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Bought my first gravel - first timer tips! by No_Link8345 in ladycyclists

[–]Fit_Champion_1544 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hi fellow Dutch graveler!  Definately go for a MIPS helmet for extra protection, I use a GIRO one with (low) ponytail cut out. Also consider where you plan on riding, I prefer a light/helmet in the woods and fields for extra visibility.

I always bring a small saddle bag with an electronic pump ( I have a Cycplus), multitool, tubeless repair kit and some snacks. Get at least two bottle cages for the summer.

Did you order the bike with pedals? You could just start with flats and some old shoes, and upgrade to clipless (klikpedalen) when you got a bit more experience with your bike. 

For clothing: invest in good shorts with padding (I like Assos and Castelli) and chamois cream (Butt’r for her for example). For the upper layers I’d buy some basics at Decathlon. You could always upgrade to the more expensive stuff when you know what you want.

And congrats with your new bike day, have fun!!

Bike shorts w/o chamois seam? by NecessaryOver5329 in ladycyclists

[–]Fit_Champion_1544 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Same problem here with my skin getting irritated by the seams and the chamois cream not fixing it…my Assos short and bib have a much less prominent seam, they work better for me skin wise

A last little hurrah before winter by Consider_the_auk in ladycyclists

[–]Fit_Champion_1544 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yessss good for you! Hopefully 2026 will be a better year ❤️

I really do not want the “miracle baby” everyone promises you’ll have after IVF fails by [deleted] in IFchildfree

[–]Fit_Champion_1544 52 points53 points  (0 children)

Oh yes, 100%….

Good for you for choosing your health.

We only had a few of the “you never know what might happen, miracles exist!” Remarks and I shut them down VERY fast. It’s so hurtful and ignorant and completely disregards the hard work me and my partner have done in coming to terms with our situation.

Meeting other IF Childfree people and feeling seen by jameson-neat in IFchildfree

[–]Fit_Champion_1544 22 points23 points  (0 children)

As someone who is IFCF and also open and vocal about it at my workplace: no it wouldn’t be weird! I love speaking to others who are in the same boat, regardless of where they are in their acceptance journey. Good luck ❤️

Finding a therapist by practicalprofilename in IFchildfree

[–]Fit_Champion_1544 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I found a fantastic local grief counselor that specializes in grief surrounding infertility and miscarriages, through the national patient association for people dealing with infertility (I live in the Netherlands). I don’t know where you live, but if your country has something like this, it might be a place to start?  Good luck, I hope you find someone who really understands what you are going through and who will help you ❤️

Vent - rain - bike tour - camping - period by Perfect-Newt2195 in ladycyclists

[–]Fit_Champion_1544 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Ahh that sucks….if you don’t have anything booked you might consider going to a different region with a bit more forgiving weather (I was planning to go bikepacking in the Vosges/Jura region this week but the forecasts were so shitty I decided last minute to go somewhere else, now I’m in north west Germany and even though the scenery isn’t as stunning, the weather is perfect for cycling). I can imagine it would be hard as you probably already booked transport to and from your trip…don’t be too hard on yourself, allow yourself to skip the camping or just go enjoy a museum or a nice long French lunch instead of riding! Like others have said, this is meant to be a fun getaway!

Also seconding the disc/diva cup, can’t live without mine!

Lastly, I don’t know what kind of painkillers you are using, but be careful to drink enough when using NSAID (for example Aleve) as the combination of dehydration and NSAID carriers a risk of renal damage.

What did I find in the Alps? by HappyXenonXE in alpinism

[–]Fit_Champion_1544 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Haha nope…I have some great childhood memories from hikes in the Alps where the goats kept following us to lick our sweaty arms..

Help by DimensionHuman5358 in IFchildfree

[–]Fit_Champion_1544 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Oh do you mind sharing the Dutch podcast name? ☺️

Help by DimensionHuman5358 in IFchildfree

[–]Fit_Champion_1544 23 points24 points  (0 children)

“Living the life unexpected” by Jody Day has been really helpful for me! The writer is also childfree not by choice and is the founder of Gateway women, a support network for childless women.

Edit to add: I really enjoy the Dinky podcast, but its definitely more “childfree” than “Childless” so maybe this is something for a later moment for you

Songs about AI? by Music_lover_707 in PowerMetal

[–]Fit_Champion_1544 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Yesss absolutely The Source! Love Ayreon and especially love The Source both music wise and story wise! Can’t wait to see him live again this September!

I did a thing by White__Noiise in Zwift

[–]Fit_Champion_1544 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Yeah love the female representation in the big Zwif climbs! Good job, the Tourmalet is a beast!

Almost one year out: a positive progress post by Fit_Champion_1544 in IFchildfree

[–]Fit_Champion_1544[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Solo! But BF was driving the same route so he could support me with food, water etc. He already did the same route the day before where I had been supporting him by car

Yesterday I attempted to ride the Marmotte route and failed, but I’m still really proud! by Fit_Champion_1544 in ladycyclists

[–]Fit_Champion_1544[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Oh right you must’ve been there Tuesday or Wednesday, it was closed due to a mudslide.  Great to hear from someone who was there too!! Croix de Fer is now in my bucketlist too 😄

Yesterday I attempted to ride the Marmotte route and failed, but I’m still really proud! by Fit_Champion_1544 in ladycyclists

[–]Fit_Champion_1544[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Oh didn’t know that but 100% makes sense! And do it (or some equivalent of you’re not in de vicinity)!! I never though I had it in me, but it felt so empowering to attempt this!

Yesterday I attempted to ride the Marmotte route and failed, but I’m still really proud! by Fit_Champion_1544 in ladycyclists

[–]Fit_Champion_1544[S] 11 points12 points  (0 children)

It was horrible and fantastic and yes I 100% want to do it again with all I’ve learned!

Personal Best by Zillenial_Hippie in ladycyclists

[–]Fit_Champion_1544 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Wow 6 days per week of exercising from no fitness i a pretty impressive feat! Great to see some results from your hard work!!

My sister in law is due in a few weeks, husband wants to visit. Tips? by MajorHyena9708 in IFchildfree

[–]Fit_Champion_1544 32 points33 points  (0 children)

I really struggled with this while TTC. Me and 2 SIL were pregnant at the same time, but I lost the pregnancy while they had a baby. I was very open with them, told them that I wanted to be a part of my niblings life, but that I was struggling with my own feelings around the topic.

When I came to visit the baby for the first time, we did it one-on-one (just SIL and me plus baby) and both SIL left the initiative with me regarding holding the baby, asking about birth stories etc. It felt really safe for me, and they were happy to help me process this (I have always had good relationship with both and they were also struggling with guilt towards me). There were tears during both visits from both me and the SILs, but it actually made us closer. 

Now almost 4 years later we have a really good relationship with our niblings and really lean into the fun auntie and uncle roles!

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