I am not an avid bicycle rider. I never have been. While I have extremely fond memories of learning how to ride a bike, having a pretty sweet yellow Huffy bicycle with a banana seat and, later on, feeling the awesome wonder of a surprise gift of a 10 speed bicycle from my parents, I can honestly say I've never considered "biking" a hobby.
However, that didn't stop me from volunteering to provide sag support at the 2000 Giro di Peninsula, despite the fact I was out of shape and had no experience, whatsoever, in volunteering for a bike ride! At that time, the "medium-intensity, one-mile climb" up Crystal Springs Road seemed like a "mountain!"
I was looking for that "going in blindly" and "just do it" attitude today as my partner, Rory, and I participated in Bicycle Sunday - car-free biking on Cañada Road. Our starting point was at the intersection of Cañada Road and Highway 92.
By most accounts, Cañada Road, between Highway 92 and Edgewood Road (approximately 4 miles), is relatively flat, with lightly rolling hills. I won't argue - this is a beautiful, scenic route and definitely recommended for learning how to ride or getting re-acquainted with riding. But, I have to keep it real. I have not been on a bike in a long time... a really long time. My heart was racing from exertion at certain times. I haven't looked at any elevation maps for the area, but I'm sure the inclines throughout the route were minimal (and they were definitely gradual). And, yet, I felt as if I was actually climbing and grinding!
Shortly after turning around at Edgewood Road, looking ahead, I could see approximately three distinct "rolling hills." I felt exasperated with the thought of having to climb those hills and anxious about how much more climbing there was ahead.
However, that didn't stop me from volunteering to provide sag support at the 2000 Giro di Peninsula, despite the fact I was out of shape and had no experience, whatsoever, in volunteering for a bike ride! At that time, the "medium-intensity, one-mile climb" up Crystal Springs Road seemed like a "mountain!"
I was looking for that "going in blindly" and "just do it" attitude today as my partner, Rory, and I participated in Bicycle Sunday - car-free biking on Cañada Road. Our starting point was at the intersection of Cañada Road and Highway 92.
By most accounts, Cañada Road, between Highway 92 and Edgewood Road (approximately 4 miles), is relatively flat, with lightly rolling hills. I won't argue - this is a beautiful, scenic route and definitely recommended for learning how to ride or getting re-acquainted with riding. But, I have to keep it real. I have not been on a bike in a long time... a really long time. My heart was racing from exertion at certain times. I haven't looked at any elevation maps for the area, but I'm sure the inclines throughout the route were minimal (and they were definitely gradual). And, yet, I felt as if I was actually climbing and grinding!
Shortly after turning around at Edgewood Road, looking ahead, I could see approximately three distinct "rolling hills." I felt exasperated with the thought of having to climb those hills and anxious about how much more climbing there was ahead.
But, just as quickly as I felt exasperated, I felt a sense of calm and inspiration.
It became clear to me - regardless of how potentially daunting the road ahead would be, if I could only look back to see what I had already accomplished in the previous climbs (when I felt certain I would have to stop), I would see that I accomplished some major obstacles already. All of a sudden, those three rolling hills coming up were just "bumps" on the proverbial road ahead and, literally, no more difficult than any climb I had just completed, today or at earlier points in my cycling adventures. And maybe there were more ascents to come, but to cite one of my favorite quotes:
"It always seems impossible until it's done" - Nelson Mandela.
Thank you San Mateo County Parks department for making Bicycle Sundays possible, to my brother for a belated 40th birthday gift of a safely tuned, used bicycle and a helmet, and to Rory for continuing to inspire and motivate me to take on new adventures. Tour di Peninsula 2011, here we come!
It became clear to me - regardless of how potentially daunting the road ahead would be, if I could only look back to see what I had already accomplished in the previous climbs (when I felt certain I would have to stop), I would see that I accomplished some major obstacles already. All of a sudden, those three rolling hills coming up were just "bumps" on the proverbial road ahead and, literally, no more difficult than any climb I had just completed, today or at earlier points in my cycling adventures. And maybe there were more ascents to come, but to cite one of my favorite quotes:
"It always seems impossible until it's done" - Nelson Mandela.
Thank you San Mateo County Parks department for making Bicycle Sundays possible, to my brother for a belated 40th birthday gift of a safely tuned, used bicycle and a helmet, and to Rory for continuing to inspire and motivate me to take on new adventures. Tour di Peninsula 2011, here we come!
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