I'm 53 years old. I was never particularly interested in cycling. I had a bike with gears about 30 years ago, and used to bimble up the road with the kids - absolutely no idea what the gears were for. I'm not sure I even used them.
I loved horse-riding from the age of about 6 onwards. That was my passion. Other than that, anything "sporty" sounded like my idea of hell. I played in the school netball team in the Juniors. That was the limit of my sports activities.
When I became a mum, and the kids became old enough to allow me an hour or two of sitting, uninterrupted, I cross stitched a lot. Usually big projects of big cats and horses. That was my thing. (There's a lazy theme here, right?).
However, in about 2016 I started mud running. My son had participated in one for charity and the photographs looked great fun. I signed up for one, and my love for mud and obstacle running was born. These runs were fun, incredibly stinky, and, well, didn't fit the image of an office clad, suited female. That led to road running half-marathons and trips all over the place (even Dublin) to run.
I'd already discovered a love of climbing mountains with the long-legged one (Barry) and we generally tried to do one stupid activity a month such as white water rafting, snowboarding, climbing, caving, white water kayaking, zip lining, canyoning and I loved doing Via Ferrata at Honister.
I learned to scuba dive as Barry is a technical and rescue diver, and I wanted to be able to share that experience with him, although I don't dive now since Barry actually had to use his rescue skills on me in 2019, dragging me, unconscious from the sea. Not the greatest start to our diving holiday in Egypt! I never did do anything by halves....
I was really struggling to find something I could do at a weekend, which didn't involve a several hour drive to a starting location, and a ridiculously early start.
In May 2019 I discovered cycling. Barry had cycled for many years and suggested I give it a go. Maybe it was something else we could do together (and I thought it would be cheap..... yes, yes, I know - hysterical laughter! I've considered selling a kidney to fund this hobby!).
So, we bought a second-hand Bianchi and off I went. There was no "Now, we're going to be cycling on the roads, is that ok, sweetie?". I just followed him (because I trust completely, his faith in me), and I loved it. I recall we cycled 8 miles. My butt was sore for a few days. I mean, how on earth did people manage hours in the saddle?
So, my love of cycling began.
I absolutely loved that I was discovering pretty lanes and villages around Shropshire that I didn’t even know existed. I would cycle 40 miles, have a cup of coffee, then cycle home. Who'd have thought it!
I joined a club (two in fact) and met wonderful, like-minded people.
I absolutely love riding in a group (my own navigational skills are shocking - I led a group of friends and we passed the same spot 3 times before I gave up and we cycled back!). I love the safety and camaraderie of a lovely group.
I now own a gravel bike and mountain bike (though mountain biking is not my favourite - unfortunately it is Barry's!).
Apparently, as a 50 year old, new to cycling, I wasn't too shabby. I guess a lot of that was desperately trying to hang onto Barry's back wheel.
I did my first century ride 3 months after I started cycling and I've done a few since, including RideLondon this year.
I love sportives and audaxes. I have raced on Zwift as part of WTRL and ZRL, although I'm not competitive enough, and that racing malarkey hurts! Audaxes are much more leisurely and relaxed and fellow audaxers are just the loveliest people.
I ride for pleasure; to see the countryside and take in the fresh air. Running was great, but limited to about a 7 mile radius from your start point. Cycling - you can go anywhere! (Barry and I cycled to The Lake District in July - his bright idea, although hillier than I anticipated, and boy, did his ears know about it....).
Hills are my 《cough cough》sticking point. I'm not great - though I suspect my head lets me down before my legs do.
I am in awe of the fast guys and gals who monster a hill as though it were a flat road. You can usually hear me whining off the back. ...
I'm looking forward to riding outside again, having been relegated to riding on Zwift indoors since breaking my collar bone on a 2-up Time Trial in July. Healing is slow (or non-existant) currently, but while I can spin the legs inside, it's something. I'm missing outdoor rides, club rides and riding with the ladies.
I've had the pleasure of being inspired by super strong and committed young riders, and absolutely amazing riders in their seventies and beyond. How amazing is that? To be able to do something that you love, at that time of life and inspire others?
Ride on, cycling peeps. May the wind always be behind you!
(Angela Boycott / Angela Crawford)
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