Where a bike can take you....

These were posted all over work! Love my peeps!

I had a specific reason why I didn't tell my mother about my ride. She found out about it anyways the Friday before we left. She told me that it was a horrible idea, that I was a loser, Jason was a loser, and that we would never amount to anything. One thing that she said really stood out. It was "You've never gotten anywhere or anything from riding that bike and you never will."

I thought a lot about that comment in the middle of the night while I was riding my bike. And I realized that my mother was dead wrong. Here are just a few of the things that I realized:

Without riding a bike I wouldn't have done a triathlon. Triathlon has changed my life, the way I view my body, treat my body, and the earth.

Without riding my bike I never would have been hit by a drunk driver and broken my leg. Although at the time that accident was the most horrific thing that had ever happened to me, it taught me patience and kindness to people who are not able bodied. It made me appreciate life. It also required me to make a total comeback. That was humbling. I am grateful now for everything that experience taught me.

Without riding a bike I wouldn't have some of the most amazing people I have ever known in my life. The people I have encountered through this sport are some of the most talented, generous, funny, gifted people I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. My life in better because of you all!

Without riding a bike I never would have done a triathlon, which means I never would have been on the All3 Sports Team. Without being on their team I never would have met Jason. I have never met anyone so perfect for me! It's fate I tell ya!

The more I rode, the more I realized that bike riding is the best thing that has ever happened to me. Instead of being angry over my mothers words, I actually felt sorry for her. Obviously, she needs a bike.

Everyday I work with people who have about 2-10 years left to live. It's sad, but it's the truth. One thing this has taught me is to live the life that YOU want to live. Don't be the person you think someone else wants you to be. I listen to these people talk about regrets, but I never hear them say "I regret doing things that made me happy." My bike makes me happy. No, it will never make me rich. I will never be famous. Yes, I am sure that I miss a lot of things because I am out riding. But bottom line: My bike makes me happy.

"Far better it is to do mighty things, to win glorious triumphs even though checkered by failures, than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy nor suffer much because they live in the gray twilight that knows neither victory nor defeat." -Theodore Roosevelt

Pedal away my friends!!