Fifty Plus (50+) - will you lower the bar to welcome a 46 year old?

Hi, I'm Colleen and I love cycling. I'm 46 but I'd like to hang out there too, may I please? I'm happily married to a wonderful man who supports my endeavors, and I have 4 wonderful kids. I'm a mild mannered nurse by day, obsessed cyclist all other times.

I love to ride my bike. I got more serious about cycling last August when my oldest went off to college and I hit yet another mid-life milestone. Rather than sitting around feeling sorry about things, I got a new bike and started riding.

Then I joined a club with some fantastic people who love to ride. Most of them make my obsessive compulsion to ride seem mild by comparison.

Then I started buying all kinds of crazy cycling clothes. A gore jacket so I could ride all winter. Bike shoes. New pedals. A pack for my handlebars. A computer, then another computer. Funky, fun sox to match the jerseys. Hi-vis vest. A little bell w/a compass. Arm warmers, leg warmers. Wool base layers. Gloves. Great head coverings called a "buff". Crazy expensive shorts, knickers, tights. And after all this, I still feel like I've exercised enormous restraint.

Here is it early June, I've got 2,000 miles for the year.

I'm going on a bike tour in two weeks, GOBA.

When I get back, Lord willing, I am getting a fitting for a new, better bike. A serotta fierte, in steel, yellow.

I have been lurking here and you all seem so nice!

Colleen

I think the Forum should be renamed the nice people's Forum and all who are nice are welcome. Maybe being over 50 does this to you (well some of us anyway).

Hi, I'm Colleen and I love cycling. I'm 46 but I'd like to hang out there too, may I please? I'm happily married to a wonderful man who supports my endeavors, and I have 4 wonderful kids. I'm a mild mannered nurse by day, obsessed cyclist all other times.

I love to ride my bike. I got more serious about cycling last August when my oldest went off to college and I hit yet another mid-life milestone. Rather than sitting around feeling sorry about things, I got a new bike and started riding.

Then I joined a club with some fantastic people who love to ride. Most of them make my obsessive compulsion to ride seem mild by comparison.

Then I started buying all kinds of crazy cycling clothes. A gore jacket so I could ride all winter. Bike shoes. New pedals. A pack for my handlebars. A computer, then another computer. Funky, fun sox to match the jerseys. Hi-vis vest. A little bell w/a compass. Arm warmers, leg warmers. Wool base layers. Gloves. Great head coverings called a "buff". Crazy expensive shorts, knickers, tights. And after all this, I still feel like I've exercised enormous restraint.

Here is it early June, I've got 2,000 miles for the year.

I'm going on a bike tour in two weeks, GOBA.

When I get back, Lord willing, I am getting a fitting for a new, better bike. A serotta fierte, in steel, yellow.

I have been lurking here and you all seem so nice!

Colleen

I'm good with it -- I love your OCP tendencies (matching socks & jerseys), balanced by your Fred-ness (bell, hee, I have one on our tandem). You flatter us, also an important trait for the 50+ denizens.

The bike, the miles, the tour -- yeah, that's good too.

Besides, we need more women in this forum.

Welcome!

I'll allow it

2,000 miles ..Like me..January, 2003 of course.What do you ride now ? What color too please .

I have been lurking here and you all seem so nice!

Colleen

Sure you have the right forum:D :D

Welcome:)

I'm going on a bike tour in two weeks, GOBA.


Will this be your first GOBA? One of the towns on the tour this year is close to my home.

There being no Forty Plus forum, we can allow a few younger folks to join us.

2,000 miles ..Like me..January, 2003 of course.What do you ride now ? What color too please .


Oh yes that's important. I ride a 2006 trek 7.5fx 20". It's like a flat bar road bike/hybrid. It's got deore mtn bike gearing, a terry saddle, candy pedals (in yellow! looks awful, but the price was right)bar ends and a shorter stem, though the reach is still too long. It's all aluminum all over...it's very harsh after 30 miles or so. And it's a brushed silver color. I call him "hi ho silver", my trusty steed

But I am getting a new bike soon. I finally decided what I wanted just a few days ago, and there's no time now to change bikes before the tour. So I will have the new bike aquisition to look forward to after that.

You are all so friendly, thank you for the kind welcome!

Colleen

Will this be your first GOBA? One of the towns on the tour this year is close to my home.


Yes! I'm so excited. ONe of the guys I ride w/lots, has been on every one and he met his wife on GOBA. They go back every year for their anniversary. Very fun couple and great to ride with.

I'm leaving Ohio tomorrow for a week's vacation in the Outer Banks, NC, then straight to GOBA!

Hi Colleen, welcome aboard and I also had the Trek FX 7300 and it's a great bike. I think I may have screwed up though, and gave it to my son. Oh well, I guess you can say I'm looking for a new bike as well. I did look up the Serotta and it doe's look like a very nice bike. Good luck on your tour and most of all have fun.

I think the Forum should be renamed the nice people's Forum and all who are nice are welcome. Maybe being over 50 does this to you (well some of us anyway).

You rename it "Nice People's Forum" and I am so out of here. Heck, I might not qualify anyway.

Hi, Colleen. Glad to see another person from Team Estrogen over here. I'm new to BF, too, and haven't posted much, but everyone is so civilized and nice and, well, old, that it's fun just to lurk.

Janice

(mutter, mutter)...wet behind the ears fortysomething...(grumble, grumble)...place is goin' to hell in a handbasket...what next, kids from the BMX forum? (mumble, mumble)...

;)

(mutter, mutter)...wet behind the ears fortysomething...(grumble, grumble)...place is goin' to hell in a handbasket...what next, kids from the BMX forum? (mumble, mumble)...

;)

+1...the age-to-enter bar keeps getting lower and lower! :D

Of course, if there's pie involved, I'm willing to extend a probationary membership... :)

Welcome!!!!!

Madone - Grey

Oh, I guess so. But BEHAVE!:D Welcome, actually.

First 49, then 46, where will the madness end!!!!!!

Look, I'm almost 61, how about I just loan them both a few years each, that makes them old enough to join, and me young enough to appreciate them.

Welcome, Colleen. Women mature sooner than men, so maybe our age limit for women should be less, anyway. You seem suitably compulsive about your riding, you should fit right in. I'll look forward to your posts.

Younger women? Boy, that's the last thing we would want hanging around.:rolleyes:

The Serotta Fierte looks like a great bike. Steel is real. :beer:

I think the Forum should be renamed the nice people's Forum and all who are nice are welcome. Maybe being over 50 does this to you (well some of us anyway).

You know, I think you have hit the nail on the head about this forum. I ventured over to the forum about giving up your car and riding a bike, and they are pretty political and hostile. I like this forum.

By getting these 40 something juvenile delinquents here, is the tenor of the forum going to change?????????

Just kidding. Welcome!!

You are most welcome here. You will enjoy yourself, and learn a ton in the process. Besides, the AVERAGE age of the forum is still 50. You and DG can get together and accessorize your pedals to match your jerseys, etc.

Younger women? Boy, that's the last thing we would want hanging around.:rolleyes:

The Serotta Fierte looks like a great bike. Steel is real. :beer:

So at 46 I get to be a "younger woman"? I guess I found the right place, now you'll never get rid of me!

I was just talking to my BIL about my new bike and sheepishly told him the ballpark price range (because he asked, twice) and he said "that's better than my wife who bought a 2 1/2 carat diamond that just sits in the drawer, at least it's something you will actually use." That comment surprised me because he is pretty tight w/his shekels.

A 2 1/2 carat diamond would be the last thing I would want to spend hard earned money on. Now, if I won the lotto...easy money...that would be different.

But a bike, especially a great new comfy durable gorgeous expertly manufactured bike like the fierte, well that's a whole different story. I like to take long rides and this aluminum bike I am riding now gets so doggone harsh after 30 miles or so. This steel serotta rode so smooth, I can't imagine anything nicer...except maybe ti? hmmmmmm :-)

Colleen

Hey folks,
She is a nurse.

Who better to include in a 50+ forum than a nurse.

Especially when DG gets going about his pains and such!;)

I dunno...
Do we let kids in here? :p

Oh, I guess so. But BEHAVE!:D

Why? We don't :rolleyes:

Colleen, just use the well tested feminine ruse and lie about your age :D

Welcome - as someone suggested, we need more nurses in this home for the psychotically aged :eek:

Richard

Just one more little thought. You're not Dr. Kevorkian's nurse are you? I mean he just got out recently and all, and you can never be too careful...

:

Colleen, just use the well tested feminine ruse and lie about your age :D



That would be the bizarro world feminine ruse age lie wouldn't it?

Where's the bar? Did somebody say something about a bar? I could use one right about now.

So at 46 I get to be a "younger woman"? I guess I found the right place, now you'll never get rid of me!

.......A 2 1/2 carat diamond would be the last thing I would want to spend hard earned money on. Now, if I won the lotto...easy money...that would be different.

But a bike, especially a great new comfy durable gorgeous expertly manufactured bike like the fierte, well that's a whole different story.....

Colleen

Sigh... I think I'm in love...:D

Hey folks,
She is a nurse.

Who better to include in a 50+ forum than a nurse.

Especially when DG gets going about his pains and such!;)
Moi? I resemble that remark. :(

Oh yes that's important. I ride a 2006 trek 7.5fx 20". It's like a flat bar road bike/hybrid. It's got deore mtn bike gearing, a terry saddle, candy pedals (in yellow! looks awful, but the price was right)bar ends and a shorter stem, though the reach is still too long. It's all aluminum all over...it's very harsh after 30 miles or so.

They put a carbon fork on the 2007 7.5 FX and it rides smoother now.

She didn't have to reveal her age really for as long as she act like one of us 50 +. Welcome though.

as long as she act like one of us 50 +. Welcome though.
That could get her into a lot of trouble in a respectable place.:p

Welcome Colleen

OK, but only if you are willing to share your aches and pains and the medications you take for them. ;)

Then I started buying all kinds of crazy cycling clothes. A gore jacket so I could ride all winter. Bike shoes. New pedals. A pack for my handlebars:eek: :eek:. A computer, then another computer. Funky, fun sox to match the jerseys. Hi-vis vest. A little bell w/a compass:eek: :eek: . Arm warmers, leg warmers. Wool base layers. Gloves. Great head coverings called a "buff". Crazy expensive shorts, knickers, tights. And after all this, I still feel like I've exercised enormous restraint.

Here is it early June, I've got 2,000 miles for the year;) .

I'm going on a bike tour in two weeks, GOBA;) .

When I get back, Lord willing, I am getting a fitting for a new, better bike. A serotta fierte;) ;) ;) , in steel, yellow.

I have noted a couple of items above that look a little Fred, but are overshadowed by the Serotta. On balance, okay as long as she does not get a bent.

Is your bike kinda like this?

http://chainwheeldrive.com/merchant/216/images/site/helenTriggLg.jpg

It is very rude for males to enquire of a ladies age- If you hadn't told us - we would have just thought that you were wearing very well. So I take it you made a typo ond we don't know your true age.- Just like dnvrfx. We know that he is only 35 but he has such a mature attitude that we let him stay in any case.

Welcome- but can you cook and do you know where the local UPS depot is to send out the pie.

The OP was a great big yawn...until she broke out with the "serotta fierte, in steel, yellow" rap. Clearly, a woman of taste and distinction!

OK, she's in...

As one of the kids that will be paying my social security soon you are certainly welcome here.

She's a nurse, she can get us drugs :D

I was just talking to my BIL about my new bike and sheepishly told him the ballpark price range (because he asked, twice) and he said "that's better than my wife who bought a 2 1/2 carat diamond that just sits in the drawer, at least it's something you will actually use." That comment surprised me because he is pretty tight w/his shekels.

This steel serotta rode so smooth, I can't imagine anything nicer...except maybe ti? hmmmmmm :-)Welcome, Colleen! Wow, I love what your BIL said. I'm saving that one up for my next upgrade.

I have an aluminum Trek with carbon fork/stays, which is quite comfortable, but my all-steel Klein is just as comfortable (okay, maybe a bit more comfortable)--and they're both much smoother than all-aluminum. I'm sure you're going to adore the new bike. Doesn't the wait kill you? It does me!

By the way, after two years of riding, I've got my jerseys hung up in color sequence...black, blue, green, red, yellow, white. And I *don't* mean one of each! (Oops, no purple in there...must remedy that oversight... :p ).

Hi Colleen,

These folks have tolerated me since I was your age just a couple of years ago...and still tolerate me - which is surprising since I have been thrown out of much better places than this! You being a goil, and a nurse and all, I figure you're in. :D

Hi Colleen,

These folks have tolerated me since I was your age just a couple of years ago...and still tolerate me - which is surprising since I have been thrown out of much better places than this! You being a goil, and a nurse and all, I figure you're in. :D
We tolerated you? Are you sure about that??? :D

We tolerated you? Are you sure about that??? :D

I have the cleat marks all over my body to prove it. :p

OK, but only if you are willing to share your aches and pains and the medications you take for them. ;)


I have a personal 45 second time limit on talking about my aches and pains. After that, it just gets well, monotonous. But being a nurse, I know how to nod and "hmm, I see" at appropriate intervals for anyone who feels compelled to drone on about such matters :rolleyes:

Also, I will offer free medical advice, that is worth every penny! :D

Colleen

Hi Colleen,

These folks have tolerated me since I was your age just a couple of years ago...and still tolerate me - which is surprising since I have been thrown out of much better places than this! You being a goil, and a nurse and all, I figure you're in. :D

Hi Chip...we're neighbors! I'm west of Cleveland in Lagrange, a sweet little cowtown.

Welcome, Colleen! Wow, I love what your BIL said. I'm saving that one up for my next upgrade.

I have an aluminum Trek with carbon fork/stays, which is quite comfortable, but my all-steel Klein is just as comfortable (okay, maybe a bit more comfortable)--and they're both much smoother than all-aluminum. I'm sure you're going to adore the new bike. Doesn't the wait kill you? It does me!

By the way, after two years of riding, I've got my jerseys hung up in color sequence...black, blue, green, red, yellow, white. And I *don't* mean one of each! (Oops, no purple in there...must remedy that oversight... :p ).


we must not allow purple to feel left out, neglected. There are plenty of purple jerseys who would be proud to be hung, in color sequence, in your closet. Go out adopt one as soon as you can.

The wait is killing me but I've also learned from cycling that getting there is more than half the fun, so the anticipation of the new bike is pretty nice too :D

Is your bike kinda like this?

http://chainwheeldrive.com/merchant/216/images/site/helenTriggLg.jpg

it is, that's it! I found that pic also and bookmarked it to I can visit my bike's twin every day until I can get him safely home w/me.

that will be me too, saluting and shouting "hey look at my new bike!" But I will be dressed in (hopefully) slightly less matronly garb (not that there's anything wrong w/matronly garb)

ironic that you refer to your bike as a male... I always thought bikes were like ships-- always female :)

welcome-

train safe-