I have always been a ‘walker’ – it’s my go-to for: stress reduction, Vitamin D, fresh air, checking out other neighborhoods, a great friend debrief, taking care of my cardiovascular health, and general well-being. I also secretly hoped, all the way along, that while I was ticking off miles, that I was also burning calories in my never-ending quest for weight loss. But as I get older and deal with lots of aches and pains due to normal aging, sometimes changing it up to some different activities is called for.
A few years ago I bought a bike and started riding; wore a helmet, used a crypto bike lock, stored it inside every time I wasn’t riding and pushed myself to go a little further on each ride. I hated wearing the helmet – because – well…. Hat hair! But I wore it faithfully – and it’s a good thing because on one of my rides I took the railroad tracks at the wrong angle and face planted on the asphalt HARD. That fall gave me a face gash, stitches and a concussion. I also looked like someone had taken a hard right hook at my eye. Thankfully the gash was right where one of my developing wrinkles was – so… no harm no foul!
I continued to ride – although only occasionally, (being a little cautious after my fall). When I moved to a new apartment a few months later, I had a place on the third floor and I just couldn’t imagine carrying the bike up and down 4 flights of stairs each time. So I locked it up on the designated bike rack and the next morning it was… GONE. I found the crypto lock butchered in half on the ground next to where I had parked it. At the point – my mom told me that I just wasn’t meant to ride a bike and to give it up.
As I often did, I believed her – and stayed away from cycling for seven years. But I always missed it – I loved the feeling of being able to cycle for miles with the wind in my face and the feeling of strengthening my legs. So – after I retired and had started to prioritize my health – I decided to purchase an electric bike. It took me a while – I researched types, brands, models, pros and cons and finally test-rode a few. I didn’t choose the one that the salesman wanted me to buy – I chose the one that felt like I would never want to get off of it. I knew at my age that electric was the way to go – especially since I live in a neighborhood with LOTS of hills. I didn’t want to get discouraged and boy – did that little burst of power help when mounting a hill or coming in at the end of a good 15 mile ride!
I started out by riding around my neighborhood and practicing using the gears and the electric assist modes. I quickly discovered that mounting and dismounting the bike was very humbling! At 5”1’ – climbing up on a bike is actually harder than staying upright! I have plenty of thigh bruises to show for my clumsy attempts at stopping and starting. Yes – I have fallen – a couple times – but I have started wearing gloves and long leggings to protect my skin. I literally have a prayer and talk with God before each ride; I thank him for my bike, my retirement, my mobility, my opportunity to exercise and then ask him for care and protection on my ride. As I arrive home at the end of a ride – I always thank him for his love and protection.
I have learned that I can do hard things – even when no one else believes in me. I wish I had learned that when I was younger. Clumsy does not have to be a life sentence. Get out and GO!!!
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