The late afternoon sun is beating down and the air is thick with humidity as I step into the peddles to begin another ride. Radar indicates the immediate area is devoid of thunderstorms and the roads are dry—from my perspective, ideal conditions to get out and pump the pedals.
As usual, I start with only the vaguest idea of where I’ll ride and the route to follow. Hence, at the end of the driveway I choose to turn left and head north. Five miles out and I decide to take a road I know leads to a steep hill climb. It will be a challenge, but I’m confident I’ll be able to make the climb.
Seven miles out and I start into the climb. I’m thinking about the way we accept certain challenges in life without question and with the full confidence of knowing we will be successful in our efforts to resolve a problem or issue while other challenges or problems seem insurmountable, beyond our capabilities and tax our emotional well-being. Invariably, it seems, our inability to undertake a particular task or pursue a desired activity is not due to some lack of intelligence, ability, physical impairment or limitation. Instead, it’s our inner dialogue, the messages we tell ourselves (“I’m not good enough.” “I’ll never succeed.” “I’m not smart enough.”) that create artificial barriers and keep us trapped in unhappy or unfulfilling situations..
9.5 miles and I’ve reached the peak of the hill. My heart rate is elevated and I’m a touch exhausted, but a long downhill stretch means I can assume “cruise mode” and give my legs a little rest before taking on another, though less challenging, climb. From this point, the way back home will be less about climbing hills and more about speed.
I’m two miles from home waiting for a traffic light to give me a green signal. Over the past 3.5 miles I’ve maintained an average speed of 25-mph. While 25-mph doesn’t seem terribly fast to someone in a motor vehicle, fellow cyclists know (save on downhills) maintaining a 25-mph pace for several miles is nothing at which to sneeze.
Turning into the driveway, I glance at my trip computer (18.1-miles) and my watch (1 hr. 15 min.) and a feeling of contentment and accomplishment washes over me. Stella’s wagging tail and happy smile seals the deal.
Life is good.