Strength Through Biking
No, not physical strength, although that comes too. I'm talking about inner, emotional and psychological strength. This weekend was a great example of why I ride and how it makes me strong.
On Thursday, I felt terribly small and weak. A confrontation with an enraged driver left me scared, shaken, and afraid. Luckily, a friend had asked me to ride Critical Mass on Friday to give her emotional support to participate in the Underwear Ride. The timing could not have been better for my first Critical Mass. We joined numerous other bikers - I couldn't even guess how many - filling the streets with our bikes and our joy. Our joy was, for the most part, shared by onlookers and drivers who waved, cheered, and yelled "Happy Friday!" back to us. The rare irate driver was, for once, overwhelmed and powerless against the endless bikes. It was the slowest 14 miles I have ever ridden, but one of the most powerful rides I have ever been on.
Sunday was the Venus de Miles ride, an all-women ride with proceeds supporting the Greenhouse Scholars. Last year, their first year in Chicago, I participated and loved the energy of the all-female event. This year was just as fantastic. I discovered how physically strong I have gotten from my daily commute and was surprised by how many riders I was able to pass. A few times, I caught the rear of a group moving at a good pace, and would thank them at the rest stops. Toward the end, I managed to get between packs of riders and caught up to a woman rocking it out at a great pace and stuck to her wheel; another woman got on my wheel. At a red light we chatted and the lead woman asked who wanted to lead next. I said I would, but didn't think I was fast enough for her; she responded that she was going faster for me! So I pulled out and took the lead on the next leg. At the end, I bumped into her and her friend - who, funny enough I had met earlier in the ride - and we ate lunch together and exchanged contact information. I left the ride proud of my physical performance, which was so much better than I'd anticipated, and pleased to have met some very cool people.
That asshole from Thursday has nothing on me. The rest of the weekend reminded me that I am part of a huge, supportive community; that I have both the physical and mental stamina to knock out an awesome 67 mile ride; and that most of the people on this planet are pretty cool and friendly. Knowing all of that gives me an inner strength that can never be down for long.
On Thursday, I felt terribly small and weak. A confrontation with an enraged driver left me scared, shaken, and afraid. Luckily, a friend had asked me to ride Critical Mass on Friday to give her emotional support to participate in the Underwear Ride. The timing could not have been better for my first Critical Mass. We joined numerous other bikers - I couldn't even guess how many - filling the streets with our bikes and our joy. Our joy was, for the most part, shared by onlookers and drivers who waved, cheered, and yelled "Happy Friday!" back to us. The rare irate driver was, for once, overwhelmed and powerless against the endless bikes. It was the slowest 14 miles I have ever ridden, but one of the most powerful rides I have ever been on.
Sunday was the Venus de Miles ride, an all-women ride with proceeds supporting the Greenhouse Scholars. Last year, their first year in Chicago, I participated and loved the energy of the all-female event. This year was just as fantastic. I discovered how physically strong I have gotten from my daily commute and was surprised by how many riders I was able to pass. A few times, I caught the rear of a group moving at a good pace, and would thank them at the rest stops. Toward the end, I managed to get between packs of riders and caught up to a woman rocking it out at a great pace and stuck to her wheel; another woman got on my wheel. At a red light we chatted and the lead woman asked who wanted to lead next. I said I would, but didn't think I was fast enough for her; she responded that she was going faster for me! So I pulled out and took the lead on the next leg. At the end, I bumped into her and her friend - who, funny enough I had met earlier in the ride - and we ate lunch together and exchanged contact information. I left the ride proud of my physical performance, which was so much better than I'd anticipated, and pleased to have met some very cool people.
That asshole from Thursday has nothing on me. The rest of the weekend reminded me that I am part of a huge, supportive community; that I have both the physical and mental stamina to knock out an awesome 67 mile ride; and that most of the people on this planet are pretty cool and friendly. Knowing all of that gives me an inner strength that can never be down for long.
posted by polkagrl @ 12:00 PM
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