newbie…

ok, I admit that I am new to this bike riding thing. I’ve ridden bikes for many years, but mainly as a casual, ‘lets ride around the block’ sort of thing. Up here in the Traverse area, there are some serious riders. They have all the outfits, the $4000 bikes, and they wear helmets. I have to be honest, I’ve never worn a helmet while riding a bicycle! So, I’m finding myself enjoying this new found sport of riding, and try to average about 10 – 18 miles a day. My legs are burning, even now, and feel like they are going to fall off. And I finished my ride last night, 16 hours ago.

Also, I saw a guy that is staying at the resort pass me one day in his truck, and I’m like “why didn’t you stop and pick me up”, not that I needed it, but it would have been the thought that counted. And he said “were you the guy with the burgundy shirt on that nice yellow bike?” I’m like “yeah, that was me”. He said “I thought you were just some mexican guy that stole somebody’s expensive bike”. 
Now I have to tell you, this guys is not a racist, it’s just the humor we share with each other. But that got me to thinking. Here I am riding a pretty nice bike, in the only sports shorts that I have (and they are definitely not bike riding shorts), with no helmet… dark skinned with arm tattoos.

I must be a sight for all the professional riders out there. “Who does this guy think he is, trying to enter into our world?” I’m sure most of them wouldn’t say that, but it is kinda funny.

I really enjoy riding and pushing myself, and I’m sure that at some point I’ll put a helmet on, mainly because I’m a clumsy clutch (don’t tell my wife, I almost wiped out the other day going pretty fast on the side of the road). I guess a helmet would help a little, even though most people tell me I have a hard head. 

Until my helmet and riding outfit arrive (which probably won’t, as I haven’t ordered any), I will just continue to ride hard, and who knows, I may end up being the next Lance Armstrong.

18 miles later

Well, I ended up riding 18 miles yesterday up here in the north country. I can’t tell you the amazing views you get while traveling some of the back roads. It’s worth all the pain that I feel when trying to pedal up some of these huge hills (yes I am out of shape). I have been slowly building up for longer and longer rides, starting out at 6 miles quite a few days in a row, then up to my 18 miles yesterday. 

There is a guy up here in his 60’s that rides 45 miles a day, and he has been the inspiration for me to get off my ass and pedal my brains out. If he can do it, what the hell is my problem. I’ve done little mountain biking, but I believe my preference is riding on the road. 

Once again I was able to get away with my thoughts, which at any given moment could be a great thing, or a completely depressing thing. But when you work to get your heart rate up and control your breathing (which I have to do with a mild case of asthma), you begin to feel a connection with the ability that you have in your body to overcome and press through. There tends to be a healing that takes place when you continually set new goals, and see yourself achieve them. Whether it is the next hill that looks insurmountable, or the return ride home… both take a clarity of mind and focus. I guess that’s the same with life, and I have identified that more clearly now, then at any other point in my life. The only way to achieve the goals we have, is to gain clarity and focus on the immediate need. And once you attain that, move on to the next hill. Eventually the ride home will actually lead somewhere.

Blowing in the wind

I found myself breathless this morning, partly from the internal turmoil that threatens my sanity, and partly from the leaves waving in the wind atop the hill just beyond me. On the one hand there is a burning inside coming from a place of fear, and on the other a calming from an outside force.

There is an unexplainable energy that flows in the wind here in the hills of northern Michigan, that you don’t get everywhere. Is it our imagination that we somehow feel more in tune with? Is it just that it is not the same as where you have spent most of your life? Is the air different here, not as polluted as some of the larger metropolitan areas where we struggle day to day to sustain the illusion of a good life? 

Whatever it is, it is keeping the demons lurking in the dark, at bay, and for that alone, I am thankful.

I’ve heard many people these last 6 weeks, that are first time visitors, say that this is one of the most beautiful places they have ever been. Now keep in mind, that many of them are world travelers, and aren’t just from Detroit, Saginaw, or the Flint area. They sense the same thing that I have morning and evening of every day that I have been here. I would even go as far as to say that my mind has been clearer, and my ability to try to discover the future has been sharp.

While the plans for the future seem solid, and a worthy road to travel. I have yet to see the provision needed to sustain life, until even the basics of this plan come to pass. If it were just I alone on this road, the sacrifice would be a worthwhile one. But I have an on the court basketball team that I have the privilege to coach and lead. Even though I know they would follow to the ends of this earth, and climb any mountain… I am left sitting here wondering how much they can really take.

Where is the line between security and false security? I see many pursue the likes of both without even knowing it. Now I don’t presume to be any better, or on a higher plane than anyone else… but I have become very good at seeing the difference between the two. But when you are responsible for more than yourself, how far is too far? The only answer that I find this morning, is blowing in the wind, and I can’t quite seem to find my own breath long enough to catch it.