Why we ride: A love letter to cycling
Let’s face it, cycling is an addicting sport– cycling emits a feeling that keeps people of all ages coming back for one more spin around the town or climb up the grueling hill. Cycling acts as a vehicle in our lives for pushing past barriers, meeting new people, exploring unknown roads, gaining confidence, discovering a feeling of empowerment, and taking chances. Why do we ride? What keeps cyclists returning to the saddle time and time again. Perhaps, some would say it's the community that comes alongside, or the feeling we get when we hop on the saddle to completely escape from reality, the ability to turn off the day job and be an entirely different person on the bike, or the feeling of being completely free exploring places you might not otherwise be able to explore. Why suffer ride after ride, wake up before the sun comes, ride in the cold until your hands are numb and can’t shift gears anymore, ride on through the rain, change flat tires, sport crazy tan lines, …why not?
In my opinion…
Cycling is beautiful and romantic, I fall in love with it over and over again. My life has morphed into a lifestyle centered around bikes that I didn’t know I needed until I realized I’m the happiest I’ve ever been. The time I spend alone on the bike gives me the space to work through physical and mental challenges, I push boundaries. Being on the bike allows me to feel a part of the moment– with each pedal stroke I’m the one controlling my reality and where I go. I fall in love with the sound– I hear the water rushing through the river, the gravel shuffling under my tire, the emptiness of the country roads or the cars passing by. And the beautiful thing is, I can experience firsts over and over again– First time riding over 50 miles, first time riding through a national park, first time riding on snow, or first time trying a new discipline like gravel.
My life wouldn’t be the same without bikes. I’ve found a way to manage my health while being absolutely obsessed in all the best ways. Whenever I’m doing anything other than riding a bike I’m thinking about wanting to be on the saddle. I have an amazing support crew that knows how important bikes are to me. I once had a friend stall in a mountain town coffee shop for a few hours so I could get a ride in, yes, it was worth it, I cried because I loved it so much.
I'm happy to spend my Friday night prepping my bike and going to bed early so I can wake up early to ride Saturday morning. Call it lame but I can honestly say I wouldn’t have it any other way. Riding bikes has given me the stability I need in my life; when relationships are tough, school gets hectic, work gets overwhelming, and my mind gets messy– riding gives me the escape to slow down life and get a clearer perspective. I come in from a ride feeling like a changed person, filled with the empowerment and patience that I can face whatever's next.
The lessons I learn while on the bike like discipline, dedication, community, don’t compare yourself to others and how to be comfortable with discomfort can transfer to the crazy times in life. Riding a bike makes me feel grounded and truly at peace, I love who I am when I’m riding a bike. This childish energy that is emitted while riding a bike makes me feel like I’m my truest self.
Cycling for me is pushing my mental limits and learning how to not surrender. I crash, I cry, I pick myself up. I ride again and again. I get bored, I call my friends to ride, we explore, I fall in love all over again.
