I'm sorry for the pain of your breakup, Grog -- and you're on the right path. I've found that feeling the wind on my face, the power in my legs, the beautiful Colorado landscape in front of me -- it has the most amazing effect on my perspective. Gives me a little hope where I had none, makes me appreciate what I have and gives me the confidance that I can pretty much survive anything.

More than a year ago, I was a round-the-clock drinker, only able to climb the stairs in my apartment or make my way to a liquor store. I was 30 pounds heavier, and a shaking, hopeless mess. When I got sober, I had hours of empty time my drinking used to take up, I was full of fear of the future and I couldn't sleep -- a common thing in early sobriety. Even tho I hadn't been on a bike in 20 years, a friend talked me into getting one as a 3-month "birthday" present to myself. My fear left me on my bike, hope re-entered my life and after good, strenuous rides, I could sleep again!

Since then, I've put 3,000 miles on my bike -- 3 century rides, a 400-mile tour of the rockies. I've met some amazing people. I have confidance and am even -- gasp -- proud of myself and what I've achieved in a year. Not to say that a bike will solve all your problems, but it gave me a new view of the world and of myself -- something I couldn't seem to get anywhere else.

Hang in there, keep riding, enjoy the views and be proud of your strength.