I discovered riding almost two years ago. Originally, it was just a novelty. My best friend and I were sick of going to the gym, and the weather was starting to get nice. We saw a flyer for the local MS150, bought bikes and were off.

My boyfriend and I had been living together for five years at the time. We started out the relationship with similiar likes. We were both young and going to the bars and clubs was fun. Somewhere over the years, I changed (okay he says I changed - I'd like to say I grew up). My idea of a Satuday and Sunday were not in your smoke infested bar, drinking beer, and watching sports. I wanted to be out enjoying life. It was getting to the point that if I wanted to spend any real time with him, it would have to be at the local watering hole.

I started riding more, a lot more. Okay, a lot LOT more. We started to not see each other than at night. We never even went camping this summer. Although my riding friends and I used our RV for getting to organized rides. This summer, he made the comment that I had to "stay home for the weekend". He had something planned with the boys (all you can drink fest)that weekend and I had an out of state ride. He wanted me to stay home "because you always get to do something, it's my weekend to go out". We have no kids and the dogs have a dog door so it's not like someone HAD to be home.

September was the last straw. I crashed my bike and got stitches in my face. My riding buddy called him to say I was going to the hospital to get stitches. He was concerned but chose to stay at the bar with the buddies to watch the football game. Sitting in the waiting room, I knew it had to end. We were living under the same roof but living totally seperate lives.

I moved out. Left seven years, the house, the 50 acres, the camper, one of my dogs, and most of the furniture. I now rent an efficiency apartment, where my two cats and my dog reside. But I'm HAPPY! VERY HAPPY!

We have spoken and visited on several occasions. We both know it was for the best. He's happy and I'm happy.

So, yeah I changed my life for cycling.

Jeni