Proud of myself!

**Denise223** · 09-09-2006, 10:08 AM

Hi Everyone!

After having spent 3 summers 2003-2005 riding around ONLY in empty parking lots, (very fearful of traffic - cars, trucks, etc....), my husband and I decided to check out a bikeway near our home on June 5th, 2006.

Finally, away from the "chains" of the parking lots, I enjoyed riding my bike in a more open area. After about 2 weeks of riding around at the bikeway, I read here at TE, (as well as experienced), the "danger" of riding on bikeways. Lots of walkers, joggers, rollerbladers, etc...... There really wasn't a lot of room for everyone...............SO, we made a decision to get out on the open road

. (My DH would ride on the road -- I never wanted to join him).

Now that we're out on the road, there really is NO looking back!! Another thing I was extremely afraid to do was to ride "solo". I needed my husband with me. On August 18th, I did go out on my very first solo ride, but this week, I managed to do 3 solo rides in a row

. And, I LIKE IT!!! I miss my husband on these rides, but I do carry him in my heart!

On the 6th, I went out for 16 miles - on the 7th, I did 24 miles and yesterday, I enjoyed 16 miles

. This past Monday, my husband and I went out for 24 miles -- very desolate, country roads, picturesque & beautiful

!

I am truly enjoying myself !! (yes, hills & all

)!! I am so much stronger than I was 3 months ago. I am more in control of my breathing, (which is something that I never thought would happen!!!)

I just wanted to say, "THANKS TO ALL OF YOU WHO HAVE GIVEN ME THE COURAGE TO GET OUT THERE AND RIDE"!!
I'm having more fun now at age 45 than at any other age!!

And, it really is quite a gift to be able to enjoy such a great activity with the person you love most

!

Peace & Love,

Denise

**margo49** · 09-09-2006, 10:15 AM

You are a good person Denise and you know how to encourage people yourself. Glad to see you are getting it back too!
Tail winds to ya!

**Dogmama** · 09-09-2006, 10:42 AM

FANTASTIC! Congrats!

**BleeckerSt_Girl** · 09-09-2006, 10:55 AM

You GO Denise!!
I know just how you feel!!
I just went for a ride today that last month had me panting and gasping and tired. Today...no problemo!!!! In fact, after that one hour ride we just continued on for another 3 HOURS, and I got home feeling a bit tired but really happy and good all over. AMAZING what one more month of daily riding can do!!! I can't believe how much I have gotten stronger. And no more gasping and panting- just strong controlled breathing.
WE ROCK, DON'T WE??!!

**Lise** · 09-09-2006, 11:19 AM

WAHOO! Freedom is sweet, isn't it?!?

I am so happy for you, Denise, to have found the freedom of the open road. And, like Lisa SH, to be feeling your body getting stronger and stronger.

Ride on!

**Selkie** · 09-09-2006, 11:21 AM

That's terrific! The more you ride, the more confidence you'll have. ENJOY.

**Crankin** · 09-09-2006, 11:36 AM

Congratulations, Denise. You are building up the sensible way. Have you tried any of the routes I sent you?
The feeling of something getting easier doesn't go away. Two years ago I started riding the Groton-Lost Lake Loop I sent you. It was one of the more challenging rides that I do around here. I just came back from riding it and all 4 of us who rode said that it just seems pretty easy now and we laughed. We just keep trying harder stuff!
How is the training going for the Seacoast ride?

Robyn

**Aggie_Ama** · 09-09-2006, 11:43 AM

Congratulations! I had my bike two years before I finally ventured on the road by myself. I used to go run if DH wasn't around. I remember proud I felt my first solo ride. It was only 19 miles but I felt like I could take on the world!

It is impressive you have noticed such a positive change in your health. You have a lot to be proud of!

**Bikingmomof3** · 09-09-2006, 12:28 PM

Fantastic Denise! Look at how far you have come! There is no stopping you now. Happy riding.

**im4smiley** · 09-09-2006, 05:19 PM

Way to go Denise...That is great..Enjoy!!!

**tygab** · 09-09-2006, 05:55 PM

Originally Posted by Robyn Maislin

Congratulations, Denise. You are building up the sensible way. Have you tried any of the routes I sent you?
The feeling of something getting easier doesn't go away. Two years ago I started riding the Groton-Lost Lake Loop I sent you. It was one of the more challenging rides that I do around here. I just came back from riding it and all 4 of us who rode said that it just seems pretty easy now and we laughed. We just keep trying harder stuff!
How is the training going for the Seacoast ride?

Robyn

Ok now I have to confess... I live almost across directly from LL and my DH and I rode those roads once on our mountain bikes the first year we moved to Groton. I remember being so miserable I haven't tried them again on my road bike (irrational, because I have done longer and harder hills elsewhere this year). Now I am curious to know what your route is and if I should just try the LL area again. My husband loves this area and I'm sure he'd jump at the chance to ride it (he's tried to get me to go that way and I said, uh uh no way).

BTW I am considering the Seacoast on the Sunday, which is when you were talking of going. I'll let you know if I decide to do it.

**mimitabby** · 09-09-2006, 06:43 PM

Hey Denise, you rock! just keep being careful. If you have some nice roads to ride on it makes it all worth it.

**melissam** · 09-09-2006, 06:54 PM

Oh my gosh, Denise, that is so awesome!!!

It wasn't too long ago that you were wondering if you'd ever be able to ride the entire bikeway. For a little memory refresher, see this thread:

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=7509

It also wasn't too long ago that you weren't so sure about riding solo.

Wow, you've come a long way, baby!!! I'm so proud of you! Seeing someone's progress like this just tickles me pink!

There's no stopping you now!

-- Melissa

**Kano** · 09-09-2006, 09:29 PM

Originally Posted by Denise223

Another thing I was extremely afraid to do was to ride "solo". I needed my husband with me. On August 18th, I did go out on my very first solo ride, but this week, I managed to do 3 solo rides in a row

. And, I LIKE IT!!! I miss my husband on these rides, but I do carry him in my heart!

It's a very different experience, isn't it? No pressure to keep up, or wait up for someone else, just please yourself as you ride. I think the occasional ride by myself does something special for my overall riding skills too! There's also a certain empowerment that comes from knowing you're relying on only yourself...

Originally Posted by Denise223

I am truly enjoying myself !! (yes, hills & all

)!! I am so much stronger than I was 3 months ago. I am more in control of my breathing, (which is something that I never thought would happen!!!)

I notice those things too, Denise -- and getting control over my breathing feels remarkably empowering too, don't you think?

Originally Posted by Denise223

I'm having more fun now at age 45 than at any other age!!

I have to admit, 45 is a great age. For me, I think it's when I started being a person in my own right, more than being someone's wife or someone's mom!

Originally Posted by Denise223

And, it really is quite a gift to be able to enjoy such a great activity with the person you love most

!

Ain't that the truth!!!!

Denise, thank YOU so much for all your posts. In so many ways, we seem to be in a very similar place, at least as bikers. Your posts always strike a chord for me!

Karen in Boise

**maillotpois** · 09-10-2006, 07:52 AM

Oh FANTASTIC!!! I absolutely LOVE hearing stories like these!

You rock!! Keep on pushing the limits of what you think is possible.

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