Bicycles as a Way of Life

Right now just about everything I do revolves around my bicycle. This is not a bad thing, although it is different for me. Over the past couple of years the bike has gained more and more prominence in my life, but now it has consumed it. It is not that I am unhappy about this turn of events – it is just interesting to note.

I am currently, training to race, riding for fun, teaching beginner adults how to ride and helping to lead a weekly women’s ride. I recently took a racing clinic that taught me the basic techniques and strategies of racing. I joined a Cat. 4 women’s racing team. It seems that I am either riding, preparing to ride, talking about riding or rides, teaching folks how to ride, or doing all the laundry generated by riding.

I am feeling like the thing I need to do now is really consider what my goals are for the season in relation to racing, riding, and my relationship with bicycles. I would like to do a few road races and am at the point where I have to decide which ones and how to prepare for them. I am considering doing a charity ride in September. I think I want to do at least one century ride in addition to the charity ride which is 125 miles in a day. I need to make a clearer training plan for the season. I also want to do some work on my bicycle. I need to change the cassette and chain. I’d like to do that myself with the help of my partner. I am also taking some classes to become certified in bicycle safety so I could teach that as well.

To everything there is a season. For me, now is bicycle season. I am learning and growing in many ways right now. I am challenging myself physically and emotionally with the racing. I am giving back to the community by teaching and leading rides. I am learning new things. I know though, if I lose the joy in cycling then it is time to reassess, for that is ultimately why I do all this. I love it. I love cycling. I love teaching. I love learning. Who would have thought that I would fall in love with a two wheeled machine?

The picture is of me in my new team kit. Although I like the design, all the red, white, and blue makes me feel like Little Miss Asian America! Yay for diversity!