How did you ladies get in to cyclen?

Muddy Beast

Hey, im 13 and i LOVE mtbing and i have lots of guy friends around my age who mtb...but no gurls that i no even like riding there bike...now id like to here what age you gals started and what got you in to it...cuz theres nothn better then a gurl riden a bike

~Thanks in advance~

~Scott

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Woofer

I'm not a woman but you should look into bike clubs in your area. There are some that are junior specific (some more geared towards racing than others like rad racing nw) and velo bella is a California based club that has women all over the country which may be able to hook you up as well.

Mellic

Hi Scott. Few girls start riding before the age of about 20, as there are few development programs out there promoting the sport to youngsters.

Most girls get introduced to the sport through friends, boyfriends, or just a spontaneous urge to do something new.

Eden

I probably started to ride more seroiusly at about the same age you are right now, maybe a little younger - I was in middle school. Surprisingly enough it was my mom that spurred things on from casual one or two hour rides on weekends to more serious distances. She decided she wanted to get into cycle touring and when I was about 12 or 13 we went on our first long tour. We spent a week in Nova Scotia. After that, and when I stopped growing (poor me that was only 2 years later and I've been 5 feet tall ever since) we all got new bicycles and I've never stopped riding since. In fact I got my husband involved in cycling. I convinced him to buy his first road bike that was his own (he had been riding his mom's and it was waaaaay to small for him - he's 6'4") Now he's starting his first season racing and I've even got a new bicycle, which I am in love with, just about 2 weeks ago. I ride pretty much 5 to 6 days out of the week, even if it is for just an hour or two on weeknights.
There are definitely girls out there - getting involved in a junior development team might help you meet some of them. A couple local to Seattle are Oberto http://eteamz.active.com/ASCRacing/ and Rad Racing, which might be more your style - they have a mtb team http://www.radracingnw.org/

Phuong L

I learnt how to ride a bicycle at the age of 19. Prior to that I could only ride a bike with training wheels

Don't get me wrong, I REALLY wanted to learn how to ride the bike but never got a chance to learn because I didn't have a bike and didn't now anyone who was patient enough to teach me. And then I started going out with a cyclist who was keen to teach and because I was keen to learn, a year has passed and it's the best thing that's ever happened to me!

I'm currently encouraging my little sisters to cycle by taking them on bicycle rides. One is 10 and the other is 15. My younger sister cycled from Cabramatta to Grandville (about 20km) with me the other night! I'm so proud of her! She did it on my old BMX too!

wackydeirdre

I was losing weight and needed a source of exercise to keep things going. Cycling turned out to be the best thing I've done in a while! I cant get enough hours in. I seriously am going to have to look into a new saddle though. I used to cycle standing up but was building up big muscles in my legs and backside. I spoke with someone in a bike store who advised me to sit down while riding, he practically insisted on it! My leggs and butt are trimming down but ouch! I just can't get used to the seat on my road bike. I feel absolutely every bump, I think you all know what I'm talking about.

romana

Hi - I'm 38, and fell into bike riding as a form of exrcise post baby no 5 about 18 mths ago. Fell in LOVE with it! Now ride with smaller two (2 & 4) in bike trailer, and misses 10 & 12 on their bikes ride with me. Did first MB treck and trail ride on weekend, organised by state bike association - great for beginners. Going to take 12yo next time - kids always encouraged on these

ouo

I've always enjoyed cycling.

I used to ride my bike to school with my dad when I was 6 or 7 and my school wasn't that close to where I lived, so we'd get up early and ride. It was mostly downhill on the way there, but I enjoyed it because all my class mates were impressed with my distance (20-30km).

I also live in a hilly, but bike friendly city. It takes me less time to cycle downtown than to drive. As a result I still haven't bothered to get my driver's licence.

wackydeirdre

I've got my licence but prefer cycling hands down. You aren't missing anything. You'll only need to drive when/if you have children.

ouo

I'm still young, I can wait to drive (and to have kids).

MtnBikerChk

22. A man.

I had just gotten out of college and a guy I was dating was an MTB racer. I was always into sports so I bought a bike and then a month later, he moved.

years later I got my now husband into riding and the rest is history.

Muddy Beast

yeah i just got out of the shower from 2 bike rides in the last 3 hours *i got really muddy of course* and i know what your talking about, although im no roady im a hardtailer and once you hit 10mph or so going down or up you feel everything and you have to start standing just to avoid the bounce...no worries though im sure the bouncing does sumn for ya...

~Scott

P.S. thanks for all the great replys ladies! *and gentle men?*

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Batesy

Whats wrong with tag-alongs / kiddie trailers????

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~Dave~______________
Gratia Dei, sum quod sum.

wackydeirdre

[ QUOTE=Batesy]Whats wrong with tag-alongs / kiddie trailers????[/QUOTE
Nothing at all but you obviously need to ride slowly with a kiddie trailer attatched to you. You won't be able to do any serious training. I'm fairly sure kiddie trailers weren't manufactured to travel at speeds of 20 - 30 mph. I also don't know if they can be attached to a road bike.