Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - I feel silly

Just have to admit...I'm taking a beginning mountain biking class for women tonight after work. Suddenly, I'm feeling all insecure. I'm too old, I'm too fat, I won't be able to keep up, I'll fall and hurt myself (my biggest fear). :mad: Grrr. I hate this. So, please send me happy bicycling thoughts! :giver: I'll let you know how it goes!

Go get 'em!

The only way you can fail is by not showing up.

Nah. The ones that should be embarrassed are the ones that are sitting in front of the tv watching other people's interesting lives. On the club ride this past Monday, one larger woman came along on the 44 miler. Really friendly and likeable woman. Her husband is one of the stronger and faster riders. She struggled with the ride, especially the steep hills in the last 5 miles. But she did the whole thing. Everybody recognized what an accomplishment it was for her and she got a round of applause when she rolled into the parking lot.

You will be fine, with the items learned you will show up everyone shortly! GO ROCK IT!!

will let everyone else address the motivation side :)

In regards to falling and hurting your self, it will happen eventually but then again the ISS might fall out of the sky and hit you :) . (point of interest the ISS is always falling out of the sky ......)

There is little point to being worried about it, aware of it yes but not worried. If you are riding with other people then you know someone will help you . In my last accident I didn't want to call family as they where all busy so I walked 4 miles to the hospital..... DON'T DO THIS :p

Let us know how it goes, and wear a helmet :)

funny story... I actually taught such a class (still do on occasion). I was demostrating how to go over obstructacles like tree limbs and such. I went over my setup 5 times demostrating technique... on the sixth pass I zoned out and forgot to take the log (which was not anchored) through the middle and it popped up into my wheel... I was ejected up and over the bike (amazing there was enough force to throw this old fat woman over the bars). I did a flip arse over heels and landed HARD on my butt in a cloud of dust. Busted my elbow wide open and my back was killing me but I sprung up and said "I was showing you how not to do it..." had a god laugh and moved on with the demostration. I didn't get to cry until afterwards...

So things could be worse... The trainer won't mind who or what you are and the class doesn't either. Its all about riding and enjoying being out in nature!

Remember you don't have to do anything you aren't comfortable with... the point is to listen and learn. Report back. I'm interested to hear what you think...

Congrats on choosing my favorite biking style. i love Mountain biking for the variety of scenery and being out of doors and off the pavement. Stay in your comfort zone for a while. Get to know your bike. You will enjoy it immensely, and the people are awesome.

Secondly, Mountain biking is a good full body workout. When I ride skinny tires I tend to get a belly. The change in posture, difference in climbing and use of your upper body in descending give a more aerobic work out. ALL of you can get worn out. That is a benefit to me. I stay trimmer and "somewhat" firmer by mountain biking. Plus the clothes are baggy and more comfortable. Those skin suits offend my delicate sensibilities. :lol::thumb:

Cool! In my heart of hearts I would like to be a mountain biker.

Goldfinch. Go get a mountain bike. In time you will be mad at yourself for waiting so long.

Bikinpotter. I'm proud of you. Hope you post up tonight with some stories, I'm assuming the beginner class will have some fun moments. Your a mountain biker now whether you know it or not. Awsome.

Update!! Come on Dudette, we live for this stuff, how'd it go??????

I've said this before. In my youth I was sad and miserable, and finally found true happiness in not carring what others think. It was very liberating. I get the sense that you are at the place too. Good for you!

The second thing comes from my Uncle Emilo (now 89 and still getting around) in Atascadero CA when I was trying to ride his horse, Francie. She sensed my fear and was trying like hell to through me off. Uncle Meathead ( a term of endearment we all used on him) said, "you gotta show her who's boss". "How do I do That?" "Don't fall off"

Show that bike who's boss :D

Less than a month ago, my 62-year-old mother-in-law got on a bike for the first time in about 40 years. She weighs more than I do and had the same fears you did, right up until the point she put foot to pedal and started moving.

Aside from the day her only grandchild was born, I don't think I've ever so much joy in her smile.

Cool! In my heart of hearts I would like to be a mountain biker.

I recently ordered a Marin XM6 full suspension all-mountain rig because I have midlife crisis dreams of hucking it over 6' drops and 10' gaps on the badass trails at Duthie Hill Park. In reality, there will be 7 year olds getting bigger air than me, and I'll probably fall down on the easy trails... you know, the ones without any jumps or dropoff sections. :lol:

I recently ordered a Marin XM6 full suspension all-mountain rig because I have midlife crisis dreams of hucking it over 6' drops and 10' gaps on the badass trails at Duthie Hill Park :lol:

THAT'S WHERE I WAS!!! Boy, am I tired! It was a wonderful experience. Scared the crap out of me. There's something about the rocks and the mud and the roots that just freaks me out. It's like a paranoia, almost. (The secret is to LET GO.) The instructors were super. After we did a bunch of stuff we rode some single track with switch backs and steep (to me) turns and I was the slowest one, but I didn't care because I was having fun and screamed "I HATE THIS!!!" every time I got scared. I also swore like a sailor. I'm terrified of heights & speed when I don't feel in control. I hated roller coasters when I was a kid. Now I love them. So, I think mountain biking will be the same way, for me. I'll hate it until my skills improve and then I'll love it. I'm already dying to go try those trails again. Thanks for all the encouragement! You guys rule!

will let everyone else address the motivation side :)

In regards to falling and hurting your self, it will happen eventually but then again the ISS might fall out of the sky and hit you :) . (point of interest the ISS is always falling out of the sky ......)
One of my favorite tv shows is "Dead Like Me"....the girl who gets killed by the toilet seat that falls from the space station...


There is little point to being worried about it, aware of it yes but not worried. If you are riding with other people then you know someone will help you . In my last accident I didn't want to call family as they where all busy so I walked 4 miles to the hospital..... DON'T DO THIS :p

I'd say words to live by....


Let us know how it goes, and wear a helmet :)

Always!

And you didn't fall

And you didn't fall

Not today! :)

THAT'S WHERE I WAS!!! Boy, am I tired! It was a wonderful experience. Scared the crap out of me. There's something about the rocks and the mud and the roots that just freaks me out. It's like a paranoia, almost. (The secret is to LET GO.) The instructors were super. After we did a bunch of stuff we rode some single track with switch backs and steep (to me) turns and I was the slowest one, but I didn't care because I was having fun and screamed "I HATE THIS!!!" every time I got scared. I also swore like a sailor. I'm terrified of heights & speed when I don't feel in control. I hated roller coasters when I was a kid. Now I love them. So, I think mountain biking will be the same way, for me. I'll hate it until my skills improve and then I'll love it. I'm already dying to go try those trails again. Thanks for all the encouragement! You guys rule!

Sounds like you had a great time, very happy to hear it .


btw Iwas wearing a helmet when I had that fall i mentioned earlier... doctor just pointed to the crack in the helmet and said " you would be dead with out this" .
Didn't want people to think i would ride with out one.... its not paranoia when the ground is really out to get you

Never got in to that show "dead like me" i did find the toilet part funny .

So when are you going again ? oh and where is the PICs and the helmet camera come on lady stop being slack :)

come on lady stop being slack :)

:roflmao2:

THAT'S WHERE I WAS!!! Boy, am I tired! It was a wonderful experience. Scared the crap out of me. There's something about the rocks and the mud and the roots that just freaks me out. It's like a paranoia, almost. (The secret is to LET GO.) The instructors were super. After we did a bunch of stuff we rode some single track with switch backs and steep (to me) turns and I was the slowest one, but I didn't care because I was having fun and screamed "I HATE THIS!!!" every time I got scared. I also swore like a sailor. I'm terrified of heights & speed when I don't feel in control. I hated roller coasters when I was a kid. Now I love them. So, I think mountain biking will be the same way, for me. I'll hate it until my skills improve and then I'll love it. I'm already dying to go try those trails again. Thanks for all the encouragement! You guys rule!

Cool!

Swore like a sailor eh, don't post pictures, we need videos! This sounds really fun! Congrats on the maiden voyage.

THAT'S WHERE I WAS!!! Boy, am I tired! It was a wonderful experience.

Did they mention the upcoming Sugar Showdown weekend (http://www.pinkbike.com/news/2012-Sugar-Showdown-Announced.html) while you were there? That's going to be a pretty hype deal; lots of pro riders to watch, and plenty of skills sessions for every level.

That sounds like a hell of a good time!