Thoughts from a bike ride

[julbee]

Yes..."the eternal moment."
Thich Nhat Hanh often writes: "present moment, wonderful moment!"

It takes "practice" to be truly present in any given moment.
This is one of the things I am realizing... again... about bicycling... it can help to bring me into the vivid present moment.

It helps me to "pay attention!" So many times, I do all types of things on "auto pilot." When I am biking, I know I am biking! I really feel the bike, the road...smell the air...see the sights...etc.

While learning to deal with clipless pedals, one must be "present" or fall!

Enjoy the ride!

[nuthatch]

All these stories and thoughts are so wonderful!

Last year I wanted to get faster and faster and it was fun to improve my skills and form. This spring, I'm not enjoying my rides the way I should and I, too, finally realized it was because my "goals" were blocking out the joy of "riding to be riding." You've all reminded me to renew my focus on being happy with where I am! Yay, TE gals!!!

[KSH]

I hear ya lady!

When I go ride the path around a lake around here... I slow down... I look at the water, the ducks, the birds, etc. It makes the ride FUN!

That is also when I take my "slower" friends with me... we chat... and just have an overall great time.

I know there are times when I need to push it a little... and times when I need to slow down and enjoy the experience.

There was one Saturday that I convinced a friend to come on a group ride with me... she can't do as many miles or go as fast... but whatever. We hung together and I went back with her so she would have some company. And it was a great ride!

So... slow can be good!


PS- Also, as Type A personality, I tend to take the fun out of things... by setting goals and all that. In training for triathlons, I have constantly reminded myself to make it fun... and if it's not fun... then I shouldn't do it!

[RoadRaven]

KSH mentioned being a : Type "A" personality?
Has this been mentioned somewhere before?
Could someone please explain for me?
Thanks
Raven

[KkAllez]

I see more things when I go slow. I tend to lollygag enjoying flowers and bunnies. The other day we rode past a rabbit and it was so cute, as we went by it flattened it's ears out to hide, and I was laughing. Ben was asking, "what? what?" and I mentioned the rabbit and he says, "what rabbit?" He never saw it. He's also missed seeing horses close to the fence on the road side. I mean how on earth can you miss a great big black and white paint horse? He does. He is more concerned with flying along. Me? I'm mooing and whistling at everything I pass.

[KkAllez]

KSH mentioned being a : Type "A" personality?
Has this been mentioned somewhere before?
Could someone please explain for me?
Thanks
Raven

Type A is alpha type personality. Driven, workaholic, high pressure type person. Did you see that movie "Magnolia" with Tom Cruise? Well, just think Tom Cruise. Type B would be, oh, maybe more Owen Wilson or Bill Murray (especially Bill Murray in the movie "The Life Aquatic") Type B (I am type B) is more laid back. I stress out when put into a type A position (which has me wondering why on earth would a Type B person choose nursing, a high stress career?)

Oh hey, your are from Down Under right? Think Type A as Russell Crowe and Type B would be Paul Hogan!

[emily_in_nc]

Me? I'm mooing and whistling at everything I pass.

Oh, me too! I baaaa at goats, moo at cows, say hello to horses, and when I mention various sightings to my husband, he never saw 'em. To me, chatting with the animals is part of a good ride!

Just no dogs....please! Though I do say "good doggie...good doggie" if one is near the road and doesn't bat an eyelash as we roll by.

Emily

[CR400]

You only have to go fast if you are racing or have men pushing you to go faster. I am a little different highly competitive when I ride with others or actually timing myself over a section. But there are also days that I ride slow just to enjoy the sunshine and the trees. On the other hand to me the sound of the wind rushing by my ears as I go faster and faster is like music that urges me on. It is all up to the person and who they are not what others expect of us.

By the way good job to the orginal poster those are fine accomplishments. I can empathize about loosing weight cycling I have lost 65 and have 40 more to go.

[RoadRaven]

Type A is alpha type personality. Driven, workaholic, high pressure type person. Did you see that movie "Magnolia" with Tom Cruise? Well, just think Tom Cruise. Type B would be, oh, maybe more Owen Wilson or Bill Murray (especially Bill Murray in the movie "The Life Aquatic") Type B (I am type B) is more laid back. I stress out when put into a type A position (which has me wondering why on earth would a Type B person choose nursing, a high stress career?)

Oh hey, your are from Down Under right? Think Type A as Russell Crowe and Type B would be Paul Hogan!

Thanks Kk, yup, Down Under - thats me
Prolly our most famous contemporary Type B person in NZ must be Peter Jackson - who else would wear shorts and jandels to "important" Hollywood events???
Type B for nursing is good - you can be efficient and relaxed... a stress focused nurse is not useful for patients at all.
I think I'm both - perform well under pressure but in an organised yet relaxed "I'm easy" kinda way.

[AutumnBreez]

Oh, me too! I baaaa at goats, moo at cows, say hello to horses, and when I mention various sightings to my husband, he never saw 'em. To me, chatting with the animals is part of a good ride!

Just no dogs....please! Though I do say "good doggie...good doggie" if one is near the road and doesn't bat an eyelash as we roll by.

Emily

I love dogs, but not the type of dogs that chase you, I have learned to have my water ready for them and will squirt them as they come to me, they back off right away. .