Team Priority Health

How did you get into cycling?

As cross training for Nordic ski racing since the season is so short in Michigan.

I got into cycling via triathlon.  I realized pretty quickly that I loved the bike leg of the sport, which led to time trials, and onto road races and crits. I stink at swimming anyhow; so bike racing was the obvious choice.

I started riding my bike a lot to get places, like work and the boathouse for rowing practice in the mornings. Then I started riding more on weekends for fun, and eventually decided to try racing. I started with the Ann Arbor Velo Club training series in April, and immediately got hooked.
 
I got into cycling when I did a spin class and the instructor was way better than me (at the time I was a collegiate swimmer).   I kept going, trying to beat him. One thing lead to another: first a couple triathlons, then some group rides, and now I can't wait to race every weekend.   I would tell someone getting into the sport: what a great idea! It's fun, the people are fun, and cycling has no age limit.
 
Originally, it provided me a pleasant commute around the city.   Then, I discovered mountain biking.  I began riding regularly on weekends and after work with a group of friends on the trails close to Boston.   We would all push each other and oftentimes I surprised myself at the terrain I was able to clear.  It was great fun.  

Someone suggested that I try racing.  So, I joined an all-woman's 24 hour mountain bike team and trained for the event.  We did not win, but we finished and I loved it.   From there, I explored cross-country racing at the ski mountains in New England and joined a couple more 24 hour teams. 

For me though, racing was always a casual, fun thing that had its place within everything else in my life. All things change and as time moved on, I made the natural progression to marriage and starting a family.  I devoted all my time and energy to raising my children. It became really difficult to ride regularly and I stopped racing all together. I did not give up trying to maintain my fitness level.  

Once I moved to Michigan, I enrolled in a spinning program at the YMCA where someone told me about the Ann Arbor Velo Club.  I had done some road riding in the past, but only to supplement my mountain biking. I was curious, so I bought a bike and began to ride on the woman's developmental Aberdeen team and to try some races once again.  I enjoy it very much and suspect I will be using my mountain bike to supplement my road riding this year.
 
I started on a dare.  
Somebody suggested that I do a race with an old bike that even had a kickstand.  It helped that I had no idea of what I was doing.   I wouldn't be caught dead in a race with a kickstand!  I won, hands down, and have been doing it more and sometimes less and then sometimes more again and again.
 

What would you recommend to someone who is interested in getting into the sport?

Borrow a road bike (if needed) and try a "no drop" or easier paced group ride.  Many clubs also offer a women only ride that has an easier pace to accommodate new/newer riders who are female.   Whether you are a guy or a gal, a beginner friendly ride is worth giving a chance since you should receive constructive feedback and tips from the group.   Don't be intimidated, give it a shot.
 
I started riding….in winter….in Michigan, because I couldn't stand freezing waiting for the bus!   To get into riding, try different types of riding and see what appeals to you.

• Have the need for speed? Try racing.
  
• Like sightseeing? Ride tandem.
  
• Like to eat lunch and socialize? Ride with a touring group.  
  
• Love jumping in mud puddles? Try cyclocross.
  
• Adventure? How about mountain biking at night!
  
• Out of body experience? Try an ultracycling event.

 
Getting into the sport is easier than you might imagine.   Look for rides posted by your local bike shop, riding club, or triathlon club, which advertise rides that teach pace line skills, and work up from there.   Cyclists tend to be a friendly sort, so ask questions of knowledgeable riders you know, to get more information about local races.
 
Go watch a race.
If you're interested, go watch a bike race first.   Ask other spectators about the race, and you'll find that people are usually very friendly and eager to talk about the basics. Ride your bike more. Find people to ride around town with. Chase after groups of cyclists with fancy jerseys and bikes and when you catch them, act like chasing them was no big deal, and ask them about the local races coming up, where you can show off your stuff.