I started biking about 2 years ago to relieve stress, anxiety and have
something else to do when that damn woman I was seeing was ticked off
because I woke her up during her nap on a day we usually saw each
other. I was angry about my job and in despair over the relationship.
Within three weeks, she was gone from my life, but not before she gave
me the best gift she ever did. I bought a bicycle and began to ride.
Within two weeks I was hooked. I rode 750 miles that summer and would
have ridden 1000 before winter set in, but I had to have eye surgery
and the doctor wouldn't aqllow me to ride till all four tretments were
done and healed. Since then I've ridden almost 2000 miles. Only need
about 40 more to make that and as the weather clears and warms up I'll
get those, too.
But here's the point ya'll. Riding has been the best thing I've ever
done for me. Maggie says she can get into her size 10 pants. Way to
go, darlin!! I'm proud of you. I'm in the best condition I've ever
been in. I lost 15 lbs the first four months I rode. I'm diabetic and
my blood sugar was at normal levels during that time. I thought faster
and I reacted faster at work.
I've just turned 55 this month. I intend to ride at least 1000 miles a
year the rest of my life. I want my soon to be wife to get the phone
call from the Dept of Public Safety that they found me dead on the side
of the road with a grin on my face and 20,000 miles on the saddle. She
knows that and would cry and grin at the same time because she knew i
died doing something I loved.
One of y'all talks about riding across Canada. Damn, that sounds like
fun. I'd go in a heartbeat if I could, but I'm getting married this
summer and couldn't make a trip like that. But, I will ride 150 miles
to family reunion in Oklahoma this summer. I'll take a couple of days
to do it, but I'm gonna do it.
Y'all have inspired me. It's mid-winter here in Amarillo, but there
are good days here and there. I won't be able to ride in March due to
more eye surgery, but you can bet come 1 April, I'll be on the road
again, riding 8 - 10 miles at a stretch to start. And then I'll get
down to the canyon and ride the backtrails.
Thanks for the inspiration. You've given strength to put another 10
miles on my bike.
Kumen.