First road ride in 10 months!!!

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08-19-2006, 02:19 PM
emily_in_nc

First road ride in 10 months!!!

Yep, I finally did it, got out on the road and showed my fear that I was stronger than it! This was my first road ride since my dad died in a car accident last October. I've been mountain biking this summer and loving it, but had not been able to bring myself to ride on the road.

It went great! Hubby and I rode our Bike Friday Pocket Crusoes to the local farmer's market and to the post office, 16.5 miles total. I felt stronger than last time I rode (no doubt from the mountain biking), and once we passed our neighbor's dogs without incident, I honestly had no fear at all. The drivers were courteous, and we had no dog problems at all on the ride. Some of you will remember that I fractured my pelvis in April 2005 due to a dog accident while riding, so that is the other fear I have to deal with.

Fortunately, riding a bike is not something you forget, so I quickly adopted to the different riding position, my drop bars, and using my bar-end shifters again, and it felt like I'd never been off the bike.

I am so glad I did it. I needed to, and I know my dad would have wanted me to.

Emily
08-19-2006, 02:28 PM
songlady

Congrats! I am impressed with your willingness to face your fears, despite all that you have been through.
08-19-2006, 02:40 PM
cusepack

Congratulations Emily!! You should be extremely proud of yourself!!
08-19-2006, 02:47 PM
Nanci

Congratulations, Emily. I've left things before, too, and gone back, and it just feels so good to do something you once loved again. (I think about your accident every time I am approached by a dog- I don't take them lightly at all any more. Probably lots of other people are more wary, too- so a lot of good came from your accident.)

Nanci
08-19-2006, 02:48 PM
melissam

Wow, Emily!

That's a lot of fears and issues to deal with. Good on ya for confronting them head on!!

Congratulations!

-- Melissa
08-19-2006, 02:49 PM
latelatebloomer

Emily, you have such a strong, beautiful spirit. People are smiling for you all over this world, and into the next.
08-19-2006, 03:05 PM
Pedal Wench

Oh, Emily!

I'm SO proud of you! I knew you through all of that (I used to be 'Audio A' here, and Mixn_vixen on the yahoo site) and I felt so bad that you weren't riding. Every time I bought a new pink accessory, I thought of you!

Not even close to the same scale, but I'll share. A friend of mine crashed, she was thinking that she should give up riding. Of course, we all said 'No!' but I was freaked out, and thought that I should give up too. It's just dangerous. I mentioned this to another friend, and she put it in perspective. Your time is your time, and you could slip and fall in the shower too. She asked, "You're not giving up on bathing now, are you?"

So, glad you're back in the shower again! Oh - I mean, on the road!
08-19-2006, 03:38 PM
DeniseGoldberg

Emily -
Welcome back to the road - I'm so glad you were able to get back out there, and that you were comfortable too. It seems like time and mountain biking both contributed healing.

--- Denise
08-20-2006, 12:04 AM
Selkie

Good going, Emily!!! :-)
08-20-2006, 04:05 AM
Gowest

Emily,

Way to to girl!!! We all have to find our own way, and you are finding yours. Everyone heals differently - and you are on your way. No - you will never "get over" losing your dad, but you will begin to celebrate him more and grieve less.

Sorry I have been out of touch, but I will email you soon. I am having a difficult time right now.

I am hoping to return to the triange for a weekend in the fall - so now that you are back on the road - maybe you, Carrie Anne and I can get together for a TE ride.

I thought of you last week as I was looking at a metric and century ride out of Cannadaigua, NY in September. I will be unable to do it this year - but am considering it next year - it is called the Highlander.

Welcome back!

D.
08-20-2006, 06:28 AM
DDH

Way to go, you should be very proud of yourself. Sometimes it's really hard to face our fears but once we do we are always the stronger for it.
congratulations!!
08-20-2006, 07:01 AM
Bad JuJu

Yay, Emily! High-five yourself but not while you're riding your bike.:eek:
08-20-2006, 07:10 AM
Surlygirl

Welcome back Emily. You've certainly had a rough year of it. I missed you on the forum after your dad died. Its great you got back on the road. You are one brave woman.
08-20-2006, 08:14 AM
Bikingmomof3

Congratulations Emily! You faced your fears head on. Be proud of your accomplishments. You did it. :)
08-20-2006, 10:52 AM
RoadRaven

Hey there Em, a woman who faces fears and gets on with life
You continue to inspire me
Arohanui
Rave
08-20-2006, 03:30 PM
Saxa82

Great job!

You've been through a lot. It's good to see someone conquering fears!
08-20-2006, 03:33 PM
Trekhawk

WooHoo welcome back to the road Emily. :) :)
08-20-2006, 04:51 PM
emily_in_nc

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gowest

I am hoping to return to the triange for a weekend in the fall - so now that you are back on the road - maybe you, Carrie Anne and I can get together for a TE ride.

I'd love that!!!

~Emily
08-20-2006, 04:53 PM
emily_in_nc

Thanks everyone!

All your kind and supportive posts are much appreciated.

I couldn't have done it without you!!! Just hanging out here gave me most of my courage. :)

Alll the best,
Emily
08-20-2006, 04:54 PM
KSH

Way to go Emily! You certainly had some demons to overcome.

I hope you can find more enjoyment in the future, riding your rode bike again.
08-20-2006, 05:21 PM
aka_kim

Great news, Emily!!
08-20-2006, 05:29 PM
Denise223

Hi Emily:

Congratulations Emily :) !!

You have been through SO MUCH -- I am very happy to hear that you were comfortable out there on the road :)

Peace, Love, Good Health & Happiness, Always,

Denise
08-23-2006, 04:42 AM
Blueberry

Congratulations!

Emily-

I'm a little late, but wanted to add my congratulations! It's so wonderful that you're back out there riding (on the roads and mountain too!). I usually really enjoy biking to the Durham market (haven't had a chance to for a few weeks now, though - BikeFest, Beach Trip, etc).

As GoWest said, we really should try to do a NC TE ride. Even if it's short - I'm sure we could fine some comfortable roads for it. Plus, we need to do a Bike Friday ride in late September. The promise dates for our Crusoe's are the 18th and the 22nd (I think that doesn't include ship time, so I expect them to be a few days later than that). I can't wait!! Did you guys get the suitcases for them?

CA
08-23-2006, 09:31 AM
li10up

Glad you are back on the road!

Every time we let someone or some thing take something away from us we are less of ourselves, not whole.
08-23-2006, 06:34 PM
emily_in_nc

Quote:

Originally Posted by CA_in_NC

As GoWest said, we really should try to do a NC TE ride. Even if it's short - I'm sure we could fine some comfortable roads for it. Plus, we need to do a Bike Friday ride in late September. The promise dates for our Crusoe's are the 18th and the 22nd (I think that doesn't include ship time, so I expect them to be a few days later than that). I can't wait!! Did you guys get the suitcases for them?

Yes, we did. They are great. We've only used them once so far, but I'm glad we have them - never know what adventures we might have in the future!

I'd love a TeamE local ride. And yes, a Bike Friday local ride. We're game!

Emily
08-23-2006, 07:01 PM
snapdragen

Good to hear emily, you are stronger than your fears.