Riding as a new(ish) mum...

**KATWYN** · 10th November 2007, 17:43

Originally Posted by Riff Raff

I don't think maternity jeans are going to cut it in the safety stakes.

lol Yea elastic waisted nana jeans....the kind I never thought I would ever wear - now i'm wearing them regulary

Oh and yea 5 years is a long time to be outa the saddle I reakon so it will be a bit like starting again.

But you know what they say about riding a bike....you never forget, it all comes back to you

**White trash** · 10th November 2007, 17:57

Originally Posted by Riff Raff

And then there's the problem of not being able to fit into your gear anymore (even in the first trimester *sigh) - somehow I don't think maternity jeans are going to cut it in the safety stakes.

Ummmmmm, anything you wanna tell me?

**Goblin** · 10th November 2007, 18:53

Originally Posted by Number One

...I wonder if I'll ever feel quite as confident and free as I used to on a bike?

Got any advice?

Hey it's just like riding a bike!

Just do it and it'll all come back to ya.

**Storm** · 10th November 2007, 19:59

Originally Posted by White trash

Ummmmmm, anything you wanna tell me?

I've heard modern folks do things on the net, but thats a hell of a way to break the news

**MVnut** · 10th November 2007, 22:23

Originally Posted by Mrs Kendog

Give us a yell if you ever want to go for a quiet ride about on the hubby's bike to get your confidence back, there's a bunch of us ladies here in welly who like to go for a nice "cruise" every now and then (in fact, just got back from todays ride), you'd fit in great, we all look after each other and have fun, you're more than welcome to come along!

What a great post Mrs K, no wonder though when you have Supernanny as your avatar .......lol and all the best with your riding new ish mum, just take things at your own pace

**howdamnhard** · 10th November 2007, 23:45

Originally Posted by Number One

I sold my gorgeous, fantastic bike when I got pregnant, partly cost saving as the loan and rego were becoming a burden on top of the other two vehicles - especially staring down the barrel of a single income existence!
Partly also cos I didn't want to be struck by the temptation to ride pregnant. I'm sometimes ruled by the 'Murphy's law' thought pattern...you know, if someone is going to have a bad accident riding pregnant it'd be me.
Anyway - though I still feel like a biker and am jealous as all hell watching bikes pass me on the motorway between lanes and not being able to follow (as I would have so so long ago)...I wonder if I'll ever feel quite as confident and free as I used to on a bike?
I am definately more aware of my mortality and on my first two rides back (on hubbies lovely SV650) felt a little nervy, had some silly dropping experiences which knocked my confidence and worry now that my new found 'awareness' might interfere with my being able to do all the normal and 'right things' at the normal and right times. Anyone else experienced this? Got any advice?

I had a similair experience when I took my missus as pillion for the first time,was having fun until the thought occured,OMF what happens if we both get taken out ,our kids become instant orphans!

I guess its a matter of balancing the risk with quality of life and responsibility.It's still possible to ride for enjoyment without taking the same risks as when you were without kids i.e go a bit slower,etc,etc.You'll be a better parent too(less stressed) if you can have a little "my time".Just don't rush it,take it easy and enjoy.
And by the way ,welcome to the world of parenting and sleepless nights.Follow your instincts.

**howdamnhard** · 10th November 2007, 23:48

Originally Posted by Riff Raff

And then there's the problem of not being able to fit into your gear anymore (even in the first trimester *sigh) - somehow I don't think maternity jeans are going to cut it in the safety stakes.

Do have something to share?Are congratulations in order?

**Rashika** · 11th November 2007, 06:27

Originally Posted by KATWYN

Good thread Number One

Currently i'm at where you have been...(i.e., i'm 6 months pregnant with my first baby) and have given up riding for the pregnancy, for reasons like the bike falling on me or summit like that or if I need to get an xray cos of a slight off or whatever...I mean lets face it ya balance is completely outa wack when preg - I'm reluctantly at that stage of having to get out of my healed boots and into flat shoes cos of my balance

.

I'm curious.. at what stage (i.e. in the last 6 months) did you decide to give up riding? was it a physical thing or more a mental thing (i.e. worry about the babe). How long have you been riding beforehand... I know being nosey and all

I guess it is something most of us women riders should potentially think about.

**KATWYN** · 11th November 2007, 08:32

Originally Posted by Rashika

I'm curious.. at what stage (i.e. in the last 6 months) did you decide to give up riding? was it a physical thing or more a mental thing (i.e. worry about the babe). How long have you been riding beforehand... I know being nosey and all

I guess it is something most of us women riders should potentially think about.

I stopped whe I found out I was preg at 5 weeks, for reasons mentioned -fears really, like if I drop the bike on myself I could lose baby etc (mental) then as the weeks went by it became physical - like fitting into my leathers! I couldn't if I tried

.

I have been riding on road and off road for nearly 10 years

But riding is in the blood and the bike WILL NOT be getting sold, now i'm just wondering (now that i'm going to be sharing my freedoms with a new person) how and when can I get out there and ride again!!

I think theres another thread in the biker angels area called 'riding when pregnant" or something like that. I was trying to find it the other day

**Rashika** · 11th November 2007, 08:37

Originally Posted by KATWYN

I stopped whe I found out I was preg at 5 weeks, for reasons mentioned -fears really, like if I drop the bike on myself I could lose baby etc (mental) then as the weeks went by it became physical - like fitting into my leathers! I couldn't if I tried

.

I have been riding on road and off road for nearly 10 years

But riding is in the blood and the bike WILL NOT be getting sold, now i'm just worried (now that i'm going to be "sharing" my freedom and spontaneaty with a new person) how and when can I get out there and ride again!!

ah well thats good to hear, about the not selling the bike, dont know if I could either

I wonder if those who have only been riding a short time are less inclined to get back on afterwards than those of us who who been riding forever...

**KATWYN** · 11th November 2007, 08:40

Originally Posted by Rashika

ah well thats good to hear, about the not selling the bike, dont know if I could either

I wonder if those who have only been riding a short time are less inclined to get back on afterwards than those of us who who been riding forever...

I just edited my thread to mention that there is a "riding while pregnant" thread somewhere in the biker angels area....

**Number One** · 11th November 2007, 11:54

Originally Posted by Rashika

I wonder if those who have only been riding a short time are less inclined to get back on afterwards than those of us who who been riding forever...

I'd be inclined to agree with this comment. I'd been riding for about 5 years and though pretty solidly (every day and long 2 day weekend rides) I think if I'd been doing it even longer (especially if I'd grown up doing it) I might not be quite so doubtful/nervy about getting back on....Plus it's hard to push past that nerve and just get on when you don't have anything to get on...if I hadn't been still paying mine off, there's no way I would've sold it - then I wouldn't be stuck just 'thinking about' and overanalysing whether I would be capable - I'd just get on the thing and ride....

**Silverfern** · 12th November 2007, 21:13

I rode (like a lunatic) for 5 years before I became pregnant, in fact I found out about the happy event after riding from Brisbane to Melbourne and had to ride back again. I rode till I was 6 months, (no car and needed mobility for my job) and only stopped when I sold the bike to pay for baby gear. Didn't get back on a bike for 24 years, the opportunities weren't there and I did feel the little sprogs that came along needed me. I am aware I am still the only parent for my final child, a 14 yr old and I want to see her grow up, so I ride far more carefully than I used to, simply because life's good and I want to carry on living it. I don't need to prove anything anymore and you will just know when its right to get that fun feeling on a bike back again. Just consider every car, truck and van can't see you and you'll be a great defensive rider. Go girl!

**Keystone19** · 13th November 2007, 08:12

Perhaps a slightly different perspective...I didn't start riding at all until my youngest was 4, she's now 6. For some reason, being a mum doesn't seem to temper my urge to ride the tits off a bike (figuratively speaking of course). I did briefly give up mountainbiking and rockclimbing while pregnant.

I think it depends a lot on you as an individual and what you feel comfortable with. Perhaps if I didn't have a husbnd who makes a better mum than me I might be a little more restrained on the bike.

I think you will eventually find the balance between what you feel is safe and what is fun for you.