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

HellonWheels

I'm here! I'm a 43 year old, newly stuck in the bike-unfriendly suburbs of New Jersey, USA (but proud to say that I am a 42 yr native of Philadelphia, PA!) I have used my bikes for transport and recreation since I was a kid...in the late 1970s-early 1980s I used my bike to go to work longbefore many others were doing it. When I lived in Philly yrs back I was a member of the Phila. Bicycle Coalition. I am proud to say I have never held a drivers license, and do not even know how to drive (can you guess I am anti-car?)

I have 3 kids, one husband, am a homeschooler, freelance writer, enviornmentalist activist, health activist. Anything else you want to know, just ask!

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"He who conquers himself is the mightiest warrior"--Confucius

HellonWheels

duplicate msg deleted

__________________
"He who conquers himself is the mightiest warrior"--Confucius

leona

Hi everyone
I'm a 24 year old retired IM triathlete turned roadie. I live in the Ottawa Valley, in Canada, have a husband and a cat, and plan to start racing again in 2004. I've worked in bike shops and distributers since I was 16, and have finnaly gone back to school to get my Architecture Degree.

PaintNLady

I am new here too. I just bought my bike 10 days ago and am still getting used to it. I am 49 and live in Sacramento, California. By trade, I am a painter, but need more exercise to get back into shape. Or at least a shape with fewer curves. lol . My husband (50) and son (10) and I all have new road bikes and are fortunate enough to live within one mile of a wonderful bike trail--The American River Bike trail (32 miles long)
We go 10 to 12 miles afterwork and usuallly @25 on the weekend.
I am new to this sport and have many questions, so you will find me here looking for help.

HellonWheels

Hiya, I'm around your age, I'm 43 going on 44 in November. I also recently returned to cycling after a 22 yr lapse (!) I'm still using my two old 3 speed bikes (hey do they even make them anymore?) No drop down handebars or big speed bikes for me, I'm happy with the oldie but goodies!

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"He who conquers himself is the mightiest warrior"--Confucius

michele

It's really inspiring to me to hear all the girls out there that are into cycling at all levels and all over! I feel like I am the only one sometimes because in the big group of cyclist I go out with, I am always the only girl!

Live in England although I am orginally from Vancouver, Canada and I am moving back in the New Year. Boring job by day, career crisis etc... I am 26 and 2 years ago I decided to start getting fit. Started running, then gym and then MTB.

I have to say though, it has felt like an uphill struggle (excuse the pun!) It hasn't been easy, particularly riding with experienced riders and all men! I hate been seen as the weakest, but I kept battling and now I can hold my own, and I am no longer back of the pack!

Look forward to riding with some girls back in Vancouver or in England if any one wants to join!

elrohwen

I'm a 19 year old engineering student at Cornell (I spend breaks in my hometown of Pittsburgh, PA). My bike is a 15 year old Trek Antelope that my dad gave me when he built his current mountain bike. It may be considered "old school" by some of my friends who are more hard core cyclists, but I love it anyway. Besides, only the frame is original to the bike. There are some definite perks to having a dad who knows as much as bikes as most mechanics you'll find in your local bike shop.

I enjoy mountain biking, but much of the time my mountain bike and I just masquerade as roadies. I don't imagine I'll ever compete in a race, but I'm currently training for my first century (I just have to wait to get back to school so I can actually do it :-) )

My other hobbies include horse back riding (I just started playing polo a year ago ... it's great fun), music, reading, and hiking.

MtnBikerChk

welcome ladies!

seabreeze

Dianne are thinking about competing in the Tour de France? Are women physical capability of competing like that against men? Would a team sign you to race like that?

Thanks

HellonWheels

I wondered this too, about the TDF. It seems women do not take part in it. I dont know if its because they are not allowed to, or because women simply cannot compete to that level against men. I researched it online a few weeks ago when the Tour was still going on...apparently there was/is a female counterpart to it in Europe, but it seems not many women support cycling as fans the way men do.

One of my life goals is to kick some guy's *ss, one way or another. But the TDF I KNOW I cannot do. I'll have to settle for beating my son at arm wrestling.

__________________
"He who conquers himself is the mightiest warrior"--Confucius

seabreeze

I'm 15 but my goal on the bike is to win the TDF I know that is a huge goal but I think if I wanted it bad enough any women could do it. That is with enough experience and training. I read Lance's book "Its not about the bike" and it really made me want to do this.

I hope it is physically possible for me to do so. I think that would be a huge step for women in this sport.

Thanks

HellonWheels

I wondered about this too, and did a search at http://www.google.com for tour de france+women. Some interesting article popped up, try the search and see what I mean.

__________________
"He who conquers himself is the mightiest warrior"--Confucius

Seecyd

Wow it's really cool to see so many women writing in here now. I'm 39 and started riding my road bike in June. I was on my mountain bike the last couple of summers... and decided to switch this year, even though I still love my MTB. I have been training for a run most of the summer and have not been out on my bike as much as I'd like. Riding about 60K to 150K but only on the weekends. Once my run is over, next weekend, I will be on my bike until the cold weather. I can't wait to spend more time on it. I keep getting asked to join groups but I just say no because I just can't stand the thought of having a whole group of people that I couldn't keep up to. I am going to train all winter and next summer will venture out to ride with a group.
I spend most of my day in front of a computer for work, graphics, that when I'm on my bike or running, it feels like total freedom... even when I'm in pain. LOL Anyways, it's nice to read you all! Keep em coming!

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You can't be good, unless you love it!

seabreeze

Do women have the capability to compete in races with guys?