Originally Posted by substructure
I really want to better myself physically. There are some friends who ride like the wind and I just ain't there yet - "YET." I also would like to compete in something by next year. But, being mid 30 and just starting holds me back mentally. I need to break that mental thing first, though.
Being so young should not hold you back mentally. ;-)
Seriously, get over the age thing, like now. My 43 yr old GF took up riding (more than a couple of miles on a path anyway) in July and completed her first century in under 6 hours in September (HHH) - on an inexpensive Raliegh Rt 1.
Dude, just ride and have fun, what is the worst that can happen, someone rides faster? Joke is on them, while they are mashing away, you can be checking out the cute gal riding the other way in a low cut tank.