Ok girls - just how many of us are there here?

Mel

Hi<br /><br />I am just joining in here. Only been cycling for a cuople months now. Not very good. Had a very bad race on Sunday and feeling a bit like throwing the bike away

ric_stern/RST

[quote author=Mel link=board=41;threadid=2568;start=15#22922 date=1037863698]<br />Hi<br /><br />I am just joining in here. Only been cycling for a cuople months now. Not very good. Had a very bad race on Sunday and feeling a bit like throwing the bike away <br />[/quote]<br /><br />Mel,<br />don't throw your bike away, keep riding and keep having fun. In some respects it gets easier as you improve, and you *will* improve as long as you keep riding and training.<br /><br />Sometimes it can help to get in touch with a coach, who will objectively be able to pinpoint why the race didn't go as well as you wanted, and set you up with some goals and good training.<br /><br />Remember as well, that if you've only been riding for a couple of months things will rapidly improve, BUT, you may be asking too much of yourself in the initial stages, i.e., you may need a few more months under your belt before racing.<br /><br />Hang in there it gets better, and always enjoy it<br />Ric

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Mel

Thanks for your encouragement. I need it. The confidenceis very low at the moment. trying to go on an easy ride on Sunday,if I canfind someone to go with me.<br />

ric_stern/RST

Mel,<br /><br />try not to be disheartened, you're doing well. Racing is really hard and can take a while to get the hang of. There's also quite a skill to it as well -- riding closely together in a bunch, and you definitely need to practice this, and learn to follow wheels properly.<br /><br />Try to meet up with some other ladies in your area, and get a group of you together for training. Is there a local coach who can organise some skill sessions, or an experienced female racer who can help out in your area?<br /><br />Keep pedalling and enjoying it, i've been racing for 18-yrs now (oh my!) and i still enjoy it as much now as i did when i first started. <br /><br />Ric

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Mel

Thanks Ric,<br />I do battle to ride in a group and thus far have only done races by myself. Unfortunately the people I practice with are guys who are much stronger than me, so they are only really keen to ride with me if they are on a recovery ride. I am now on the look out for some girls that will ride with me. <br />I don't think I will give it up, I really do enjoy it too much. But I do need to find some people with the same strength as me...<br />Have also decided to give MBT a try, something different to do.<br />

dirt dolly

I am new to this forum. I just wanted to check out some forums other than the locals.<br />I am from Dallas, Texas an have been riding for about 2 years and raced my first Texas series last spring. Now I'm hooked and will be racing again this spring series starting in Feb. <br />What is the biking like where you all are from. Are there many women who ride/race? <br />This forum is very different from the local one I'm used to reading. There is usually a new post about every minute or so. Some people are pretty obsessed and many of them talk a lot of smack. It can be pretty amusing.

PhatRat

Hi there all,

I just joined yesterday. I live in North California, and will be getting my new mountain bike this week - can't wait!

I will be getting the Raleigh Tess for a start.

Happy Trails!

-Bernie

dannii

Just joined this forum a couple of days ago.....age 24....civil estimator by day (this means i price civil constructions like bridges, roads and subdivisions for a living)....am in the middle of my Civil Engineering degree.....have always enjoyed casual touring and mountain bike riding and am about to embark on my first solo tour....brisbane to sydney ( aprrox 1100km) it is to raise money for Cancer research and the mater children's hospital in brisbane. Decided to take up the challenge after beating breast cancer at the age of 23. I guess it was to prove something to myself and the fundraising was an afterthought. I leave on May 25th....so it is only 4.5 weeks away and I can't wait...if i could go tomorrow i would.

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Dannii

You are where you are. Where you're going is up to you.

LornaD

Hi y'all--

I'm a new member, although I've been lurking for awhile. I've finally decided to get a bike, mostly for commuting and to lose weight/get fit. Think I'm going to go with the Trek 4900 WSD. Anyone have comments/complaints about this particular bike? Or even some suggestions about different brands?

Janita

I am also in South Africa, did quite a few long races, like the Argus twice and 94.7 twice and Cansa Lost City. I am 47 years old and only started cycling two years ago. Hehehe I am one of those that just finish but can't leave a cycle magazine or info about cycling alone. I do spinning 3 - 4 times a week and try to do a short race at least once a month. Perhaps I can still improve, what do the pro's think, is there a light for a 47 year old female cyclist?

Vo2

Of course! Have a look at SA's best female MTB'er, Hannelie Steyn-Kotze.

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Pain is inevitable...suffering is optional

chuy

I think it would be nice if the females posted their pictures

sevenaxiom

Another new member here... local road racer here in New York City. Would be great to travel and meet some of you ladies, we're so cut off from the pro racing scene in the rest of the world. We barely get to hear about women's racing here at home! Keep us American gals updated about the good stuff going on!

Janita

I need to know what everyone think: I've been asked to do 94.7 with a guy without kidneys, he did the Argus and 94.7 last year but this year don't have anyone to accompany him, he needs someone with him all the time in case something happens. Is it better to do it on single bikes or would you recommend a tandem. None of us has been on tandem before.