And with the development of stronger connective tissue, my knees are not nearly as bad as they were. I used to have to wear knee braces..not now.
Sometimes my one knee gives me a problem..it tightens up a bit so if I am standing up and pedaling I get a bit of a click 'cause my one leg isn't keeping up with the revolution of the crank. Does that make sense?
My speed isn't what it was either, but that's about the biggest differences I've noticed in my youthful riding and my creaky riding ...

Kimba

[momcat]

Hi!

I'm a 49 year old woman who is riding mostly for fitness and fun, but I'm married to a serious roadie. He and I just built a dream bike, after I won a Terry Symmetry frame on e-bay. I ride 4-5 days a week and lift weights on 2. I'm starting to get more trim and have a lot more stamina.

You all are inspiring!

Momcat

[williamtash]

Kimba,

I know what you are talking about my right leg is my weak leg and when I go on long rides sometimes it does not keep up with the left and then it stops altogether. I end up pulling it around with the clip. The cleaking will go away maybe and you have one leg that maybe stronger then the others. I was told to make the weaker leg your starting leg and then do excesizes to build it up.

You are building muscle so you weight loss will be less but the muscle are a good thing. Then you will start loseing inches is what I wast told. I don't need to lose weight but I need the muscle building part in my legs. You may want to see what your heart rate is I have heard that that will help you to lose weight if you ride at you peak heart rate I think that is what they call it. Staying above that burns cal good luck

[Dogmama]

Originally posted by kimba
but now- I really love to get close to Mother Earth, smell the composting leaves, the wild garlic, the sweet grass...
Kimba

Riding a mtb will definitely get you close to mother earth! Sometimes closer than you planned

Sorry, couldn't resist.