Why I Ride

I have stopped riding my bike several times in my life.

I rode my bike all over as a teenager — to visit friends, to get to the mall, just for fun….

And then I bought a car!! And biking was as essential.

I bought a bike in college and did some riding in the city (Buffalo) but dropped it again. Not sure why….

When mountain bikes first came on the market, I bought a Specialized Hard Rock. It felt so comfy on those city streets.

But I didn’t ride much.

In my mid 30’s I joined a bike club. I borrowed my brother’s bike. He’s over 6 feet, so it was WAY too big.

I decided to buy a road bike — a Bridgestone RBT. At the time, Bridgestone bikes had a following…. a community.

I started riding in the bike club A LOT!! And soon, I was talking about riding across the country.

The DANGER in telling people your idea is that then you feel like you have to do it!!

So, I created a cross-country bike route, went to bike tour leader training, found an international sponsor for the ride and the following year, I was biking across the country — Maine to Oregon. (Headwinds — 3 days, maybe 5. Tailwinds — more!!)

After touching the Pacific I biked the coast of Oregon and then California before heading back east. I could RIDE. I could CLIMB mountains! I could camp, carry everything I needed. I was FIT.

I came back to my J.O.B. and still road, but kept adulting. Job changes, marriage, kids, business…. and I would say biking was always there, but not as prevelant.

NOW, I would say it is back big-time!! I have shifted my business focus to biking. I have moved to be in a better biking place. I bought an indoor trainer to ride through the cold and rain.

And, in ways I am a stronger cyclist now. I certainly climb hills better than I ever have.

And I STILL love the feel of the biking, wondering what is over that next horizon, around the next curve.

I love seeing other people get back on their bikes. Find that peace that comes on the ride. The confidence that builds on the hill. The joy that you find riding downhill.

It is where I go to think. To dream. To meditate. To find myself.