r/ladycyclists

Halloweenie Night Ride with a side of black walnuts

First of all, I’m friggin old now and a stroke survivor, so my speed and distance are not comparable to what all you young gazelles.

But as part of my recovery from last year’s stroke, I bought a recumbent e-trike, as I have balance issues now, and can’t unclip my left foot unless I can reach my heel to yank it to the side.

A couple of days ago I went for a glorious ride around the nearby forest preserve. Leaves crunching under my wheels, wind in my face, and a mess of black walnuts on the trail, still in their husks. But I ran out of time to get home in time for dinner and a show with the in-laws. Oops, I screwed up! But it was a gorgeous day with the trees starting to change color.

The next night, I decided to throw on all my reflective gear and my Lumos helmet and go for a night ride around the neighborhood, to see if the lighting system on my Catrike was as good as it was described. Yes - plus the flag and pole were super bright.

Added bonus: some of the Halloween decorations in the neighborhood are crazy fun. This one especially was great, as the wheels on the skeleton’s bike spun like pinwheels. Outstanding.

If you have bright lights and reflective gear, try a night ride in your neighborhood. Not all rides have to be 65k and 16mph, and soon we’ll be riding our trainers in our pain caves through the winter.

u/lelanicarver — 4 days ago

▲ 22 r/ladycyclists

Losing time with friends because I’m slow

Hi gals, the title is a little dramatic but this is the gist: I have several friends I met through a beginner bike ride. We have all improved to be regular cyclists, and have done centuries and long rides together. Several of them are getting into really fast rides (like pace line style), while I am not. I only have a gravel bike, and on top of that I’m not very fast lol. I am happy averaging 14mph. That said, I do find that this means I am left spending a lot less time with my friends while they do speedy things.

Of course we do other, chill rides or hang out outside of biking, but understandably they want to spend their Saturdays on fast, long training rides. Overall I’m fine with this, knowing we just have different goals, but it does make me a little sad and/or makes me wonder if I should work to get to that level. I know this doesn’t mean our friendship is over or anything, but I do feel a little bit like the loser of the group for it lol. I am def not a beginner but also not equipped to do paceline so feel like I’m left behind. Have you experienced this? What helped?

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u/TimelySpite4500 — 9 days ago

▲ 53 r/ladycyclists

Anyone riding gravel in RI or MA and want to be friends?

I used to ride with my ex and his friends, but now I find myself riding solo. I miss having bike friends. Let me know if you're local to RI or southern Mass and want to connect.

u/windbcspin — 9 days ago

▲ 39 r/ladycyclists

Arkansas High Country first timer

I completed the ARHC NW Loop (245 miles) after three 8-9 hour days on the bike. What a fantastic race! It was difficult, challenging, rough terrain with some intense climbs (hike-a-bike). The ride was made enjoyable by sweeping views from White Rock Mountain, new and old friendships, sleeping under the stars, and the ache of muscles after a long day of work in the saddle.

Two days I stopped after sunset, at which I had previously expressed apprehension. The very isolated, rural communities of Arkansas were quite safe for evening and night riding, so my fears were quickly eased with my lights and reflectors.

This course can be found on the American Cycling Association's web page and a paper map purchased (the route goes through cell dead zones frequently).

I rode on a Salsa Warbird, I did not bring a tent and I did not have suspension.

u/chupazoid — 9 days ago

▲ 5 r/ladycyclists+1 crossposts

Started a Youth MTB Club: Ask Me Anything

After we were shut out of schools March 13, 2020, I dove into my hobby: riding bikes on off-road trails.

We had been racing competitively, but who wants to do that with a mask on. Remember the first few months of shutdown when we thought we had to wear masks or outdoors too?

I had no kids then. Now we have 2 little biking kids.

I had so many friends asking me to teach their kids to ride during covid that I decided to start bigger group rides before I formally started the club. These rides were focused on getting more girls and women on bikes.

I started to ask my friends if they wanted to start a club with me. A few thought about it but eventually back down. I went into a local bike shop and they were eager to start the collaboration. Fast forward to today. The group generally has 150 kids and 50 volunteers each year who are required through USA cycling to go through mandated reporter training. A good friend of mine took it over after I decided to have a second child. I got to plan the logo. The name recruit volunteers and distribute the bikes that the bike shop donated. There are a lot of other details around starting this group, but I am proud that it continues to run strong and that I will become a member of this group again, not as a leader but as a participant this spring because our oldest child can now have a cycling license which is required to join the group.

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u/Sea_YouL8tr — 8 days ago