I must admit most of my posts on this blog have had a somber tone. That is because breast cancer is one serious disease. Today, however, I'd like to lighten things up a bit. Last year, in Solvang when we were getting ready to start the 2008 Ride, my riding partner started to put on her head phones so she could listen to music while she rode. When she looked up and saw I was not going to be listening to any music, she gave me a quizzical look. She asked how me could I ride 100 miles without listening to music. I explained to her that I never once listened to music while cycling all that summer. So, for 100 miles she listened to music while I went into my meditative state that kicks in whenever I cycle.
I would like to point out that I did tell her it wasn't safe to wear earphones. Those motherly instincts I have tend to kick in without my even thinking about them. She tried to reassure me by saying she only covered one ear with her headphones. I have to be like Deb and Brian here and focus on safety by telling everyone that you should absolutely never wear headphones because it puts your safety at risk! Having said that, however, I know we are all adults, and as such, sometimes we make decisions that aren't necessarily in favor of safety. So, I can understand (but do not endorse) why many cyclists end up wearing headphones because otherwise they would lose their minds out of boredom. If you insist on using headphones then please keep the volume low, or do as my friend does, and leave one ear uncovered. My reason for not wearing earphones is because of the safety issue, but it's an easy choice for me because I prefer the silence.
In order to ride long distances, I urge you to learn the zen of riding. It will make your longer rides seem a little shorter. I find that when I can get into that zone I usually end up having a good ride. I find there is something very hypnotic about cycling. Once I start riding and get into a steady rhythm, a sort of peace comes over me. For some reason, I do some of my best thinking while riding. With the steady drown of my tires against the pavement, I tend to reflect inward, and as a result, my body relaxes which makes cycling easier. By relaxing, my legs end up spinning and doing all the work. That is a good thing. It is hard to explain in words what the zen of cycling feels like but when you achieve it you'll know what I'm talking about.
When I start out riding I really try to let go of the worries in my life, and just focus on the beauty of nature that I'm able to observe while riding. I usually train along the lake front in Chicago. I personally don't like to ride in the streets. It's too hard to relax when I'm trying to avoid potholes, as well as crazy car drivers. While I ride along Lake Michigan, I enjoy looking out over the water, or at the Chicago skyline. I love to observe the changes in nature as I ride over the course of the summer. I never get bored while riding because there is such a variety of things to observe. There is nothing better than looking at the sky and seeing all the beautiful cloud formations on a hot, summer day. I remember that towards fall when I was doing my final long distance rides, I would experience many different changes in the weather as the day progressed. In the fall, the weather and wind can really fluctuate, and it was amazing to watch all that happen.
In the first part of my ride, I do a lot of looking around. As time passes and the longer I ride, however, I tend to become more reflective, and start to shift my focus inward. At some point, I'm not aware of the passage of time, and the miles just start to add up. It's important for me to stay well fueled by eating and drinking, otherwise I start to get tired and hungry which distracts me from my state of contemplation. The reason I like to ride the same route, most of the time, is because I know the spots where I usually stop to refuel, as well as the locations of the bathrooms. This is extremely important. When I first started to ride, I tried not to drink because I didn't want to have to go to the bathroom. However, that approach caused me to end up in the emergency room because I fainted one day from dehydration while I was cycling. One minute I was riding, and then I was having this really good dream (not the type of meditation I encourage) until I was suddenly jolted awake when I crashed into the ground. After that I changed my whole approach towards riding. That is why I can't stress enough following the comments of Brian and Deb regarding nutrition and hydration. Because I tend to ride by myself, it's important that I can bring my bike in with me when I need to use the bathroom. The restrooms by Lake Michigan are big enough for me to do that. Sometimes, I do ride on other bike paths, and if I need to use a bathroom I will stop at a restaurant and ask someone who is eating outside to please watch my bike. This usually works out most of the time. Also, since I tend to ride by myself, I like to ride where I feel safe so I'm hesitant to ride on the more remote bike paths. As you can see, I put a lot of thought into where I decide to train over the summer.
By the end of the summer when I'm riding 4 or more hours at a time, I prefer a sense of predictability, and, therefor, I tend to limit my riding down by the lake. In order to put in the necessary miles it requires me to do loops as I ride up and down the lake front. This can become very monotonous. I would lose my mind if I wasn't able to find a quiet place to go inside my head as I ride over the same terrain again and again. After awhile it doesn't matter where I'm riding but rather the sense of peace I have while riding. I don't want to mislead you into thinking that cycling never feels hard to me. Trust me by the end of the summer when I'm riding long distances, I have to dig deep in order to keep going. But isn't that what breast cancer is about? The ability to keep going even when life seems impossibly hard.
I urge you to try and find this meditative state while riding. Life for many of us is always so busy, and there is usually a lot of action and noise which distracts us from our inner being. Biking can be a very therapeutic way to take a break from life. It is a healthy way to spend time by yourself. Many of us who are breast cancer survivors have learned the importance of making time for ourselves. This event is the perfect opportunity to make that happen. Beginning in June, I'll get on my bike and start to ride again. I know it will take awhile to achieve this meditative state since I haven't ridden since last October. I know with practice I will be able to achieve the zen of cycling. As you all start to train for the 2009 Ride, keep in mind this is a long distance event. It's not how fast but how far you are able to ride. So pace yourself, and learn to relax as you ride. I wish you peace and harmony as you listen to the steady hum of your tires during the months to come.
