Competitive Cycling Changed Everything - Rita Fromholt

Rita Fromholt is lifelong seeker of environmental and social justice, animal and nature lover, from the heart of the Coastal Temperate Rainforest on Vancouver Island, Canada.

You know the story. As women age, after menopause, in particular, many signals in our culture tell us that we are pretty much washed up. We're told it's all downhill from here, and our ability to thrive physically and emotionally becomes increasingly compromised. Is it time to retire, learn to play Bridge, and generally take it easy? Or it's a time of renewal, rebirth, and a fresh start?

I am here to tell you that with the right mindset, commitment, and a few good buddies, you can continue to thrive and enhance your physical endurance and strength at any age. Even if these were things foreign to you when you were younger, it's never too late to become the champion you always knew you were!

My Story

I was almost always the last kid to be picked for teams in elementary and high school. I hope they don't do that humiliating practice anymore! These are some of my clearest memories of my school days – feeling humiliated in gym class. As a consequence, I labeled myself as being "bad at sports."

But despite that label, I always had a fire in my belly to pursue individual sports like running and cycling. I longed to move fast in self-propelled ways. I practiced running around the school field on weekends so no one would see me. I gradually built up my fitness throughout my 20s and into my 30s. I became a decent recreational runner, placing well in many fun runs. 

But that all ended when I was 40 when persistent injuries and an unexplained heart arrhythmia stopped me in my running tracks. Once again, I told myself I was "bad at sports" and had better set my expectations low for the rest of my life regarding cardio sports.  

Two-Wheeled Love Affair

I have always enjoyed riding my bike. I'd ridden my bike to work since 1984 and enjoyed weekend cycle rambles, but I didn't think I could ever be "competitive." That started to change when I met a young woman cyclist on the university campus where I worked a few years ago. She told me she was entered in our local Tour de Victoria 100 KM road race and said, "You should try it." Yes, I thought, I should! 

I upgraded to a better bike, slogged through the event, and did okay. The problem was that the excess cardio trigged the old heart arrhythmia I had experienced as a younger runner. My doctor and I agreed that endurance races weren't for me. Once again, the old feeling of being "bad at sports" reared its ugly head. 

Fast-forward a few years, and I noticed that when I pushed myself, I no longer experienced the arrhythmia. It seems to have disappeared after menopause, or my body has gradually learned to adapt to the harder work; I'm not sure why. However, I am grateful for my aging heart, which has become my staunchest ally in my training program. 

Another Chapter Begins

With the encouragement of some friends, a couple years ago I upgraded my bike again, this time to a proper basic road bike, and kept my hybrid for trips around town. 

Learning to be comfortable on this super-light bike with clip-in pedals got me out of my comfort zone. I also bought some cool riding jerseys and shorts. Still, I felt a creeping imposter syndrome, wondering if everyone could see that I was really "bad at sports." Maybe I was just looking and feeling foolish. Was I just a 60-year-old woman with something to prove but nothing to gain?

But the reality of what happened was something entirely different. I did get faster, more confident, and more than worthy of my fast bike and fancy outfits!

I went from a reasonably strong recreational cyclist to placing 3/24 in my age category in the Tour de Victoria 100 KM distance road race in 2022 and 1/19 in my age category in the 60 K.M. distance in 2021. Also, in 2022, I placed 6/122 in my age category in the Okanagan Gran Fondo 85 K.M. distance. Oh yes, and I earned a bronze medal in the 2022 B.C. 55+ Games cycling time trial event. 

Not bad for the shy girl no one wanted on their sports team!

Finding My Cycling Tribe

As the Buddha said, we must find "spiritual friends" to help us succeed. We are not meant to ride through life alone. Finding groups of like-minded cyclists to ride with made a huge difference in how much I enjoyed the sport and how much I felt I could improve with their encouragement and companionship. 

For me, the thrill and momentum of riding in a pack is akin to running in a pack of wolves and has an entirely different feeling than riding solo. And then there are the post-ride coffee or beer stops where new friends are always made!

And it's similar to riding in an organized ride. I always have a much faster average pace time in a race than any other time because I feel the power and pull of the group. Some extra strength and energy magically appears and helps me achieve times I never could on my own.  

Adrenaline + Endorphins = Happiness!

Once I was fit, feeling confident, and flying through the air at top speed, I began to experience some intense emotional highs, despite some physical discomfort. I craved the feeling of pushing myself and feeling my body respond with a clear "Yes, we can do it!" attitude. 

I understand this type of activity is not for everyone. I get that some view this type of activity as torture, but for myself and my kindred spirits on the road, it's pure heaven.

And I'm just getting started. The next round of cycling events are only a few months away, and I'm getting ready. I am already beating my best times in spin class from last year. I also plan to share my passion for cycling with other women in my community by mentoring beginner cyclists and leading some group rides.

Maybe I'll see you out there!

READ MORE > Her Story, Rambler Cafe Blog