| Many people who reach their 40's and liked to run or | | | | I was really uncertain about my ability to immediately |
| jog, suddenly find that their knees and joints are not as | | | | join a club of people riding mostly road bikes and being |
| sympathetic as they used to be. As a result, they are | | | | able to keep up. However, what I learned was that |
| reluctant to pound the pavement like before and | | | | there are all kinds of clubs around that cater to various |
| search for new ways to exercise. | | | | levels of ability. And, the one I joined turned out to offer |
| Not surprisingly, a lot of exercisers turn to gyms and | | | | a variety of levels. |
| the ever wide array of aerobic machines available. | | | | They usually post their rides on-line with time, place and |
| Elliptical machines, stair climbers, recumbent bikes, etc. | | | | difficulty information. Since "joining" means showing up |
| are all available, including more knee friendly treadmills. | | | | for a ride, one Saturday I decide to go for a 35 mile |
| When this happened to me, I immediately missed the | | | | ride, not believing I could make that distance. (Usually |
| out of doors from my former running days. It just was | | | | there are different distance options) |
| so much more boring when the only landscape change | | | | I won't tell you that it was a cake walk, but I made it! I |
| was the next segment on ESPN or the Shopping | | | | was hooked because riding with a good club means |
| Channel or whatever else might be on the gym | | | | people actually stay together... which feels much safer |
| television to entertain us. I knew I had to find away to | | | | on the roads. You also immediately learn a lot of the |
| spend an hour or two outside getting my heart rate up. | | | | little tricks and etiquette of riding with a group. |
| I had always loved bicycles, but had never ridden | | | | In fact this group turned out to have all ages...it was not |
| anything more than your basic Schwinn from the 60's. I | | | | just cycling for babyboomers. One gentleman led a |
| happen to live in a college town where there is an | | | | ride (people volunteer to "lead" rides, meaning they |
| active cycling community. But, would cycling in your | | | | make sure everyone gets back safe) each year on |
| 50's make sense? | | | | his birthday. This past spring you had to ride 73 miles in |
| First, I pulled out my old hybrid bike (one that is half | | | | you wanted to go the whole way with him! |
| road bike and half trail bike) to get it tuned up at the | | | | Non-cyclists think the distances sound daunting, but you |
| one of the local bike shops. When I picked it up, I asked | | | | can ride much further than you would imagine. After all, |
| if they had any suggestions about cycling for general | | | | you can rest on the downhills and hopefully have a |
| fitness. | | | | wind to your back sometimes. |
| Most people working in bike shops are usually pretty | | | | If all else fails, try the first good advice I learned. If you |
| passionate, and are willing to help you get started. In | | | | are struggling, get a few inches behind the largest |
| this case, the young man suggested joining a bike club. | | | | person you can find in the line, and enjoy the almost |
| I was really even certain what a bike club was, but | | | | free ride. Just know, when you get stronger, you are |
| decided, after a few solo runs that it would be much | | | | expected to reciprocate. And if you ride much at all, |
| more fun and safe to ride with a group. | | | | you will get stronger. |