You’ve likely seen those videos about picking your “millennial hobby” — running, gardening, bird watching… I was one of those people. I chose to start running.
As a nurse during COVID, running became my therapy — my outlet to cope, stay fit, and keep some kind of routine. Before long, I was regularly running 10 -15 km multiple times per week. I even participated in a few half-marathons and, feeling proud of my progress, I called myself a runner.
Then I met Mark.
He’s been on two wheels since he could walk (maybe not quite, but not far off). Mountain bikes, dirt bikes, road bikes, motorcycles — you name it. It didn’t take long in our relationship before he found me a secondhand road bike so we could ride together. (Note road bike – this will be discussed later).
I figured, “I rode bikes as a kid. Now I run half-marathons — how hard can cycling be?”
Spoiler: harder than I thought.
The muscles didn’t translate. My legs burned, I’d pedal furiously for a bit, then coast because I was exhausted. Mark would say, “You need to keep pedalling.”
Fast forward two and a half years: I’ve now ridden a 90 km Fondo (placing third in my group), and even a 165 km (100-mile) “century” ride. The century ride was Mark’s sneaky way to prove that I could have ridden the full 120 km Fondo. The same rides that once felt impossible are now my favourite way to spend a weekend morning.
Cycling soon became my primary sport — not just for fitness, but for freedom and adventure. Cycling gets you so much farther – we’ve been on some rides with seriously amazing views that we could have never done running. I also find that even the hardest and longest rides do not leave my body as sore as running did (sustainability on the joints!)
Plus, cafe rides. Need I say more? I love a good cup of coffee and a pastry.
Writing this beginner’s guide to cycling
So, if you’ve been bike-curious but unsure where to start, this ten-part blog series is for you. There are many female cyclists out there, though the sport and often my social media feeds still seem dominated by men. And even though I learned to love cycling because of my man, my journey and my needs are different from his.
Over the next few posts in this series, I’ll share everything that helped me — from learning gears and fueling properly, to finding a comfortable saddle and building confidence on the road as a female cyclist.
The first tip I will leave you with – starting something new is hard and intimidating. You are not alone in this feeling. However, the best way to combat these feelings is to get on the bike and build confidence. That is actually Mark’s first and longest-standing advice – get your butt on the bike.
Have you recently started cycling — or are you still thinking about it? Share your story, your biggest hesitation or favourite tips in the comments.
Posts in the series:
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