I've been thinking since our half century ride last Sunday. Why am I so slow? The more I thought the more I realized I'm slow at everything I do. Not because I'm lazy, but because I enjoy what I do. Be it quilting, yard work or riding my bike I enjoy the process as much as the result. Since finding this site in April I have learned so much about cycling. And the more I read the more I realize how much there is still to learn. Right or wrong I have picked up the notion that you have to go fast to ride a bike. That has been a point of frustration for me. I'm not fast, therefore I'm not a good cyclist.
On my ride home from work today I got to thinking about all this. I really enjoy being outside, watching the clouds, checking on how much the wheat has grown in the field, reading road signs and wondering what the circling hawk had his eye on. Dinner? I'm having fun, and I slow down to enjoy it all. Our ride on Sunday was great fun, even in the rain. My daughter and I had a running discussion trying to decide if we were just really stupid to be out in the rain or terribly devoted to bicycling. You just can't be burning up the pavement when you're having these important mother-daughter talks.
So, I've come to terms with being slow. I have decided instead to look at what I have done. Since my first posting in April I have ridden 500 miles, bought a road bike, am riding clipless, have ridden hills I could not have dreamed of last year, rode my first half century and I've done most of it wearing lycra! The best news is I've lost about 20 pounds, only 80 pounds to go! I have done great things this spring and that is what I have to remember. I have a plan for my next group ride too. If I leave right after the century riders I'll have an hour head start on the half century riders. That way I'll feel better about being slow when I coast in with the "fast" 50-mile people and I will be back with enough time to enjoy all the after ride festivities! Maybe someday I'll be a hard, lycra clad body, burning up the road. But in the mean time I'm just going to continue to enjoy the ride.