The Colorado Peace Ride Blog

My experience of riding the CPR

2010-08-12T09:57:00.000-07:00

The Colorado Peace Ride? It’s a 238-mile bicycle ride in the mountains to raise money for non-profit organizations.

I said, “Sure. I’ll do it.”

I hadn’t ridden a bike since I was twelve years old, but I was up for the challenge. I had no idea what I was getting into. After all, it’s just about riding a bike, right?

I trained consistently for six months, mostly on weekends when I wasn’t working. I began to feel burned-out at 4 months of training, and shared with my teacher what I was feeling. She asked me, “What are you thinking about when you’re riding? Are you praying? Maybe you should try doing that.”

I did, and it made a world of difference in my training. Instead of feeling exhausted after many hours of riding, focusing on something meaningful outside of myself gave me tons of energy. I felt a real sense of accomplishment after riding that had an impact that was beyond a physical or mental experience. For the first time in my months of training, riders around me would smile at me, or say hello. It seemed as if my prayer work also gave them energy and encouragement on long climbs uphill, even if it wasn’t them that I was praying for.

While on my training rides, I often pondered, “What is the Peace Ride? What does it mean to ‘Be the Peace, Be the Ride’?” When going inside to find the answer, I was surprised to find that when I felt that place of peace inside of myself, I felt so much inspiration, love, and joy. It seemed that the mountains, the trees, and all of nature around me responded back to me as if encouraging and cheering me on to connect more deeply with that place inside of myself. I began to get a sense of what this Peace Ride was about and was in awe knowing that if a few hundred people got together to ride while feeling this immense peace and love I was witnessing… REAL, positive change could actually affect this planet. Wow…

The Peace Ride finally came, and went. I feel like a different person, as if I’ve gone through some kind of massive transformation. I’m not talking about being proud of a big physical accomplishment, or getting a badge for completing a ride. I’m talking about feeling more peace, clarity, and heart-opening than I’ve felt in a long time, if ever this much. I’m not so sure what happened to me, when it happened over the four days of riding, or how it happened. I just know that all my sweat and hard work in the months before were well worth this ride that I will never forget.

Now, if we can only bring this level of consciousness and experience of peace to riders, organized rides, and communities around the world… How cool would that be??
Christine, Denver Cyclist

There are some things you can't tell people...

2010-07-22T20:38:00.000-07:00

There are some things you can't tell people without them thinking that you're crazy. That late at night you put on zebra print tights and work out to old Richard Simmons videos, for instance. Or that you prefer eating Oreo cookies without milk. And apparently telling people you cycle 40 or more miles at one time, on purpose, and without someone chasing you at gunpoint falls in that category. I went for an 80-mile ride yesterday and at one of my pit stops at the local gas station to pick up water, Gatorade and cookies, I explained to the owner what I was doing. I have never seen anyone look at me with such disbelief – except when I tried to convince my neighbor that despite the fact that my baseball was indeed in her living room (and yes I was wearing my baseball glove and mysteriously had no ball and yes there was a ball sized hold in her window) that I was most certainly not at fault. And then today I stopped at a local pizza shop to pick up some water and spoke with a guy there and explained I was riding 40 miles, after which he looked at me as if I had told him that I like to go into the basement and beat myself in the head with my bicycle pump!

What is it that drives us to cycle 240 miles in 4 days for the Colorado Peace Ride? Are we insane? Are we driven to help the people around us in any way we can, because we know that we are blessed with more than we deserve and we want to give something back? Are we missing some chemical in our brain that tells you to stop when your thigh muscles start cramping and your neck is sending you messages that feel an awful lot like curses?
Honestly, I am not sure what the answer is. I imagine it’s a mixture of all of those things and more. What I do know is that the Peace Ride is just 2 weeks away and I am totally stoked. I cannot wait to get there and be with 150 other people who are as caring and insane as I am. I cannot wait to be part of an event that not only has a good, daring and inspiring mission, but that lives what it seeks to create. The Colorado Peace Ride is run by a group of volunteers who are committed to peace inside and out, and it shows in every aspect of the ride. They have volunteers that go out each morning and literally sweep the route with brooms and mark the holes to make it easier for us to ride. Seriously, they sweep the road of broken glass and debris. And they do it cheerfully. (I am not sure who is crazier). But I am thrilled that they do it, and I’m incredibly grateful and happy to be a part of this event.

If you aren't riding with us or volunteering for the ride this year and your friends call you things like crazy, looney, tree hugger, or do-gooder, join us. We can all be crazy together while we bring some much needed peace to this world that has come to think of violence, poverty and selfishness as normal. ~Deacon Joseph

Why cyclists are riding CPR along the San Juan Skyway...

2010-06-08T14:21:00.000-07:00

When it comes to bicycle tours, there’s no place like Colorado. And when it comes to routes, there’s none like the San Juan Skyway, a 238-mile loop that links Durango, Telluride, Ouray and Dolores. Always included in the country’s 10 most scenic routes, the Skyway is the mother lode of mountain beauty. If you ever bike it, you never forget it, and you never stop wanting to do it again – to grunt up Red Mountain Pass and come screaming down into the cupped hamlet of Ouray where you can soak for hours in the huge hot springs pool. Who could ever forget biking into Telluride to see why the rich and famous vacation in this spectacular tourist haven? And who would miss the pastoral beauty of Dolores along the famed Dolores River, looking south to the rock fortress that is Mesa Verde. The air is different here – scintillating, clear, and some say, “Spiritual.”

Now cyclists can experience this wonder of all mountain places on the Colorado Peace Ride, aptly named for the Peace of the majestic surroundings as well as the cause that inspires the ride. They will ride to support charities that make life better for all – our environment, women and children, poor, veterans, the disabled, and communities. They will Be the Change that will bring peace to our world.

Did you register yet???

2010-05-27T15:07:00.000-07:00

Don't forget to register by Tuesday, June 1 to save $75! Pass it on! We are ramping up for an amazing ride (CPR) on an amazing route (San Juan Skyway) for an amazing cause (Peace) with amazing support (you've got to come to meet us)! What more amazing things could you ask for?! Please email or call me if you have questions!

revisabelle@thepeaceride.com
720-308-9944

What are you thinking?!

2010-05-26T15:11:00.000-07:00

Where is your head when you are riding? Hopefully secured by a helmet. But what about your thoughts? Do they race so fast you can't see what is in front of you or around you? Do they go blank so you can simply focus on what is before you in the moment? Are you one with your bike, the road, the trail, the space around you? Have you ever thought of thinking of positive thoughts while you ride? Do you know that what you think AFFECTS the space around you? Do you know that your mind can go where you want it to if you consciously will it to? CPR is all about being the change you want to see in the world. That change begins in your mind. It begins by visualizing what you want to create...by seeing things how you want them to be. You have to be it first and eventually the world around you will be affected by your way of being. This starts in the mind. If enough of us are putting good stuff out there via our collective thinking, imagine what is possible. How much time are you on your bike? Why not use this time to make an impact. Zoning out is fine for a time but then make your mind useful to do good things for this ailing planet. Be the change you want to see in the world now. I would love to hear your "thoughts" in response to this post. Please share! Happy mindful riding!

The Joy of Commuting!

2010-05-06T10:40:00.000-07:00

I work from home as tour director for CPR. Two days a week I take my daughter to daycare. Weather permitting, I do this on my bike. It's a 3-mile ride both ways. The extra 10 minutes of time it takes to make the round trip are well worth it as it is absolutely a highlight of my day! While feeling the gentle burn in my legs and stretch in my lungs, I get to hear her emerging words and made up songs from behind me. She rides in a Burley trailer with lunch box in tow behind her, bottle in hand and usually a favorite toy or two. We get to see the flowers, smell the fresh air, feel the cool breeze and enjoy the view of the mountains as a backdrop to the cityscape of Denver. She gets to witness this cool mode green transportation in action - and occasionally mechanic-mommy flipping over the bike to change a tire or fix a derailleur. She just turned 2 and whenever the word "bike" is mentioned in our house or she sees an image of one, she lights up like the sun. There are many good reasons for commuting by bike. This is just one!

Here are a few great links on commuter cycling:
http://zenhabits.net/6-tips-for-commuting-to-work-by-bike/
http://health.usnews.com/health-news/blogs/on-men/2008/05/15/6-myths-about-commuting-by-bicycle/comments
http://www.runmuki.com/commute/

BE the HOPE

2010-05-05T11:59:00.001-07:00

BE the HOPE

BE a source of inspiration to those around you.
BE someone they can look to and say “I know its possible because you did it!”
ELEVATE someone out of their own misery.
INSPIRE others to live fully.
DITCH the disabling mindset that what the world deems impossible is really so.
LIVE AWARE that your next breath is a gift and you have been declared worthy to receive it!

Need a reason to ride? Check out these!

2010-04-15T10:47:00.000-07:00

“Why We Ride” by PeopleForBikes.org

• 47% of people would like to see more bike lanes, trails and bridges.
• 1 pound of CO2 emissions cut for every 1 mile pedaled.
• 50% of trips Americans make are less than 3 miles.
• $8000 spent on average each year owning and operating a car.
• 3 hours of riding per week reduces the risk of heart disease and stroke by 50%.
• $10 saved each day by commuting 10 miles round trip by bike instead of car.

I know I am preaching to the choir here, but I urge you to pass these stats on to motivate your peers to ride. May these figures also inspire you to find more creative ways to boost your training routine - like riding to work, dropping the kids off at school or daycare, making a quick trip to the grocery store, etc. Why do these things in your car only to have your training ride awaiting you once you return home?!

The Ride of Silence - May 19th

2010-04-14T15:03:00.001-07:00

In case you are not aware of this ride, you should check it out..."The Ride of Silence", May 19th 2010 in a city near you. Its happening in Golden CO at 111 Rubey Drive. Its tagline is: 100,000+ riders, 243 cities, 50 states, 13 countries, 6 continents, 0 words spoken. Same day. Same time. Around the world. "The Ride of Silence" commemorates all who have died as a result of a cycling accident. Fortunately I don't know of anyone who has died on a bike but I will be there to offer my prayers and show my support for my fellow cyclists who have experienced the loss of a loved one in this way. When Chris Phelan first organized this ride in 2003, he just put out the word for people to show up in memory of his friend Larry Schwartz who had recently died and others like him. He never anticipated that 1000 cyclists would show up. He never dreamed it would become what it is today. Kudos to Chris for stepping out and allowing spirit to move and to all who have responded! Blessings upon all of the participants of "The Ride of Silence 2010".

Violence Affects us All

2010-03-31T12:11:00.000-07:00

Check out this short clip on how violence affects us all. Juan Pacheco used to be a gang member and is now on track to be a doctor. He speaks from his own experience of the ripple affect of violence and why we need to work together to support its end.
http://dopeace.ning.com/video/violence-affects-us-all

BE the PEACE

2010-03-19T20:56:00.000-07:00

What are you doing to create peace in the world? Are you creating it right now? We live in the midst of a bigger, better, faster, now culture and that makes peace sometimes seem a long way off. But it's not. It's inside of you. You don't have to go anywhere to find it. Find what it is that helps you get still and quiet inside and do more of that. That is how you create peace. When you learn how to manifest it inside of you, then it will begin to exude from you and expand around you...and soon you will be on your way to creating world peace. I wish you all the courage you need to BE THE PEACE you want to see in the world.

Peace Ride Wrap-Up: One Month Later

2009-09-09T15:36:00.000-07:00

It only took us a month to wrap the inaugural Peace Ride tour up in words. From Shakur himself:

The Inaugural Colorado Peace Ride is in the history books, and in one word, it was amazing. Some events offer amazing scenery, some events offer physical and emotional challenges, some events offer the chance for great camraderie, some events offer the chance for personal growth, some events offer the chance to feel so supported that you can't find enough words to express your gratitude. The Colorado Peace Ride offered them all.

From the moment riders began streaming into Fort Lewis College, they were surrounded by volunteers whose mission was to help them cycle over some of the most challenging terrain in the universe and raise money for the Sophia Peace Center. The volunteers did everything from check riders in to help them get settled, to sweep debris off the roads we were riding on, to standing for hours in the Colorado sun waving bright orange flags so riders would know where to turn, to serving every kind of food imaginable at the many aid stations along the route to setting up the camps at the end of the day, to arranging music and a movie and dinner and transportation into town, to providing medical care, to providing mechanical support for the bicycles, to driving every inch of the route with cars full or water and Gatorade and pretzels and finding riders in need, to transporting riders to the aid stations when they couldn't go any further - every last need was provided for. It's not clear when the volunteers slept. But rumor has it that they did.

On top of being cared for like a rock star, the riders were treated to the most amazing scenery ever. There is nothing quite like screaming down Red Mountain Pass into Ouray through enormous canyons at highly inadvisable speeds after climbing 3 incredible mountain passes to a height of 11,000 feet. If you haven't seen the photos and videos online at www.thepeaceride.com, check them out because words truly can't explain the grandeur of those mountains.

The most spectacular thing to see at the Peace Ride was watching how a group of 140 riders and 30+ volunteers from around the country and Canada could come together and form a family in 4 days. Riders helped and encouraged each other over 240 miles of intense cold then intense heat then up steep mountain passes then down the other side, volunteers supported one another as they put in 18-hour days in the same cold and heat (it was 30 degrees on the morning of the 3rd day in Telluride!), riders opened their hearts to the mission of the Peace Ride and shared their dreams for peace and set intentions each day for how they were going to turn those dreams into reality, and the ministers from the Centers of Light held us all in their loving embrace and guided us each step of the way.

Not one person left the Peace Ride without feeling a sense of hope for humanity. If we could come together like that and create more peace on the earth in just 4 days, what could possibly stand in the way of truly living in peace?

Day 1

2009-08-09T16:53:00.000-07:00

Quick post from Ouray as we're wrapping up Day 1.

Highlights:

Hand cyclists from Telluride Adaptive Sports are simply amazing. They climbed 3 peaks with their hands...in case you didn't read that right, they did it with their hands!

Cyclists have continually commented on how great the organization of the ride is.

The camping field outside the Ouray Hot Springs park fits just right into our ride. It's so peaceful and the mountains surrounding the town are just amazing.

Keep up with our Flickr account. Check it out.

The Countdown!

2009-08-06T19:03:00.000-07:00

Its just 3 days before the start of the Peace Ride and I am totally psyched. I am in Denver now, helping to pack up for the trip down to Durango. We've got tons of food and everything has fallen into place to support the Ride, thanks to Reverend Isabelle and Reverend William, and all of the people volunteering for the ride.

So tomorrow, we'll have 5 cars loaded to the gills with cliff shots and cycling jerseys making the caravan from Denver to Durango. For all riders coming from lower elevations, I highly recommend starting to drink lots of water now. Get your body used to consuming more water than you think you need, cause you'll need it when you get out here.

It's hard to believe that the ride is already here. It seems like just a few weeks ago that we started preparing and training. Hopefully the many hours in the saddle, gutting it up the hills, sucking back Gatorade and trying to force one more Power Bar into my stomach will come in handy as we head up the mountains into Silverton for our first day. I had the chance to drive some of the route a few weeks back while on vacation with my children, and the route is absolutely beautiful, and will be a great challenge. You may want to check your ego with your luggage when you get on the plane, and then conveniently forgetting to retrieve it. It doesn't seem like it will be of much use out here!

On top of a great ride, with tons of volunteers making sure that the riders have all of the support and food we need, there will be a great celebration on Tuesday night. So get those bags packed and come join us for the Inaugural Colorado Peace Ride.

Recap!

2009-07-22T13:09:00.001-07:00

We've been off the posting for a bit to gear up for the inaugural year for the Peace Ride. Just to keep folks in the loop, here's a quick recap of the last month.

1. Vitamin Water

Rev Isabelle met these guys at Denver Bike to Work Day and they offered to give us Vitamin Water for the ride. Lots and lots of Vitamin Water. I don't know the exact count, but I think we're hauling about 1,000 bottles of it down to Durango.

2. Sponsors

We've been rounding up sponsors for aid stations rest stops along the route, and taking donations to support the ride. Most people are giving $10 every mile they want to support.

3. Fundraising

Cyclists have been doing a last push for fundraising in the final weeks before the Colorado Peace Ride. To donate, visit http://www.thepeaceride.com/donations.html.

4. More peace videos.

We've been working on a couple of videos to release for evening activities during the Peace Ride. Stay tuned to see them!

5. 30 spots left!

If you've just heard about the Peace Ride, there are 30 spots left since July 1. Just contact Rev Isabelle at revisabelle@thepeaceride.com to see if there are any more spots!

Peace Ride at REI Denver Flagship Tonight!

2009-06-29T12:30:00.000-07:00

Have some more questions about the Colorado Peace Ride? We'll be doing a presentation about the Colorado Peace Ride tonight at the REI Denver Flagship store. Start time: 7pm. Hope to see you there!

Great Podcast KSUT Radio

2009-06-29T12:25:00.000-07:00

Sister Andrea down in Dolores got a chance to interview with KSUT about the Colorado Peace Ride, along with Executive Director of the Southwest Center for Independence, a partner of the Peace Ride. Here's reporter Kinsee Morlan's intro:

THE NAME IS MISLEADING, BECAUSE THE FIRST-EVER COLORADO PEACE RIDE HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH PROTESTING ANY WARS. INSTEAD, IT'S A NEW CHARITY RIDE THAT STARTS AND ENDS IN DURANGO AND, THROUGH REGISTRATION FEES AND DONATIONS, THE 238-MILE RIDE WILL HELP RAISE MONEY FOR SEVERAL OF THE REGION'S HUNDREDS OF NONPROFITS TO GET SOME REST AND RELAXATION THROUGH A FREE OR LOW-COST RETREAT AT THE SOPHIA PEACE CENTER IN DOLORES. COORDINATOR ANDREA COHEN SAYS NOW MORE THEN EVER, THANKS TO THE DOWNTURNED ECONOMY, IT'S IMPORTANT THAT THOSE WHO ARE OUT THERE HELPING OTHERS GET A CHANCE TO HELP THEMSELVES.

Check it out!

Inaugural Jerseys are Official!

2009-06-24T15:41:00.000-07:00

Here they are folks! The Colorado Peace Ride's inaugural year's jersey. They are awesome, and you only get one if you are registered or if you are a virtual rider. We won't be selling them after the event — it's strictly a participant's jersey, so if you're on the fence about registering, hopefully this packed-with-sheer-peace-and-awesomeness jersey will convince you to sign up.

Note the right sleeve: "2009 Inaugural Ride." Won't be another one like it!

The Adventures of Biker Dude

2009-06-24T11:43:00.000-07:00

Sometimes in life, things happen that you would never expect. I never wanted to be a superhero. I can't fly, I have no x-ray vision, I can't shoot webs out of my wrist (man that would be cool). But last week it happened. I was out on my first 50 mile ride, passing through the land of Suburbia, on my way back home, and it happened. I was spotted by a young boy, who in his innocence and exuberance shouted out, "Hey, biker dude!" And life hasn't been the same since. Now, when I prepare to go out riding, and I put on my spandex shorts, my über-cool orange glasses, my red, white and blue cycling jersey, I become Biker Dude — defender of all things two-wheeled, the spandex warrior, bringing peace to a troubled world on his trusty Cannondale Caad 8.

Last weekend Biker Dude rode 50 or 60 miles, news reports vary, in beautiful Rhode Island, with his trusty peace partner, zee french cyclist Robert (pronounced with a french accent like Stephen Colbert). What a gorgeous ride through the Arcadia State Park and then down along the coast of Narragansett to Point Judith. Nourished by Powerbars, the official energy bar of Biker Dude, Biker Dude and Robert sped through the state, aided 3 stranded college students after their car broke down, and conquered the hills of Rhode Island. Why are you laughing? There are hills in RI, ok well not real hills, but RI is not as flat as its supposed to be! The ride was actually quite hilly and a great training ride.

And what better way to end a day of cycling and promoting peace among mankind, than watching my son, Lightning Boy (known in the world as Zachary) play America's greatest game, baseball, with my elder son Jonah the Fierce, wielder of the iron sword in defense of all that is good and righteous. With a come from behind win in the final inning, with lightning boy scoring the winning run, it capped off a perfect day.

Well, its time for Biker Dude (known in the non-superhero world as Shakur) to get back to work. Until next time...

What is Peaceful?

2009-06-18T14:57:00.000-07:00

Check out the new Peace Ride vid!

Peace Ride at Healing Wheels

2009-06-15T11:18:00.000-07:00

We had a chance to volunteer at a new inaugural ride, Healing Wheels, this past Saturday in Morristown. The route was a metric century and had a killer 5,000-foot ascent in the middle of the course. As their site says, it's "the perfect training ride for this summer's later high-mountain events" (ahem, like the Peace Ride).

We volunteered as an on-course marshal, cheering riders on and letting them know where to go. Later, we had a chance to tell cyclists about the Peace Ride. It was a great first event with a base stationed at the Bandimere Speedway. It was also cool seeing all the cyclists who weren't part of the event turn their heads at the huge tent Healing Wheels set up.

The event benefited Inner City Health Center, a full-range health care facility for low-income and medically uninsured families. Some of the doctors rode in the ride, and it was inspiring to see their commitment toward this cause.

Kudos to Healing Wheels and a congratulations on a successful inaugural year!

Virtual Bowling for Peace?!?

2009-06-11T15:55:00.000-07:00

As part of my preparation for the Colorado Peace Ride last week, I did some virtual bowling on the Wii with some friends! But it wasn’t to improve my hand eye coordination, which apparently is deteriorating with age, as witnessed by the much more impressive bowling skills of my children and their friends. I held a Wii Sports Night fundraiser to kick off my efforts to raise money for the Peace Ride, and it was a total blast.

I drafted my sons, Jonah and Zachary, to act as personal Wii Trainers along with their friends Audrey and Winston, and invited friends over to play a variety of games on the Wii while hooked up to a projector so that we could play on a drop down movie screen. I wish I had taken pictures, but imagine the Wii hooked up to a home theater system!

About 10 friends came over and we played bowling, baseball, boxing and a very strange bird flying game on Super Monkey Ball! The game involves waving the two Wii controllers to flap your wings and gain speed and also angling the controllers to direct your bird while trying to fly between large rock faces, fly around columns and under precipices. Francine “the Aviator” Wisk somehow managed to gracefully soar through the death trap while the rest of us should have been arrested for animal cruelty!

And of course, as part of any proper Peace Ride event, there was proper nutrition provided, a birthday cake for Christopher, another cake and ice cream for good measure, cookies, pretzels, chips, Cliff bars and Powerade! We had a great time, laughed hysterically, and raised almost $100 for the Peace Ride. And I am looking forward to many more fun events. If you have any interesting fundraising experiences or ideas I would love to hear them.

-Shakur

Celebrating Bike Month & Denver Bike to Work Day

2009-06-11T15:35:00.000-07:00

In case you didn't know, June is Bike Month in Colorado. For those of you who don't live in Colorado, cyclists are a huge part of the outdoor culture here, and it's only appropriate that we've got an entire month dedicated to what we love. Governor Ritter himself is an avid cyclist, and on any given day in June, you'll see cyclists getting their race legs ready for summer rides like the Colorado Peace Ride, Ride the Rockies (this weekend), Copper Triangle, and a whole tons more (check out rockymountainsports.com's event calendar). I'm of course loving the art work for this. Check out more Bike Month posters.

With Denver's Bike to Work Day just around the corner on June 24th, I'm celebrating by getting out and commuting to work a few times a week (about 12 miles each way). It's been absolutely awesome, despite the off-and-on rains that Denver has been having. BikeDenver just announced the 1st ever Bike to Work Day pelotons. For novice riders like me who don't know what a peloton is, it's a body of cyclists that ride together. Denver will have multiple pelotons heading down to Civic Park's breakfast station. More info on peloton start points here.

I'll probably be there talking up the Peace Ride and giving people a last minute nudge to register before the July 1st deadline. Hope to see you there!

-Timothy

Two 40-Milers Down with Just under 2 Months to Go

2009-06-11T12:34:00.000-07:00

Over the last 2 weeks, I had the chance to amp up my training a bit and get two solid 40 mile rides under my belt. They were pretty hilly rides, at least as far as Connecticut goes, so I felt pretty good about them. And I got to ride through some really beautiful areas. I haven’t passed by many full fledged farms yet, but there seem to be a lot of holdouts in Connecticut. I am guessing they are families who once owned many acres and now have just a small plot on which they do some crop raising or have some horses and cattle. It’s a great treat for me since I grew up in NYC and still smile every time I see animals that are not behind metal bars!

One of the other many things I love about cycling is the chance to explore new areas. When you need to go on a 50-mile ride, you are bound to start venturing out of known territory and discovering all kinds of interesting things. So far I have explored the coastline in Branford and Guilford, and a bit inland through Hamden, Wallingford and Cheshire. And I am looking forward to venturing out farther west into the Connecticut landscape.

I also had the chance to test out my new bike configuration on these two rides. I recently revamped my bike to put back two of the original three chainrings on the front so that I now have a full set of 21 gears on my bike. I also put on mountain bike handlebars, shifters and brakes. One of the lessons I learned on these two rides is that gears are my friends! I love single speed and fixed gear bikes. They have a beautiful simplicity without all of the wires and levers. But once I started up a long incline, the idea of riding a single speed becomes ludicrous and I was thanking God for every last one of my gears : ) And I am starting to get used to the mountain style handlebars. I originally had road bike drop bars, swapped those out for bullhorn bars when I ditched most of my gears and now I moved to the mountain bike flat bar. It's much better on my back and neck on climbs and I am betting used to using the bar ends on flats and downhills.

One funny experience I had on the last ride I went on was about 25 miles into the ride I was heading up the steepest and longest incline of the route. And as I was struggling up the hill, out of the saddle, sucking in as much air as possible, a car coming down the other side of the hill started slowing down and then stopped. And this woman with a kind voice rolls down her window and yells across the road to ask if I know where some college is. Given that I barely know the area, I was able to say, “No, sorry” and keep trucking up the hill, but my guess is I must have had quite a shocked look on my face. I am guessing she must have been quite lost to have been desperate enough to ask me!

More to come soon as I hope to push up to 50 miles this weekend. Happy riding.

-Shakur

Riding to Life

2009-06-10T17:33:00.001-07:00

Just found this post through Twitter and thought it was appropriate for this blog. Sandy talks about riding until you feel alive, and I can definitely relate to the life that moves when I'm on a bike. Can't really explain it, but I bet a lot of people are going to be talking about this when it comes down to the Peace Ride.

Here's a snippet:

When we wrapped up the final push, something he said really stuck with me. “The hard work is done now…we don’t ‘ride to death’ in this class, we ‘ride to life. We ride until we feel alive.’” How great and healthy is the simplicity of that thought?

I'd add that we can ride to peace -- getting in that zone where it's not about how hard you're riding or how many miles you're doing, but where you are, right at that moment. Sandy's full post here.

-Timothy