Dear Bicycle
Dear Bicycle,
You’ve been good to me. There was a time when I was pretty listless physically and mentally. It was because I had begun living a sedentary lifestyle. You helped me bring a little balance back into that portion of my life. However, it is time for us to have a talk.
The joy of the wind on my bald head, the thrill of crossing a finish line on a solo breakaway, the exhilaration that comes from suffering and then overcoming — these are the things that brought me beyond merely riding around the block to attempting bigger and better things. Caught up in it all I set my sights on even larger accomplishments ahead of me. Like a junky after a fix, it takes longer and longer draws to get the high.
You are just a bicycle.
I’ve enjoyed the new doors you have opened for me. Please don’t think I am ungrateful. I am thankful and wouldn’t trade the experiences and relationships I’ve enjoyed.
However, I had friends before you. I had experiences that I enjoyed and shared with people I love. These new doors shouldn’t mean I have to shut the doors on the old ones.
You’re just carbon, rubber, and metal.
I’m giving up 8 to 12 hours of my week for you. I know, for some who ride your kin that is nothing! For others who have not known what you’ve given me that might seem excessive. I have to let you know, though, that is all I am going to be able to give you.
I think I’m paying enough as I spin going nowhere in my basement while my children are being read their bedtime stories upstairs. I know this training is the medicine I’m taking to make me stronger and it will pay off. It is something I do gladly. However, it is all I can give you. There are some fun things we could do together that just aren’t going to happen. The Beautiful Redhead and the Things Three are just too important.
You have no soul — you can only give what I bring to you.
What about Thing Two? Have I gotten caught up in hoping he will find his way onto one of your kind? What if he doesn’t want to ride a bike? Yes, I know one of the reasons why I started riding was so I would be in shape enough to keep up with him as a teenager when I’m in my 40s. What if I find that I have to do something else to spend time with him?
So, don’t look at me like that when I tell you that I can’t take you out. I’m giving you enough. For some people, it may not be enough. For other people, they may still think it is too much. But it is really just between you and me. I’ve found my limit.
Don’t worry, we’ll have a long relationship. I’m not going to just hang you up. You’ve given me too much to deserve that. Really, this year I’m giving you a good shot at getting us both into some of those bigger and better things. After that, though, our relationship is going to have to mature beyond the infatuation of the winner’s high.
You’ve been good to me, Bicycle. But it is time for me to grow up and realize that you’re got to be a small part of my life. A part – a part I enjoy – but just a part. I think we can do it and be better for it.
Sincerely.
Many riders become a little “OCD” with riding – keep those priorities in order. Our Greenville cycling community is full of “singtle” men and women who have NO idea the sacrifices we make to ride and the efforts it takes to “schedule” a date with our bikes!!!