Any teen bikers out there?
07-22-08, 05:10 PM
#51
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I am 16 and have been riding since I was about 5. Road since ~12, racing since 14. Love every minute of it. Working at a bike shop is the coolest thing I could immagine doing. I like to go the indentured servant route with my bike stuff. Buy tons of cool stuff then work to pay it off 
As for spandex- hells yeah! When asked if I wear that "really tight biker stuff" I reply "Yes, when I wear anything at all!" Great conversation starter LOL
As for spandex- hells yeah! When asked if I wear that "really tight biker stuff" I reply "Yes, when I wear anything at all!" Great conversation starter LOL
07-22-08, 05:21 PM
#52
ub3r n00b
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Crew is fun too. Except for the hand blisters. 15 here, road since 12-3?, racing started this year, doing alright! I really like it, road races and TT's especially. Cat 4, and staying that way until next year and hopefully entering in junior nationals!
07-22-08, 06:08 PM
#53
Crushing souls
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I'm 18 and I ride. I started when I was 17 and i have loved every minute of it. I rode to school quite a bit and only an immature freshmen gave me any grief about the lycra/spandex/"tight cycling wear". Of course, once I put his head through a locker, nobody said anything about it anymore.
Now go out and ride your bike.
Now go out and ride your bike.
07-22-08, 06:30 PM
#55
zone 2
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18, near as makes no difference. Been riding bikes since I was 4 or 5, but road only in the past 6 months. Love it. I want to start racing next year after finding a club in San Francisco, where I'm going for college.
07-22-08, 06:50 PM
#56
I'm 16, and have always dipped into road cycling a little as some cross training for motocross racing, but have recently got way more into road cycling (moved from a giant hybrid to an older raleigh 555sl). I have yet to shave my legs or start wearing spandex, and idk if wearing spandex would de good for my "reputation," but I am considering doing it anyway because cargo shorts are not prime cycling wear 
even with compression shorts underneath.
even with compression shorts underneath.
07-22-08, 07:19 PM
#60
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I'm 15, had a road bike for a few years but only really started riding this year. I've been going to local(ish) training crits, and did a stage race last week. So far its been a pretty good time... my friend also does it, so I have a riding buddy. As for the spandex, whatever. There goes the caring train...guess i'm not on it. Also, i don't really know why people shave their legs. The aerodynamic savings must be minimal to nonexistent. Besides, why not just shave your head? I've seen plenty of moptops with shaved legs.
07-22-08, 07:20 PM
#61
James
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I'm 17. I've been on a road bike for a few years now and have worked at the LBS during that time. Most of my friends know I ride my bike but I don't think many of them understand to what extent.
I suppose it's that way because I'm pretty apathetic when it comes to looking the part. I'm only kitted up when my butt is on the saddle, I don't shave my legs because I feel no need to, and I burn more than I tan.
I suppose it's that way because I'm pretty apathetic when it comes to looking the part. I'm only kitted up when my butt is on the saddle, I don't shave my legs because I feel no need to, and I burn more than I tan.
07-22-08, 07:22 PM
#62
Portland Fred
I'd agree that road cycling isn't the greatest sport for high school kids because of the whole "I wish I had a better... [bike part]" syndrome where you feel inept riding on the same roads as 40 year olds with Zipp'd Cervelo SLC-SL's and such. Always fun to pass them though. Money can't buy youth. 
When you're young, you feel good passing the older guys on fancy equipment. When you get older, you still enjoy riding and can appreciate the nice stuff even if you know you're not quite as strong as you once were.
Plus, it's not exactly humiliating getting passed by someone who's more than 20 years younger than you -- especially when few who try actually succeed
07-22-08, 07:51 PM
#64
location:northern Ohio
Cycling's fun no matter what age you are.
When you're young, you feel good passing the older guys on fancy equipment. When you get older, you still enjoy riding and can appreciate the nice stuff even if you know you're not quite as strong as you once were.
Plus, it's not exactly humiliating getting passed by someone who's more than 20 years younger than you -- especially when few who try actually succeed
When you're young, you feel good passing the older guys on fancy equipment. When you get older, you still enjoy riding and can appreciate the nice stuff even if you know you're not quite as strong as you once were.
Plus, it's not exactly humiliating getting passed by someone who's more than 20 years younger than you -- especially when few who try actually succeed
.......
.......this crap is all going back WallPhart sporting goods.
07-22-08, 07:53 PM
#65
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I'm eighteen and just started. As I ran out of water, I pulled into a gas station today and saw some assclowns who graduated with me. I more or less didn't acknowledge them. Normally I stick to staying far away from everyone, so this event is a rarity.
07-22-08, 08:26 PM
#66
sensei
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I am 18 road riding since January fixed since march and mtn biking in may. i am a runner and the spandex is not as revealing as the shorts I run in so it makes it all better. I want to get into racing but i dont know how fast i need to be or where to start.
07-22-08, 08:31 PM
#67
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The bike forums server is weird right now >
Oh well hm...a few responses:
Backroadsbiker- I envy you working at a bike shop! That is like the coolest thing ever!
spry- That was
hm..I wish I had a buddy to get into biking with, I do not know anyone who does it seriously like everyone here on the forums...
Oh well hm...a few responses:
Backroadsbiker- I envy you working at a bike shop! That is like the coolest thing ever!
spry- That was
hm..I wish I had a buddy to get into biking with, I do not know anyone who does it seriously like everyone here on the forums...
07-22-08, 08:32 PM
#68
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I'd agree that road cycling isn't the greatest sport for high school kids because of the whole "I wish I had a better... [bike part]" syndrome where you feel inept riding on the same roads as 40 year olds with Zipp'd Cervelo SLC-SL's and such. Always fun to pass them though. Money can't buy youth.
I am 16 and got my bike a few weeks ago. I am really loving it. I have been doing 20+ mile rides my with 17 year old friend. I am even thinking of starting a cycling club at my high school next year. I hope that I can find other students that are interested in cycling to come and do rides with us after school.
07-22-08, 08:42 PM
#70
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I really want to try and find some local businesses around my city to donate some money to our club so that we could buy some semi-custom jerseys. They would of course have their business advertised on the back.
07-22-08, 08:48 PM
#71
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I'm 19 but have only been riding for a little over a year, so I was already out of high school when I started. I don't think I could have done it back then or even enjoyed it. Wouldn't ever pick another form of exercise to do as much as I ride my bike. I would love to race I think, but I need some more practice riding in groups(not gonna be the cause of an accident if I can help it).
07-22-08, 08:50 PM
#72
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16. Ironically...my school loves that I'm a cyclist. Our enrollment is hovering around 200...so everyone knows about me. At least once a day someone asks me something related to cycling..."You bike here?!", "When's your next race?!" etc. I don't mind the attention.
If I've figured out one thing in my short life so far...it's enjoy high school for what it's worth. Love cycling to death...but keep things in perspective, stay active in school sports and activities. I am a three sport athlete and still race in the summer...but I am still playing vids with friends...eating like crap occasionally...and doing random stuff. Enjoy your youthful years for what they are worth...and use cycling as a way to enjoy it more...not deplete it so that your life revolves around it.
I'm done...later.
If I've figured out one thing in my short life so far...it's enjoy high school for what it's worth. Love cycling to death...but keep things in perspective, stay active in school sports and activities. I am a three sport athlete and still race in the summer...but I am still playing vids with friends...eating like crap occasionally...and doing random stuff. Enjoy your youthful years for what they are worth...and use cycling as a way to enjoy it more...not deplete it so that your life revolves around it.
I'm done...later.
Keep ridin' and being cool!
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07-22-08, 08:53 PM
#73
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Now I really wish I went to your school to be in the club!
07-22-08, 09:02 PM
#74
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The owner of a LBS around here's son is going to go to high school next year. His dad said that he would probably go to a private high school. Would be cool if he went to mine though.
07-22-08, 09:06 PM
#75
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yeah, that'd be cool, at least one other for sure person.
This isn't related to what you were saying but I guess my mom's cousin and his son are road cyclists, I am tempted to get in touch with him through email to chat about it but I dunno if it would be weird.
This isn't related to what you were saying but I guess my mom's cousin and his son are road cyclists, I am tempted to get in touch with him through email to chat about it but I dunno if it would be weird.
