Thoughts from a bike ride

[DeniseGoldberg]

...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.

...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!

It sounds to me like you're doing great! To be honest, I have to tell you that I'm another slow cyclist. I've never had a speed gene in me, but I have endurance - I can happily ride at the same pace all day long. In fact on a group tour many years ago, one of my fellow riders was pretty unhappy with me. He always took off like a shot in the mornings, passing me like I was standing still. But I always passed him later in the day, finishing the day's ride well before him. Slow and steady works!

It took me a while to accept that about myself, but a number of years back I managed to convince myself that there is nothing wrong with my style of riding. I'm happy, and I'm riding.

It sounds like you're at that place too. Just ride at whatever pace makes you happy, and definitely stop and smell the flowers! Happy cycling...

--- Denise