First road ride in 10 months!!!

**emily_in_nc** · 08-19-2006, 03:19 PM

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

**songlady** · 08-19-2006, 03:28 PM

Congrats! I am impressed with your willingness to face your fears, despite all that you have been through.

**cusepack** · 08-19-2006, 03:40 PM

Congratulations Emily!! You should be extremely proud of yourself!!

**Nanci** · 08-19-2006, 03:47 PM

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

**melissam** · 08-19-2006, 03:48 PM

Wow, Emily!

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

Congratulations!

-- Melissa

**latelatebloomer** · 08-19-2006, 03:49 PM

Emily, you have such a strong, beautiful spirit. People are smiling for you all over this world, and into the next.

**Pedal Wench** · 08-19-2006, 04:05 PM

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!

**DeniseGoldberg** · 08-19-2006, 04:38 PM

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

**Selkie** · 08-20-2006, 01:04 AM

Good going, Emily!!! :-)

**Gowest** · 08-20-2006, 05:05 AM

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.

**DDH** · 08-20-2006, 07:28 AM

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!!

**Bad JuJu** · 08-20-2006, 08:01 AM

Yay, Emily! High-five yourself but not while you're riding your bike.

**Surlygirl** · 08-20-2006, 08:10 AM

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.

**Bikingmomof3** · 08-20-2006, 09:14 AM

Congratulations Emily! You faced your fears head on. Be proud of your accomplishments. You did it.

**RoadRaven** · 08-20-2006, 11:52 AM

Hey there Em, a woman who faces fears and gets on with life
You continue to inspire me
Arohanui
Rave

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