the RIDE

Friday Todd and I went on a bike ride, we hadn't ridden together in a few years. He has to ride way below his fitness level to go with me, so I felt a little sorry for him. When I ride, I always listen to my iPod, it helps me to bear the "exercise" part of exercising. I brought my headphones along, even though I was going with him (I usually ride solo) I figured he would end up going ahead of me and I would need my music to get me through. He surprised me though, and stayed with me the whole time. 

We turned a corner into a neighborhood and he told me to take it easy through here to save my energy for what was coming up, I didn't like the sound of that. The whole 45 minutes we had ridden so far was all uphill. At the end of the street, we turned right onto a walking path and then I saw what was "coming up." 

This picture, taken with my cell phone, cannot begin to show the actual steepness of the hill. It also looks really short, which is false. It was ridiculous. As we got closer, I told Todd I wasn't going up that thing. He told me that I could do it, not to think about it, to put my bike in the easiest gear and to just take it slow and easy and to keep pedaling. I told him the whole way as we rode to the base of it that I was not going to do it and that I had no desire to do it. I was repeating this as I started my ascent. Did I mention how ridiculous this hill was? 

Not long into it, I could no longer sit and pedal, the incline was to steep, so I stood and pedaled at a very slow pace. I was starting to get nervous, I was slowing to the point that I was afraid I was going to fall over. My shoes were clipped in and I wanted to stop, but I didn't know how I could get my feet unhooked fast enough before the bike tipped over. I looked to the side of the road and started to think that my only option might be to just fall over into the rocks and hope that I wouldn't get hurt to severely. I just didn't see how I was going to get out of this. I was about half way up and I knew I was done. I looked down at my heart monitor, my heart rate was 190. 

Now, if I was going to die of a broken heart, I didn't want it to be because of a bike ride, it's not as romantic, but I was certain if I didn't stop right then, my heart was going to explode. So I sat back down on the seat for a quick second, unhooked my right foot as fast as I could and put it on the ground. I stood there heaving, trying to catch my breath, I was thankful I was still upright. Todd rode on, like it was the easiest thing in the world. I turned my bike around to see how far I'd come. There was no way I was riding down, so I started walking. I don't like going downhill, at a high speed, on two wheels, it scares me. I know I am a chicken. Todd made it to the top and came riding by me and encouraged me to get back on my bike and ride the rest of the way. Nope. It was still to steep.  He had a snack at the bottom while he waited and I walked a little further down. When I felt it was safe, I got on the bike and rode the rest of the way. 

Todd told me if I kept working at it, that I could ride to the top. I believe him. I know that if I keep trying, in time, I could power up that hill. There's only one problem, if I get up it, I won't be able to get back down. I really can't see myself riding down something that steep. So I guess I will let that hill go for now. I was glad that I made the attempt. I don't have to get to the top of every hill, I just need to try and do the best I can. I keep telling myself that I am only competing against one person...ME. If I keep working at it, I can improve with any situation.

It was a beautiful day for a ride. My bike has been one of the best purchases I have made. I have put thousands of miles on it over the years. I love to just get on there and go, just me and my thoughts. The bike is a great place to think. We rode for 20 miles, it felt more like 30. I feel a huge sense of accomplishment after a long bike ride, it's great for the body and the mind, so get out there and RIDE.