That's so sad. It has been my experience as a nonathletic woman who avoids sports involving teams and projectiles, cycling (and rowing) are physical activities that are fairly easy for women to do and get good at in a relatively short period of time. Even though I was out of shape when I started, my leg muscles were already quite strong, and it has not been hard to see improvements in my speed and stamina with my short yet consistent rides to work. Being a natural multitasker helps navigate streets and car traffic. I'd say many if not most women are like me in both respects.

My goal is to be in a condition to be able to haul a 40 lb bag of cat litter in a bike trailer 4 miles home Spring/Summer 2007. If I am consistent, I think this is doable.

Are you sure it's not the hair and makeup thing? My wife is quite fit (she's an excellent skiier) and loves to go for a mellow ride with me and the kids. We work in the same area of downtown so she knows that it's very commutable but I can't get her over the hair thing. She knows I won't let her ride downtown without a helmet and she "needs" (her words) to have her hair done when she leaves the house.

I am starting my own legal consulting office and already converted one of my employees. He has lost weight and feels much better.

Ricardo

In my life, I've converted 3.

One was my father. One was a recovering alcoholic and the other was a junkie. No conversions in the past 3 decades though.

I even knew an ex bicycle messenger. He couldn't take the rigors of bicycle commuting.